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Budding Reader Book Set 1: Cat and Rat
”This book series is invaluable for struggling readers. It provides needed repetition of beginning words, colorful illustrations, and the opportunity to practice writing skills.”-Kathy Slater, Special Education TeacherBuild confidence in beginning readers—especially reluctant ones—with award-winning Budding Reader eBooks.Arguably the easiest learn-to-read book series on the market, this phonics series uses an innovative, research-based format to ease children into reading. Previewing a book dramatically improves reading comprehension, so Book 1 is a wordless picture book. Repetition aids brain development, so Books 2-10 retell the story with a gradually expanding vocabulary.The first set in the Budding Reader series, Cat and Rat, introduces the short “a” vowel sound and 11 simple words (and, at, can, cat, look, rat, see, stop, that, the, you) over the course of 10 books. In total, the series introduces more than 60 simple words including dozens of common sight words.Bonus Learning is reinforced with companion writing worksheets while the Budding Reader parent guide provides tips and tricks for making reading easier and more fun for new readers.Budding Reader eBooks were developed in consultation with Cecilia Minden, Ph.D., the former Director of Language and Literacy at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. They were illustrated by artist, Doug Oglesby, winner of one Emmy, five Emmy nominations, and three international awards from the Broadcast Designers •Set 1: Cat and Rat (Short a; 11 words) •Set 2: Wit and Kit (Short i; 17 words) •Set 3: Bugs (Short u; 18 words) •Set 4: Hop! (Short o; 18 words) •Set 5: Hens (Short e; 22 words) For every eBook set sold, Budding Reader donates one to a child in need. One for You. One for the World. A Better World with Every Purchase. Gold Mom’s Choice Award The Mom’s Choice Awards has named Cat and Rat among the very best in family-friendly media, products and services. This content is optimized for tablets.
93 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 5, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
May 11, 2015
(Source: I received a digital copy of this book for free on a read-to-review basis. Thanks to Budding Reader and NetGalley.)
I wasn’t 100% sure about these books, but they worked really well!
Firstly, I have a 4 and a half year old little boy, who loves books, but is never particularly interested in reading himself. I’m not sure if he’s dyslexic, but he does have a tendency to try and read words backwards. Anyway, I find that with a lot of books, he guesses what’s going on from the pictures, and makes the words up as he goes along – which is totally not a problem with this book!
This book is a lot longer than the normal ‘learn to read’ books, as it’s actually the same book repeated 10 times, each time, with an increasing number of words. The first read through has no words, the second has only 1, and so on until the last book has 10 words. The second book with just the one word ‘see’ was quite possibly the hardest for my little boy, as he kept reading it backwards as ‘ees’, but he found it a bit easier with the fourth book which had the words ‘rat’, ‘cat’, and ‘the’, I think in part because he recognised the word ‘cat’ from The Cat in the Hat!
So, it took a bit of bribery, and a little bit of practice, and soon enough he was able to recognise the words ‘see’, ‘cat’, ’rat’, ‘look’, and he’s able to recognise these words in other books too, so he’s not just memorising the book! I have to say that I was actually pretty impressed at how easily he picked up the words in this book, and I will definitely be continuing with this one right through to book 10.
8 out of 10
I wasn’t 100% sure about these books, but they worked really well!
Firstly, I have a 4 and a half year old little boy, who loves books, but is never particularly interested in reading himself. I’m not sure if he’s dyslexic, but he does have a tendency to try and read words backwards. Anyway, I find that with a lot of books, he guesses what’s going on from the pictures, and makes the words up as he goes along – which is totally not a problem with this book!
This book is a lot longer than the normal ‘learn to read’ books, as it’s actually the same book repeated 10 times, each time, with an increasing number of words. The first read through has no words, the second has only 1, and so on until the last book has 10 words. The second book with just the one word ‘see’ was quite possibly the hardest for my little boy, as he kept reading it backwards as ‘ees’, but he found it a bit easier with the fourth book which had the words ‘rat’, ‘cat’, and ‘the’, I think in part because he recognised the word ‘cat’ from The Cat in the Hat!
So, it took a bit of bribery, and a little bit of practice, and soon enough he was able to recognise the words ‘see’, ‘cat’, ’rat’, ‘look’, and he’s able to recognise these words in other books too, so he’s not just memorising the book! I have to say that I was actually pretty impressed at how easily he picked up the words in this book, and I will definitely be continuing with this one right through to book 10.
8 out of 10
April 11, 2022
Great bundle on Kindle of beginning readers for reading practice with early readers.
