Submit Reviews
We are always excited to read new reviews about Bob Books.
If you have a review or anecdote to share, please click the button in the top corner to submit your review by email. Photos, YouTube clips and audio clips are all invited.
Ode to Reading
I am a mother of three young boys and a big fan of your book series (I've got 1-5). My first two boys are fantastic readers, and my youngest just started reading at 3 and a half. I recently wrote a blog post about it and posted a brief video of his first attempt at reading (BOB books, of course!); if you are interested in checking it out. Here is the link. Thanks for all you do! -- Annie
------------------
Two Lil Divas Learn to Read
Blogger, Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas writes:
"I have successfully been using BOB Books with the Lil Divas for the past few months. We began with the Beginning Readers (Set 1) which is a great place to start with early readers. The books in this set slowly introduce new letter sounds using consistency and repetition. The set begins with four letters in the first story and gradually introduces new sounds. Each story features simple yet engaging characters/illustrations and makes use of a combination of short vowel and three-letter words in simple sentences and repetitive text.
The Lil Divas have both had great success with these books at their own rates. They It has become part of our nighttime routine to have them read to me a BOB book each night after our mommy led storytime. The pride they feel after completing a book "on their own" is absolutely priceless! It has really sparked their desire to read and helped build their confidence."
Here is a short video of her reading one of the BOB Books Sight Words
Kindergarten Set books - (turn up your volume!)
Read the full review and see more pictures of Bob Books in action here >>>>>
------------------
"No, Let me do it!"
I am the mother of a kindergartener who has struggled all year with reading. He has a perfectionist type of personality and fears trying things until he knows for sure he can do them.
I just learned about your book series this week while looking for apps for our iPad that could help him with reading. I downloaded the free version of your app and he immediately started playing with it. Then today I noticed your books at Costco. I bought the Collection 1 and sight Words Collection box sets and brought them home.
After school I told my son I had a present for him and showed him the books. Honestly, I wasn't sure what to expect. Most of the time he just walks away from books saying that he can't read and then sulks in the corner. But he was willing to take a look.
He looked at book 1 "Mat" and sounded out the title. What happened next absolutely AMAZED me. He read the first four books in the series straight through!
He had to stop and sound out many of the words, but was able to do so. At one point, when I tried to help him, he said "No, let me do it." (Something I've never heard him say before in the reading context.) Then he read them again (I recorded the second time on video.) After each book, when he read "The End" he would jump up and down and say "I can read."
He laughed at the stories. He told me he loves reading. Honestly, it was 30 minutes that may have just changed my life. Thank you so much!
-- Ellen
(A brand new Bob Books fan)
------------------
HE LIKES GIRLS AND HE CAN READ A BOOK!
Noah wanted to show me how good a reader he was becoming. His mother bought him a set of Bob Books for Beginning Readers. He sat on his mother’s couch, opened up one of the books (Dot and a Dog) and started reading. I quickly grabbed my iPhone and started recording.
--- Kevin
[To read the full blog post, check out Noahspeaks: He likes girls and he can read a book.]
----------
THE ADVENTURE OF READING
My son Alex, who just turned five in December of 2010, was given the BOB Book first series collection in his Easter Basket. He has never attempted to read and I usually just read to him. We started on book 1 and in just a week he is literally reading on his own and is just about finished with the four red books and now ready to move to the green books in series 1.
It's amazing!!
After the first three days of having this BOB Book Series my son read two books to his entire pre-k class with no help with no problem. He did so well and the teacher was so excited she had him go to the office and read to the principal and counselor. Having a child with Autism and a daughter with learning challenges and both of them being in Title-One reading in the past, this is so exciting to have found such a great series to help aid my youngest child in the adventure of reading.
Above: "Alex has only been reading since the day after Easter. He is now on his fourth red book from the Bob Books Beginners Series."
Thanks...
Mother of Three
Lynchburg, Virginia
---------------
Bob Books in Preschool
I learned to love Bob Books years ago when my now senior in high school was learning to read. I am now using them with some of the children in my preschool class. I purchased the My First Bob Books, Pre-Reading Skills set and am reading it to them. I like that your program incorporates many of the same things we do at preschool—shapes, patterns and sequencing!
