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January 6, 2026 Share this Story

Learn to Read Resources Available at the Library

Learning how to read can sometimes feel complicated or confusing for young learners. However, there are books designed to simplify the process. Calgary Public Library has tools and resources to help improve their reading skills, including decodables.  

What are Decodables? 

Decodable books use simple words that repeat many times. The books start very easy and gets more complex, slowly. Decodables can be boring for fluent readers, but a challenge for kids. These books are for practice, not for fun stories at bedtime!    

Decodable books have short, simple stories that help children decode or sound out words. Each book focuses on a specific foundational reading skill, such as long and short vowels. This helps new readers build confidence along with their skills.  

Decodables are also designed in a format that supports readers of all abilities, including children with dyslexia and those with learning disabilities. Reading stages don’t always correspond with a child’s age or school grade. These books focus on helping children learn to read at their own pace and level.  

By using resources like decodables, your child can feel more confident reading in and out of the classroom. 

Decodable books may be sent home from school as “home reading” and can also be found in the Learn to Read collection at Calgary Public Library.   

The BOB Books and Little Blossom are two great decodable series that are now available at any Library location or on the Libby app.  

How to Use Decodable Books  

  1. Your child reads TO YOU. You help them sound out the words. Point to each word as they read. Important: Also read picture books to your child. This helps them love reading and learn new words.
  2. Re-read. Once a reader can decode the words, reading the same book two to three times builds confidence and fluency.  
  3. Keep sessions short. 15 – 20 minutes is plenty for focused phonics practice. Read every day. 
  4. Be patient with sounding out. Encourage your child to look at each letter and blend the sounds together rather than guessing from pictures.   

Learn to Read Collection 

Decodables expand Calgary Public Library’s unique Learn to Read collection that already includes Beginning Readers books. 

The collection is designed to help families and children discover books that keep them inspired and excited to continue reading with the help of popular characters and simplified text. But don’t limit your child to only Learn to Read books. Encourage them to choose books that they are interested in from elsewhere in our children’s library, even if it challenges them or requires you to read them aloud. That includes audio books, non-fiction, and graphic novels!  

By reading different genres and formats, children develop background knowledge and vocabulary that will help them with reading comprehension.  

Getting Started 

The three most impactful ways you can help your children learn to read are to: 

  • Encourage your child to read for pleasure — not just for schoolwork. 
  • Let your child see you read, especially printed texts. If you’re reading on your phone or tablet, show them so they can see what you’re looking at. 
  • Limit screen time and have books available instead. 

Need a little inspiration to get you started? Check out our Decodable and Dyslexia-friendly Books for Learning Readers list on Bibliocommons.  

To check out these books and more, register for your free Library card today. 

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