Bob Books Curriculum Review

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Bob Books are a series of sets of phonics readers. I’ve purchased and used five sets of these readers in our homeschool, currently with my youngest.

Bob Books Review

Bob Books have been a fun addition to our homeschool as a supplement to our phonics curriculum. While each reader is short, simple, with usually only one color to a page (besides black and white), the stories are silly and short enough to become favorites with kids. The short stories allow even a beginning reader to easily read an entire book in one sitting, which has thrilled my kids and increased their confidence. I often hear, “I want to read another!” from my newest reader.

Contents

Each set comes with: 

• a varying number of brief, paperback readers (possibly 8, 10, 12)
• a parent guide that gives tips for teaching your child to read
• and some sets include an additional resource, like flash cards or puzzles. 

Teacher Prep

Teacher prep consists of choosing the box set appropriate to your student’s reading level. For help in this regard, refer to the back of the box – you’ll find available box sets listed in order. You’ll sometimes find even more specific information, like an “Appeals to” suggestion for grade (ex. “Appeals to Pre-K-1st Graders”) and a suggested reading level (ex. “Reading Level Kindergarten”).

Student Time

Since we use Bob Books as a supplement to our phonics curriculum, we usually read just one book a day, which take less than five minutes. Sometimes we extend reading time by discussing words that rhyme, reading comprehension questions, etc.

To whom would I recommend Bob Books?

(Based on Learning Preferences and Three D’s I describe in earlier posts.)

Recommend to…

• Students that love the Written Word but aren’t yet fluent readers will likely love Bob Books and feel so accomplished when they can read an entire book!
• Students that prefer Independent activities will enjoy these readers on their own, possibly after having read each reader with a parent.

I would NOT recommend to…

Students that are highly Visual may not love the simple aesthetic of Bob Books, although the charming pictures may make up for the simplicity.

My Best Tips for Using Bob Books

• The simplicity of each reader may tempt you into rushing through each book with your child. But remembr that, while the readers may look like pamphlets to us as adults, to your child each reader is a REAL BOOK. So treat them like real books. Allow your student to read it through slowly and to have fun with it. Talk about the characters. Ask your child what they think will happen next. Discuss how much you both liked, or disliked, the story.
• Students that require more Interactive learning methods may enjoy these free Bob Books printables from This Reading Mama.

The Last Thing You Need to Know about Bob Books

My kids have been charmed by the Bob Books readers. Even my most reluctantly reader enjoyed them, and seeing his reading fluency and confidence increase made my mama’s heart happy!