Decodable readers are a key component of Science of Reading instruction for K–2 students, but many educators note that traditional decodable books are often too short or not engaging enough for young readers. To address this gap and give teachers and families better options for practice both in school and at home, Capstone has released Stairway Decodables, a new series designed to blend rigorous phonics practice with enjoyable, authentic stories.
What are Stairway Decodables?
Stairway Decodables is a supplemental phonics collection created to support small-group instruction, independent reading, and at-home practice. The program is organized into six clear steps that guide students from basic to more advanced phonics patterns. Each book focuses on specific phonics skills and is clearly labeled, so educators and caregivers can quickly choose texts that match a child’s instructional needs.
- Step 1: Short vowels.
- Step 2: Initial and final consonant blends.
- Step 3: Consonant digraphs.
- Step 4: Concepts such as silent “e,” soft “c” and “g,” and trigraphs.
- Step 5: Vowel teams.
- Step 6: Vowel-r combinations, diphthongs, and long vowels.
The series includes 60 engaging, age-appropriate titles that are designed to be at least 80% decodable, helping students build phonics proficiency with predictable decoding patterns. At 24 to 32 pages each, these books are longer than many traditional decodables, which supports building reading stamina and sustained engagement. Stairway Decodables integrates multiple components of the Science of Reading—phonics, phonemic awareness, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension—so learners practice decoding within the context of meaningful text.
Feels Like Real Books
“Stairway Decodables make it easier for teachers to access resources that match the needs of individual students, while also giving kids fun choices for independent reading,” said Beth Brezenoff, Capstone Executive VP and General Manager, Content. Because these decodables feature a longer page count and careful attention to look and feel, they present as “real books” to early readers. Strong plotlines, expressive illustrations, and diverse, relatable characters help motivate young readers to explore the stories and experience success.
Each Stairway Decodables title starts with a teacher-facing key features page that lists the word count, the phonics skills emphasized, and challenging words to preview. Every book also includes targeted instructional supports and activities: suggested strategies and questions for before, during, and after reading, plus extended learning tasks that reinforce phonemic awareness, promote writing, and encourage higher-order thinking.
Books are available in hardcover, paperback, and eBook formats to suit classroom libraries and home collections. Classroom sets bundle all 60 paperback titles with a skill matrix and a display box to simplify organization and lesson planning. For more information, visit https://www.capstonepub.com/stairway-decodables.
Looking ahead, Capstone plans to expand the series: 10 additional Step 1 books will be released on January 1, 2025, and the publisher will add 36 nonfiction decodable titles in the fall. These additions will broaden options for teachers seeking leveled, topic-driven decodables that align to a phonics scope and sequence.
More on Capstone
Capstone is a leading educational publisher of K–5 digital solutions, children’s books, and literacy programs that serve school libraries, classrooms, and families. Through print books, interactive eBooks, and curriculum-connected tools like PebbleGo™, Capstone focuses on engaging content that supports strong teaching and meaningful learning. The company emphasizes diverse voices and perspectives in children’s publishing and aims to provide resources that help educators guide every student toward reading success. Learn more at CapstonePub.com.