July 6, 2022
Great book for beginning readers. Adorable illustrations, bright colors .. it will keep a childs attention!!!
The story begins with pictures with out words. Then a simple word appears such as the word " SEE" with the same pictures,ect. Through out the entire short book each chapter begins with a new small word such as "THE". The same series of pictures appear in the same order adding words, building into simple sentences until there's a cute little story of a cat and a rat. The idea is repetition. We all start out learning from repetition.
This book reminds me of a new version of Dick And Jane books we all read as children!! Great book for parents of small children learning to read & for Kindergarten teachers!! 🐈🐀
The story begins with pictures with out words. Then a simple word appears such as the word " SEE" with the same pictures,ect. Through out the entire short book each chapter begins with a new small word such as "THE". The same series of pictures appear in the same order adding words, building into simple sentences until there's a cute little story of a cat and a rat. The idea is repetition. We all start out learning from repetition.
This book reminds me of a new version of Dick And Jane books we all read as children!! Great book for parents of small children learning to read & for Kindergarten teachers!! 🐈🐀
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May 25, 2015Truly delightful early reader! The illustrations ate large and easy to see. With only one word, at the end, "read to me"'s an make up stories from their own imagination, n parents and grandparents can insert description nd dialogues. Great learn-to-read series.
June 5, 2015
Ok so I know I've mentioned it many times on my blog but my son has multiple learning disabilities. He is seven years old and while other children his age are starting chapter books he is learning site words. He is not even ready to have chapter books read to him. But he'll gladly sit through picture books. We've done a few early readers and as long as they have pictures on every page he'll let me read them to him.
When I saw the Cat and Rat book set on *Netgalley I'll admit at first I judged it by its cover. This was a HUGE mistake on my part. These book sets are PERFECT for special needs children. Basically it is a set of books that tells the same story. However, it starts with just the pictures then each book adds more and more words till your child is reading a whole story.
Ok I cannot stress enough just how much I love this book set!! I found another set up on Netgalley and immediately swooped in to request it. I also think I'm going to buy the other sets. You might be asking why I'm so excited about these books. Well lets see as we progressed along my son got more and more excited about reading more and more words. He craves positive feedback in a way I can't even begin to describe. These books set up the child to gradually read more and more words and longer and longer sentences. My son was giddy and smiling like crazy as he realized that he was actually reading. And not just reading words he knows but actual sentences. We made it about half way through the books before he had to take a break. But he was so happy and I let him know how proud of him I was. He begged me to write a note to his teacher to let her know. He then said, "Can we call daddy and tell him? I can read it to him over the phone." I plan on continuing the rest of the set over the weekend.
If you are a parent with a child who is just learning to read, struggling to read or like my son has some form of learning disability you HAVE to check out these books. They are confidence building and really are the best learn to read books I've ever come across. And trust me I've gone through more of them than you can imagine.
I'm giving this 5 out of 5 but really as a mommy who for the first time got to hear her son read a book it is worth more stars than I could ever give.
Oh! I forgot to mention that for every Ebook set that is sold they will donate one set to a child in need. How awesome is that!?!?!
*I received a free copy of this ebook from Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion
**This book was read with my special needs son who is severely learning disabled. The review reflects not only my opinion but his as well
When I saw the Cat and Rat book set on *Netgalley I'll admit at first I judged it by its cover. This was a HUGE mistake on my part. These book sets are PERFECT for special needs children. Basically it is a set of books that tells the same story. However, it starts with just the pictures then each book adds more and more words till your child is reading a whole story.
Ok I cannot stress enough just how much I love this book set!! I found another set up on Netgalley and immediately swooped in to request it. I also think I'm going to buy the other sets. You might be asking why I'm so excited about these books. Well lets see as we progressed along my son got more and more excited about reading more and more words. He craves positive feedback in a way I can't even begin to describe. These books set up the child to gradually read more and more words and longer and longer sentences. My son was giddy and smiling like crazy as he realized that he was actually reading. And not just reading words he knows but actual sentences. We made it about half way through the books before he had to take a break. But he was so happy and I let him know how proud of him I was. He begged me to write a note to his teacher to let her know. He then said, "Can we call daddy and tell him? I can read it to him over the phone." I plan on continuing the rest of the set over the weekend.
If you are a parent with a child who is just learning to read, struggling to read or like my son has some form of learning disability you HAVE to check out these books. They are confidence building and really are the best learn to read books I've ever come across. And trust me I've gone through more of them than you can imagine.
I'm giving this 5 out of 5 but really as a mommy who for the first time got to hear her son read a book it is worth more stars than I could ever give.
