Make a Mini-Book for Beginner Readers

Often the easiest text for a beginner reader is something that relates to them, using the kind of language they are very familiar with.

It’s very easy to make their own ‘mini-book’ that they can read and re-read proudly.

All you need is a few sheets of A4 paper. Often off-white or coloured paper is better to use for the pages, as it’s not as glary as pure white; some children can find high-contrast text quite difficult to read.

You can write the text on a computer if you like -you can download  is a blank Word docx with suitable layout by clicking on the picture below- and you can use clipart or digital photographs, or you or your child can illustrate the book.

The easiest way to make the book can be to write the words in ink or dark pencil and you or your child draw simple pictures.
(Note- if illustrating by hand, use pencils, crayons, gel pens etc. or lighter felt pens - don’t use felt pens with strong ink that will bleed through).

The text can be as simple as “My Mum….My Dad…” etc., or you can make up a simple story – or let your child dictate the text; this is an excellent way to encourage the development of their expressive language. You can also use the book for older children as a diary, storybook, information/project booklet or to reinforce Sight Words.

If you are writing a book for a beginner reader, make sure there is not too much text on each page and that the writing is clear and not too small. If you are using a computer, Comic sans font (at least size 20) is a good, clear font. It’s quite dark, so you may want to make the text dark grey rather than black. 

Whether hand writing or typing, it can also be a good idea to leave extra space between each word for young children.

Next fortnight - Instructions for assembling and stapling your ‘Mini-Book’.