Phonics

Big ABC Book
by Richard Edwards
(Oxford University Press)
An alphabetical picture book which is useful for teaching initial sounds, alphabetical order and rhymes. There is plenty to talk about in the pictures and children enjoy looking for the items that begin with the correct sound. Our reviewer particularly liked the rhyme for each letter and the inclusion of ch, sh, th and wh.
KS1/special needs
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My First Alphabet Big Book
illustrated by Julie Park
(Oxford University Press)
A simple, clear layout presents the letters in order, one to a page, with pictures and words for each letter. Useful for initial soundwork and introducing alphetical order.
Lower KS1/ special needs
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The Absolutely Brilliant Crazy Party
by Wendy Body Illustrated by Steve Smallman
(Longman Pelican Big Books)
When Jericho Jones has a party, each of his guests begins with a different letter of the alphabet and so do the activities they get up to. For example, "Jack and Jill jumped into the jelly and a Kangaroo kicked ketchup over Kevin the King". The pictures are very funny with speech bubbles which add more words for each letter. Good for learning the alphabet, practising phonics and having a good laugh.
KS1
32 pages     ISBN 0582333822
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The Big ABC Book
by Sue Palmer and Michaela Morgan
(Ginn Big Book Phonics)
Each letter has a picture with plenty of objects beginning with it to spot and a song about the letter set to a well known tune - Farmer's in the Den for consonants, Baa Baa Black Sheep for vowels and If you're happy and you know it for blends. Covers all the letters in the alphabet in order plus sh, ch and th.
KS1
32 pages    ISBN 0602284155

Four Freckled Frogs
by Ruth Thompson
(Belitha Press)
A useful book about consonant blends (fr, sc, mp, nk etc). Each one has its own page with a large colour picture full of objects and activities which use it plus a sentence about the picture and a couple of questions. Around the main picture are small ones of objects to spot and there's a list of all the words illustrated at the end of the book .
KS1
32 pages    184138204
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Sixteen Fleecy Sheep
by Ruth Thomson
(Belitha Press)
A well thought out book about vowel combinations and blends (a-e, oo, ear, ey etc) Each one has its own page with a large colour picture full of objects and activities which use it plus a sentence about the picture. There are also a couple of questions and pictures of small objects to give children hints on what to look for and, at the end of the book, there's a list of all the words illustrated.
KS1/early KS2
32 pages    ISBN 1841382051
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Sounds and Words 1
by Sue Palmer and Michaela Morgan
(Ginn Big Book Phonics)
A good mix of rhymes and tongue twisters to encourage children to listen to and recognise sounds.
KS1
48 pages    ISBN 060228412X

Sounds and Words 2
by Sue Palmer and Michaela Morgan
(Ginn Big Book Phonics)
A good selection of rhymes and activities to help children recognise and use different sounds. Particularly strong on vowel sounds including blends (oa, ir, etc). Includes a good rap for remembering the months of the year.
KS1/early KS2
32 pages    ISBN 0602284221X

Tune into Sounds
by Sue Palmer and Michaela Morgan
(Ginn Big Book Phonics)
Rhymes and tunes to help children learn the alphabet and recognise different sounds. Songs are set to well known tunes so even unmusical teachers can use this book.
KS1
24 pages    ISBN 0602284147