Oh! I forgot to mention that for every Ebook set that is sold they will donate one set to a child in need. How awesome is that!?!?!
*I received a free copy of this ebook from Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion
**This book was read with my special needs son who is severely learning disabled. The review reflects not only my opinion but his as well
May 10, 2015
This book set is perfect for beginning or struggling readers.
Basically, there are 10 copies of the same book with increasing difficulty. The first book begins with illustrations only. The second book uses the same illustrations and includes the sight word "see" with varying punctuation. Each book adds a new high frequency work (or two) to make it slightly more difficult.
As an elementary teacher, I can say this is perfect for struggling readers.
I received a digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
Basically, there are 10 copies of the same book with increasing difficulty. The first book begins with illustrations only. The second book uses the same illustrations and includes the sight word "see" with varying punctuation. Each book adds a new high frequency work (or two) to make it slightly more difficult.
As an elementary teacher, I can say this is perfect for struggling readers.
I received a digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
December 28, 2015
I received a copy in exchange for an honest opinion. This does not influence my opinion in any shape or form.
This book was short but definitely helped Cristian and Naima use the eleven words. It helped Naima more then Cristian if I'm being honest. She seemed to enjoy looking at the illustrations and sounding out the short "a" vowel sound. I am definitely going to look into more of these books for my kids especially my daughter who seems shy when it comes to talking. These seemed to be really helpful and a great way to teach kids how to read and teaches them the vowel sounds.
This book was short but definitely helped Cristian and Naima use the eleven words. It helped Naima more then Cristian if I'm being honest. She seemed to enjoy looking at the illustrations and sounding out the short "a" vowel sound. I am definitely going to look into more of these books for my kids especially my daughter who seems shy when it comes to talking. These seemed to be really helpful and a great way to teach kids how to read and teaches them the vowel sounds.
September 1, 2017
I loved this book and it’s perfect for any child learning to read. It’s ten books in one and it starts with a series of illustration. Then with each new book (or section) it introduces the reader to a new word so by the end of reading book ten, the reader will have learned ten new words. I love the concept of this and it makes reading fun for kids. The best part is that for every book sold, Budding Reader donates one to a needy child. Brilliant! Ideal for kids ages 3 – 5.
My Rating: 5+ stars
My Rating: 5+ stars
May 14, 2015
This is an excellent beginner book for all children, focusing on those that are having trouble. With worksheets available and an accessible parents guide, this book can help learning to read fun! Reviewed through Netgalley.
September 2, 2015
I received this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
These books are an awesome introduction to reading for young readers or those with difficulties reading.
These books are an awesome introduction to reading for young readers or those with difficulties reading.
September 26, 2019
I love colourful books, and this book was absolutely colourful! If you want to grab your reader's attention (especially young readers!) having a book stand out is a must! This book wants to stand out since it is for learning purposes, so I really appreciated the bright appeal it offered.
Cat and Rat starts out as a wordless book, which is intriguing. It's for young readers (preschool to first grade) who are learning to read. Then it moves to Book 2 and each page only has one simple word for the reader to read out. For example, "see" using a variety of expressions (!, ., ?). The book continues to expand with 3 words, and so on.
I thought this was really intriguing! I haven't seen books like this before but I think it's a really handy tool! If you are working with your kids to get them to read more, then this type of book is totally worth your while! It's something so different and out there that I have to say I'm impressed! Eventually the story is all fleshed out with many words and makes you see the big picture.
I think educators would love this tool! It's a cute book and very fun! I'd absolutely recommend this book for those trying to teach any child to read.
Five out of five stars!
I found this book for free via Bookbub deals!
Cat and Rat starts out as a wordless book, which is intriguing. It's for young readers (preschool to first grade) who are learning to read. Then it moves to Book 2 and each page only has one simple word for the reader to read out. For example, "see" using a variety of expressions (!, ., ?). The book continues to expand with 3 words, and so on.
I thought this was really intriguing! I haven't seen books like this before but I think it's a really handy tool! If you are working with your kids to get them to read more, then this type of book is totally worth your while! It's something so different and out there that I have to say I'm impressed! Eventually the story is all fleshed out with many words and makes you see the big picture.
I think educators would love this tool! It's a cute book and very fun! I'd absolutely recommend this book for those trying to teach any child to read.
Five out of five stars!
I found this book for free via Bookbub deals!
September 26, 2019
A stepping stone for kids
The format of this book would serve as a lovely stepping stone for kids learning to read, from preschool to first grade (as the book says). Haven't seen this concept before, but I like it since it's essentially growing the story as the child learns to read more.
