BOB Books How are they ?

[OhTheThinks.....]

Greetings all... I am looking into purchasing the set of BOB books to teach reading and to supplement my child's schooling. It cost about $75.00 for the complete set, so I am doing a bit of research before spending.
Anybody familiar with BOB books ?? Do you like them ?? Found them appealing to young children (pre-K/K/1)? What are your thoughts? Can you recommend anything better? thanks in advance.

[marilynmama]

My dd (7 now) started reading with BOB books, she really enjoyed them because they were easy and short. She also liked coloring them after she read them.

BTW you certainly don't have to spend $75.00 on a whole set at once, you can just go to Barnes and Noble and get the first little box for cheap or off amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...books&n=507846

[miss_sonja]

My now-5 1/2 year old (who can read just about anything now!) started with the first set of BOB books. She liked them, but outgrew them fairly quickly. I got most of the first set and some of the next two at thrift stores for .25-.50 cents each.

I wouldn't spend $75 on the whole shebang before getting one set and trying it out. Also, our local library has them, so we checked out the ones we hadn't been able to find used.

They're fun and portable and if you want to, you can let kids colour the pictures after reading:-)

[ksmommy]

We are using BOB books and enjoy them. I have purchased them at a used homeschool curriculum for $25 the whole set.

[Cajunmomma]

I started a couple of mine with the Bob Books. I liked them because they are so easy, but my kids, while they got through them quickly, didn't really like them. They do reinforce the early letter sounds.

[flyingspaghettimama]

I agree with others have said - don't buy the whole set. They're great at first for building confidence and a sense of accomplishment; but by the time they can read level "C" then they'll probably be wanting to read things they're actually interested in (i.e. beginning readers - level 1 or so - about sharks and etc). My daughter got bored with them after B2, and went on to bigger and more interesting stuff.

Also, you'll get a little tired hearing about the lackluster adventures of Mat and Sam yourself, I reckon.

[UlrikeDG]

My daughter liked them, because she could read the entire book. My son thought they were boring and fought reading them.

[TiredX2]

I would definatley check through the library first before making that purchase!

DD did not like the Bob books. Well, she liked them at first (because they were easy) but they didn't seem to move in the way she needed and we ended up using Hooked on Phonics for a few weeks (from the library) and that was *exactly* what she needed.

Now, as DS gets older I begin to see that Hooked on Phonics will probably not be the right approach for him.

You can always buy just one and try it out, or ask around to borrow them (they are fairly short lived, I would assume, so there is a good chance someone in your area has them but won't use them again, or won't use them until another child is ready).

[OhTheThinks.....]

THANKS ALL for your input......it has been INVALUABLE !! Glad to see that $75 is Way to much to pay !! That was the price on the website. Yes I agree, need to shop around, tag sales, schools etc etc for sure.
My DH is such an avid reader, he has practically read everything to my dd in the house 2-3 times over and we have a huge book collection. We are using how library too, but I am guilty of keeping books too long YIKES !!
My DH has now moved to second shift and is looking for a "series" that he can do with dd. She is 3.5 and loves reading and being read to. So I am trying to support their efforts. He is really interested in phonics.
I went to our preschool and they have a few series to choose from.
I will have to work on the library again, maybe get on a schedule of pickup/drop off or something for basic reading material. Doesn't solve my phonic series search though, so you guys have been great !!

[meemee]

yes definitely check the library to see if ur dd even likes the whole look of the book. i have the first one just lying around for dd to pick up when she is ready to read so i dont read them to her. but she loves the drawing and the whole feel of the book. many times she just sits and tells her own story from the books. many times she just spells the words out and doesnt try to soudn them out.

dont know how these books are but one mom said her son liked this series too. i believe they are v. simple but humourous books.

http://www.brandnewreaders.com/

[MamaDuck24]

Overstock.com had them before, pretty low price. We've had BOB books for a long time, and the interest comes and goes.

My 7yodd just started school, and her teacher was rolling her eyes at the BOB books... Said the way it was presented was not quite what they do at this school (and this school has the highest number of children who "graduate" to the middle school in remedial classes, so I don't really think their presentation of reading is very good...)

I do like them for car trips, because they're simple, easy to carry in a ziploc bag, and they can be colored as well.

Best wishes,
Sam

[2GR8KIDS]

If you have access to a Scholastic Book Club through a child's school, they sometimes offer one set of BOB books at a cheap price. I agree with PPs, one set was plenty for my ds, who quickly moved onto other, more interesting reading!

[littlest birds]

We tried them a little but they were just too boring for us and our kids. Even my sometimes phonics-obsessed son wants more content than most phonics-oriented books have.

[OhTheThinks.....]

Yes, exactly I was wondering about their long term usage as well. I see that the 3-4 year olds get interested in them and wondering how long that last. In my day it was all about Dr. Seuss HA HA !! and learning the sounds of letters etc. I am in the market for a good series, any suggestions.
WOW I even have the McGuffey series !

[Bethanydear]

We have a kindy boy here who loves them!

[simple living mama]

Not to be a downer here but I dislike the illustrations soooo much in the Bob books that it inspired me to make up my own set and illustrate them. Just for my kids that is. So the thing I like about them is they inspired me to do my own thing!

[OhTheThinks.....]

Originally Posted by simple living mama

Not to be a downer here but I dislike the illustrations soooo much in the Bob books that it inspired me to make up my own set and illustrate them. Just for my kids that is. So the thing I like about them is they inspired me to do my own thing!

No your not a downer........you point is well taken. That was one of my questions, was were the "simplistic" pictures able to interest the children. I hear that some let the children color the pictures etc.
YOU GO ARTISTIC ONE !! That is great you illustrated your own. Did you use the same text and better pictures?? Great idea !!

[simple living mama]

Originally Posted by OhTheThinks.....

Did you use the same text and better pictures?? Great idea !!

Thanks for the compliment.

No I went ahead and rewrote my own as well. My husband actually is a children's book illustrator so this is my own little chance to write and illustrate even if it's just for my own two kids. I figure if they see me doing this, they may pick up on the idea and do a few of their own.

[OhTheThinks.....]

Originally Posted by simple living mama

Thanks for the compliment.

No I went ahead and rewrote my own as well. My husband actually is a children's book illustrator so this is my own little chance to write and illustrate even if it's just for my own two kids. I figure if they see me doing this, they may pick up on the idea and do a few of their own.

I bet they will !!! Children love to write their own "books" even at age 5-6 etc.
Can I ask another question? How did you decide which sounds to present first? I have a few curriculums and lesson plans I have seen, all are a little different of course , so wondered what was your approach.
I do like the idea of teaching phonics versus sightwords/whole language, I think that is why I am seeking some sort of "system" before jumping on in there! Sort of a guide,knowing that I will just see where my little one leads me.

[simple living mama]

Originally Posted by OhTheThinks.....

How did you decide which sounds to present first? I have a few curriculums and lesson plans I have seen, all are a little different of course , so wondered what was your approach.
I

I haven't put a whole lot of thought into the sounds to tell you the truth. We read so much that I just kinda know what will work for them.

I've been adding just enough hard words to make them challenging but not so much to discourage them. On harder words, I will try to repeat them a few times so they see it over and over again. The most important thing I try and do is make the story clever, funny and or interesting. I figure along with reading, they are also learning how to recognize a good story line.

It's really fun and good practice for me. I can personalize them by adding their or their friend's names or reference something that is going on in their lives at the time. Hope that answers your question.