Books for Children Sound Reading and Reading Sounds: The Case for Phonemic Awareness

The National Reading Panel (NRP) issued a Congressional mandated report to identify key skills and methods related to the development of successful reading skills. One of the first of identified skills is phonemic awareness. This column addresses this area of reading instruction and provides suggestions for literature to be shared with young readers and listeners that support phonemic awareness. Fifteen children's books are reviewed and recommended. KEY WORDS: early literacy; children's literature; reading skills and development; phonemic awareness; National Reading Panel (NRP). INTRODUCTION reviews the evidence from research, suggests implica-In 2000, the National Reading Panel (NRP) tions for classroom instruction, describes proven strategies for teaching reading skills, and addresses issued a report in response to a Congressional mandate frequently raised questions. This column addresses the to help parents, teachers, and policymakers identify first area of reading instruction and provides sugges- key skills and methods related to the development o