The format of this book would serve as a lovely stepping stone for kids learning to read, from preschool to first grade (as the book says). Haven't seen this concept before, but I like it since it's essentially growing the story as the child learns to read more.
September 26, 2019
Best part is first time thru story, with no words, so child can tell the story.
Reminds me of the old Dick and Jane books, but not repeats same story for each word to learn rather than different stories for each word. Cute to start but can become boring.
UPDATE: My friend's 4-year-old likes it.
Reminds me of the old Dick and Jane books, but not repeats same story for each word to learn rather than different stories for each word. Cute to start but can become boring.
UPDATE: My friend's 4-year-old likes it.
September 4, 2019
The Cat & Rat’s 1st word is see.
The Cat & Rat’s 2nd word is the Rat.
See the Rat.
The Cat & Rat’s 3rd word is see.
The Cat & Rat’s 4th word is the Cat.
See the Cat
What comes next?
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
A very awesome book cover, fabulous colored pictures & proper font & writing style. A fairly well written children’s educational story book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great children’s educational movie, an animated cartoon, a classroom PP presentation, or better yet a mini TV series. It was kind of confusing for me so I will only rate it at 3/5 stars.
Thank you for the free author; Budding Reader; BookRaider; Amazon Digital Services LLC.; book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
The Cat & Rat’s 2nd word is the Rat.
See the Rat.
The Cat & Rat’s 3rd word is see.
The Cat & Rat’s 4th word is the Cat.
See the Cat
What comes next?
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
A very awesome book cover, fabulous colored pictures & proper font & writing style. A fairly well written children’s educational story book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great children’s educational movie, an animated cartoon, a classroom PP presentation, or better yet a mini TV series. It was kind of confusing for me so I will only rate it at 3/5 stars.
Thank you for the free author; Budding Reader; BookRaider; Amazon Digital Services LLC.; book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
August 31, 2017
The book presents a sight word approach to reading. The entire ten book set contains two characters, a cat and a rat. The first book features only three words. As the books progress one new word is added, until when one reaches the last book eleven words are introduced. The child reinforces the learned word as she progresses. By the time the reader reaches the last book, the reader is able to read simple sentences in both declarative and interrogative form.
This is an easy step by step way for a parent to teach and a child to gain confidence and self esteem as she practices reading skills. The only problem with this approach is that it must be paralleled in the school system. There are many school districts who don't follow this approach to learning how to read..I would recommend this system to home school parents and parents or preschool teachers who want to encourage literacy at an early age.
This is an easy step by step way for a parent to teach and a child to gain confidence and self esteem as she practices reading skills. The only problem with this approach is that it must be paralleled in the school system. There are many school districts who don't follow this approach to learning how to read..I would recommend this system to home school parents and parents or preschool teachers who want to encourage literacy at an early age.
May 18, 2015
Budding Reader Book Set 1: Cat and Rat
by Melinda Thompson with Melissa Ferrell
5 out of 5 stars
Review by Lorraine Helgeson Leatham - Rainey Day Book Reviews
This book set is a great resource for parents with kids who are struggling with reading as my son is currently. My son and I read through this book set while he was home sick from school and he did quite well. There is a lot of repetition and the Budding Reader will make a reader out of any child that reads these books! I would recommend these books to be used in homes as well as the classroom. Little man JJ gave this book set two thumbs up! We read it through three times in a row.
by Melinda Thompson with Melissa Ferrell
5 out of 5 stars
Review by Lorraine Helgeson Leatham - Rainey Day Book Reviews
This book set is a great resource for parents with kids who are struggling with reading as my son is currently. My son and I read through this book set while he was home sick from school and he did quite well. There is a lot of repetition and the Budding Reader will make a reader out of any child that reads these books! I would recommend these books to be used in homes as well as the classroom. Little man JJ gave this book set two thumbs up! We read it through three times in a row.
September 20, 2017
Budding Reader Book set 1: Cat and Rat By Melinda Thompson and Doug Oglesby with Melissa Ferrell
This book starts out with other books in the set
There are no words, that I can see, just pictures of a cat and a rat. I think you are to ask what is happening and the child can create their own story.
Second book is called See and using the same pictures from the first story you can 'see' what others are seeing.
See the rat is next 'the rat' is highlighted word to learn
Cat is next word in next chapter to learn. Can is the next.
You, at, look, and, stop, that are new words and look at the sentences you can create.
There is also a free parent guide available.
This book starts out with other books in the set
There are no words, that I can see, just pictures of a cat and a rat. I think you are to ask what is happening and the child can create their own story.
Second book is called See and using the same pictures from the first story you can 'see' what others are seeing.
