Bob Books Fun! Level A, Set 2

by Bobby Lynn Maslen

With their engaging stories and clever illustrations, the Bob Books have ushered millions of kids into the world of reading. This relaunch of the popular series features a handy new chart on the back of each box that enables parents and educators to easily identify which set is best suited for their child's reading capabilities. Each set is color coded to indicate reading level and each story is carefully crafted to help children at different learning stages master essential reading skills. What's in the box? 12 1. Fun in the Sun
2. Up, Pup
3. Pip and Pog
4. Bow-wow!
5. The Big Hat
6: Sox the Fox
7. OK, Kids
8. Rub-a-Dub
9. Go, Bus
10. The Red Hen
11. The Sad Cat
12. 0 to 10

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books, Kids, Pre K, Education, School

14 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2000

About the author

Bobby and John Maslen developed the Bob Books, while Bobby was a teacher of 3 to 5-year-olds at a private school in Portland, Oregon. After many years of self-publishing, Scholastic became Bob Books’ publisher in 1995.

Reviews

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not too long ago, I finally decided to crack down on my 5 1/2 year old son regarding reading. He had been too lazy, just wanting me to read to him and not trying to learn how to read himself. Good thing he loves me reading to him though or I wouldn't have had very good leverage for this to work. I started a new rule where he had to read me a book everyday if he wanted to have me read to him. It was rough going through the Bob Books Set 1-Beginning Readers, but we did it. When we got to set 2, I was amazed at how he was flying through these books and sounding the words out! He doesn't whine about having to read anymore because he knows he can do it. You know those commercials for "hooked on phonics" - the one where you call 1-800-ABC-DEFG? (yes, I called and pranked them when I was younger but that's a different story :-) This story is of my success & pride - "Bob Books worked for me!"

[Lorelei · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've homeschooled five of my children, and every single one of them has learned to read by a different method. My youngest is using, and loves, the Bob Books. They are not for everybody - my oldest son taught himself to read with Calvin & Hobbes for instance - but if this sort of things suits a person's learning style, I haven't run into anything better yet.

[F. Zahra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bob Books Set 2 further consolidates the foundations laid in Bob Books Set 1, allowing for plenty of practise - once completed the child should be able to read three letters words and short sentences with greater proficiency.

[Emily · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not like the book. But I'm happy I read all of it.

[Peggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am teaching my 5.5-year-old phonics in advance of her starting Year 1 at a British school, which has a pre-requisite a level of understanding of certain letter sounds, eight words, etc.

This series has been very helpful so far. The approach is very systematic, and there are no letter sounds or decodable words that she has either not encountered before while reading this sheet or the previous one; everything builds on top of what has come before.

This is much better than the Oxford Reading Tree series of books, which will sometimes throw out a word consisting of sounds and patterns not previously introduced—at least, this has been the case with the first 3-4 sets in that series.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

These Bob books are so genius for early readers. They really put a lot of thought into them making them, each books is increasingly more difficult. And challenging my daughter with exactly the words she needs to work on, but not too much that she gets frustrated. We took a little break for a week or two while was I out of town and busy and I was worried she would have fallen back but she picked it right back up. The little stories are perfect and are not boring (for little kids) and the pictures don't completely give it away either.

[Latasha Beckman · Rating 5 out of 5]

We liked the book

The book was great, says my five-year old son. My son enjoyed the themes of the each story. I (mom) liked the short vowel word practice, and repetitive Site words, e.g., was, saw, and at and am words.

[R.G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great follow up to the original Bob set of books. This set builds on the previous box of books and continues adding new words to your vocabulary. We love these books and use them for our own kids. Add these to your library with the first set and the sight words set.

[Oscar · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first one I didn't like. Well, the one is hot in the sun. Why I didn't like it is because there is weird pictures. And the rest I like. The end.

[Nargiza Jedwab · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great beginner books but could be in color

[A. Mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think it's just me

[Alec Savage]

very good for kindergarten classes and even pre school. very short stories with easy words to help promoste young students to read. overall good books and very cute.

[Sharada · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome routine for my 5 year old

Great for the daily read practice for your kindergartener. This set was very good and handy in the kindle version.

[Serai Scripts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great for kids

[Shalyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

My new reader is cruising through these. They are great for building both skills and confidence.

[J. Maher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worth every penny!

[PottWab Regional Library]

SM

[Hillary Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good continuation from set 1. These books have more words on each page, but still mostly CVC words and short vowels. Introduction of some sight words.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

When my daughter transferred to an academically-focused preschool, we were pleasantly surprised to be introduced to the Bob Book Series. She began with Set 1 knowing very few sight words. But we read the books every day, and before we knew it, she had mastered sets 1-5 by the end of the year! Over the summer, she mastered the Kindergarten and First Grade sets as well. We also purchased the Level 1 books for her, and she LOVES them. We had her tested with the WJ-III the week before Kindergarten, and she was already reading at a first grade, seven month level! Her teacher already has her reading to the class, and she aced the examination they give the children the first week of the Kindergarten to track their progress over the course of the year. If you are committed to reading with your child every day, the Bob Book sets will give them an advantage over their peers.

This year, I started my three year old on Set One, and she has already mastered the first few books! When she began preschool this year, her teacher gave her the “Break-Out Student” award the first week of school, because she was already a more advanced reader than most of the four-year-olds. If you are looking for a book series to get your child reading, this is the way to go!

[Julia Jasztal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mommy's review -


I forget when I first found and started Julia on these books but she read Sets 1-3 and they were a major, major help with her learning to read. I know she started on this set before kindergarten, I think it was the beginning of preschool. By the time we should have moved on to sets 4 & 5 she didn't need them.
These sets of small books, combined with being read to, talked to and with correctly, and vocab worked taught her all she needed to know to actually read. She still surprises me with words she knows while reading and she's at least two grades beyond most of her classmates.
I definitely, definitely, 100% recommend.

[Charlie · Rating 3 out of 5]

These are certainly for advanced beginners and if I didn't know that, it would be a 0 stars.

Title: BOB Books Set 2: Advancing Beginners
Author: Bobby Lynn Maslen
Illustrator: John R. Maslen

Book#/Title

1: Fun in the Sun
2: Up, Pup
3: Pip and Pog
4: Bow-wow!
5: The Big Hat
6: Sox the Fox
7: OK, Kids
8: Rub-a-Dub
9: Go, Bus
10: The Red Hen
11: The Sad Cat
12: 0 to 10

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

These are great for instilling confidence in a new reader. We found that BOB books aren't necessary after set 2 though, as kids prefer to go onto "real" books and can transition into the leveled readers. (Step into reading, I can read, etc.)

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great first readers.

[Crawkati · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great addition to the first set. It is a good variety, great for boys and girls.

[Chak · Rating 5 out of 5]

See notes on first (blue) set of these.

[Josiah · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is similar to the first "Bob Book" in content. It could be a good help for those learning how to sound out words.

[Rochelle Sondae · Rating 2 out of 5]

I prefer "whole language" readers however, I do like that this series invites the reader to color and to interact with the characters by utilizing the included paper finger puppets.

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books are great for beginning readers. They gave my Kindergarten son confidence that he could really do this reading thing!

[Felicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

great to help kids learn to read

[Kristy G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lily (almost 4) is just beginning to recognize a few 3-letter words and these Bob books are perfect for encouraging her.