The following reviews examine a collection of this season’s new decodable series. Combining rigorous, research-based phonics instruction and engaging storytelling is no small feat, and these sets offer something for librarians, educators, and families supporting readers at a variety of levels.

Elementary

Andrews, E.C. Ezra and the Flute. ISBN 9798893590791.
––––. Freddy the Chef Cooks Soup. ISBN 9798893590814.
Harris, Jacqueline. Paul and Matthew’s Garden. ISBN 9798893590821.
Leatherland, Noah. A Cake in the Lake. ISBN 9798893590777.
––––. Mickey and the Pie. ISBN 9798893590869.
––––. The Beach Team. ISBN 9798893590753.
Mather, Charis. The Cowboy Bellboy. ISBN 9798893590784.
––––. Gran to the Rescue. ISBN 9798893590838.
––––. No Lunch for Nile. ISBN 9798893590876.
––––. The Perfume Merchant. ISBN 9798893590883.
Nelson, Louise. Joe and Rose in the Forest. ISBN 9798893590807.
––––. May’s Crayon. ISBN 9798893590852.
Phillips-Bartlett, Rebecca. Phillipa’s Big Cook-Off. ISBN 9798893590760.
Twiddy, Robin. The Magic Rock Pool. ISBN 9798893590845.
ea vol: 24p. (Read and Grow Phonics Fiction Level 4). North Star. Jan. 2025. Tr. $28.50.
K-Gr 2–Level 4 in this series targets mostly long vowel patterns, along with some digraphs, r-controlled vowels, and the soft c and soft g sounds. The text length increases to challenge readers, helping them build stamina and fluency as they prepare to transition from decodable texts to authentic texts. The front matter includes activities and a helpful preview chart outlining the focus sounds for all the titles in Level 4. There’s also a list of “Tricky Words,” which includes sight words and high-frequency words, as well as some words shown in isolation with visuals to help practice the specific phonemes targeted in each title. Each book ends with four questions designed to support retelling, encourage attention to detail, and develop inference skills. The stories in this level mostly focus on families and familiar, relatable topics like spending time with grandparents, going on a camping trip, or drawing. Some books also introduce broader themes, like caring for the community by creating a garden or participating in a beach clean-up. These titles successfully bridge the gap between decodable texts and more complex authentic reading, giving students the practice they need to grow into confident, capable readers. VERDICT These titles do an excellent job of blending meaningful phonics instruction with engaging and relatable storylines that appeal to young readers.

Andrews, E.C. A Jug of Jam. ISBN 9798893590609.
––––. Kat the Cow. ISBN 9798893590616.
Mather, Charis. A Cool Bed. ISBN 9798893590593.
––––. The Fuzz Bug. ISBN 9798893590586.
––––. A Park Shark. ISBN 9798893590623.
––––. The Queen That Did Not Wait. ISBN 9798893590630.
––––. The Wish Shop. ISBN 9798893590661.
Twiddy, Robin. Bang the Gong. ISBN 9798893590555.
––––. Beth at the Fun Fair. ISBN 9798893590562.
––––. The Box Fort. ISBN 9798893590579.
––––. The Hill and the Van. ISBN 9798893590654.
––––. To the Tower. ISBN 9798893590647.
ea vol: 16p. (Read and Grow Phonics Fiction Level 2). North Star. Jan. 2025. Tr. $25.64.
PreS-Gr 1–The continuation of this series skillfully progresses beyond basic phonemic awareness, moving from mastery of consonants and short vowel sounds into more advanced concepts like consonant digraphs, vowel teams, r-controlled vowels, glued sounds, and other essential phonemes and spelling patterns. Each book introduces these more complex skills in a way that feels natural and accessible, allowing young readers to build confidence with decoding gradually while still enjoying the reading experience. The storylines remain clever and engaging, often incorporating playful twists that keep kids eager to turn the page. A great example of this is The Fuzz Bug, which uses wordplay and word families to create a fun, lighthearted mystery. Humorous and relatable storylines, combined with intentional phonics practice, make the books feel fresh and enjoyable rather than overly controlled or stilted. VERDICT This series continues to strike an impressive balance between phonics instruction and engaging storytelling. With its thoughtful progression, playful plots, and systematic introduction of new phonics patterns, it’s a valuable tool for classrooms, tutoring, or home practice.

