About Us
We want to acknowledge all dedicated educators, like you, who are passionate about achieving that light bulb moment with every student. We provide materials with the right building blocks so that all new readers have the chance to get that light bulb moment.
Our Mission:
Teach a child to memorize twenty-six words and that child will be able to read only twenty-six words. Teach a child twenty-six letter sounds and they will be able to sound out hundreds of words. Teaching to read by sounding out words has been successful for centuries, yet the majority of schools currently use reading curriculums which often leave students reading below grade level — or worse. In 1993, the Department of Justice released a study connecting criminal behavior to illiteracy. When children can read well and are excited about learning, they don’t lose interest, drop out of school or turn to crime.
Do you have difficulty holding your student’s interest?
Is your new reader struggling and getting left behind?
Are you worried you can’t keep their attention and they will fail?
Does the lack of results make you want to give up on the work you love?
- 48% of educators surveyed said their biggest barrier to teaching new readers is keeping their interest.
- 39% indicated a connection between struggling students and materials or books being too difficult.
To get different results, one needs to change their teaching methods or use better materials.
Current reading programs omit crucial steps which result in frustrated students.

First Step Phonics fills the gaps by addressing the source of new reader’s lack of interest, their short attention span, and other road blocks.

With full-color illustrations, engaging stories and each gradual step presented in the most simplified form, the reader gains confidence and inspiration to keep going.
Demand materials that achieve light bulb moments.

My Story
Over the years, I looked for better reading materials, but never found exactly what I needed. I wanted stories that were cute and fun while still having some kind of plot. I wanted the stories to stay faithful to short-vowel three-letter words. I wanted only one or two sentences per page and minimal sight words.* I wanted stories using no other punctuation than periods. I wanted grammatically correct sentences. I wanted each book dedicated to only ONE short vowel and I wanted several stories for EACH vowel. And I wanted lots of color!
I was looking for a unicorn.
In 1999, I made a list of usable three-letter short-vowel words and wrote a total of 20 stories — four for each short vowel. My next step was to illustrate them. Many months later, four short-A books were complete.
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I shopped the books to publishers, but no one showed interest. At the time, I was the main caretaker for my special-needs daughter and my budget didn’t allow for reproducing the books on my own, even on a small scale. With no resources to take it further, I shoved everything in a box and stored it. I knew someone would come along one day and create great phonics books.
Two decades later, you can’t imagine my surprise when I poked around and saw that, still, no one had filled the need for proper phonics materials. By then, my situation had changed. I ran a successful business that my husband and I had created in 2002. And I had been publishing my own novels for nine years.
The “someone” who I had assumed would one day create those books… was me!
I had everything I needed: knowledge of the qualities needed in early-reader books, experience running a successful business, and the mad skills to write an entire story using extremely limited words.
So I got to work! If you’ve already been through this website, then you’ve seen how this project grew arms and legs. I now have 85 books in the early-reader series, coordinating workbooks, read-along videos, and a teaching manual as well as a how-to video series for parents.
With First Step Phonics products, both children and parents truly have the most extensive and simplified phonics program available anywhere!

