DK PhonicBooks: Catch Up Phonics for KS2
Phonic Books are specialists in writing and publishing books to help struggling older readers catch up with phonics and read with fluency and comprehension. The books are written by expert reading specialists with a view to filling in the gaps in phonic skills that are a barrier to children’s reading progress. For pupils who have experienced reading difficulties and failure, many of whom will struggle with self-esteem and confidence, it is important to read books that are engaging and age appropriate. The reading books include a practice page at the start to familiarise pupils with specific sounds and common words before they read, ensuring readers gain confidence and achieve success. Each series has an accompanying activity book to practice and consolidate learning.
- When a pupil begins a reading intervention program, it is important to assess what knowledge and skills the pupil has and what they have to learn. Use the diagnostic assessment in the Phonic Books Teacher Guide for guidance.
- Select a set of Phonic Books based on the recommendation.
- Work through the books and the corresponding activities in the activity book.
Six sets designed for older children at the early stages of reading covering the sounds of the alphabet through to split vowel spellings.
A 12 book set covering CVC, CVCC, CCVC and CCVCC words and progressing to adjacent consonants, consonant digraphs and suffixes -ed and -ing.
A 12 book set covering CVC, CVCC, CCVC and CCVCC words and progressing to adjacent consonants, consonant digraphs and suffixes -ed and -ing.
A 12 book set covering CVC, CVCC, CCVC and CCVCC words and progressing to adjacent consonants, consonant digraphs and suffixes -ed and -ing.
A 12 book set covering CVC, CVCC, CCVC and CCVCC words and progressing to adjacent consonants, consonant digraphs and suffixes -ed and -ing.
A 12 book set starting at CVC level, progressing at a faster pace through adjacent consonants, consonant digraphs and alternative vowel spellings.
A 12 book set which progresses at a faster pace through adjacent consonants, consonant digraphs and alternative vowel spellings.
A 12 book set starting at CVC level and progressing through adjacent consonants, consonant digraphs, and alternative vowel spellings.
A 10 book set that covers alternative spellings for vowel sounds for pupils who are not yet fluent readers and need to revisit vowel digraphs.
A 10 book set which introduces alternative spellings for the vowel sounds.
A 10 book set which introduces alternative spellings for the vowel sounds.
A 10 book set that covers alternative spellings for vowel sounds with more text per page.
A 10 book set that covers alternative spellings and vowel and consonant sounds and common Latin suffixes.
A 10 book set introducing further alternative vowel and consonant spellings and common Latin suffixes.
A 10 book series covering alternative vowel and consonant spellings and common Latin suffixes.
A 10 book set with a higher text-to-illustration to build reading stamina for older readers. A chance discovery of an ancient necklace leads Finn and his friends on an incredible quest.
Phonic Books Scope and Sequence
| Series | Who is it aimed at? | Phonics skills | Word count |
| Moon Dogs Set 1 Moon Dogs Extras Set 1 | Those at the very early stages of reading. Consolidation of letter sound correspondences | Sounds of the alphabet at CVC level, double final consonant, ending –s | <60 |
| Moon Dogs Set 2 Moon Dogs Extras Set 2 | Those at the early stages of reading | Adjacent consonants and consonant digraphs (ch, sh, th, ng) ck, qu, ending -s | <80 |
| Moon Dogs Vowel Spellings | Those practising first vowel spellings | Two alternative vowel spellings (ai ay; ee ea; oa ow; ur ir; e ea; ow ou; oo ue; igh i; oo oui; or a aw; oy oi; ar a; air are; ear eer) | 100–130 |
| Moon Dogs Split Vowel Spellings | Those practising split vowel spellings | Split vowel spellings (a–e, e–e, i–e, o–e, and u–e) | 100–130 |
| That Dog! Magic Belt Mel on Mars Get Out of the Game | Those who can read simple CVC words | Adjacent consonants and consonant digraphs, wh, final le, suffixes -ed and -ing | 300 |
| Alba Totem Pet Sitters | Those who are able to read text at CVC/CVCC level who need support with consonant digraphs and some vowel spellings | Adjacent consonants and consonant digraphs, and alternative spellings for vowel sounds: ae, ee, oe, er, ow, ie, oo | 300 |
| Dragon Eggs | Those practising alternative vowel spellings | Alternative spellings for the vowel sounds: ae, oe, er, ow/oi, oo, ie, or, air, and ar | 650–750 |
| Talisman Series 1 Rescue | Those practising alternative vowel spellings and R-controlled vowels | Alternative spellings for the vowel sounds: ae, ee, oe, er, ow/oi, oo, ie, or, air, and ar | 450–500 |
| Island Adventure | Those practising alternative vowel spellings | Alternative spellings for the vowel sounds: ae, ee, oe, er, ow/oi, oo, ie, or, air, and ar | 550–650 |
| Talisman Series 2 | Those practising alternative spellings (vowel and consonant sounds) and Latin suffixes | Alternative vowel and consonant spellings and Latin suffixes, including additional variant spellings | 550–650 |
| Titan’s Gauntlets Hidden in Paris | Those practising alternative spellings (vowel and consonant sounds) and Latin suffixes | Alternative vowel and consonant spellings and Latin suffixes, including additional variant spellings | 700–900 |
| Amber Guardians | Those needing to bridge the gap between decodable and mainstream books. Longer stories with a higher ratio of text to illustration to build reading fluency and stamina | Suffixes, prefixes and root words | 2800–3000 |