Andrews, E.C. Out of Her Element. ISBN 9798893590944.
Hall, Alex. Priscilla, the Chicken Who Wanted to Fit In. ISBN 9798893590951.
Leatherland, Noah. A Longer Ladder. ISBN 9798893590906.
Mather, Charis. Lucy and the Lighthouse Fairies. ISBN 9798893590913.
––––. One-Man Band. ISBN 9798893590937.
Phillips-Bartlett, Rebecca. Mission to Mars. ISBN 9798893590920.
ea vol: 32p. (Read and Grow Phonics Fiction Level 5). North Star. Jan. 2025. Tr. $31.35.
K-Gr 2–Level 5 serves as a consolidation of everything covered in Levels 1 through 4, giving readers the opportunity to put it all together and apply the skills they’ve been working on while continuing to build fluency and reading stamina. This level shifts away from the color-coded markings used in earlier levels, meaning readers are now expected to recognize and decode all phonemes and spelling patterns independently, having already practiced and mastered them in the previous series. This intentional removal of supports helps ease the transition into authentic texts, encouraging readers to rely on their growing decoding skills. Another notable shift in Level 5 is the variety of genres introduced. Readers encounter different types of text, including realistic fiction, adventure, and even some informational content, which helps broaden their reading experiences and prepares them for the diverse types of texts they’ll encounter as they advance. VERDICT This level is a strong conclusion to the series, reinforcing essential skills while fostering independence and a love for reading.

Phonic Books. Beth Can Juggle.
––––. The Big Match.
––––. Ketchup.
––––. Lifted by the Wind.
––––. Missing.
––––. On Top of the Hutch.
––––. Packed and Unpacked.
––––. Seven Kittens.
––––. Skidding and Whizzing.
––––. Wiggle and Jiggle.
Full set: illus. by Leandro Cunha. 120p. (Phonic Books Dandelion Launchers). DK. Feb. 2025. 9780593847138 Tr. $40.
PreS-Gr 1–A sign of a great decodable is when you can read the text and immediately know which phonics skills are being targeted. The best decodables have a smooth flow, and the content feels authentic—not forced by the limitations of a restricted vocabulary bank. This series achieves that goal seamlessly, with added extras that take learning to the next level. At six pages with two to three sentences per page, these books are an ideal length for building fluency and stamina without overwhelming new readers. The clever illustrations combine drawings with photographs, making for an eye-catching visual accompaniment to the text. Each title in the series also includes comprehension questions, a game, and targeted word reading and spelling practice. The icing on the cake is the comprehensive set of additional materials that come with the books. These varied, targeted, and Orton-Gillingham-aligned activities give kids fun, engaging ways to practice and reinforce their skills. There’s a strong focus on blending, segmenting, fluency, word building, comprehension, and even early writing. The introduction does a fantastic job walking parents and educators through how to use the series—whether for teaching reading from the ground up or as a catch-up resource for kids who need extra support. VERDICT This series would be an asset to any classroom and manages to do the tricky job of also being accessible to caregivers and non-teaching professionals. It’s clearly well-researched and thoughtfully produced, a true gold standard in the rapidly growing market of decodable books.
Harris, Jacqueline. The Mess. ISBN 9798893590470

