Primary Phonics
A K–2 print phonics program from EPS Learning by Barbara W. Makar: leveled workbooks paired with sets of 10 small decodable storybooks, starting with the classic Mac and Tab.
What is Primary Phonics?
Primary Phonics is a print phonics program for kindergarten through 2nd grade. Barbara W. Makar wrote it, and EPS Learning publishes it. EPS is the same company behind Explode the Code. The program pairs leveled workbooks with sets of small, decodable storybooks. Many parents know it from its first reader, Mac and Tab, about a rat and his cat friend.
The core idea is simple. A child learns a sound in the workbook, then reads a short book that uses only sounds and sight words already taught. That way early reading feels like success instead of guessing.
How it works
Each level has three parts:
- A student workbook that teaches and practices the phonics pattern
- A set of 10 storybooks, each about 16 pages, that uses only what has been taught
- A comprehension workbook with questions tied to the storybook pages
Teacher's guides give scripted lessons. They were written for classrooms, so expect directions like writing words on the board, plus warm-up games meant for groups. At home you'll do some prep and adapt the group activities for one child.
A typical day is 20 to 30 minutes: a workbook page or two with you, then rereading one storybook. As your child gains confidence, they read the storybooks on their own. Sets 1 and 2 have about one sentence per page. Later sets have two or three.
What it covers
| Level | Main skills | Readers |
|---|---|---|
| K | Consonant sounds, lowercase printing | None |
| 1 | Short vowels, first sight words, color words | Set 1 and More Set 1A |
| 2 | Long vowels, vowel pairs ee, oa, ai, ea | Set 2 and More Set 2A |
| 3 | Plurals, blends, compound and two-syllable words | Set 3 |
| 4 | Digraphs, r-controlled vowels | Set 4 |
| 5 | More vowel combinations, qu, sounds of y, open syllables | Set 5 |
| 6 | Soft c and g, dge, ph, oi, oy, igh, ow, au | Set 6 |
For children who are behind, EPS sells an Intervention Guide with 60 multisensory lessons covering Levels 1–6.
Who it's best for
Primary Phonics works well for families who want real decodable books and a slow, steady build. It's a common next step after Bob Books. That's because the stories are longer but still controlled. Tutors like it because the books are cheap and last for years.
It's a weaker fit if you want a colorful, open-and-go box or an app. If your child is really struggling, look at programs built for struggling readers or dyslexia, and consider the Intervention Guide.
Pricing at a glance
As of October 2026, the EPS shop lists student workbooks at $10.99 each, 10-book storybook sets at $35.99 and the complete 80-book storybook set at $265.99. Those are consumer prices. Homeschool editions at retailers like Christianbook are often cheaper, and used sets are easy to find.
Can a scholarship or ESA pay for it?
Often, yes. Print phonics curriculum and readers are usually an allowed curriculum expense in ESA programs such as Arizona ESA and Florida's scholarships. Each program sets its own rules and may require ordering through approved vendors. Browse your options by state on our scholarships page, save Primary Phonics to your wishlist, and apply once on Edulist to programs that may cover it.
How it compares
Explode the Code, also from EPS, is workbook-only and pairs well with Primary Phonics readers. Bob Books are easier, shorter first readers. All About Reading and Logic of English are open-and-go homeschool programs with full lesson plans and color readers, at a higher price. Free Progressive Phonics uses a shared-reading format instead of strict decodables.
See our best phonics programs for a ranked list, or browse all phonics curriculum and kindergarten phonics.
