Jonas and I are reviewing BOB Books today. These books are designed to help early readers with simple word recognition through repetition and focus on sound. They use basic illustrations and progressively become more advanced as you go through the ten short books included in the set. Reminiscent of basal readers, this little set is sure to be an easy going hit and a fun tool to have around the house as you help your little one explore the joys of reading.

Jonas and Maggie love the books because they come in a small carrying case and the books themselves are small, just right for pre-reader sized hands. We’ve already had one good fright break out over them, easily solved by the awesome fact that the set has ten whole books to share, so five each for my little bad tempered book hoarders. With five books it doesn’t even feel like sharing, does it kids?

I like the set because after reading through the first book Jonas was able to identify the word “sat”. Not bad for a three minute time investment. He was also eager to go on to the next book, so even though the books are extremely simple, he was engaged and happy with what he was working with. The one thing that made me frown is that the books are not very sturdy. The binding is a simple magazine style binding, and these books will not stand up to the affections of children like Jonas and Maggie who both like to carry books around, stack them in piles, snuggle with them in bed and read them with sticky fingers- however, with how quickly Jonas’ wheels were turning and things were being grasped as we read through them, a long life span may not be necessary.

I plan on continuing to use these books to supplement what Jonas is focusing on in Kindergarten this year. I think they will be a worthy tool, and I’m pleased that we got to review them!