Bob Books

Bob Books Set 3 (Developing Reader)

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Many families hit a wall after CVC words and wonder what’s next. We’ve found Bob Books Set 3 provides a gentle but effective bridge into more complex phonics patterns like blends and digraphs. Like the earlier sets, these books are intentionally simple in design, which helps readers focus on decoding. Created by Bobby Lynn Maslen to support phonics-based instruction, these books are perfect for emerging readers gaining stamina and fluency. We love how each book builds steadily on the last, with just enough challenge to stretch young readers without overwhelm. Ideal for ages 5–7 who are ready for slightly longer sentences and more varied vocabulary. Less engaging for kids who crave colorful illustrations or high-interest plotlines. Pro tip: Re-read the same book a few times in a row—confidence and fluency build fast this way.

Recommended Ages

Usually Kindergarten to First Grade

Style
Screen-FreeBooksCaregiver-LedMastery-Based

Bob Books is a leveled series of small paperback books and companion workbooks structured into stages from pre-reading through emerging and developing readers. Families begin with the set that matches the child’s abilities—Stage 1 uses only short vowels and decodable text—and read one book at a time. Daily practice involves parent-guided reading aloud, encouragement of decoding skills, and reinforcement with the optional wipe-clean or workbook activities. The progression is gradual and systematic, making it easy to integrate into homeschool routines with minimal prep or planning

Self-Direction
E means highly structured. A is basically unschooled, completely self-guided.
How much do students guide their own learning in this course?
A
B
C
D
E
Regular price $75.95 USD
Bob Books Set 3 (Developing Reader)
$75.95 USD

Skills

What kids will learn

Our mission

Bob Books aims to make the earliest reading experiences joyful and accessible by breaking literacy down into tiny, manageable steps. The goal is to empower emergent readers to say “I read the whole book!” through carefully leveled, phonics-based text that builds confidence. What sets it apart is its intentional simplicity and its grounding in the science of reading, focusing on small increments of letter-sound mastery

Our story

Bob Books was created in Portland, Oregon by preschool teacher Bobby Lynn Maslen in the late 1960s when she couldn’t find simple, engaging first readers for her class. Drawing on 13 years of teaching experience, Bobby hand-crafted small books featuring characters like Mat and Sam to help emergent readers gain confidence. What started as classroom materials grew into a bestselling series; over 10 million copies have been sold, and the books have been featured in The Washington Post and USA Today

Bob Books Demo

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FAQ: Additional Details about Bob Books Set 3 (Developing Reader)

You begin with a simple decodable reader—opening one of the short books—read it together aloud (child reads word by word), discuss any tricky sounds, and maybe follow up with a quick tracing or workbook page for reinforcement.

Bob Books is ideal for preschool to early elementary aged children who are beginning to decode and need small successes to build reading confidence. It works best for learners who benefit from clear structure, phonics-based progression, and repetition in simple, low-anxiety text.

This series may not suit older children beyond the emerging reader stage or those seeking rich, narrative-driven texts. It also may not meet the needs of families seeking a full-year literacy curriculum, as the books are designed as decodable starters rather than comprehensive language arts instruction.

Parents of children with dyslexia, ADHD, and other learning differences often praise Bob Books for its clear, step-by-step phonics approach and predictable text, which supports focus and reading confidence

While helpful for early reading, gifted learners often move through the simple text quickly. Families find it most effective when paired with more challenging books or used as a confidence boost in the earliest stages of literacy

Stage 3 books build on the solid foundation of phonics basics learned in Stages 1 and 2. Long vowels, vowel combinations, consonant blends, and other phonics skills are gently introduced. Stories start to include two-syllable words. Longer sentences and stories help build reading endurance. GRADE LEVEL: Usually Kindergarten to First Grade Guided Reading Levels: D, E, F, H, I

Policies vary depending on where you purchase; direct orders may allow returns on new, unopened books, while third-party retailers follow their own terms.

Many families suggest starting with just a few books at a time and celebrating each completed read to reinforce success. Keeping the books visible and special—sometimes using a dedicated “reading basket”—helps children feel ownership. Others pair each story with follow-up activities using the workbooks or notebooks to reinforce phonics lessons and track progress.

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Meet Bobby

Bobby Lynn Maslen was a preschool teacher at Catlin Gabel School in Portland, teaching from 1968 to 1980. When classroom materials were insufficient, she hand-drew the first Bob Books for her students, finding immediate success. Partnering with her husband John (who illustrated) and later with Scholastic, she built the company into a multi-stage, multimillion-copy literacy tool loved by families and educators

Modulo's thoughts

Our learning specialists give their honest evaluation
ManishaCEO and Founder

Bob Books is a phenomenal, mastery-based literacy program for kids who prefer learning through workbooks and families who want to minimize screen time. Families interested in digital learning will definitely want to check out their great app!

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