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This Reading Mama

Day 2: Issy Books for Emergent Readers {Review and Giveaway}

By thisreadingmama 126 Comments

Compass Publishing sent me a set of these emergent readers for free in exchange for my honest opinion.  This post may also contain affiliate links. Please read my full disclosure policy.

Issy Books for Emergent Readers {Reivew and Giveaway} | This Reading Mama

I am so excited to share what I have for you today…a set of 10 emergent readers called Issy Books!  These books are absolutely ADORABLE, I tell you!  All of my kids greatly enjoyed these cute and colorful books.

What Are Issy Books?

Issy books are a collaboration between a creative 5-year old little girl and her grandmother.  As Issy created and drew characters, her grandmother, an early reading specialist, wrote the sentences to go with them.  The word choices and sentence structure are perfect for beginning readers.  Based on my estimation, these books would be on a beginning to mid 1st grade level {about a level E Guided Reading Level}.

Issy Books in Our Home

My oldest {going into 2nd grade} isn’t the fondest of reading.  He’s good at reading, but seldom picks up anything to read on his own.  I was pleasantly surprised to see him day after day pick up these books and read without complaining.

Reading Issy Books to Brother | This Reading Mama

Reading Issy Books to Sister | This Reading Mama

Although his reading level is higher than these books, he greatly enjoyed reading them to his brother and sisters, especially NSis {16 months old}.

Issy Books Integrate Other Content Areas | This Reading Mama

I personally love how the books integrate preschool and Kindergarten concepts such as big/bigger, numbers, shapes, and letters…perfect for my daughter {3 years old}.

Issy Books Can Support You as the Teacher

I also love how inside the front of the cover with each book is “Suggestions for Using the Issy Books”.  This explains how preview each book and gives you ideas on how to help your child read with independence.  It’s almost like having your own reading specialist guiding you through each book!  In the front cover are also Key Words for each book.  I would suggest writing them down so your child can see them before reading the text and going over the words together {decode them and talk about what they mean together}.

Would you like the chance to win a set of Issy Books for your emergent reader(s)?  If so, enter via the Rafflecopter widget below!  Please note that the only mandatory entry is a comment on this blog post.  All other entries are optional.  This giveaway will end on Friday, July 19th.

If you’d like to order a set of these books, you can purchase them at Issy Book’s store.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

7days-sdga250

This giveaway is part of my 7 Days of School Day Giveaways!  Please click the image above or HERE to see all the amazing school supplies you could win this week!

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~Becky

 

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Filed Under: Learn to Read

« Day 1: Learning Resources Giant Magnetic Pattern Blocks {Review and Giveaway}
Day 3: You Can Read Sight Word Program {Review and Giveaway} »

Comments

  1. Caitlin O'Dell says

    July 10, 2013 at 6:52 am

    Stick people! 😉

    Reply
  2. Heather Hiner says

    July 10, 2013 at 6:54 am

    Little round teddy bears and snowmen!

    Reply
  3. Joanna says

    July 10, 2013 at 7:02 am

    Snails. Aside from stick people, I draw a mean snail *lol*

    Reply
  4. Darla says

    July 10, 2013 at 7:09 am

    Not much :p I can do a good happy face and maybe a flower or two 🙂

    Reply
  5. Sandra says

    July 10, 2013 at 7:13 am

    Not much, but my daughter is always impressed by my go to flowers and trees!

    Reply
  6. emily says

    July 10, 2013 at 7:14 am

    I draw some pretty rockin’ veggie tale characters 🙂

    Reply
  7. Magela Gonzalez says

    July 10, 2013 at 7:18 am

    I can draw flowers and happy faces.

    Reply
  8. Jennifer B says

    July 10, 2013 at 7:23 am

    I love drawing! I can draw my hand really well. My toddler loves drawing stars these days.

    Reply
  9. Stephanie says

    July 10, 2013 at 7:27 am

    I can draw shapes, smiley faces, flowers, and stick people…my husband is the artist.

