Moon Dog series from Phonic Books

Engaging, decodable books and activities aimed at older, novice readers...

At a glance

• Starts with the most basic reading skills, introducing the initial sounds of the alphabet
• Closely follows standard phonics progression through sequential sets of books
• Age-appropriate stories for SEN and EAL pupils aged 8-14
• Appealing manga-style illustrations
• Supplementary photocopiable activities available
• Each book set is accompanied by a workbook

These days, perhaps more than ever in our history, literacy is essential. Therefore, it is vitally important that we should not let anyone who cannot read to some extent pass through our education system.

Sadly, there are youngsters for whom time is running out. For whatever reason, they have not been able to acquire the necessary skills and they need to catch up fast.

The trouble is, much of the material designed to get children reading is, understandably enough, aimed at those in Early Years or KS1.

That’s why Phonics Books has created a range of catch-up resources designed to help pupils aged 8–14 to gain competence and confidence with their reading.

Even so, there are children within that age group who just need to go back to the very first steps of phonics, which is where the Moon Dog series comes in.

Carefully and deliberately, Moon Dogs introduces novice readers to the symbols and sounds of written English and builds from there.

It does this through a series of reading books that follow the same structured steps you would expect from a quality phonics programme.

The eight books of Set 1 cover the alphabet and some double consonants using only CVC words. Set 2 (also eight books) moves on through slightly more complex consonant digraphs.

There is also a series of 14 books that covers vowel spellings.

Each set is accompanied by a workbook, packed with photocopiable games and activities that relate directly to the books.

Of course, to be engaging, these resources have to appeal to the target age group. That is why they are based on the adventures of a handful of older children who are part of a music group called the Moon Dogs.

Given the reading levels at which they are pitched, these books rely heavily on the quality of the images. In this regard, Phonics Books has done a particularly good job in choosing an age-appropriate, manga-esque illustrative style that can make sense of even the most elementary sentences.

For example, it takes a fair degree of artistic skill to bring the sentence It is Matt! to life!

In short, these books should be perfect for older SEN pupils, whether in mainstream education or special provision, or perhaps EAL children who really need to start with the basics.

I can easily imagine their teachers howling for them, though not necessarily by the light of the moon.

Verdict

• Created by phonics experts
• Visually appealing to an older age group
• Well-resourced with practice materials and workbooks
• Includes useful teacher guidance and background information

Upgrade if…

You want to help older, novice readers begin their reading journey with engaging, age-appropriate resources with age-appropriate, manga-esque illustrative style that can make sense of even the most elementary sentences.

Moon Dog series sets from £16; workbooks from £15. Find out more at phonicbooks.co.uk.

Reviewed by Mike Davies