San Francisco Public Library (SFPL) is excited to announce the launch of its new Decodable Readers books, available starting August 18 at every SFPL branch location and the Main Library Children’s Center. This curated collection is designed to support children in developing essential reading skills through engaging and accessible materials.

Decodable Readers are specially crafted books that help children practice letter-sound relationships. They follow a structured sequence, moving from simple to more advanced letter patterns, allowing children to build confidence as they progress. Decodable Readers are particularly beneficial for early readers, struggling readers and English language learners, as they enable children to sound out words, recognize spelling patterns and enhance their reading accuracy and fluency.

“The Decodable Readers Collection supports young readers on their learn-to-read journey by providing a path to work on key reading skills and develop confidence. It is a resource that is now widely available at every library location, and is a first step towards nurturing strong readers,” said Maricela Leon-Barrera, Digital Equity Manager at the Main Library.

The Decodable Readers collection is intended to provide families and caregivers with reading materials they can take home. It also supports San Francisco Unified School District’s goal to achieve 70% reading proficiency for third grade students by 2027.

To help families navigate the Decodable Readers collection, these new collections are shelved in color-coded bins by skill type and numbered according to the sequence in which skills should be introduced. The Library makes it easy for parents to determine the skill category that aligns with their child’s current reading ability by providing a simple questionnaire on a bookmark, called a “Decodable Readers Tool,” also available at all locations.

The collection is organized into six skill categories, including:

1. CVC Words: Simple three-letter words (e.g., cat, dog, cup).
2. Digraphs & Blends: Two letters that make one sound (e.g., chip, shop) and consonants grouped together (e.g., step, slack).
3. Complex Vowels: Includes silent E words (e.g., cake) and vowel teams (e.g., eat).
4. Irregular Spelling: Words that don’t follow regular phonics rules (e.g., the, back).
5. Affixes: Prefixes and suffixes that change meaning (e.g., redo, jumped).
6. Multisyllable Words: Longer words with more than one syllable (e.g., sunset, baseball).

To further support reading development, SFPL encourages families to reread books for extra practice and confidence. Learning to read is a process that takes time and practice, and the Library’s resources are designed to help children weave together the various skills needed to become strong, confident readers. 

Pick up an informational brochure and Book Selection Bookmark and browse through the bins of Decodable Readers at any SFPL location to get started on this exciting reading journey! To learn more, visit: sfpl.org/decodables.