    Reply
  10. Tonia Fortkamp says

    July 10, 2013 at 7:33 am

    I love to draw but don’t have much time anymore. I am usually drawing whatever my 5 and 3 year old are requesting to color 🙂

    Reply
  11. jamie smith says

    July 10, 2013 at 7:39 am

    I am not much of a drawer. Just stick people here 🙂

    Reply
  12. sanderson76 says

    July 10, 2013 at 7:40 am

    Do stick people count? Nothing major..i just draw little things for the kids like snowmen, birds, trees, flowers, etc.

    Reply
  13. Noris says

    July 10, 2013 at 7:41 am

    My first grade teacher taught me how to draw an elephant and it stills is the only thing I know how to draw.

    Reply
  14. Laura says

    July 10, 2013 at 7:47 am

    I don’t draw too much, just little things for my kids. But they inspire me to learn to draw more.

    Reply
  15. Anna says

    July 10, 2013 at 7:50 am

    I can draw things to impress by three year old – and that’s about it!

    Reply
  16. lisa says

    July 10, 2013 at 7:55 am

    Smiley faces

    Reply
  17. Lauren says

    July 10, 2013 at 7:57 am

    stick people!

    Reply
  18. Danielle Hull says

    July 10, 2013 at 7:57 am

    I draw cats and dogs beginning with a triangle. My 10-year-old draws much better than I do!

    Reply
  19. Debra G says

    July 10, 2013 at 8:02 am

    Young children adore what I draw for the classroom!!!

    Reply
  20. Amanda Bush says

    July 10, 2013 at 8:10 am

    I have nice handwriting, so I guess I can draw letters 🙂

    Reply
  21. edeemarie says

    July 10, 2013 at 8:15 am

    I can draw anything that I have a model of in front of me. I am not good at drawing things from my memory:)

    Reply
  22. Brenda says

    July 10, 2013 at 8:15 am

    flowers

    Reply
  23. Jamie Arp says

    July 10, 2013 at 8:15 am

    I love to draw! When I have the time I can draw animals or still life’s, but with the kids it’s usually flowers or shapes.

    Reply
  24. Elizabeth G. says

    July 10, 2013 at 8:19 am

    trees, flowers, and shapes =)

    Reply
  25. Jennifer says

    July 10, 2013 at 8:21 am

    Treble clef

    Reply
  26. Debbie says

    July 10, 2013 at 8:25 am

    I love to doodle, and can draw well, but in a cartoony type way. Know what I mean?! LOL

    Reply
  27. Missy Snyder says

    July 10, 2013 at 8:39 am

    Unfortunately, I am not able to draw anything very well 🙁 I really need to work on this!!!

    Reply
  28. Jill B. says

    July 10, 2013 at 8:41 am

    My daughter loves my flowers and hearts! But, I have been told that I make bubble/block letters really well.

    Reply
  29. Shana R. says

    July 10, 2013 at 8:45 am

    Flowers…

    Reply
  30. heathfamily7 says

    July 10, 2013 at 8:59 am

    I can’t draw anything really well. Seriously! But my husband can draw so hopefully my boys will take after him. They like to draw.
    Tara H

    Reply
  31. Robin Tolliver says

    July 10, 2013 at 9:07 am

    Flowers, animals and shapes.

    Reply
  32. Brandi Vidrine says

    July 10, 2013 at 9:14 am

    Not much! I spend a lot of time drawing shapes for my little ones to identify.

    Reply
  33. Amber S. says

    July 10, 2013 at 9:23 am

    A heart shaped faced mouse

    Reply
  34. L Green says

    July 10, 2013 at 9:33 am

    stick figures

    Reply
  35. Rebecca says

    July 10, 2013 at 9:42 am

    I can draw a flower – at least my children say I can.

    Reply
  36. juli vrotney says

    July 10, 2013 at 9:42 am

    I like to draw and so do my kids.

    Reply
  37. Carole says

    July 10, 2013 at 10:14 am

    Cute books, looks like something my daughter would enjoy! 🙂

    Reply
  38. Katie H says

    July 10, 2013 at 10:16 am

    Not much. Basic shapes, happy faces, stick people.

    Reply
  39. emily quesenberry says

    July 10, 2013 at 10:20 am

    I rock at drawing stick people and stars. Lol cant help but brag.

