Phonemic Awareness

Phonemic awareness is the understanding that words are made of discrete sounds.  If children cannot distinguish individual sounds, or phonemes, within words, they have difficulty learning to read and write. 

The books on this list help pre-readers focus on the sounds in words.  They are meant to be read to the child, and caregivers can guide listening by asking questions such as: “What sound do most of those words end with?” or “Where do you hear the /b/ sound?”

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ABC I Like Me!
Artist/Author/Cast:
Carlson, Nancy
Call Number:
JP Carlson
Description:

See how easy it is to feel good about yourself letter by letter.

Alexander Anteater's Amazing Act
Artist/Author/Cast:
DeRubertis, Barbara; Alley, R. W. (Illustrator)
Call Number:
JP DeRubertis
Description:

With help from his friends Anna and Albert, Alexander Anteater works on an amazing acrobatic act for the talent show.

Bear Snores On
Artist/Author/Cast:
Wilson, Karma; Chapman, Jane (Illustrator)
Call Number:
JP Wilson
Description:
Everyone comes into Bear's cave to warm up, but Bear just snores on!
Dr. Seuss's ABC
Artist/Author/Cast:
Seuss, Dr.
Call Number:
JER Seuss
Description:

This ABC book features an entertaining cast of characters from Aunt Annie's alligator to the Zizzer-Zazzer-Zuzz.

Edwina the Emu
Artist/Author/Cast:
Knowles, Sheena; Clement, Rod (Illustrator)
Call Number:
JP Knowles
Description:

What's the perfect job for an emu?  Read this delightful rhyming story to find out.

How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night?
Artist/Author/Cast:
Yolen, Jane; Teague, Mark (Illustrator)
Call Number:
JP Yolen
Description:

Find out how little dinosaurs get ready for bed in this funny story.

If the S in Moose Comes Loose
Artist/Author/Cast:
Hermann, Peter; Cordell, Matthew (Illustrator)
Call Number:
JP Hermann
Description:

When Moose loses two letters of his name and disappears, Cow must find the right letters to bring him back.

Inch By Inch: The Garden Song
Artist/Author/Cast:
Mallett, David; Eitan, Ora (Illustrator)
Call Number:
J781.62 M2535i
Description:

Learn from rhyme and repetition in this delightful traditional song turned picture book.

Is Your Mama a Llama?
Artist/Author/Cast:
Guarino, Deborah; Kellogg, Steven (Illustrator)
Call Number:
JP Guarino
Description:

A llama asks his friends if their mamas are llamas and finds out their mothers are other animals.

Jesse Bear, What Will You Wear?
Artist/Author/Cast:
Carlstrom, Nancy White; Degen, Bruce (Illustrator)
Call Number:
JP Carlstrom
Description:
Rhyme with Jesse as he goes through his day.
Jump!
Artist/Author/Cast:
Fischer, Scott M. (Author, Illustrator)
Call Number:
JP Fischer
Description:

Smaller animals had better watch out in this silly, rhyming story all about size.

Listen to the Rain
Artist/Author/Cast:
Martin, Jr., Bill; Archambault, John; Endicott, James R. (Illustrator)
Call Number:
JP Martin
Description:

This lyrical and rhythmic book captures the mystery, sounds, and silences of the rain.

Llama Llama Red Pajama
Artist/Author/Cast:
Dewdney, Anna (Author, Illustrator)
Call Number:
JP Dewdney
Description:

Baby Llama misses his mama after she puts him to bed.

May I Bring a Friend?
Artist/Author/Cast:
De Regniers, Beatrice Schenk; Montresor, Beni (Illustrator)
Call Number:
JP De Regniers
Description:

A little boy is invited to have tea at the castle.

Move Over, Rover!
Artist/Author/Cast:
Beaumont, Karen; Dyer, Jane (Illustrator)
Call Number:
JP Beaumont
Description:

Rover is snug in his doghouse, but plenty of other animals want to come in out of the rain, too.

My Crayons Talk
Artist/Author/Cast:
Hubbard, Patricia; Karas, G. Brian (Illustrator)
Call Number:
JP Hubbard
Description:

"Talk.  Talk.  My crayons talk.  Yackity.  Clackity.  Talk.  Talk.  Talk."  Practice rhyming and color words while enjoying this exuberant book.

Old Black Fly
Artist/Author/Cast:
Aylesworth, Jim; Gammell, Stephen (Illustrator)
Call Number:
JP Aylesworth
Description:

This fly is on an alphabetical rampage through the house, leaving destruction all around him.

Rhyming Dust Bunnies
Artist/Author/Cast:
Thomas, Jan
Call Number:
JP Thomas
Description:

As three dust bunnies demonstrate how much they love to rhyme, a fourth tries to warn them of approaching danger.

Sheep in a Jeep
Artist/Author/Cast:
Shaw, Nancy; Apple, Margot (Illustrator)
Call Number:
JP Shaw
Description:

The misadventures of a group of sheep that go riding in a jeep.

Shhhhh! Everybody's Sleeping
Artist/Author/Cast:
Markes, Julie; Parkins, David (Illustrator)
Call Number:
JP Markes
Description:

It's time to sleep, no matter what kind of job you do!

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