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A book to explore.
A skill to practise.

Book levels describe the text you choose. Practice stages describe an activity Gwen helps you work on. They are separate guides, and neither is a test score or a label attached to a learner.

Book levels 0–5

Each book's Simple words and Full story versions are reviewed separately. The reader's badge follows the version you select. A grade-skill range describes partial skills addressed by that material, rather than a universal school-grade equivalence or a measured independent-reading level.

Level 0

Listen and explore

Hear a story, notice a picture and respond with a word, gesture or question.

Listening and oral language; independent word reading is not expected.

5 published books have a version at this level.

Browse Level 0
Level 1

First words

Blend a small, explicitly taught set of sounds to read regular words.

A controlled story needs a reviewed word list and taught letter–sound prerequisites.

5 published books have a version at this level.

Browse Level 1
Level 2

Words into sentences

Use known sound patterns in short sentences and selected consonant combinations.

Earlier code is retained; new spellings and exception words are named before practice.

5 published books have a version at this level.

Browse Level 2
Level 3

Patterns into passages

Practise a defined spelling pattern in connected text, with earlier code retained.

Read a new example, reread for phrasing and retrieve a stated story detail.

5 published books have a version at this level.

Browse Level 3
Level 4

Short stories

Follow characters, events and clear causes across a short story.

Story reading and discussion; support can be used for unfamiliar words.

10 published books have a version at this level.

Browse Level 4
Level 5

Richer stories

Follow a more extended narrative and explain an idea using story details.

Richer vocabulary, dialogue and inference; listening remains available at any starting point.

6 published books have a version at this level.

Browse Level 5
How book levels and skill ranges are reviewed

Gwendolearn uses a versioned editorial scheme informed by language curriculum, explicit phonics teaching, cumulative practice and story-comprehension skills. Reviews are bound to the exact book edition and wording. The current review method is AI editorial review; it is not a standardised assessment or independent outcome validation.

Controlled early story text must match a declared teaching step, its known words and explicitly introduced exceptions. A short illustrated story is not automatically decodable. Listening, reading with support and reading independently are recorded as different kinds of activity.

The current illustrated Pip and Dot stories connect with early-primary story skills, with unfamiliar-word support as needed. Their grade-skill ranges address story details, sequence or inference; they do not claim every word is independently readable at those grades. There is no claim of complete curriculum coverage, OG certification or equivalence across countries.

The five reading practice stages

These are the existing introductory activity stages. Gwen adjusts the next eligible activity, offers help and revisits a prerequisite when useful. A book's Level 4 is not the same classification as practice Stage 4.

Stage 1

Beginning sounds

Notice sounds in spoken words and connect beginning sounds with letters.

Next: Try a new beginning sound, then bring sounds together.

Try stage 1
Stage 2

Blending words

Read from left to right and blend sounds into short words.

Next: Read unfamiliar short words, then practise common spelling patterns.

Try stage 2
Stage 3

Spelling patterns

Recognise letters that work together, beginning with sh, and blend the whole word.

Next: Use the pattern in a new word and a short passage.

Try stage 3
Stage 4

Sentences and short passages

Read connected text, reread for fluency and follow who does what.

Next: Read a fresh passage and explain a detail in your own words.

Try stage 4
Stage 5

Understanding and inference

Connect details, explain reasons and support an inference with words from the text.

Next: Compare ideas and explain your thinking in a new passage.

Try stage 5
Let Gwen suggest a starting point

Enjoy Gwen reading any story aloud while practising earlier skills. Completing a story or using a hint does not demonstrate independent reading. The current levels and activity bank are a foundation, not a complete Pre-K–12 programme.