    Reply
  40. Jessica G says

    July 10, 2013 at 10:22 am

    Not much of a drawer here. My husband is the artist and I pray my children learn from him 😉

    Reply
  41. Lacy says

    July 10, 2013 at 10:32 am

    Not much. Stick figures and happy faces. Lol

    Reply
  42. Bethany says

    July 10, 2013 at 10:36 am

    Nature things (flowers, trees, etc.) just don’t ask me to draw animals or people!! 🙂

    Reply
  43. Cheryl P says

    July 10, 2013 at 10:40 am

    love drawing! Don’t get to do much since I had the boys.. I can draw just about anything but noses on peoples faces.

    Reply
  44. Pat Calfee says

    July 10, 2013 at 10:54 am

    Hi Becky! This is Pat Calfee (Gigi), author of The Issy Books. Thanks for your great review of our books. We are getting fabulous reviews from kids, parents, teachers and grandparents. So glad you are going to give a set of the books away to a lucky someone. Issy and I had a great time writing/illustrating these books.

    Reply
    • thisreadingmama says

      July 10, 2013 at 1:21 pm

      You’re so welcome. You guys are quite the pair! 🙂

      Reply
  45. Sarah says

    July 10, 2013 at 11:14 am

    I can draw a really basic tulip!

    Reply
  46. Brittney says

    July 10, 2013 at 12:09 pm

    Well, my 3 year old thinks I draw a great dinosaur, but I think he draws better people than me! 🙂

    Reply
  47. Audra says

    July 10, 2013 at 12:16 pm

    I can draw a rose.

    Reply
  48. Paula says

    July 10, 2013 at 12:24 pm

    Pat C. and her Granddaughter have done a wonderful job with these books!

    Reply
  49. Penelope @ The Reading Fever says

    July 10, 2013 at 12:28 pm

    My son would love these! And for your question: I can draw two things really well: A five-petal flower…and now a train, thanks to my son’s obsession. 🙂

    Reply
  50. Alicia says

    July 10, 2013 at 12:33 pm

    I can draw tornadoes and stick people.

    Reply
  51. Natalie Brose says

    July 10, 2013 at 12:44 pm

    I can draw most things if i have a picture in front of me.

    Reply
  52. Carrie Chance says

    July 10, 2013 at 1:16 pm

    Abstract! lol I can pull out a few things but usually I just like to draw and see where it goes.

    Reply
  53. Rachael says

    July 10, 2013 at 1:24 pm

    I can freehand pretty well if I have a picture to look at. Honestly I would rather paint though 🙂

    Reply
  54. Charlotte Alldredge says

    July 10, 2013 at 1:37 pm

    Nothing, really – I can draw a donkey using the number 5!

    Reply
  55. Chris says

    July 10, 2013 at 1:39 pm

    My little one is asking me to teach her to read. These look great!
    I’m hopeless but that doesn’t stop me from drawing 🙂

    Reply
  56. Mary says

    July 10, 2013 at 2:11 pm

    These books would be great!! I’m not much of a drawer but I always still attempt to draw for my children.

    Reply
  57. Amanda says

    July 10, 2013 at 2:33 pm

    I’m with some of the others – stick people!

    Reply
  58. Johanna says

    July 10, 2013 at 2:50 pm

    I love your site! I draw trees the best. =)

    Reply
  59. Kala says

    July 10, 2013 at 3:01 pm

    Not much lol. House, tree, rainbow, and maybe flowers

    Reply
  60. swathi says

    July 10, 2013 at 3:04 pm

    I would love to win this.

    Reply
  61. Catherine says

    July 10, 2013 at 3:39 pm

    Conclusions!

    Reply
  62. Karyn says

    July 10, 2013 at 4:43 pm

    um… clouds?

    Reply
  63. Jessica A. says

    July 10, 2013 at 4:52 pm

    I can draw well if I take my time! Like animals, flowers, pretty much anything 🙂

    Reply
  64. Dianne says

    July 10, 2013 at 5:01 pm

    I am pretty good at drawing Sunflowers.

