Bob Books
Small, phonics-based early reader box sets that let a child read a whole book using only a few letter sounds, organized in four stages from pre-reading through about first grade.
What is Bob Books?
Bob Books are small, phonics-based early readers for children reading their very first words. Teacher Bobby Lynn Maslen created them for her 3- to 5-year-old students when she couldn't find books simple enough. The first set came out more than 35 years ago, and Scholastic later partnered with the family to publish them widely.
The core idea is success from page one. Set 1 starts with just four letters, M, A, T and S, so a child who knows a few sounds can read a whole book.
How it works
Each box set holds 8 to 12 small paperback books plus a parent card with tips. Some sets add flashcards or activity books. A typical session takes only a few minutes:
- Review the letter sounds used in the book.
- Your child sounds out each word, one sound at a time, then blends.
- Practice any sight words printed inside the front cover.
- Reread for fluency, then celebrate finishing a whole book.
The two-color drawings are simple on purpose, so attention stays on the words. You can add jumbo or wipe-clean workbooks for more practice.
What it covers
| Stage | Usual grade | Skills | Guided reading level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-Reading | Pre-K and younger | Shapes, patterns, the alphabet (read aloud) | n/a |
| Stage 1 | Pre-K to K | Short vowels, three-letter words | A–D |
| Stage 2 | K | Sight words, consonant blends | B–F |
| Stage 3 | K to 1st | Long vowels, vowel teams, two-syllable words | D–I |
Bob Books Stories are longer 32-page books at the Stage 3 level.
Who it's best for
Bob Books fit preschoolers and kindergartners who know some letter sounds and are ready to read real books. They pair well with nearly any phonics program, from All About Reading to an app like Reading.com.
They are not a teaching curriculum. There are no lesson plans or a full scope and sequence. If you need structured teaching, start with a program from our phonics for kindergarten page and use Bob Books for practice.
Pricing at a glance
Bob Books are one-time purchases. In October 2026, single box sets listed at $17.99 on bobbooks.com and were on sale for $15.99. Stage bundles ran $39.95 to $79.95 on sale, and orders over $50 ship free in the US. Other stores set their own prices.
Can a scholarship or ESA pay for it?
Possibly. Arizona's ESA law allows curricula and supplementary materials, and reading books bought for instruction often fall in that category. Other state scholarship and ESA programs have their own lists, such as Arizona and Florida. Save Bob Books to your wishlist and apply once on Edulist to the programs that fit your family.
How it compares
- Primary Phonics offers decodable storybooks with matching workbooks.
- Explode the Code workbooks teach the phonics patterns that Bob Books practice.
- Hooked on Phonics pairs an app with its own decodable books.
- Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons gives you a scripted teaching plan.
For more ideas, see early learning programs, preschool reading and our list of the best phonics programs.
Who Bob Books is for (and who it isn’t)
Best for
- Preschoolers and kindergartners reading their first words
- Families pairing decodable books with any phonics program
- Kids who need confidence and quick wins
Look elsewhere if
- Families who want a complete teaching curriculum
- Readers past first grade level
- Kids who want full-color, busy illustrations
Bob Books pros and cons
Pros
- Very small steps; Set 1 uses only four letters at first
- Phonics-based, mostly decodable text
- Inexpensive and widely available
- Works alongside nearly any phonics program
- Simple drawings keep attention on the words
Cons
- No lesson plans or teaching scope
- Short stories are simple and can feel thin to some kids
- Stops around first grade
What’s included
- Box sets of 8–12 small paperback books that add sounds in tiny steps
- Set 1 starts with only M, A, T and S
- Mostly decodable words with limited sight words
- Parent card with tips in every box set
- Matching jumbo and wipe-clean workbooks
- Stages tied to guided reading levels
Bob Books levels
| Level | Grades | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Reading (Reading Readiness) | Pre-K | Read-aloud books that teach shapes, patterns and the alphabet before a child reads alone. |
| Stage 1: Starting to Read | Pre-K–K | Short vowels, mostly three-letter decodable words in simple sentences. Guided reading levels A–D. |
| Stage 2: Emerging Reader | Kindergarten | Reinforces Stage 1, adds key sight words and consonant blends. Guided reading levels B–F. |
| Stage 3: Developing Reader | K–1 | Long vowels, vowel combinations, two-syllable words and longer stories. Guided reading levels D–I. |
Bob Books' Which Stage is Right for My Child guide places children by skill. If a child already knows several letters, start at Stage 1.
Official Bob Books placement test ↗How much does Bob Books cost?
Bob Books are one-time book purchases. On bobbooks.com in October 2026, single box sets list at $17.99 and were on sale for $15.99. Stage bundles list from $48.97 to $99.93 and were discounted to $39.95–$79.95, and the Complete Bundle listed at $371.71 with a sale price of $299.95. Bookstores and online retailers sell the same sets at their own prices.
| Plan | Price | Billed | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Set 1: Beginning Readers | $17.99 | One-time | — |
| Stage 1: More Beginning Readers Bundle | $48.97 | One-time | — |
| Stage 1: Beginning Readers Bundle | $91.93 | One-time | — |
| Stage 2: Emerging Readers Bundle | $99.93 | One-time | — |
| Stage 3: Developing Readers Bundle | $96.90 | One-time | — |
| Bob Books Complete Bundle | $371.71 | One-time | — |
Free trial: Not applicable.
Prices from the provider, checked 2026-10-13. Always confirm on the official site.
Future opening updates
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View wishlistWhat parents say
A summary of public parent feedback we read on forums, app stores and review sites. It is not a set of Edulist family reviews.
Cathy Duffy includes Bob Books among her 103 Top Picks, noting the sets are phonetically organized with controlled vocabulary yet more interesting than many such readers, and that they work with any orderly phonics program.
Common praise
- Controlled vocabulary that beginners can actually read
- Child-like line drawings kids can copy and color
- Pairs with any phonics program
Common complaints
- Not a complete curriculum on their own
Sources: cathyduffyreviews.com · bob books
Bob Books family reviews
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Bob Books FAQs
Which Bob Books set should I start with?
If your child knows several letters of the alphabet, start with Stage 1 and Set 1: Beginning Readers. The first story uses only M, A, T and S. If your child doesn't know letters yet, begin with the Pre-Reading books.
What grade level are Bob Books?
Bob Books cover roughly pre-K through first grade. Stage 1 is usually pre-K to kindergarten, Stage 2 is kindergarten and Stage 3 is kindergarten to first grade, by the publisher's guidance.
Are Bob Books a phonics program?
They are phonics-based decodable readers, not a full program. They give practice reading words a child can sound out. Pair them with a phonics curriculum or app that teaches the sounds.
How much do Bob Books cost?
On bobbooks.com in October 2026, single box sets list at $17.99 and were on sale for $15.99. Bundles were discounted from $39.95 up to $299.95 for the Complete Bundle. Other retailers set their own prices.
Are Bob Books good for homeschool?
Yes. Homeschool families often use them as the first readers alongside a phonics curriculum. Cathy Duffy lists them as a Top Pick.
Who publishes Bob Books?
Bob Books were created by teacher Bobby Lynn Maslen and are published by Bob Books Publications LLC in partnership with Scholastic. Her daughter, Lynn Maslen Kertell, is now the series author.
Can an ESA or scholarship pay for Bob Books?
Reading materials are often an allowed curriculum expense in ESA programs, but each program decides. You can save Bob Books to your Edulist wishlist and apply once to programs in your state.
Sources and last checked
Checked 2026-10-13 against these sources: