Year 1 Books

During the early stages of Key Stage 1, children start to develop their language, literacy and vocabulary skills. That’s precisely why we, at Books2Door, have specially curated a list of primary school books, to help make learning just that little bit easier. To help make back-to-school shopping so much easier, we’ve got an extensive collection of Key Stage One books, featuring some of the most famous and well-loved publishers from Penguin to Usborne that are perfect for all our little readers aged 5-6. Our collection of Key Stage One reading books has been specially hand-picked and recommended by teachers to ensure the perfect back-to-school books are chosen by our mighty little readers. Featuring some of the most invigorating and adventurous titles, our selection has all the best books that are guaranteed to make your child’s imagination go wild! 

Our selection features some of the best children’s books that not only help to develop these essential reading skills but also kick-start their imaginations in a fun and engaging way. All children should be encouraged to read widely to develop their knowledge of themselves and the world in which they live, establish an appreciation and love of reading, and gain knowledge across the school’s Key Stage One curriculum. 

Reading widely and often increases your child’s vocabulary because they encounter words that they would rarely hear or use in everyday speech. As a result, your child starts to build on and extend their own bank of vocabulary which will help them as they progress through school. Browse through our selection of top teachers’ picks, with plenty of variety there should be something for everyone. From well-loved characters such as Roger Hargreaves’ Mr Men and Little Miss collection to the Ultimate Peppa Pig collection, or even something brand new for little independent readers that want to try reading something completely different.

In these early stages of primary school, reading in Year One is a crucial skill that allows children to open the doors to countless learning opportunities. But it doesn’t have to be all work and no play. In fact, reading for children of all ages should be fun and exciting, exposing them to new and amusing characters that teach them important lessons along the way. Children learn best by observing, questioning and exploring the world around them, in the same way, reading encourages children to apply these same skills to understand and make sense of their environment in a stimulating and engaging way. At Books2Door, we have a fantastic selection of recommended primary school books that are affordable and quality, perfectly directed for readers aged 5-7 and also complement the school curriculum. 

Early Readers Books

For early readers beginning their own reading journey, why not try Ladybird I'm Ready for Phonics 12 Book Collection, the perfect book for 5-year-olds? In the early phonics stage, these fun and bright books are a fantastic way to introduce phonics to your little ones. As parents guide their child through levels 1-12 at their own pace, they will start to be able to recognise initial letter sounds at the beginning of simple words including crucial vowel and consonant sounds. Guided reading with an adult helps to feed your child’s imagination and opens up a treasure-house of wonder and joy for curious young minds. 

Or why not have a go at the Reading Ladder My First Read-Along Library 30 Books Box Set? Ranging from levels 1-3, this set is fantastic for all Key Stage 1 readers varying from short stories for new readers to chapter books for more advanced readers. Skilled word reading involves both the working out of the pronunciation of unfamiliar printed words and the recognition of familiar printed words. Through the practice of recognising both of these things, your child will be able to understand that the letters on the page represent the sounds in spoken words which will help children as they build on decoding sounds through consistent reading and comprehension. This is why phonics should be emphasised in the early teaching of reading to beginners at the start of Key Stage 1.

Advanced Readers’ Books

For those more curious and rapid readers eager to try something new, why not try Reading Champions Developing Readers 30 Book Collection? In this extensive book collection, each book has been carefully designed to help kids mature in their reading journey step-by-step. The books are colour banded to help children and parents monitor the progress of their reading development and help children to feel a sense of achievement as they progress through the books. For those young children that love animals, check out Jill Tomlinson's Animal Book Collection. With beautiful and adorable illustrations by Paul Howard, this collection of seven delightful animal stories bridges the gap between full chapter and picture books to spark an engaging and enjoyable read for both children and adults.

Each child is unique and experiences their own individual reading journey. As they grow, your child will start to celebrate new reading milestones as they learn new words, develop new reading strategies and extend their extensive range of vocabulary. At Books2Door, our range of Key Stage one reading books for children in Year One and Year Two helps children to read with a purpose by allowing children to not only comprehend the text and retrieve key information but also develop their inference skills. Allowing children to choose a book and read with an adult through guided reading sessions can greatly increase their reading confidence throughout the Key Stage one process. Our teachers’ selection features a range of books for readers of all abilities to develop at their own pace to improve and progress their reading ability and gain confidence along the way.

Finished these titles and want to try something brand new and challenging to improve your reading skills? Try our selected top teachers’ picks for Year 2 books, with a whole new selection of quality book box sets and collections for those mighty older readers eager for a new and exciting challenge.