    Reply
  65. Sunny says

    July 10, 2013 at 5:24 pm

    I can draw Garfield and palm trees and suns really well

    Reply
  66. Ellen says

    July 10, 2013 at 6:04 pm

    Stick people are the BEST!!lol Beautiful books:)

    Reply
  67. Jennifer says

    July 10, 2013 at 8:39 pm

    Don’t know if anyone remembers this little character, but Ziggy is who I do best. Other than that, it’s stick people.

    Reply
  68. Sara Bailey says

    July 10, 2013 at 8:59 pm

    I can draw Kilroy.

    Reply
  69. corrie says

    July 10, 2013 at 9:02 pm

    These look neat.

    Reply
  70. Corine Hyman says

    July 11, 2013 at 1:04 am

    A house

    Reply
  71. Cherie says

    July 11, 2013 at 1:48 am

    If stick people count, then that’s what I am good at in drawing! My drawing is horrible!

    Reply
  72. thegirlwhopaintedtrees says

    July 11, 2013 at 7:04 am

    I can follow the Draw Write Now drawings very well:)

    Reply
  73. Joy says

    July 11, 2013 at 8:17 am

    Drawing is more my husband’s thing. My son is always asking me to draw something than says that doesn’t look like it. 🙂 I’m best with stick figures.

    Reply
  74. Krista says

    July 11, 2013 at 10:03 am

    I can draw bunnies!

    Reply
  75. The Knowlton Nest says

    July 11, 2013 at 10:52 am

    I can draw rainbows.

    Reply
  76. Roxanna Alcantra says

    July 11, 2013 at 11:26 am

    I’m good at drawing stick people and flowers! 🙂

    Reply
  77. lisa amos says

    July 11, 2013 at 4:54 pm

    I can doodle the same silly flowers i’ve been doodling since high school!

    Reply
  78. Jennifer E. says

    July 11, 2013 at 5:29 pm

    Not much. 🙂

    Reply
  79. Deana says

    July 11, 2013 at 9:38 pm

    I can draw silly faces that my kids like, but they are actually much more creative drawers than I am.

    Reply
  80. Jodi says

    July 12, 2013 at 12:06 am

    My six year old daughter just asked me today to draw a picture with her. I colored a picture in a coloring book while she drew and colored a picture of zoo animals. It seems as though I have lost my creative spark!

    Reply
  81. Amanda Burt says

    July 12, 2013 at 7:21 am

    Well, I am not much of an artist, but I can do…..a house, a silly face, a flower and some stars.

    Reply
  82. Wendy says

    July 12, 2013 at 11:17 am

    Nothing!

    Reply
  83. Kelly H says

    July 12, 2013 at 11:37 am

    I can draw letters really well haha! I do hand lettering for my online shop.

    Reply
  84. Angel says

    July 12, 2013 at 8:05 pm

    I like to draw portraits, but they almost never turn out as well as I’d hoped.

    Reply
  85. Nancy Cavasoz says

    July 12, 2013 at 8:34 pm

    Would be great to have!

    Reply
  86. Angie M. says

    July 13, 2013 at 12:03 am

    I can draw flowers really well. I love doodling to keep me distracted just enough, so I am a better listener.

    Reply
  87. Jessica says

    July 13, 2013 at 6:33 pm

    If I have a picture to look at, I can sometimes draw things, but my best is stick people.

    Reply
  88. Karen R says

    July 14, 2013 at 11:04 pm

    I love to draw and can draw just about anything. I do have trouble with perspective drawing though. It is not my favorite.

    Reply
  89. Ashley says

    July 15, 2013 at 4:42 am

    Juvenile type drawings 😉

    Reply
  90. Molly says

    July 15, 2013 at 9:31 am

    I’m good at drawing flowers. I used to do well in art class but I think I’ve lost it.

    Reply
  91. Kelsey says

    July 15, 2013 at 10:00 am

    Frogs and flowers… and stick people! 😉

    Reply
  92. Lillian says

    July 15, 2013 at 12:11 pm

    I learned to draw mushrooms as a kid and that’s still all I can draw

    Reply
  93. Annie says

    July 15, 2013 at 12:32 pm

    Nothing! I am a terrible draw-er.

    Reply
  94. evitafjord says

    July 15, 2013 at 6:13 pm

    I’m a terrible artist. Thank goodness for Publisher and TpT and the internet.