Thanks! Alison
------------------
Veronica Reading
Our family loves Bob Books! This video shows our four-year old daughter reading the first book, "Mat." As you can see, she has a real enthusiasm for the book, I think she enjoys this series so much because of the sense of fun and humor all Bob Books contain. We love seeing her self esteem and confidence blossom from that sense of accomplishment she gets when she reads the whole book all by herself. Watching her read has been one of the greatest joys I've experienced so far as a parent and for that I thank you Bob Books! I would recommend these books to anyone who has a young child that has shown signs of reading readiness -- your child will amaze you with how quickly they can go from being a guided reader to reading all by themselves. Bob Books have been a fantastic starting point for our daughter as each book builds on the next developing her skill as a reader step by step. These are simple readers with great pictures and a funny storyline that really engages our daughter. Bob Books really do make learning to read seem easy and fun!
--Martha B, San Diego, CA
------------------
Mom of Many Blessings
I just wanted to let you know that I have been using the Bob Books to teach my children to read for many years. So far, 12 of the 15 are readers now. We have successfully launched (graduated) 6 of our 15 children – and they all grew up with the Bob. Bob Books were and are the highlight of their Kindergarten year!
---------------
Bob Books in the African Bush
Dear Lynn,
We are home from Liberia and attempting to slip into a routine. The trip was a huge success. Bob Books are floating all over Yekepa, Nimba County.
In one of our pictures you can see Youh (pink hat) with her parents, a graduate of African Bible College, Liberia. After the war she has taken a position in her home village as principal of New Yekepa Public School. Her family lives 2 hours away by car (she does not have one). Her school was the first recipient of our “Books To The Bush” program. We expected 25-30 kids. 105 showed up.
My friends Maritta and Adam went in November to Yekepa. They went on the Books to the Bush trips and visitied schools. They even took a video of a group of ladies that are receiving tutoring from our liason Emmanuel Gaye. Lynn, it is so amazing.
These women have never been to school… some could barely write their names. After Martha learned to read, she encouraged them to try. They are actually reading and now the men are jumping on the “learning train”. With tear filled eyes I watched a video of the female garden and grounds keeper, Oreta, read The Cat in the Hat.
- Sheri
Loving Through Literacy Project
---------------
So Proud He Can Read These Books
I just have to say that I love these books!!
My son started Kindergarten with a great base of phonics. He knew his letter sounds and with some help could sound out simple words. I saw his interest growing and spoke with a First Grade teacher I know. She gave me 2 sets of Bob Books to use with him.
Since then (about a month ago) he has totally taken off. He loves them and is SO proud that he can read these books to me with no help. I just purchased 2 more sets for him for Christmas and gave one to him early because I couldn’t wait. He keeps looking at the other sets asking when he can get those too!
It’s amazing.
The stories are short but interesting for young kids. The pictures are helpful, but don’t give away all the words. I simply can’t say how grateful I am that we found these books!! I am recommending them to everyone I know!
Thank you Bob Books!
- Stacy in Cincinnati, Ohio
December 19. 2010
------------------
Thank You From a Happy Parent
I would like to say thank you to whomever wrote these wonderful books.
I have a 6 ½ year old daughter born with congenital hydrocephalus with a VP shunt and partial agenesis corpus callosum. I tried hooked on phonics, since this is what I had used with my other children, but she still struggled with trying to read.
She started first grade the day after Labor Day in regular classroom with resource for language arts. She brought home books from the library, AR books that were 0.6 and 1.0 reading level and cried because they were too hard and said she couldn’t read.
This about broke my heart when she said this and how discouraged she was in regards to reading.
When I was in Barnes and Noble a week and a half ago to buy books for my other children and myself, I asked the sales clerk on what they recommended to help my daughter with reading. They recommended your books and said they have teachers coming in all the time purchasing them. I had never heard of these before but I decided to give them a try and bought the first set, beginning readers.
You have to understand this has been hard on me since we are so big on reading. I have been working with her and trying to find what worked for her to help her learn to read. It was amazing and beautiful to see her little face light up and the biggest grin after she read the first book. She currently finished book 9 tonight and is doing amazing, we read a book a night. She may not remember she just read that word on the previous page but sounds it out and reads it without getting discouraged. What helps for her is the small size of the book and only a few words on each page. She may also struggle with comprehension and understanding that reading a book is a story but I know we will get there eventually. Your books have helped us give her the confidence to read and the foundation on which reading begins. I will be going back to Barnes and Noble this weekend to purchase set 2 for my daughter.
Again, thank you so much for having this program available and the insight to whomever wrote and developed these books to give my precious daughter a chance to learn to read. I don’t normally write comments and feedback but I am so impressed with the books and the positive rewards, I felt compelled to send one in regards to the Bob Books.
I now tell everyone I know including parents on hydrocephalus and ACC online groups I belong to about how wonderful Bob books are. I will make sure I have the money available when she is ready for the next set.
A very happy parent in Virginia,
Sabra
September 22, 2010
------------------
Discovering Reading in Manila
Bob’s Books readers have been a great tool in helping our young learners at Cuatro Christian School in Manila, Philippines, begin to discover the joys of reading.
The children, all second language learners, enjoy the short yet entertaining stories and simple pictures, enabling gradual and reinforced mastery of the letter sounds, blends, and more complex reading skills. The ability to quickly finish the books motivates the student to press on to the next level.
Thank you for […your special books…] that are helping our students become confident readers.
Blessings,
Kaye C
August 16, 2010
------------------
Using Bob Books Teaching Kids with Autism
I teach children with Autism ages 3-12 and currently have 8 students. My youngest right now is 4 years old and he already reads some. My oldest student is also a reader although low level. Typically I work with them one on one because I only have one set of the first two in the series.
[...]
I work for one of the most economically disadvantaged school districts in North Carolina, and have children from a variety of ethnic backgrounds. Autism is blind, it hits children from every race, class, or geographical area. However it is in our more rural areas (like where I am teaching) that it seems to hit hardest. I do the best I can, but I have some of the most profoundly impaired kids, with some of the most limited resources.
Your books are nice, because they do not make children feel like they are reading ‘baby books’, They are generic, basic, and very developmentally appropriate. They are based on sound literacy research that shows as another commenter said that (eight ‘ate’) should never be in an early reader. The pictures are simple and clearly indicate what the words ‘might’ be (even for a child who has to look at the first letter and ‘guess’ the word).
My son says it best when he says things like “That word is Sam, because he is a triangle….” He even recognized words from your book out of context, for example, ‘Sam’ in Green Eggs and Ham; Dr. Suess.
As for my classroom, these books allow my third graders to feel accomplishment, and gives the youngest students appropriate developmental books to practice letters, and words. They enjoy being read to and predicting what might happen next even when they KNOW the story. They never get old for my kids who thrive on repetition and fear changes to their environment and schedules. The ‘look’ of your books is familiar to them like a good friend or a favorite pair of jeans might be for us. They do not fear your books like they might the other books in their lives that are so overwhelming and overstimulating. My students are easily upset by sensory overload making typical high color picture books difficult to pay attention to.
I have also drawn pictures based on your illustrations for coloring activities, and with the oldest kids we have made up stories about your characters. Dots dog is ALWAYS naughty….and her cat can do no wrong..
Thank you for posting my comments, and for taking the time to reply to my letter.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth
(Autism Teacher in NC)
April 26. 2010
------------------
So Proud To Show Grandma
One day my 4 year old daughter was ‘reading’ a book to me. It was then I realized that she was ready and wanted to read. I went to the library and found the Bob Books. I got the whole first set.
She loves it.
I set a goal for her. If she practiced everyday then we could show off to grandma and grandpa. She loves the idea and is working very hard. She also loves the Reading chart.
Thanks
- Sarah P, Batavia, IL
January 3, 2010
---------------
13 Years Later...
I was so advanced in my mathematics that in Kindergarten, I was understanding basic algebra. But I could not read. In second grade it got to the point that my mother decided to teach me herself, with Bob Books. I read a majority of the classics in 5th grade. I got a 29 on my ACT and 13 years later I am a Sophomore at UGA.
---------------
21 Years of Bob Books
I love your Bob Books. I taught my now 21 year old college student to read with them many years ago and am now teaching his little brother with them (and my other four children used them in between), so they are well worn and well loved.
Thank you, Katherine Z
---------------
Loving Through Literacy
Loving Through Literacy provides books and reading materials to communities in need. They distributed Bob Books at the San Carlos Apache reservation.
.jpg)
---------------
I learned to read with Bob Books
I taught myself how to read with these books! They bring back so many memories and started my love for reading. I am now 16 years old and am still glad my parent's only help with teaching me to read, was buying these books.
Natalie, Arizona
---------------
Max Reads to Ava
What could be more inspiring, the reading, or being read to, by your brother or sister.
--------------
Bob Books in the news
Check out this great interview of Metro Moms in Texas. They talk about teaching reading, and Bob Books!