Happy teaching!
Veronica Blade
*Sight words are word that don’t follow any rules and must be memorized
Shipping & Delivery
When will my product ship out?
All retail orders are shipped from our warehouse within 1–2 business days. If you’re in the U.S., you can expect your order to arrive within 5–8 business days after it ships.
My order hasn’t arrived yet—it’s been over a week. What should I do?
First, please check your tracking number included in your email receipt for the latest delivery updates. If it’s been more than 24 hours past the expected delivery date, please contact us at info@FirstStepPhonics.com
Do you ship outside of the U.S.?
Yes, we do! Please note that international shipping costs extra and delivery times will vary. At this time, international orders can’t be placed directly through our website. To order, please call us at 888-992-7323 or email info@FirstStepPhonics.com.
How to order products
Where can I buy First Step Phonics products?
Our products are currently available on Amazon, Walmart and of course, FirstStepPhonics.com. We’re working hard to bring them to even more marketplaces—stay tuned!
In the meantime, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on social media to stay up to date on new products, announcements, and more fun learning resources!
Can I place an order by phone?
Of course! Give us a call at 888-992-7323. Our office hours are Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM (PST), excluding holidays.
If we miss your call, we’re likely helping other customers—please leave a message or send us an email, and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
Do you have a retail store where I can buy your products in person?
Not just yet—but we’re working on it! We’ll share updates as soon as in-store options become available.
What’s the easiest way to order?
Simply visit FirstStepPhonics.com or call 888-992-7323 to place your order.
Product purpose & info
Why should I choose First Step Phonics products?
Because learning to read should be simple and fun! Check out this video to see why First Step Phonics is the most straightforward phonics program out there—and how it helps kids (and beginners of any age) build strong reading skills with confidence.
Does Level 1 really stick to three-letter words?
It sure does! All 30 stories in our Level 1 early-reader books focus on short vowels and contain only simple three-letter words. A few common sight words like the, of, and to are included to make sentences flow naturally.
Level One has ALL of the following qualities:
- Three-letter words only
- No extra symbols
- Very few words per page
- Minimum use of words that don't follow the rules for this level
- Grammatically correct sentences
- Full-color, engaging illustrations
- Simple stories with a plot and resolution
What makes First Step Phonics different from Bob Books and other popular reading programs?
Our program is designed to make phonics truly simple. Watch our short video comparing our program to Bob Books.
The First Step Phonics program teaches reading one simple step at a time. Each full-color book features real stories, easy-to-follow sentences, and only the sounds your student has already learned—plus one new skill. Our matching workbooks reinforce each lesson with fun, hands-on practice to help build confidence and lasting reading success.
Are the early-reader books illustrated in full color?
Yes! Every story features bright, full-color illustrations and engaging plots designed to keep kids excited about reading from cover to cover.
If I buy all your products, what will it cost?
The more you bundle, the more you save! Check out our bundle options [here] (add link) to find the best value for your learner.
Is there a level for kids who don’t read at all?
Yes! Our Transitional Kindergarten workbooks are the perfect place to start: Worksheets that prepare children for kindergarten, focusing on hand-eye coordination, critical thinking, phonemic awareness, and more.
- Books 1–3 cover uppercase and lowercase letters, matching them, and alphabet order.
- Books 4–6 introduce the sounds each letter makes—the foundation for reading success.
First Books (13 books + 2 workbooks): Short early readers that gradually introduce each new sound and provide practice for every letter in the alphabet—except Q!
What reading levels do your products cover?
Our program takes readers all the way from Pre-K through Grade 2, building strong phonics and decoding skills step by step.
Are these materials only for children?
Not at all! First Step Phonics is designed for anyone learning to read English—from young children to adults and ESL learners.
What reading levels do your products cover?
Our program takes readers all the way from Pre-K through Grade 2, building strong phonics and decoding skills step by step.
What does each level focus on?
Transitional Kindergarten: Hand-eye coordination, critical thinking, and early phonemic awareness.
First Books: Short early readers introducing each new sound and every letter (except Q).
Level 0: Alphabet recognition and sequence, as well as letter sounds.
Level 1: Blending short-vowel three-letter words.
Level 2: Consonant blends (4–7 letter words).
Level 3: Long vowels (silent “E” words).
Level 4: Vowel blends (AI, EE, OE, and more).
Why is phonics so important when learning to read?
Phonics is the foundation of reading. It teaches learners to understand the sounds that letters and letter combinations make—so they can decode new words instead of memorizing them. Once your student understands phonics, they have the tools to sound out new, unfamiliar words and the ability to read confidently for life.
Teaching phonics
How young can my child start learning phonics?
Every child is different! Some are ready to begin as early as age three, while others may not be ready until six or later. It all depends on your child’s attention span, motivation, and interest in learning.
Can I teach my child myself?
Absolutely! If you have the time and patience, you can successfully teach your child using our Teaching Manual: How to Teach Anyone to Read. You’ll also find helpful tips and free resources on our FREE Resources tab at the top of this page.
What should my student do after finishing all 5 First Step Phonics levels?
Once your student completes Level 4, they’ll be ready for more advanced reading skills—like silent letters, multi-syllable words, and complex patterns. You’ll find guidance for these next steps in our teaching manual, How to Teach Anyone to Read.
Do you have any tips for new teachers?
Patience is key! Many new readers spend months—or even years—just learning to read simple three-letter words. Encouragement and consistency go a long way. You can also explore our teaching videos, FREE Resources, and the How to Teach Anyone to Read manual for more tips and best practices.
Are First Step Phonics materials suitable for non-English speakers?
Yes! Our program works wonderfully for both children and adults who are learning English. Because our system teaches reading through phonics, it also helps learners pronounce words correctly and improve comprehension.
Can the workbook pages be torn out?
The pages aren’t perforated, but they can be removed with scissors or carefully torn along the binding if you prefer to use them individually.
How can I determine my student’s current reading level?
Watch our video on assessing reading levels and remedying reading difficulties, or check out this page for a step-by-step overview.