Leatherland, Noah. Bess and the Can. ISBN 9798893590425.
––––. The Big Ham. ISBN 9798893590432.
––––. Buff Bob. ISBN 9798893590449.
Mather, Charis. Go, Pat, Go. ISBN 9798893590463.
––––. The Pan. ISBN 9798893590494.
––––. The Tap. ISBN 9798893590517.
––––. A Tin Man. ISBN 9798893590524.
Twiddy, Robin. Can Nick Go Up?ISBN 9798893590456.
––––. Pack It, Rick. ISBN 9798893590487.
––––. The Pod. ISBN 9798893590500.
––––. Todd Got the Cod. ISBN 9798893590531.
ea vol: 16p. (Read and Grow Phonics Fiction Level 1). North Star. Jan. 2025. Tr. $25.64.
K-Gr 2–This engaging phonics series offers a strong blend of structured literacy support and playful storytelling, making it a helpful resource for early readers. The front matter includes a useful section called “Guidance for Guardians, Teachers, and Caregivers,” which outlines best practices for using the books as effective teaching tools. This instructional support ensures that both educators and caregivers can confidently follow methods grounded in the science of reading. Each book highlights new phonemes using color coding and underlining, providing clear visual cues to help children focus on the target sounds. At the end of each title, there are short multisensory activities, giving children hands-on opportunities to reinforce their learning. Titles like Buff Bob cleverly incorporate controlled text into funny, creative storylines that keep kids engaged while staying true to the phonics focus. The illustrations support the text and provide opportunities for discussion and comprehension-building, though the style leans more traditional and may not feel as modern or visually exciting as some newer offerings on the market. VERDICT This is a well-executed series that serves as a valuable resource for children in the very early stages of reading development. Its combination of clear phonics instruction, humorous controlled text, and supportive teaching materials makes it a great addition to both classroom libraries and home collections.

Mather, Charis. Can Snails Ever Win?ISBN 9798893590692.
––––. The Hunt for the Roast Ham Robber. ISBN 9798893590715.
––––. I Like Ants. ISBN 9798893590722.
––––. Three Kids in a Coat. ISBN 9798893590739.
Twiddy, Robin. The Band. ISBN 9798893590685.
––––. Carl the Cat Needs a Nap. ISBN 9798893590708.

ea vol: 16p. (Read and Grow Phonics Fiction Level 3). North Star. Jan. 2025. Tr. $25.64.
PreS-Gr 1–This series continues to build on the skills introduced in Levels 1 and 2, while circling back to previously taught phonemes for ongoing review and reinforcement. The primary focus at this stage is blends, but all previously introduced phonemes are intentionally incorporated to ensure continuous practice and cumulative learning. The front matter offers helpful preview strategies and decoding tips to support readers as they encounter more challenging words, while the back matter provides additional practice activities to further reinforce the phonics focus. These books are slightly longer than the earlier levels, with more complex sentences and expanded vocabulary, gently increasing the challenge for developing readers. A standout title in this level is Three Kids in a Coat , a fun and imaginative story where Dad is headed to see a band, and the kids aren’t allowed to go. Determined to sneak in, they hatch a hilarious plan—stacking themselves on top of each other inside a giant coat to pass as one very tall man. The humor, creativity, and playful plot will make this book a favorite, while still providing plenty of opportunities for decoding practice. VERDICT This set does a fantastic job of balancing phonics instruction with engaging, age-appropriate storytelling. By weaving review and new skills together seamlessly, it supports both fluency and confidence.

Minden, Cecilia. Don and Pat Play Ball. illus. by Eduardo Marticorena. ISBN 9781668955987.
––––. Fox and Hen. illus. by Eduardo Marticorena. ISBN 9781668955956.
––––. Jan and Jim Get a Map. illus. by Eduardo Marticorena. ISBN 9781668955963.
––––. A Pill for Mugs. illus. by Eduardo Marticorena. ISBN 9781668955970.
Scully, Elizabeth. Adell’s Dance Class. illus. by Andreana Boatta. ISBN 9781668956007.
––––. Billy’s Weekend Problem. illus. by Andreana Boatta. ISBN 9781668955994.
––––. Grammy’s Cookies. illus. by Andreana Boatta. ISBN 9781668956014.
––––. A Hiking Adventure. illus. by Andreana Boatta. ISBN 9781668956021.
ea vol: 16p. (Little Blossom Stories). Cherry Lake. Jan. 2025. pap. $11.36.
PreS-Gr 2–This series offers engaging content with charming illustrations. However, these books would not be classified as truly decodable. The series incorporates multiple syllable types and higher-level vocabulary, making it unclear how they are leveled. The publisher may have used its own metric, but the categorization does not align well with a structured phonics approach. Several titles in the series focus on syllables, but their execution is inconsistent and sometimes misleading. For example, A Hiking Adventure is labeled as a syllables-focused book, yet the actual emphasis is on the suffix -ture, which creates confusion about its instructional intent. Similarly, Adell’s Dance Class claims to focus on the schwa sound but reads more like a non-decodable text, making it difficult to use as a teaching tool. Overall, the syllable-focused titles lack the clarity and instructional strength needed to serve as effective phonics resources. On the other hand, some titles in the series do better align with what one would expect from decodable books. A Pill for Mugs effectively focuses on consonant digraphs, with words chosen to highlight patterns such as ck, floss, sh, and th, and the story is engaging, presenting a relatable real-world scenario. The book includes a list of “sight words,” but three of the five words listed are actually decodable once phonics rules have been taught. VERDICT Though ultimately inconsistent with a structured approach, these titles have something to offer young readers.

