The Phonics Wall
I recently spent the holidays in
Queensland, Australia, soaking up the summer with my niece and nephew. Our days were a whirlwind of bike rides, Mario Kart tournaments, and pool games. But as a librarian, my favorite part of the day is always the bedtime read-aloud.
My nephew just turned six and is about to head into Year 1. He is a “fantabulous” human who loves his teachers and friends, but he has a complicated relationship with the “learning” part of school. Specifically, when the phonics worksheets come out, his interest disappears.
He isn’t quite ready for the mechanics of reading yet, but the curriculum is pushing him anyway. As “Auntie Emms,” my mission is to make sure he doesn’t lose the magic of reading just because the work of decoding is currently a struggle.
Our breakthrough? LEGO manuals.
We skipped the traditional stories and decoded diagrams and part lists instead. By linking the “chore” of reading to something he already loved, we found a way back to the joy.
Bridging the Gap in Middle Grade
Watching my nephew reminded me that the “struggle” isn’t just for early readers or multilingual learners. It’s for every kid who needs a little extra care to ensure reading remains a delight.
This is especially true for Middle Grade (Grades 5-8). This is the “danger zone” where we often lose readers. They want sophisticated, cool stories, but if the language is too dense or the pages are too crowded, their shoulders slump and they give up.
This is why we focus on Bridging Reads. These are books curated specifically to be:
Respectful: They deal with complex themes and aren’t “babyish” or over-simplified.
Supported: They use illustrations, generous white space, and accessible language structures to help the reader along.
Engaging: They are books kids actually want to pick up—not just because a teacher told them to.
How to Use Kibi
Kibi isn’t a bookstore; we are curators and connectors. Our mission is to give you access to the best literature for young readers from all over the world.
Every book we feature is chosen because it is Accessible (real books with clear language), Global (diverse voices), and Inspiring.
Professional Tip: You can find our recommendations and links to buy at your favorite local bookstore. You can also create a Wishlist on our site that you can export and send directly to your school’s book distributor or repository. It makes professional collection building so much easier!
Kibi Quick Picks
Looking for something for the “LEGO adventurers” in your life? Here are two recent additions to the collection that perfectly balance fun with accessibility:
Super Space Weekend
By Gaëlle Alméras and David Warriner For classrooms seeking to support STEM vocabulary, this is a practical tool. It’s the kind of book a student might pick up for the jokes but finish with a newfound grasp of how the universe works. View on Kibi
Hero Trial (Dungeon Runners Series)
By Kieran Larwood This is an excellent resource for students needing scaffolded support. Its dyslexia-friendly design—featuring large text, generous white space, and frequent illustrations—reduces the “cognitive load,” making every page feel manageable. View on Kibi
Join the Mission
We love to share what we’re reading, but we can’t do it alone. Here is how you can help us grow:
Share: Send this post to a parent, teacher, or librarian who is currently struggling with a reluctant reader.
Review: Have you used one of these books? Find it on our site and leave a quick comment to help other educators.
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