Lee and Pat

In this first book of the 12-book Word by Word series of illustrated graded readers for children, we meet Lee, Pat and their very clever dog Kim.  This dog is so clever he can even read and understand what the children write!

How quickly can a child learn to read?  Actually, very young children can learn to read in much less time than most people think.  In fact, with the right materials and guidance, a child can become functionally literate in just a few months.

This is the first book in the Word by Word series of illustrated, graded English readers for children learning to read and children learning English as a second or foreign language. In this first reader, we meet Lee, Pat and their VERY clever dog Kim. This dog is so clever it can even READ what the children write!

All the details in the book are revealed in language (words and structure) that has been rigorously selected to be as simple and understandable as possible for young readers. 

For example, did you know that just 25 most commonly used words make up about one-third of all words written or spoken in English? The first 100 most frequently used words make up about one-half of all written and spoken English. By the end of the 12-book Word by Word series, children will have learned the 1,000 most frequently used words which comprise more than 95% of all written and spoken English. 

The content of all Word by Word readers is based on extensive, diligent research into the most frequently used English words and structures. The key words and structures are presented gradually and systematically throughout the series. For example, all new words and structures are repeated at least 15 times subsequent to their first appearance in the series. This, together with the phonic emphasis in each book, ensures effective and rapid learning as well as maximum retention and comprehension. It is this very systematic control of vocabulary and structure that makes Word by Word graded readers unique. 

All the books in the series have been extensively trialed and repeatedly improved over a period of many years and are now proven to be extremely effective in building functional literacy in children of many ages and nationalities, including the author's own children. 

The series consists of 12 books in 4 levels. 

Level 1 
Book 1: Lee and Pat 
Book 2: Lee and Pat like to play 
Book 3: Lee and Pat go with Daddy 

Level 2 
Book 4: Lee and Pat go to school 
Book 5: Lee has a friend 
Book 6: Lee and Pat like animals 

Level 3 
Book 7: A very good week 
Book 8: Let's go shopping 
Book 9: Pat's birthday 

Level 4 
Book 10: All about animals 
Book 11: Our world 
Book 12: All about people 

By the end of the series, the child will have learned to read and understand all of the most important English words and structures. At this point, the child will be functionally literate and fully capable of independent reading.