Renando, Tiffany. At Bat. ISBN 9798875218132.
––––. A Bed for Ten. ISBN 9798875218057.
––––. Bug Club. ISBN 9798875217890.
––––. Dogs Do a Lot. ISBN 9798875217654.
––––. Fun in the Sun. ISBN 9798875217814.
––––. Jon on the Job. ISBN 9798875217739.
––––. Kick It. ISBN 9798875217579.
––––. Max the Cat. ISBN 9798875218217.
––––. Pets. ISBN 9798875217975.
––––. Sid Will Fix It. ISBN 9798875217494.

ea vol: 24p. (Stairway Decodables Step 1). Capstone/Picture Window. Dec. 2024. Tr. $22.65.
K-Gr 2–This series focuses on short vowels and features compelling stories with visuals that both support the text and help move the story forward. Each book offers fantastic, varied, and targeted suggestions for before, during, and after reading, including word sorting activities, multiple decoding strategies, comprehension questions, phonemic awareness exercises, information about morphology, cross-curricular connections, and much more. With approximately 20 pages of text per title, these books also help young readers build stamina. One standout title, Pets, highlights children around the world and the different kinds of pets they have. Paired with a nostalgic illustration style, this book is highly engaging and offers lots of opportunities for discussion and connection. VERDICT Teachers and parents alike will be excited to support emergent readers using this thoughtfully designed and easy-to-integrate series.

Samatte, Sandra. Duck and Cub. Bk. 1. ISBN 9781643797632.
––––. Grandfather Rock. Bk. 2. ISBN 9781643797649.
––––. Jan at Camp. Bk. 3. ISBN 9781643797656.
––––. Rhett and Jett. Bk. 4. ISBN 9781643797663.
––––. Tim and Robin. Bk. 5. ISBN 9781643797670.
ea vol: illus. by Julian Grafenauer. 20p. (Drumbeat Decodable Book Collection). Lee & Low/Bebop. Aug. 2025. pap. $9.95.
PreS-Gr 2–These books feature captivating illustrations with a focus on nature and representation of Indigenous culture and traditions. In Grandfather Rock, a boy and his dog are playing by the dock. At the end his mom reminds him not to take a rock that he has been curious about and then gives an offering to the rock to honor the grandfather. Simple text with clear and specific targeted practice for emergent readers to reinforce foundational skills like segmenting and blending CVC words. In Jan at Camp, a young girl and her dad are preparing to go to Culture Camp. There they learn about Indigenous traditions, such as how to tap a tree for sap, from Elder Fran. Word lists and “Fill in the Blank” activities at the end of the book are great extension activities for emergent readers. This series, which focuses on the very important foundational skills of phonological awareness and decoding of short vowels is not 100 percent decodable but includes a majority of one-syllable decodable words. VERDICT These titles would be wonderful resources for parents to read together with children. The illustrations are breathtaking and lend themselves to lots of rich conversation.