See the rat is next 'the rat' is highlighted word to learn
Cat is next word in next chapter to learn. Can is the next.
You, at, look, and, stop, that are new words and look at the sentences you can create.
There is also a free parent guide available.
April 27, 2019
Reading can Be Fun
This is a helpful set of books for your beginning reader. There are ten books in this se. Book one starts out with no words just pictures. Book 2 so has one word. There is a words to review in the back of the book. Book 3 has two words. By the fifth book it has five words total. By the last and tenth book there are eleven words your child can read.
The motto of the company is the easiest to read books ever. There is a free parents guide to download. There is also a companion worksheet
to reinforce with writing that are big enough for small hands.
I found this book on a website for free for an honest review.
This is a helpful set of books for your beginning reader. There are ten books in this se. Book one starts out with no words just pictures. Book 2 so has one word. There is a words to review in the back of the book. Book 3 has two words. By the fifth book it has five words total. By the last and tenth book there are eleven words your child can read.
The motto of the company is the easiest to read books ever. There is a free parents guide to download. There is also a companion worksheet
to reinforce with writing that are big enough for small hands.
I found this book on a website for free for an honest review.
February 11, 2016
My nephew can read
Trying to get my nephew to try this book at first was difficult. But as he learned more words with each chapter, he got more confident and would ask for me to get the kindle out to read with him. We just finished this first set and have ordered the next ones.
Trying to get my nephew to try this book at first was difficult. But as he learned more words with each chapter, he got more confident and would ask for me to get the kindle out to read with him. We just finished this first set and have ordered the next ones.
August 30, 2017
Yes we see the cat hehe
I enjoyed this book. I read this with my son who is loving books right now and we are enjoying our nightly story time. This was a good book because it helps build his vocabulary and learn basic words. Which is perfect because he is starting preschool in a a few weeks.
I enjoyed this book. I read this with my son who is loving books right now and we are enjoying our nightly story time. This was a good book because it helps build his vocabulary and learn basic words. Which is perfect because he is starting preschool in a a few weeks.
September 1, 2017
Yeah for beginning readers!!
This was excellent. It is a self contained series of 10 books. The pictures are the same in each book but each book adds a new word to read. So you starts with pictures and you end reading ten or eleven words, each book asking a word or two. My beginning reader was so excited when she finished and had read the whole thing. Thank you!!!
This was excellent. It is a self contained series of 10 books. The pictures are the same in each book but each book adds a new word to read. So you starts with pictures and you end reading ten or eleven words, each book asking a word or two. My beginning reader was so excited when she finished and had read the whole thing. Thank you!!!
December 29, 2016
Great beginner's reader book
It's a cute way to teach beginning sight word to children about preschool age through kindergarten. It is simple and takes on more words as it progresses.
It's a cute way to teach beginning sight word to children about preschool age through kindergarten. It is simple and takes on more words as it progresses.
July 4, 2018
Child liked it!
My son is new to reading and has started with sight words now so this book set read
Lot helped get those words in his head so he became more fluid as he read and made it more fun that to sentences for longer in each book with more details about the story.
My son is new to reading and has started with sight words now so this book set read
Lot helped get those words in his head so he became more fluid as he read and made it more fun that to sentences for longer in each book with more details about the story.
December 23, 2018
Clever!
I wish I’d had this a couple of years ago to use with my granddaughter. She’s in third grade now but I think I’ll have her use it on me. This is going to be fun, and interesting
I wish I’d had this a couple of years ago to use with my granddaughter. She’s in third grade now but I think I’ll have her use it on me. This is going to be fun, and interesting
June 12, 2015
A great book for beginning readers or for parents who are preparing their children early to read of for school. The colors are amazing!
*Received for an honest review*
*Received for an honest review*
August 26, 2017
A set of ten books that begin with pictures only and adds one word each succeeding volume. There is great visual support. A good series for the beginning reader.
August 28, 2017
Excellent progression of words Children love the pictures and can make up their own story as well
October 10, 2017
Promising
I like that it's the same pictures over and over. Hoping it will help my little one learn to read, or at least recognize sight words.
I like that it's the same pictures over and over. Hoping it will help my little one learn to read, or at least recognize sight words.
November 12, 2017
A nice and simple book which is easy to follow. It is laid out really well but for me there was slightly too much repetition - three stars
May 31, 2019
Great book for beginning readers
I recommend this to ALL parents teaching their children to read. This helps build the confidence they require when beginning to read.
I recommend this to ALL parents teaching their children to read. This helps build the confidence they require when beginning to read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews