In this article
It depends on what your child already knows. If they're still learning which sound each letter makes, start with the two Letter Sounds workbooks. If they know most letter sounds and are starting to sound out short words, start with the Short Vowels storybooks and add the matching workbook for writing practice. The Long Vowels books come after that, for ages 6 to 8.
The six books, in order
| Step | Title | What's inside | Age (publisher) | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Letter Sounds Workbook 1 | 84 pages: 13 letters, pencil grip, printing letters and words | Not stated | $12.95 |
| 2 | Letter Sounds Workbook 2 | 84 pages: the other 13 letters | Not stated | $12.95 |
| 3 | Short Vowels, 20 Storybooks + Guide | 20 small 8-page storybooks, a teacher guide and an audio CD | 4 to 6 | $44.95 |
| 3 | Short Vowels Workbook | 89 pages of sounding out, writing words and sight words | 4 to 6 | $12.95 |
| 4 | Long Vowels, 16 Storybooks + Guide | 16 storybooks of 16 pages each, and a teacher guide | 6 to 8 | $39.95 |
| 4 | Long Vowels Workbook | 78 pages to go with the long-vowel stories | 6 to 8 | $12.95 |
Prices are in CAD and were current when we wrote this. The series is written by Cathy Jackson, illustrated by Graham Ross and published by DC Canada, based on 30 years of classroom teaching.
Storybooks or workbooks: what each one does
The storybooks are for reading. Each one is a short illustrated story that uses the sounds your child is practising, so they can decode the words themselves. The teacher guide in each set shows you how to use them. The short-vowel books are small (5.5 by 5.5 inches) and only 8 pages each, so a child can finish one in a sitting.
The workbooks are for writing. They cover printing letters and words, writing words the way they sound, sight words, and short comprehension and creative writing activities. The publisher made each vowel workbook to go with its storybook set, so they work best together.
If you're only buying one thing for a child who already knows their letter sounds, choose the storybooks. Reading the stories is the main part of the program, and the workbook adds writing practice on top.
Where to start with a 3- or 4-year-old
The Letter Sounds workbooks are the starting point. Each letter has a short passage for you to read aloud, plus picture matching and step-by-step printing. Workbook 1 starts with c, o, a, d, g and q, which all begin with the same curved stroke. Workbook 2 covers the other 13 letters.
Go at your child's pace. A page or two at a time, with you beside them, is enough.
How to use them alongside school
- Ask the teacher which sounds the class is on, and practise the same ones at home, so the two support each other.
- Read the storybook first, then do the workbook page that goes with the same sounds.
- Reread the stories. Going back to a story they've already sounded out is good practice, and it's a nice moment of "I can read this".
These are English books. If your child is in French immersion or you speak another language at home, our guide to Chinese, English and French books has options in all three languages.
As a gift
The Short Vowels storybook set makes a good gift for a 4- or 5-year-old who's curious about reading. Add the workbook if they like to write. For other ideas at that age, see our gift guide for 3- to 5-year-olds, which includes the self-checking LOGICO boards.
Want to flip through the books first? Call our Richmond, Burnaby or Ottawa store ahead of your visit and we'll let you know which titles we have on hand.
