The Pals' Playtime

An engaging and motivating children's book about a group of adorable pals, perfect for new readers with budding letter sound and decoding knowledge! This decodable book moves through 4 difficulty levels, based on phonics knowledge, and each chapter builds on the one before. Children are prompted to learn new skills, at an appropriate pace, to be able to go on to read the next chapter.

STAGES books are formatted in a special way to have new readers focus on only decoding first. In these books, the text is on the right-hand side of the book, and the picture that matches that text is on the next page (instead of the text and picture being side by side). This is so the readers read the text alone, without the aid of a picture that may give them a clue as to what a word may be. After they read the text, they turn the page to confirm meaning of what they read and build engagement and enjoyment!

Each story has comprehension questions, including one that helps the reader connect the story to their own life.

For the phonics skills listed below, the book contains descriptions of what they mean (for example, a "digraph" is two letters that when put together make a whole new sound. For example, ch, th, and sh).

Chapter One, Fox Hid: 

Phonics Skills: Consonants f, x, h, d, s, n, t, b, g, v, r, m, p, y; Short Vowels: a, e, i, o, u; High-Frequency Words: no, ha, the;

Description: In this first chapter, the reader reads simple sentences about a game of hide and seek between Pig and Fox.

Chapter Two, The Box: 

Phonics Skills: Add all remaining consonants, double consonants, and K sound spelled "ck"; Word Endings: -s; High-Frequency Words: what, to, with, find;

Description: The pals find a strange box, and they each try different ways to open it. The reader can learn about verbs and problem/solution as they are reading.

Chapter Three, Stuck!: 

Phonics Skills: Add digraphs, beginning and ending blends, CV words; High-Frequency Words: you, out;

Description: Pig is stuck in the mud, and the pals need to work together to get him out!

Chapter Four, Dress Up Time:

Phonics Skills: Add r-controlled vowels, silent e; Word Endings: -s, -ed, -ing; High-Frequency Words: do, one, party;

Description: The pals are going to a costume party. The reader can focus on adjectives as they read about all the fun things they dressed up as!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a "decodable story"? A decodable story is one that a child can read based on the phonics skills and high-frequency words they have learned.

What ages is this book suited for? Children near the end of Kindergarten and through First Grade will have typically learned these phonics skills and high-frequency words.

Where can I find more decodable books like this? There are three other Stages Books currently on the market: Pat and Time Fun Times and non-fiction books, Dogs and Spiders.