What are Decodable Books?
Decodable books are specially designed to help struggling readers and readers with dyslexia understand how to connect sounds with letters. Browse our booklist to find the current list of titles.
These structured books will help readers develop good reading strategies, build fluency, and give them an opportunity to fall in love with reading.
Decodable books are different from levelled texts, which are designed to help beginning readers develop core reading skills.
Decodable text helps readers connect a letter or series of letters to the corresponding sounds. These books are often organized in series to gradually introduce new sound and spelling combinations as readers progress.
Once readers can identify the sounds represented by the letters, they can use their new skills to ‘decode’ unfamiliar words. Each success at decoding allows the reader to build fluency, read faster, and gain confidence.
Many of our newest decodable titles are chapter books and short novels that are suited to older children, matching their interest level and their reading level. Browse our booklist to find the current list of titles.
Our decodable book collection can be found in the Children’s area of the library. Look for books with a ‘Decodable’ sticker on the spine or ask a Library staff member for help.
More Resources!
Coquitlam Public Library is also a member of the Centre for Equitable Library Access (CELA). CELA provides access to books in accessible formats such as audio, accessible text, and braille, so that children and teens can develop literacy skills, learn to read, and fully participate in school and in their community.
To learn more about print disabilities and CELA resources, visit the CELA website. Register your child with CELA and then download the Dolphin EasyReader app for your preferred device.
Graphic novels are another excellent resource for struggling readers. The Library has an extensive print collection for beginning readers right up to adult readers. For eBook fans we have the ComicsPlus platform which has lots of popular titles like Avatar, Sonic, and Big Nate. And for Coquitlam residents, we also have over 5000 graphic novel children’s titles on our Hoopla digital platform in Hoopla Kids.
For more information about reading development and dyslexia visit HealthLinkBC.