Learning to read takes practice—and having the right books makes all the difference.
That’s why we’re excited to add hundreds of new decodable books to Epic. Aligned to 23 popular literacy curricula, these collections make it easier to find books that match the phonics skills students are learning in class.
Whether you’re supporting small groups, independent reading or extra practice at home, you’ll find engaging decodable readers that help students build confidence and strengthen foundational reading skills.
What Are Decodable Books?
If you’ve spent any time exploring the Science of Reading, you’ve probably heard the term decodable books.
Simply put, decodable books are texts that are intentionally written using phonics patterns students have already learned. Rather than asking beginning readers to guess words or rely heavily on pictures, decodable texts encourage students to use their phonics knowledge to read successfully.
As students learn new phonics skills, decodable books give them a chance to put those skills into action. Instead of guessing at unfamiliar words, they can use what they’ve learned to read successfully on their own.
For example, a student who has just learned short vowel sounds might read a story with words like cat, sit, run and big. As their skills grow, they can move on to books that introduce new sounds, patterns and challenges.
These carefully designed phonics books help students:
- Practice newly taught sound-spelling patterns
- Strengthen decoding skills
- Develop reading accuracy
- Build fluency through repeated success
- Gain confidence as readers
Decodable books help students practice the phonics skills they’re actively learning, building confidence one sound at a time.
Why Teachers Use Decodables
One of the biggest challenges in early literacy instruction is helping students transfer isolated phonics skills into actual reading.
That’s why so many educators incorporate decodable readers into their classrooms.
Decodables provide meaningful opportunities for students to apply phonics skills in connected text. They can be used during:
- Small-group instruction
- Reading intervention
- Literacy centers
- Independent reading time
- Take-home practice
Hundreds of New Decodable Titles, Organized for Easy Access
Every teacher knows that reading instruction isn’t one-size-fits-all. Students learn at different rates, classrooms use different programs and sometimes kids simply need a little more practice before a new skill clicks.
That’s why we’ve added hundreds of new decodable books to Epic, aligned to 23 popular literacy curricula. Our expanded collections make it easy to find books that support the phonics skills you’re teaching, so students can get the meaningful practice they need.
Less time searching for resources. More time spent reading, practicing and growing.
Explore the New Decodable Collections
To find the decodable collection that matches your curriculum:
- Go to the search bar on Epic
- Search for “decodables” + your curriculum name (for example, decodables UFLI).
- Select Collections from the tabs at the top of the search results.
- Find and open the collection that matches your curriculum.
Each collection is thoughtfully organized to support systematic phonics instruction, giving students meaningful opportunities to practice and apply newly learned skills. Here are some of the collections available on Epic:
Decodables aligned to Benchmark Advance
Books designed to support foundational phonics skills and early decoding practice. Ideal for students who are beginning to connect letter sounds and words.
Decodables aligned to CKLA
Additional opportunities for students to practice newly learned sound-spelling patterns while building accuracy and confidence.
Decodables aligned to UFLI
Engaging decodable stories that help students strengthen fluency and enjoy the satisfaction of successful reading.
Supporting Reading Growth Beyond the Lesson
One of the best things about decodable readers is their flexibility.
While they’re often used during literacy instruction, they can also support reading growth throughout the day and beyond the classroom.
Educators might use them for:
- Literacy centers
- Independent reading time
- Early-finisher activities
- Intervention groups
Families can use them for:
- Homework support
- Reading together at home
- Extra phonics practice
- Summer reading routines
Decodable books aren’t meant to replace rich read-alouds, classroom libraries or authentic literature. Instead, they provide an important bridge between learning a phonics skill and using it confidently in real reading situations.
More Practice, More Confidence
Reading growth happens one successful reading experience at a time.
When students can apply the phonics skills they’ve learned to read a book on their own, something powerful happens: they start to see themselves as readers.
Decodable books help create those moments of success, giving students the practice they need to build confidence and keep turning the page.
Ready to Explore?
Browse hundreds of new decodable titles on Epic and discover collections aligned to the phonics skills your students are learning right now.
Frequently Asked Questions
▶ What are decodable books?
Decodable books are texts written using phonics patterns students have already learned. They help beginning readers practice decoding words using their knowledge of letter-sound relationships rather than relying on pictures or guessing.
▶ Why are decodable books important?
Decodable books give students an opportunity to apply newly learned phonics skills in connected text. This practice helps strengthen decoding skills, improve reading accuracy, build fluency and increase confidence.
▶ How do decodable readers support the Science of Reading?
The Science of Reading emphasizes explicit phonics instruction and opportunities for students to practice those skills. Decodable readers align with this approach by allowing students to read texts that match the sound-spelling patterns they’ve been taught.
▶ How can teachers use decodable books in the classroom?
Teachers often use decodable books during small-group instruction, literacy centers, intervention lessons and independent reading time. They can also be sent home for additional practice and family reading.
▶ Does Epic offer decodable books aligned to literacy curricula?
Yes. Epic offers hundreds of decodable books aligned to 23 popular literacy curricula, including Benchmark Advance, CKLA and UFLI. These collections make it easy for educators to find books that support the phonics skills students are learning in class.
