FROM OUR FAMILY’S BOOKSHELF
Picture books with simple words: what worked for us
Simple words matter to me, but so does the story.
Few words don’t always make a book engaging. Bird Bath and Up on Bob worked well for us; the two Big Dog and Little Dog stories felt plain to me. Frankie has cute illustrations, but I find it better for exploring pictures than for paying attention to words.
We read Bird Bath and Up on Bob at age 2½. My child can recognize “bird,” “bath,” and “Bob.” Here’s what I liked—and what didn’t work as well for me—in these five books.
Two words my child can recognize
Bird Bath
My review
Thumbs upI love it! Such a cute book, with lovely illustrations. My child can recognize the words “bird” and “bath”—you guessed it!
Read at about 2½ years
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Simple words and a bedtime routine
Up on Bob
My review
Thumbs upI love this book. The simple words make it easier to help my child learn to read. My child can recognize the word “Bob.” I prefer it to Frankie. The illustrations are great, and my child will try out the bedtime routine after we read it.
Related book: Frankie
Read at about 2½ years
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Simple words, but the story fell short for me
Big Dog and Little Dog
My review
Thumbs downThe words are simple enough, but the story is not good.
Read at about 2½ years
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Another beginning-reader story I found plain
Big Dog and Little Dog Going for a Walk
My review
MehThis series is aimed at beginning readers. Like the other Big Dog and Little Dog book we read, I found the story plain.
Read at about 2½ years
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More to explore in the pictures than in the words
Frankie
My review
MehCute illustrations, but with so few words, I find it better for exploring pictures than for teaching reading.
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What made the difference for us
Bird Bath has lovely illustrations, and my child can recognize “bird” and “bath.” With Up on Bob, I enjoy the illustrations and the bedtime routine as well as the simple words. My child will try that routine after we read it.
I’m less keen on the two Big Dog and Little Dog stories, even though the words are simple. Frankie offers something different: I like the art, but with so few words, I find it better for exploring pictures. A short text alone isn’t what makes me want to read a book again.