Sam Sheep Can't Sleep

I have a 6 year old who is beginning to read. The books she brings home from school have sentences that repeat along with difficult words that she figures out through picture clues. I am sure that this helps her learn to read, but I also realize that she simply memorizes the repetitive sentences. These books use words with the same phonemes (like "oo" and "ay") along with mostly simple words that she can already read (for example: is, on, she). Each book revolves around about 3 phonemes. There are still some words on each page that are difficult for her and do not revolve around the phonemes, but I guess it's difficult to make a story fun and interesting without them. I do believe that the repetitive nature of the words with the same phonemes will help her to read (for example: In the book Goose on the Loose - words with the "oo" phoneme include goose, scooter, loose, fool, boo, moo, pool, kangaroos, and rooster). I would recommend this whole series along with the Dick and Jane books (which repeat simple words over and over).

I have read many bed time books to my 8-month old, but this is the ONLY one we get through let alone with tons of smiles and giggles. The illustrations, words, flaps - MAGIC!

In sam sheep can't sleep he obviously can't sleep so he seeks help from his friends(a continuing theme in the series) and each friend has their own advice and help. Sam does sleep. Pay attention to the yellow duck and see if you see a recurring theme here also!This whole series is great for all children from 18 months to beginning reading. It rolls when reading to your children the art is whimsical and the stories have some plot and are focused on problem solving together. It is the phonics and the rhyming that you will love, and they are short enough to keep you and your childs attention.

The phonics in this book are fantastic! Almost every word in it can be sounded out. It has a nice musical rhythmn when reading it out loud. The flaps make it interesting for younger children and the illustrations are comical. It's fun to read.