CBS 11 TV (Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas)
---------------
Good for my students and for my son
I am a special education teacher and a parent of a 2 and 3 year old. I often use BOB books in my classroom (the letter set and set one (blue box), however recently my 3 year old and I were at the book store and he said he wanted to read. I knew he knew some letters from preschool and the letters in his name (Sam) but i was amazed at his ability to use your books and infer, predict, and READ really read, not just memorize, with your BOB books set 1. He read Mat, Sam and Dot before we left the store. He feels empathy too, when Mat sits on Sam and when the dog ruins Dots hat! I cannot wait for him to move on to other books. Your books have helped me look forward to the weekend again! As a teacher with toddlers at home, I never get a break, but your books have provided an outlet for my fiesty, energetic, SMART 3 year old. He will sit and simply look through your books for ages (well long eough for me to take a shower alone) which is GREAT! so Thanks! !
Elizabeth, Rocky Mount, NC
---------------
Improving Self Esteem
GOD bless!!!! My oldest son Malik has a reading problem, he is in the 4th grade and reads below grade average. I have a younger son who has just started to read, he is in kindergarten, his name is Donn Pierre....Donn would say, "mommy I can't read", Malik's self esteem was down, but I had Malik read to Donn Pierre the "Bob beginning set" and WOW WOW, both of my boys was happy. I couldn't get that 5 year old to stop reading he read 2 books in one day with the help of his brother, Malik. Malik self esteem went up so high and Donn well he was as happy as can be, he read his very 1st book!!!!! And I did not help, it was no need for me to because Malik could read the words...I have a secret shh don't tell Malik...lol but BOB the books is for him too :).
---------------
Homeschool rewards
I just wanted to send a quick e-mail to tell you how much we love your Bob books. My biggest problem teaching my three boys to read (I homeschool) is getting them to a point where there is a reward -- and the Bob books do that early on.
Now my 6-year-old is insisting that he can teach his brother, who just turned 5, to read the Bob books, and that I don't need to help him (yay!)
I never really understood how insanely difficult our language is until I tried to teach my kids to read. It is amazing to me how many so-called learn-to-read-books include words like "night" or "eight." ("Eight" is pronounced "ate"? Huh?) Your simple, phonetic words are so helpful and lead to a quick reward -- reading!
Thanks again, Elisa
---------------
Trevor Reads Bob Books
Trevor (almost age 3 1/2) reads the first couple stories from the Book Book Level 1 collection. He keeps saying things that make him sound really familiar with the stories, but we really did just get them from the library. (He says that he recognizes them from Connor's house, so that was over seven months ago.) These really aren't memorized!
---------------
My daughter was so proud!
My daughter, who will be 4 at the end of June begged me to bring "Up, Pup" to school today. Before I left, she had read to an administrator and two of her former teachers. She's so proud of herself! Both of my kids were reading (using phonics) by 4 and we used these books! (found them at Costco.)
-Jody
---------------
From a graduate
My preschool teacher introduced me to Bob Books and I loved every moment of it. I wouldn't look at the pictures and tried to use phonetics to sound out the words and read the story. More than a decade later, I look back and attribute your series to my current love of books! Thank you, and thank you Mrs. Bates!
-- Aish.
---------------
My son is reading!
I wrote to you when my son was 2.5 that the bob books did wonders for him! Well, I thought I'd give a little update. He's now just over three and is independently reading chapter books. He reads as well as some of the Grade 2's in my school! He LOVES to read and a lot of his interest started with the Bob Books! I am hanging on to these books for my next little guy, so I can use it with him!!
--Linda F.
---------------
Singing with Mat
How did singing the Bob books come about?
I am presently homeschooling my 6 year old and I also have a 3-year old. Because of my background as a music educator, my children are what I call "musical learners." I have noticed that my children grasp certain concepts more easily when set to music. In an effort to help my children and the children at a local private school where I teach music part-time, I began putting music to concepts that the children are learning. I have been writing songs that are entertaining as well as educational.
The school has a set of Bob Books and I have been writing melodies and singing them with some of the classes. The children love the songs. We also play games and act out the songs (music and movement).
My quest is to integrate the curriculum with the classroom teacher. In other words, if you are teaching the states and capitols in social studies class, in music class we are singing a song that uses the states and capitols as lyrics. If the math teacher is teaching skip counting, in music class we are singing a skip counting song. So, enjoy singing the Bob Books.
--F. S. Beresford
-------------------
From a Spanish Speaking Parent
I am a parent that speaks Spanish and I´m trying to teach English to my son. I am using your books
(I have the Listen & Read collection with CD) and I am very proud of the progress of my son. For parents who do not speak English as a mother tongue, it is easy to teach with the audio CD.