    Reply
  95. Lori H says

    July 15, 2013 at 6:15 pm

    I don’t draw much but try to not let that be a factor in encouraging my kids, who are all becoming very good artists.

    Reply
  96. Alicia Winkler says

    July 15, 2013 at 8:49 pm

    Sunset beach scenes.

    Reply
  97. Leanne says

    July 15, 2013 at 9:19 pm

    My Christmas trees are pretty good!

    Reply
  98. Bridgette says

    July 16, 2013 at 2:13 am

    I can draw a bird and a lion! 🙂

    Reply
  99. Holly Brown says

    July 16, 2013 at 10:58 am

    mountain landscapes

    Reply
  100. Megan's Ponderings says

    July 16, 2013 at 2:03 pm

    I can draw a stick person really well 🙂

    Reply
  101. Angela says

    July 16, 2013 at 2:06 pm

    Flowers, trees, and stick people 🙂

    Reply
  102. Tara S. says

    July 16, 2013 at 2:56 pm

    Not a whole lot…maybe a very basic outdoor scene – rainbow, sun, grass, flowers

    Reply
  103. Beth says

    July 16, 2013 at 4:46 pm

    Not much.

    Reply
  104. Kate C. says

    July 16, 2013 at 6:38 pm

    Not much – basic shapes!

    Reply
  105. alizabeth says

    July 16, 2013 at 10:28 pm

    Trees, semi-trucks, and doodles.!

    Reply
  106. Bridget says

    July 17, 2013 at 12:25 am

    I can draw flowers!

    Reply
  107. Tiffany M says

    July 17, 2013 at 7:00 am

    Stick people, hearts, flowers, smiley faces…just the basics, 🙂

    Reply
  108. Alicia says

    July 17, 2013 at 3:10 pm

    Whales!

    Reply
  109. crystal woods says

    July 17, 2013 at 11:01 pm

    stick people,

    Reply
  110. Maribel Sanders says

    July 17, 2013 at 11:47 pm

    Stick figures lol!!!!

    Reply
  111. HillaryM says

    July 18, 2013 at 1:13 am

    houses and flowers

    Reply
  112. Kayla Arrowood says

    July 18, 2013 at 10:15 am

    I can draw flowers pretty good & butterflies!

    Reply
  113. Michelle S says

    July 18, 2013 at 11:48 am

    Silly ghosts. Thanks for the chance!!!

    Reply
  114. Lesley M. says

    July 18, 2013 at 12:16 pm

    Cars and trains 🙂

    Reply
  115. Tara says

    July 18, 2013 at 2:50 pm

    I can draw good shapes and letters-ha! Does that count?

    Reply
  116. LeAnn says

    July 18, 2013 at 6:30 pm

    Stick people! But, I draw them with character… They are very cute!

    Reply
  117. serveleadmom says

    July 18, 2013 at 10:00 pm

    Doodles and stick figures 🙂

    Reply
  118. Timmi says

    July 19, 2013 at 1:37 pm

    plants, fruits and vegetables, interiors and exteriors of homes and rooms

    Reply
  119. Melissa Bell says

    July 19, 2013 at 1:37 pm

    Flowers.

    Reply
  120. Shaydee says

    July 19, 2013 at 2:03 pm

    WE love to draw!! Lately we’ve been on a dinosaur kick!

    Reply
  121. Kelly says

    July 19, 2013 at 2:29 pm

    I can’t draw anything really well…but that doesn’t stop me from drawing pictures with my little guy!

    Reply
  122. Ruby says

    July 19, 2013 at 3:17 pm

    I am a stick figure drawer. My oldest does a decent bit of drawing. younger one is still learning.

    Reply
  123. kewkew says

    July 19, 2013 at 10:42 pm

    Not much at all.

    Reply
  124. Caterina says

    July 19, 2013 at 11:38 pm

    Elmo

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. 7 Days of School Day Giveaways says:
    July 12, 2013 at 6:53 am

    […] DAY 2: Issy Books from Compass Publishing […]

    Reply

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Hi! I’m Becky, a homeschooling mama with 4 blessings who keep me on my toes {and knees}. Before homeschooling, I was a classroom teacher (M.Ed.) and reading tutor. Read more about me here.

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