Decodable Readers
At the Bowen Island Library
Decodable phonics readers are helpful books for struggling readers, containing controlled sounds, useful for repeated practice. Find out more about decodable readers.
Decodable eBooks
A list of free decodable eBook resources available on the internet.
- Beginning Reading Instruction eBooks by Teach My Kid to Read
- Free Decodable Texts listed on the Right To Read Initiative website
People of all ages may struggle with decoding letters and numbers on the written page, and there can be many reasons for this difficulty, including: dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, Attention Deficit Disorder, and Selective Mutism.
Alternate/accessible formats for reading
- Libby - an easy-to-use app to access ebooks and audiobooks, for library cardholders. Check out the Accessibility features.
- Librivox: public domain audiobooks; no account required to download; fun to volunteer
- NNELS: National Network of Equitable Library Service - digital delivery of books for library cardholders with perceptual disabilities.
- Overdrive is the library provider of digital resources and offers a dyslexic font option that may help some users.
Assessment: recognizing signs of struggle
- Could it be Dyslexia? - Links to videos and online articles.
- Misunderstood Minds (PBS) - designed to give parents and teachers a better understanding of different learning problems/processes, insights into difficulties, and strategies for responding.
- Signs of a Reading Problem (All About Learning Press) - read about signs and causes of reading problems, including different teaching approaches.
- Three types of ADHD (Understood website) - Starting point for assessment.
- What is Dyslexia? (TED-Ed video) - the experience of dyslexia isn't always the same among those who experience it. Animated video based on current science, with additional links.
Development tools for parents & teachers
- 10 Things About Dyslexia Every Teacher Needs to Know (We Are Teachers)
- Ten Things to Help Your Struggling Reader (Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity) - emphasize your child's strengths when addressing disabilities
- What Teachers Need to Know about Dysgraphia (We Are Teachers)
- What Teachers Need to Know about Dyscalculia (We Are Teachers)
Further information and advocacy
- Assistive Technology for Dyslexics: Whether you're grappling with homework or just trying to get things done, these tools will help your tech adapt to you—instead of the other way around.
- ADDitude - "inside the ADHD mind," the online magazine offers information about symptoms, treatment and resources for children and adults.
- Dyslexia Basics (International Dyslexia Association) - Facts, signs and treatments.
- Dyslexia Canada - a national voice and forum to advocate for all Canadian children with dyslexia.
- Learning Disabilities Society - offers accessible, comprehensive and expert learning and related supports for students aged 3 through adult.
- Understood - resources for parents, teachers and young adults, so that "people who learn and think differently can thrive at home, at school, and at work."