Scully, Elizabeth. The Bake Shop. ISBN 9781668956960.
––––. Duke the Mule. ISBN 9781668957004.
––––. The Five Mice. ISBN 9781668956984.
––––. Pete and Eve. ISBN 9781668956977.
––––. Who Stole the Bone?ISBN 9781668956991.
ea vol: illus. by Laura Gomez. 24p. (In Bloom). Cherry Lake. Jan. 2025. Tr. $30.64.
PreS-Gr 2–This decodable series is specifically designed to reinforce the long vowel pattern of silent e, making it a valuable tool for early readers. One of the standout features of the series is its delightful and colorful illustrations, which are sure to capture the attention of young readers. Gomez showcases racially diverse characters, adding inclusivity and representation to the stories. One of the stories, Pete and Eve, features a relatable narrative about two friends who want to play different games. It highlights themes of friendship, conflict resolution, and reconciliation. This engaging storyline will resonate with young readers, teaching valuable lessons in a gentle, approachable way. While each book in the series follows a similar structure, the content of each story is thoughtfully varied. Whether it’s a story about friendship, problem-solving, or adventure, the series offers diverse narratives that not only reinforce phonetic skills but also spark imagination and interest. VERDICT This decodable series strikes a perfect balance between educational content and engaging storytelling. It provides young readers with a fun, supportive way to practice decoding skills while enjoying well-rounded, meaningful stories.

Thompson, Kim. Corn Storm. ISBN 9781039864641.
––––. A Glow in the Snow. ISBN 9781039864627.
––––. Kurt at the Curb. ISBN 9781039864658.
––––. Plenty of Money. ISBN 9781039864665.
––––. A Spy Asks Why. ISBN 9781039864634.
––––. Squirm!ISBN 9781039864672.
––––. Stay for a Stack. ISBN 9781039864689.
––––. Sue to the Rescue!ISBN 9781039864696.
––––. We Are Stars!ISBN 9781039864702.
––––. What Matters to a Tiger. ISBN 9781039864719.
ea vol: illus. by Brett Curzon. 24p. (My Fiction Decodable Readers). Crabtree/Little Honey. Jan. 2025. Tr. $28.67.
K-Gr 3–This excellent series would be a great addition to a classroom library, but it’s also perfect for practice at home. Featuring dynamic animal characters doing fun things, these titles clearly introduce phonics concepts with detailed front matter and practice exercises at the back. Children get lots of opportunities to reinforce their learning through engaging writing, decoding, and comprehension activities. Parents also receive important guidance on how to introduce these phonemes to their child, with clear explanations of the sounds and the science behind the concepts featured in each text. The introduction to each book clearly states the learning goals using language teachers would actually use, which strengthens the home-school connection. The illustrations are colorful and engaging. A standout title is Corn Storm, which focuses on practicing words with the -or digraph. The story features the kind of wacky humor kids love, and bright, playful illustrations. An “I Can Think” section at the end of each story includes two thoughtful questions plus a “secret word” prompt, encouraging both literal and inferential comprehension. VERDICT This series is well thought out, beautifully illustrated, and packed with smart extras that support both phonics and comprehension.

Phonic Books. Bats in the Mist.
––––. Bugs!
––––. Crash and Bash.
––––. Filled Up.
––––. Find the Path.
––––. Glitch.
––––. The Last Puzzle.
––––. Must Drink.
––––. Run, Quick! Rats!
––––. Wings, Kings, and Fangs.
––––. Zap!
Full set: illus. by Dustin Evans. 192p. (Phonic Books Get Out of the Game). DK. Jan. 2025. Tr. $79. 9780593842454.
Gr 2-4–This adventure chapter book series is perfect for readers who are ready to build fluency and stamina. With just ten pages per book and four to five sentences per page, these titles are ideal first chapter books for early and transitional readers who are starting to explore longer texts. The series follows the adventures of three friends who find themselves being chased by bats, rats, and bots, all while navigating various challenges and surprises. Each book ends on a cliffhanger, compelling children to make predictions about what will happen next and motivating them to keep reading the next title in the series. These shorter titles provide a wonderful stepping stone into the world of adventure and fantasy series like “The Magic Treehouse.” They introduce young readers to key features they’ll encounter in more complex books, such as recurring characters, plotlines that carry across multiple books, and familiar story arcs with rising action, climax, and resolution. The consistent characters and plot structure help build confidence, while the action-packed storylines keep kids engaged and excited to turn the page. VERDICT This series is a great fit for emerging readers who are ready to transition from decodable books into their first chapter books. The combination of fast-paced adventure, manageable text length, and enticing cliffhangers makes it a fantastic tool for building fluency, prediction skills, and reading stamina—all while having fun.

