Key Words: Boxset [Hardcover]

I had these books as a child and have bought them now because I was a little unimpressed with the modern reading books.

The modern reading books seem to have no science behind them at all. For example, a modern book for a 5 year old will throw in the word 'invisible' or 'skeleton' because it suits the story. It certainly doesn't suit the 5 year old trying to read it. And they will frequently use hard to read fonts, italics, words like 'yeah', 'Kaboooooom!!!!!' and litter the pages with exclamation marks. You can tell that they have no educational basis behind them at all.

The peter and jane books were designed by a teacher with experience of teaching the 'hard to teach'. Simple repetition gives the child a feeling of success. The specially designed font is the easiest font for young readers to see (and has become a classic). The illustrations are simple and not distracting. And the key thing, the books get incrementally more advanced. They never throw in unreadable words for the sake of the story. Instead they bend the story to suit the words.

You simply can't get better books for teaching your children to read. Ignore all the comments about them being old fashioned. If making reading easier for kids is old fashioned, then call me old fashioned.

Content synopsis and words introduced including variations as follows..

1a Play with us
(Peter, Jane, and, Here, here, is, The, the, dog, likes, like, I, a, shop, in, has, toy, ball, tree). These words are gradually introduced building up to a full sentence per page of up to 11 words. Bold thick text with upper case 'T' 14mm tall.

2a We have fun
(Pat, They, they, are, water, fun, Come, come, comes, It, it, says, say, He, he, Look, look, looks, Have, have, A, fish, want, wants, No, no, You, you, some, This, this, for, Can, can, Jump, jump, jumps, ?, into, are, We, we, to, go, Yes, Can, sweet, sweets, toys, home). Simple short sentence construction building up to 23 words per page. Bold thinner text 'T' 9mm tall.

1b Look at this
(trees, shops, Jane's, Peter's). Simple three word sentence per page building up to two sentences of three or four words per page and single sentences of nine words per page. Bold thick text 'T' 14mm tall.

2b Have a go
Reinforces previous words. Three to nine word sentences. Bold thinner text 'T' 9mm tall.

1c Read and write
Links with 1a and 1b including the opportunity to start writing practice. A single word may need finishing to complete a sentence. Yes/No question sentences need answering. All spaces have a small line for each missing letter. Answers at the back. Bold thinner text 'T' 9mm.

2c I like to write
Links with 2a and 2b with writing practice. Moving on from 1c yet the same format. Some sentences are missing the last one or two words, a box gives clear one and two word choices. Yes/No question sentences need answering. All spaces have a small line for each missing letter. Answers at the back. Bold thinner text 'T' 9mm.

Taken from the inside covers..."Key Words with Peter and Jane uses the most frequently met words in the English language - scientifically researched and world renowned Key Words - as a starting point for learning to read successfully and confidently".
"Series a ~ gradually introduces and repeats new words".
"Series b ~ provides further practice of these same words but in a different context and with different illustrations".
"Series c ~ uses familiar words to teach Phonics in a methodical way, enabling children to read increasingly difficult words. It also provides a link to writing".

Hard backed gloss covers, each book has well spaced, bold clear text. Lovely water colour Illustrations with a 'dated' feel adding to their charm; each clearly illustrate the text so aiding understanding. They lend themselves to super observational and comparison discussions with a simpler less cluttered time. Supplied with a sturdy gloss finish box, red cord handle and Velcro fastening.

(There is a set of Key Word Flash Cards available to use with these books).

A tailor made reading tool we use along side other story books and eventual reading scheme. I see these as an excellent key word and context reinforcement, clearly outlining word placement/meaning. As the text, theme and illustrations don't seem overly 'childish', perhaps an acceptable resource for adults too. My little one really engages with these, superb purchase!

I remember learning from Janet and John and Peter and Jane as a youngster and we weren't getting on with Kipper, Biff and Chip (oxford Tree), so I thought I'd try these. Admittedly they are a little old-fashioned, but they still work (unlike Janet and John, which are just too old-fashioned for my five year old to understand).

My five year old reads well and the repetition in these books is invaluable - as is introduing the variations in verbs eg. 'Peter likeS', but 'I like' - good for her communication skills.

She enjoyed the books she had to write in too.