More Books Won’t Fix the Literacy Crisis: It’s About the Right Books and the Right Method

There’s a common misconception that the solution to the literacy crisis is simply publishing more books. In reality, it's not about the quantity of books but about having the right books and, more importantly, using the right approach to teach children how to read.

The Truth: It’s Not About How Many Books We Have

The shelves are filled with children’s books, and there are new ones being published every day. But despite the abundance, the problem isn’t the number of books — it’s the quality of the books available, particularly for early readers.

Every time a new book is launched with the goal of "closing the literacy gap," it may seem like a good thing. However, many of these books aren't designed for children who are just beginning to read. Without a proper teaching method in place, these books will often just add to the pile of unread books for children who are struggling.

The Problem with "Level 1" Books

One of the most misleading trends is the labeling of books as "Level 1" readers. These books are often marketed as beginner-level, but in reality, they are far too complicated for a true beginner reader.

For instance, many "Level 1" books are filled with irregular words that cannot be decoded, or sentences with complex structures that confuse young readers. These books may assume that a child can already recognize words by sight or infer meaning from context, but for children who are still mastering letter sounds, this can be discouraging. It’s no wonder many kids end up feeling frustrated or overwhelmed.

If a child picks up a "Level 1" book and encounters words they can’t decode or understand, they’ll quickly lose confidence, and instead of progressing, they may fall further behind. This is a critical issue — if we’re not providing books that align with a child's current skills, we’re simply setting them up for failure.

The Right Method is Key

More books alone won’t fix the literacy crisis. What’s needed is a systematic, phonics-based approach to teaching reading. Before a child can understand a story or its meaning, they must first learn how to decode the words. Phonics is the key: learning letter sounds, blending them together, and decoding unfamiliar words. Once these foundational skills are in place, comprehension will follow.

But this can only happen if children have access to books that are designed to support these skills — books that start with simple, decodable words and gradually increase in complexity as the child’s skills improve.

How You Can Help

As parents and educators, it’s crucial to choose the right books and materials for beginner readers. Instead of picking up a "Level 1" book that is too complicated, choose books that are explicitly designed for early readers. These books should use simple, phonetic words that children can decode, without overwhelming them with irregular words or complex sentences.

Here are some great resources to get started:

• Early Reader Books: These books are specifically designed to support beginner readers with decodable words and clear, simple sentences.

  
  

• Printables for Beginner Readers: Simple, printable short stories focused on CVC words that help children practice their phonics skills step by step.

  
  

Conclusion: It's About More Than Just More Books

The truth is clear: more books won’t solve the literacy crisis. What’s needed is the right books — ones that are specifically designed for beginner readers, with the right balance of simplicity and challenge. And equally important, we need the right teaching methods that emphasize phonics and decoding skills before jumping into comprehension.

By focusing on foundational skills and providing the right tools, we can help children become confident readers, ready to tackle more complex texts in the future.