Learning to read and write is one of life's biggest challenges, and while looking at the best books for your child, you might want to look at books to help children learn to read and write, which can be incredibly helpful. Although reading and writing are separate life skills, they usually come at the same point in a child's life.
Each child will work at their own pace and there are many ways to encourage them to learn these new skills, but books to help children learn to read and write and that are engaging, are really helpful.
Best books to help children learn to read and write at a glance:
• Best overall books to help children learn to read and write: Learn to Read Activity Book: 101 Fun Lessons to Teach Your Child to Read - buy here on Amazon.
• Best curriculum based books to help children learn to read and write: Progress with Oxford - buy here with Amazon.
• Best books to help children learn to read and write with sticker rewards: Jolly Phonics Activity Book 1 - buy here on WHSmith.
When your child enters pre-school, they may begin to learn basic literary skills. You can also encourage your child's learning at home. By the time they start formal education at school, one of the key focuses will be literacy. Exposure to words from an early age such as reading classic books, will help support you child's development. Plus, they are more likely to have a better relationship with learning.
Best overall books to help children learn to read and write
This fun Learn to Read Activity is an engaging activity book that will help children become excited to learn from start to finish with phonics lessons featuring colouring, mazes, word searches, and other exciting activities. You can help your child go through the activities or let them work independently on it.
**One customer review said: "**I have lots of educational books for my son and this is the BEST! I have a five year old, and I've worked in schools, and nursery school settings, and I have even written and education book myself. I am in absolute awe of this book! My son loves it! It's made learning to read so fun! Thank you so much!"
Pros
- 101 fun phonic lessons
- Play motivated learning
Cons
- Can't redo the activities
Best Peppa Pig books to help children learn to read and write
Children's favourite character Peppa Pig is always a sure way to get the attention of any pre-schooler. The BAFTA award-winning pig has even released a wipe-clean book which allows children to practice their reading and writing skills. The Peppa Pig - Wipe Clean - First Letters is by far one of the best books to help children learn to read and write. The interactivity of the book will keep your child engaged and entertained.
One review said: "My 3yr old grandchild is just getting to grips with letters so this is a very handy way of giving her plenty of practice while under supervision so she writes her letters correctly."
Pros
- Wipes clean to redo
- Includes an erasable marker pen
Cons
- Less than 20 pages
Best curriculum based books to help children learn to read and write
WH SMITHS The Progress with Oxford series has been created to help every child develop their reading and writing skills at home. We love that it features picture clues to show young children how to complete activities, whilst reminder boxes, tips and advice support older children to become self-sufficient learners. It is a fantastic book for children of multiple ages.
One review said: "This range of books is excellent. My three year old loves them and keeps her busy. So far she still doesn't know she's doing work, it's just something more fun than her colouring book. The sticker rewards are good quality and just the right frequency to keep her engaged. I've bought three from this range so far and will get more. Even the same ones can be done a second time."
Pros
- Picture clues to support your child
- Easy to use
- Curriculum linked
Cons
- Might be too easy for some older children
Best books to help children learn to read and write with sticker rewards
www.whsmith.co.uk
The Jolly Phonics Activity Book 1 teaches children to read and write using synthetic phonics in a fun and exciting way. This activity book is perfect for children aged three and over. It includes two pages of stickers providing a range of fun activities, including colouring, handwriting practice, word and picture matching, puzzles, mazes, games, craft activities and flash cards.
**One review said: "**My two-year-old absolutely LOVES this. He's obsessed with letters (and numbers!) at the moment and he loves all the little activities inside - especially the sticker ones! I have to help him and hold his hand as we trace the letters but it's getting him used to it before he starts Nursery school in September and then reception after that. I'll be buying the whole set. I'll probably buy them all again when he's ready to do them all on his own."
Pros
- Two pages of sticker rewards
- Fun range of interactive activities
Best PAW Patrol books to help children learn to read
Does your little one need help to read and write? Then pups to the rescue! This PAW Patrol First Letters Activity Book: Get ready for school with Paw Patrol is a learning book that will engage any child and help them to practice their letters and shapes. With bright illustrations and useful tips for parents, this is great learning aid.
One review said: "Bought for a friends daughter, she loves paw patrol and these are helping her learn."
Pros
- Trace and copy book
- Engaging learning book
Cons
- More suited towards children who aren't in school
Best books to help children learn to read for older children
www.whsmith.co.uk
This My Reading and Writing Kit: Becoming a Reader develops confidence in learning by expanding sound recognition and essential handwriting skills. It is a fantastic aid for helping your child progress with phonics at school. This may not be suitable for pre-schooler but is a brilliant tool for school starters and beyond.
Pros
- Supports in reading longer sentences
- Helps expand vocabulary
Cons
- No onsite reviews
Top five tips for helping you child learn
As well as books to help children learn to read, we have some tips that you can implement into your child's daily life to improve their reading.
Read to your child - One of the best things you can do as a parent is read to your child. Take the time to snuggle up and enjoy a good story. Even if your little one picks the same story 100 times or a picture book, this is a fantastic way of creating a love of reading.
Encourage your child to try and read - Even if it is just a letter or a simple word.
Draw - When your child is drawing lines and circles, which look like scribbles, they are starting to learn how to write letters. How amazing is that?
Talk - The more you talk to your child, the more words they will learn. It will have a knock-on effect in terms of their ability to read and write words.
Relax - Learning should be fun. Everyone works and learns at their own pace. Try to keep the activities fun for all and do not add pressure as it is likely to impact their learning.
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Hannah James is a Parenting and Lifestyle Writer working across Mother&Baby, Yours and Grazia. As a mother of three, Hannah lives, breathes and consumes all things family orientated. When she’s not tapping away at a desk, Hannah is diving for dummies, fixing toy fire trucks or attempting to make a healthy family dinner.