Upper Middle School to High School

Saddleback Educational Publishing. Challenging Spelling Patterns - Badge of Honor.
––––. Challenging Spelling Patterns - The Bench.
––––. Challenging Spelling Patterns - Catch for the Win.
––––. Challenging Spelling Patterns - Curious.
––––. Challenging Spelling Patterns - Distraught.
––––. Challenging Spelling Patterns - Drought.
––––. Challenging Spelling Patterns - Igneous Rocks.
––––. Challenging Spelling Patterns - Night Threat.
––––. Challenging Spelling Patterns - Scheme.
––––. Challenging Spelling Patterns - Squalls.
Full set: 48p. (Phonics Decodable Readers). Saddleback Apr. 2025. pap. $119.50. 9781638895787.
Gr 5 Up—This innovative series stands out for filling a space in the market of decodables for older readers. The content is original and the themes explored in the series cover a range of fiction and nonfiction themes. Words with challenging spelling patterns are highlighted throughout the text in blue and then listed in a glossary, which helps with vocabulary building. The title Curious focuses on the iou spelling pattern but the story includes high-level vocabulary likegregarious, illustrious, and delirious making this series appropriate and engaging for older readers. Some titles include themes that are mature and best suited for upper elementary. For example in Drought, the story features a lake that is drying up with text that says “Wrought items came up for air. Even bodies were found,” and shares about the realities of climate change. Another series title explains that the mother, a police officer, wears a bullet-proof vest to work and mentions a murder. The photographs challenge stereotypes, featuring characters like a female Asian police officer and female baseball players. A few featured spelling patterns don’t align with structured phonics instruction. For example, The Benchfocuses on -lch, -nch, and -rch patterns which isn’t aligned with phonics or science of reading. “-rch” isn’t a spelling pattern and most of the words featured as examples can be broken into r-controlled phonemes + a digraph. To present “-rch” as a spelling pattern in a decodable series is a misteach. VERDICT The inventive format and unexpected scenarios featured in this series will be engaging to older readers who may need extra support with accuracy in decoding, fluency, and vocabulary building.

Saddleback Educational Publishing. Combined Patterns - Artful Switch.
––––. Combined Patterns - Chemists.
––––. Combined Patterns - Demands.
––––. Combined Patterns - Prevail in the Wilderness.
––––. Combined Patterns - Reckless Impulse.
––––. Combined Patterns - Remarkable Insects.
––––. Combined Patterns - Suspicious Mischief.
––––. Combined Patterns - Sustainable Fashion.
––––. Combined Patterns - Swim Squad.
––––. Combined Patterns - The Vacation Brochure.
Full set: 48p. (Phonics Decodable Readers). Saddleback. Apr. 2025. pap. $119.50. 9781638895800.
Gr 5 Up–This series uses color-coded vocabulary to highlight prefixes, suffixes, challenging spelling patterns, and homophones. It also features stories in various genres. In Prevail in the Wilderness, a family finds themselves trapped in a wildfire, while Reckless focuses on a person who live-streams their reckless driving, leading to an accident. Remarkable Insectsfeatures fantastic photos and interesting facts, making it a strong nonfiction text on its own. The content-specific vocabulary and themes in many of the titles are better suited for upper elementary students and, in some cases, even middle schoolers. For older students who have difficulty with decoding, the short text coupled with engaging photographs helps create content that will keep readers interested. The page count makes each title feel substantial enough for students to enjoy without being overwhelming. VERDICT This series is ideal for students who struggle to engage with reading due to academic challenges.