Finding decodable reading books for early readers can be quite a challenge! Below are some of the books we have in our classroom.
The Peacekeeper Series
I absolutely love the Peacekeeper Series available on Montessori Services. Each story is set in a Montessori classroom and shows how the children prevent or resolve a conflict. The words are phonetically regular and can be decoded by beginning readers. Montessori students will recognize many of the materials depicted in the simple illustrations. All children will relate to the day to day conflicts the characters are faced with. The authors do a surprisingly good job of capturing emotions using simple language.
Level 1 (pink) uses mostly CVC (consonant-vowel-consonant) words and a few sight words like I and the.
Level 2 (blue series) uses blends and longer phonetically regular words along with a few more sight words.
Level 3 (green series) uses phonograms.
1,2,3 A Montessori Reading Series
This is a darling little set of decodable books written and illustrated by my friend Pauline Meert. It’s available on Etsy.
Modern Curriculum Press Phonics Practice Readers
Unfortunately this set is now out of print. It’s such a shame because the stories are fun, phonetically regular and the children really enjoy the bright illustrations. If you find a used set somewhere, grab them!
Books To Remember Series
This is, hands down, my favorite set of decodable books for the Montessori classroom. The illustrations are gorgeous and realistic. The content is phonetically regular and the stories are simple and charming and do not feel at all contrived. There are fiction and non fiction books in this library. It’s a bit expensive, but I highly recommend it for a classroom. Available through Flyleaf Publishing.
This is the summary page from “Fred and Zack in the Sandbox” so you can see what the content is like.
One of my favorite books in the series is “It is Halloween”. It’s a charming little story about two children getting ready for Halloween with their grandparents.
There’s spooky drama….
…and a child friendly, realistic resolution.
Plus, it’s all phonetically regular!
More Resources
Books & Cards for Early Readers Suitable for the Montessori Classroom from Montessori Nature
Early Reading Recommendations, Activities & Printables from Every Star is Different
A Comparison of Beginning Phonics Readers from Montessori for Everyone
Top Montessori First Readers from How We Montessori
The Royal Road to Reading by Mary Ellen Maunz
Free Phonetic Readers by Trish Mylet
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