--Thanks, Juan L. (from Colombia, South America).
-------------------
My First Bob Books
I learned to love Bob Books years ago when my now senior in high school was learning to read. I am now using them with some of the children in my preschool class. I purchased the My First Bob Books, Pre-Reading Skills set and am reading it to them. I like that your program incorporates many of the same things we do at preschool—shapes, patterns and sequencing!
--Thanks! Alison L
---------------
Interest in Reading Changed
These books are the best. My 5 year old son did not want to read and I could see his frustration. I was using books that were to complicated for his age. After I found the Bob Books his interest in reading changed drastically. Now my 3-1/2 year son is reading the books too. Thank you for this wonderful idea.
--Veronica, FL
---------------
Worked for my 2.5 year old!
I wanted to let you know how wonderful the Bob books are!
I am a mom to of a 2.5 year-old boy! When he was 18 months, I taught him the letters of our alphabet and he knew the letters at random. At 23 months, we worked on the "sounds" of each letter and made simple three letter words -- bat, pat, mat etc. I tried some easy reading books for beginners, and found that they all started off logically but then would have combination-type words (e.g. coat) that my son could not read. He was definitely not ready to read those types of words. A friend of mine recommended the Bob Books, and so I bought the first set!
My son read through the first set with not much difficulty. I was very impressed at the pace of the books. It progresses very logically and challenges the reader, without frustrating the reader.
I am proud to say that my 2.5 year-old boy reads with little to no help for the first 2 SETS of Bob Books! He sounds out each letter and says the word. He also infers what will happen next in the book. The best part is that when we are shopping, he picks up an item, and can sound out words on most items!
Being a teacher, I am extremely critical with books, but I find these books are totally wonderful for any reader!
--Many Thanks! Linda F., Ajax, Ontario
---------------
International Bob Books
I just wanted to thank you for creating Bob Books. We live overseas, so I am teaching my little boy to read English at home. Your books have made it fun and painless. He is proud of himself and motivated to keep going. And now, with only three books left to go, in the last box, he is really reading.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! We couldn't have done it without Bob Books.
--Beth T., A grateful mom in the Czech Republic.
---------------
First Grade Teacher
I am a first grade teacher in North Carolina and I LOVE Bob Books. These books will put your child on the road to success with reading. They are the "fun" phonics readers. My students love Bob Books and so does my four year-old son. Thank you for these wonderful phonics readers!
--Angela Adams, National Board Certified Teacher
---------------
Second Generation Reading with Bob Books
I learned to read by using Bob Books in the early/mid '80s. I sincerely cannot wait to introduce my daughter to this awesome series. They were a favorite of mine, and I'm hoping she will love them as much as I did.
--Thank you, Holly, Mililani, Hawaii
---------------
20 years later
I felt compelled to email you about Bob books. First of all I was not sure they still existed!
My daughter was born 20 yrs. ago, in 1988. She was talking full sentences by the time she was 1 year old. When she was between 18 mo. and two yrs. she said to me "Mommy, I want to read." Books had always been a very important part of our lives. I read several books to her every night.
But when she asked to learn to read, I thought "Oh no, how do I teach a two year old how to read?" I found out about Bob Books from a teacher friend of mine. I bought a set and started using them. My daughter was reading at two years old! By the time she was four she was reading cereal boxes, newspapers, magazines, anything she could get her hands on.
When she started kindergarten she tested out of third grade reading level, her teacher said she didn't have testing materials high enough for her. Her teacher had my daughter, Ashley, reading to the class as a reward for not complaining about the simple work, LOL! Then the other teachers started having her come to their classrooms to read to their students, and this was in kindergarten! (I didn't mention that she was only 4 when she started kindergarten.) Well she graduated in 2006 with a 98 average and as Salutatorian.
And Bob Books started it all for us! Thank you so much!
~Wendy B.
---------------
Little Miss: "I will read books to the baby when he’s born."
Dad: "Okay, but you have to learn your letter sounds to read books."
Little Miss: "Okay."
That innocent conversation took place four months ago when my daughter was 3-years-and-4-months-old. She completed her first book the very same month.
Her first book was called "Mat," the first in a series of 50 child-size 5.5"x4" Scholastic paperbacks collectively known as Bob Books.
Read more of this terrific blog entry at 
Listen to "Little Miss" reading Peg and Ted from Set 1. 6 minute recording
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
