1
I do
You model it.
Touch the open circle, slide toward the letters, pause at the dot while you say the sound, then continue to the end of the arrow.
Free shared reading books
Shared reading books for kindergarten
Start shared reading in kindergarten with a book that helps you begin teaching—not just reading aloud. Start with A Special Treat to introduce three sounds and guide your child through their first word, then explore Skirmish at Sea as their skills grow.
A Special Treat · Book 1 of the Eve and Sam Saga
Let’s read together
This is a book you use to start teaching your child how reading works. You keep the story moving while your child practices targeted sounds, words, and sentences—with clear guidance for when to model, help, and let them try.
How the book works
I do. We do. You do.
The book uses a simple gradual-release routine whenever it introduces a new sound.
2
We do
Read it together.
Guide your child’s finger while you both say the sound. Keep the experience warm, clear, and matter-of-fact.
3
You do
They try it.
Your child touches and reads the sound twice on their own. When they get it, celebrate the win.
As the story continues, your child moves from sounds to words and short sentences, while the grown-up keeps the plot moving. That balance makes “we read together” books feel like a real story and a real reading lesson.
Once specialized orthography
Print that shows your child what to do
Once adds visual cues around regular letters so a beginning reader can connect print to speech and blend without guessing.
Start at the circle
The open circle shows where the finger begins.
Follow the arrow
The line supports smooth left-to-right tracking.
Use the dots
Dots mark sounds and where to hold a continuous sound.
Notice connected letters
An underline shows when two characters work together as one sound.
These supports are temporary teaching tools. Later in the Once curriculum, children reread words in regular serif print after practicing them in the specialized orthography.
ar
Start at the circle · Hold at the dot · Read to the arrow
Starting from the beginning?
Want to teach your child their first word?
Start with A Special Treat. Book 1 introduces “m,” “s,” and “a,” then shows you how to help your child blend those sounds and read their first word. The grown-up directions tell you what to say, where to point, and when to let your child try.
Read A Special TreatMore stories are coming
Get the next shared reading book
We are developing more books for grown-ups and children to read together. Share your email and we’ll let you know when a new book is published.
Shared reading kindergarten FAQs
Is this the same as guided reading?
No. This book gives one grown-up a clear, scripted role in a one-to-one reading experience. The adult reads the fuller story and prompts the child to read selected text. Guided reading can refer to other classroom instructional formats; this resource is designed for co-reading together.
Is this the same as a decodable book?
No. A decodable book is usually written so a child can read independently using sound-spelling patterns they have already learned. These Read Together books combine grown-up-read story text with selected child-readable moments, prompts, and specialized orthography.
What age is this for?
Once designs its reading instruction for children ages 3–7. A Special Treat begins with three sounds and a first word; Skirmish at Sea is for a child who has already practiced several sounds and is ready to work on “ar.”
What if my child doesn’t know any letter sounds yet?
Start with A Special Treat. It introduces the sounds m, s, and a before guiding your child through blending their first word. Read the grown-up directions first, then follow the I do, we do, you do prompts.
Do I need to be a teacher or know phonics to use this?
No. Read the grown-up directions first, preview the story once on your own, and follow the prompts. The book models what to say, where to point, when to read together, and when to let your child try.
Keep reading together
Make today’s reading time count
Follow the prompts, celebrate each try, and let your child do a little more of the reading each time.
Start Once at Home