Who Primary Phonics is for (and who it isn’t)
Best for
- Families who want truly decodable readers that build in small steps
- Kids ready for more story than Bob Books
- Tutors and teachers who want inexpensive, reusable print readers
- Older K–2 students who need systematic phonics review
Look elsewhere if
- Families who want an open-and-go, all-in-one boxed kit
- Kids who need color pictures or app-style rewards to stay engaged
- Parents who don't want to piece together separate components
Primary Phonics pros and cons
Pros
- Strictly decodable stories tied to each workbook level
- Clear progression from consonants to vowel teams and two-syllable words
- Low cost per book, and readers can be reused for siblings
- Intervention Guide available for struggling readers
- Long track record in schools and homeschools
Cons
- Black-and-white workbooks and readers
- Teacher's guides are written for classrooms, with board work and group games
- Many separate pieces make ordering confusing
- Big jump from Level K to Level 1, per Cathy Duffy
- Limited handwriting instruction
What’s included
- Seven workbook levels (K and 1–6) moving from consonants to vowel teams, soft c and g, and two-syllable words
- Six core sets of 10 decodable storybooks, plus extra More Primary Phonics sets 1A and 2A
- Storybooks only use phonics patterns and sight words already taught
- Matching comprehension workbooks (Thinking About Mac and Tab and level comprehension books)
- Scripted teacher's guides and an optional 60-lesson Intervention Guide for struggling readers
Primary Phonics levels
| Level | Grades | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Level K | Kindergarten | Consonant sounds with cumulative review and brief lowercase printing. Optional Consonant, More Consonant and Color workbooks. |
| Level 1 | K–1 | Short vowels, early sight words and color words. Storybook Set 1 starts with Mac and Tab. |
| Level 2 | Grade 1 | Long vowels and vowel pairs such as ee, oa, ai and ea. |
| Level 3 | Grade 1 | Plurals, initial and final blends, compound words and two-syllable words. |
| Level 4 | 1–2 | Consonant digraphs and r-controlled vowels. |
| Level 5 | Grade 2 | More vowel combinations, qu, the sounds of y and open syllables. |
| Level 6 | Grade 2 | Soft c and g, more plurals and patterns such as dge, ph, oi, oy, igh, ow and au. |
How much does Primary Phonics cost?
There is no subscription. You buy workbooks, storybook sets and teacher's guides separately from EPS Learning or homeschool retailers. As of October 2026, the EPS shop lists consumer prices of $10.99 per student workbook, $35.99 for a 10-book storybook set and $265.99 for all 80 storybooks. Homeschool retailers such as Christianbook often sell homeschool editions for less.
| Plan | Price | Billed | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student workbook, one level | $10.99 | One-time | — |
| More Primary Phonics Storybooks Set 1A (10 books) | $35.99 | One-time | — |
| Complete Storybook Starter Set, Levels 1–6 (80 books) | $265.99 | One-time | — |
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.
Homeschool reviewers mostly praise the storybooks. Many families use only the readers after Bob Books and report that kids enjoy the slightly longer stories. The main complaints are about the classroom-style teacher's guides and the plain black-and-white look.
Common praise
- Readers are a good step up from Bob Books
- Stories stay decodable, so kids feel successful
- Flexible enough to use only the parts you need
Common complaints
- Teacher's guide needs adapting for one child
- Plain black-and-white pages
- Many separate components to buy
Sources: cathyduffyreviews.com · primary phonics program · homeschoolden.com · teaching kids to read readers we used
Primary Phonics family reviews
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Primary Phonics FAQs
Who publishes Primary Phonics?
Primary Phonics is written by Barbara W. Makar and published by EPS Learning, formerly Educators Publishing Service, which also publishes Explode the Code. You can buy it from the EPS shop or homeschool retailers.
What grade is Primary Phonics for?
EPS lists it for grades K–2, and it is also used for older students who need phonics review. Many homeschool children start Level K in pre-K and move faster than one level per grade.
How many Primary Phonics storybooks are there?
There are six core sets of 10 storybooks, one per workbook level, for 60 books. Adding the extra More Primary Phonics sets 1A and 2A brings the complete starter set to 80 books.
Do I need the workbooks, or can I use only the storybooks?
You can use the storybooks alone, and many homeschoolers do as decodable practice next to another phonics program. The workbooks add the explicit phonics lessons that the storybooks are built around.
Is Primary Phonics Christian or secular?
It is secular. Cathy Duffy's review lists no religious content, and the stories feature everyday characters like Mac the rat and Tab the cat.
Is Primary Phonics good for dyslexia?
EPS sells a separate 60-lesson Intervention Guide for Levels 1–6 that uses multisensory techniques for struggling readers. Children with significant dyslexia may still need a dedicated Orton-Gillingham program or tutor.
Is Primary Phonics the same as Explode the Code?
No. Both come from EPS Learning, but Explode the Code is a workbook-only phonics series. Primary Phonics is built around decodable storybooks with matching workbooks.
Sources and last checked
Checked 2026-10-13 against these sources:
- epslearning.com · primary phonics
- epslearning.com · primary phonics decodable readers
- shop.epslearning.com · Primary Phonics Workbook 3
- shop.epslearning.com · Primary Phonics Complete Storybook Starter Kit Levels 1 to 6
- shop.epslearning.com · Primary Phonics Storybook Starter Set 1A 10 Titles
- cathyduffyreviews.com · primary phonics program
- rainbowresource.com · primary phonics
- homeschoolden.com · teaching kids to read readers we used
- christianbook.com · 836146