The Complete Parent’s Guide to Choosing the Right Reading Level for Your English-Speaking Child

English reading can feel tricky. Unlike languages with predictable spelling, English is full of surprises: the same

letters can make very different sounds (cough, though, cat, ceil), and the same sound can be written in multiple ways (sea, see, scene).

This is why children benefit from structured practice and carefully chosen books. Decodable readers and phonics-based series give kids the building blocks they need, step by step, helping them gain confidence, fluency, and enjoyment. Understanding this system early can make the difference between a child who struggles and one who reads joyfully and independently.

As a parent raising multilingual children and a teacher working with families worldwide, I’ve seen first-hand how the right approach can transform reading from a chore into a source of confidence, curiosity, and joy.

This guide is split into two essential parts:

1. How to read to your child.

2. How to support your child reading independently.

📖 Part 1: Reading to Your Child

Reading aloud is far more than a bedtime ritual, it’s the foundation for fluent, confident readers.

When you read aloud:

• Your child hears words and sentence structures beyond their current speech.

• They absorb the rhythm of fluent, expressive reading.

• They develop comprehension by following the story.

• You create a positive, warm bond around books.

  
  

For example, I remember the first time I read Diary of a Wimpy Kid to my son. He hadn’t tried a chapter book on his own yet, but sharing the story together, laughing over the antics, pausing to talk about the characters, and enjoying the ritual of reading time with me, sparked his curiosity.

That shared experience was the seed that later grew into his love for independent reading.

Parents are the biggest influence: introducing engaging stories and reading alongside your child can ignite a lifelong passion for books.

Tips for magical read-aloud time:

• Mix it up – Picture books, poems, factual texts, short novels. Variety builds curiosity.

• Bring it to life – Use voices, drama, whispers, or shouts to make characters real.

• Pause and wonder – Ask, “What do you think happens next?” or “Why did they do that?”

• Follow interests – Pirates, planets, ponies—whatever hooks them.

• Explore wider learning – CLIL-style reading (science, history, culture in English) introduces knowledge and vocabulary while keeping reading fun.

  
  

Even when your child can read independently, keep reading aloud. It’s exposure to richer language and story structures that solo reading often can’t provide.

Oxford Reading Tree Decodable Books

Part 2: Supporting Your Child Reading Independently

Once children start reading on their own, choosing the right books and using practical strategies is key. Books that are too hard frustrate; books that are too easy don’t challenge them enough.

3 Types of Books for Early Readers

Step into Reading Levelled Readers

• Decodable books – Perfect for beginners blending sounds (sat, pin, frog)

  
  

• Levelled readers – Gradually increase sentence length, vocabulary, and complexity. Great for children confident decoding

  
  

• Early chapter / bridge books – Short chapters, larger print, richer plots. Ideal for readers ready for longer stories.

Pro tip: General picture or storybooks are valuable for reading aloud, even if above your child’s independent level. They provide exposure to richer vocabulary and story structures.

Why Decodable Books Matter

English spelling is irregular. Decodable books follow the sounds your child has learned in phonics lessons, giving them small, achievable steps to practise decoding. This builds confidence and fluency without overwhelming them.

Decodable books also:

• Give children real reading practice with connected text, not just isolated words.

• Gradually introduce high-frequency “tricky” words, so children can read them automatically.

• Include fiction and nonfiction topics, keeping children engaged while building vocabulary and background knowledge.

  
  

Example: If your child is learning the ai sound, a decodable book might include words like rain, train, snail, so they can practise blending letters into familiar sounds.

🏡 Practical Tips for Home

To make reading less intimidating and more enjoyable:

• Shared reading – Take turns: you read a page, your child reads a page. Reduces pressure

• Buddy books – Some series have parent and child parts (“I Can Read” style). Kids love ownership of “their part.”

• Rhyming stories – Books like Frog on a Log? or Oi Cat! help children predict words, making reading playful

• Re-read favourites – Familiar stories build confidence and fluency

  
  

Extra tips for comprehension and motivation:

• Ask simple questions about the story: “What happened here?” or “Why do you think the character felt that way?”

• Choose decodable books that match your child’s phonics stage and interests—this increases motivation.

• Keep sessions short and regular: 10–15 minutes daily.

• Celebrate effort, not just finishing: praise persistence, decoding or expression.

  
  

🛠️ When to Give Extra Support

Even confident readers sometimes hit tricky patches—English spelling is full of surprises! You might consider extra support if your child:

• Frequently guesses words instead of sounding them out.

  
  

• Struggles to blend sounds smoothly into complete words.

  
  

• Shows frustration or avoids reading because it feels too hard.

  
  

• Can’t recall or apply phonics patterns they’ve learned.

Tip: Use the five-finger test: if your child consistently struggles with more than five words on a page, the book

may be too challenging. This simple check helps you choose texts that build confidence rather than frustration.

This is completely normal, and stepping in at the right time can make all the difference. A little targeted practice, whether through a structured phonics programme, short home exercises, or engaging online classes, helps children regain confidence and get back to enjoying reading.

If you want a guided, structured approach that takes the guesswork out of supporting your child, my online programme is designed to help families like yours: we cover phonics reinforcement, reading strategies, and personalised support so every child can read confidently and independently.

🌟 A Few Recommended Series From Our Community

Decodable Books

The Lovable Frog on a Log Series

Filled with rhyming text and repetition to help increase phonemic awareness.

Julia Donaldson’s Songbirds (Read with Oxford Phonics, UK) 

Great for engaging stories with predictable phonics patterns; fun rhymes keep kids motivated.

Bug Club Phonics (Alphablocks)

Structured progression for early phonics, perfect for building confidence in decoding.

Dr. Seuss's Beginner Book series (Random House, US)

Uses clever rhymes, rhythmic text, and a deliberately limited vocabulary to make learning to read an unforgettably fun experience.

Biff, Chip and Kipper (Read with Oxford Stage, UK)

Classic adventures children love; blends fun stories with phonics practice.

Bob Books (popular beginner series, US)

Simple, clear text and small steps make it ideal for independent reading practice.

Levelled / Early Chapter Books

• Step into Reading – Wide range of topics and levels; good for bridging from decodables to full stories.

• Usborne Reading Programme: A wonderfully levelled library that takes children from their first stories to confident, independent reading with a mix of original stories and retold classics.

• Scholastic Branches – Short chapters and cliff-hangers make it motivating for developing readers.

• National Geographic Readers - Engage in learning more about the world we live in, while enhancing their reading comprehension.

• I Can Read! – Structured parent/child sections; encourages participation and confidence.

Ask your local library or English-language bookshop. They can guide you to current releases in each series.

✨ Final Thoughts

English reading can feel complicated, but the right books, clear strategies, and a little shared joy make all the difference.

• Read aloud often, even if your child can read independently

• Break stories into manageable pieces

• Let your child have choice and ownership

• Celebrate effort, curiosity and persistence

• Step in with phonics support when needed.

  
  

When reading feels achievable and fun, children don’t just learn to read, they become confident, curious explorers of language and stories.

💬 Your Turn!

What’s your child’s current favourite book or series? Drop it in the comments and you might inspire another family!