Read with Oxford Stage 2

Read with Oxford Stage 2

Find books from Read with Oxford Stage 2, with tips to help your child with reading at home.

What is Read with Oxford Stage 2?

Early reader – I can use letter sounds to read simple words and short sentences

Read with Oxford Stage 2 is for children who are able to read very simple stories. They will still enjoy listening to stories while practising their own early reading skills at the same time.

Approximate age: 4–5
School: Reception / P1
Equivalent to: Oxford Levels 2, 3 | Book Bands Red, Yellow

Read our free Stage 2 eBook >

Is Stage 2 right for my child?

Children at Read with Oxford Stage 2 can usually:

  • Read short sentences and a wider range of simple words by sounding out and blending, e.g. f-ee-t, feet.
  • Read some words of more than one syllable.
  • Read (on sight) several common tricky words like ‘was’, ‘you’.
  • Read some long vowels sounds (e.g. ‘moon’) and adjacent consonants (e.g. ‘star’).
  • Tell you what they think about a story and relate it to their own experiences.
  • Concentrate for around 10 minutes.

If you’re not sure which Stage is best for your child, try our simple test >

How can I help my child to read?

You’ll find lots of tips on helping your child learn to read in our Reading section, including:

Visit our Reading section >

Stage 2 story collections

The Bucket Rocket and Other Stories

Read about Buzz’s dream of going into space in his big red bucket, join Fang as he faces his fear of the dentist, and find out what happens when some meerkats discover an umbrella!

Six captivating and engaging stories with clear phonics progression, ideal for children who are developing early reading skills.

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Biff, Chip and Kipper: Wet Feet and Other Stories

Help Kipper choose a new hat, go fishing with Wilf, and join Floppy on an adventure in the desert!

This collection contains two phonics books and two stories for wider reading that are ideal for children who are developing early reading skills. There are tips for parents and fun activities throughout the book for you and your child to enjoy together.

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Biff, Chip and Kipper: Super Dad and Other Stories

Watch Biff and Chip look after the hens, go on two space adventures with Kipper, and find out how Wilf’s dad saves the day!

This collection contains two phonics books and two stories for wider reading that are ideal for children who are developing early reading skills. There are tips for parents and fun activities throughout the book for you and your child to enjoy together.

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Biff, Chip and Kipper: The Sing Song and Other Stories

Have fun with the family at a singing competition, see Chip dress up as a king, and find out what happens when Floppy finds a juicy bone!

This collection contains two phonics books and two stories for wider reading that are ideal for children who are developing early reading skills. There are tips for parents and fun activities throughout the book for you and your child to enjoy together.

Find out more >

Biff, Chip and Kipper: The Duckling and Other Stories

Discover how Wilma rescues a duckling in trouble, go on a monster hunt with Gran, and find out what happens when Kipper gets stuck!

This collection contains two phonics books and two stories for wider reading that are ideal for children who are developing early reading skills. There are tips for parents and fun activities throughout the book for you and your child to enjoy together.

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Phonics: The King and His Wish and Other Tales

This story collection contains four traditional tales: ‘The King and his Wish’, ‘The Tortoise and the Hare’, ‘The Greedy Dog’, and ‘The Magic Porridge Pot’.

This beautifully-illustrated book with clear phonics progression is ideal for children who are developing early reading skills.

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Phonics: Dick Whittington and Other Tales

This story collection contains four traditional tales: ‘Dick Whittington’, ‘The Three Billy Goats Gruff’, ‘Chicken Licken’, and ‘Goldilocks and the Three Bears’.

This beautifully-illustrated book with clear phonics progression is ideal for children who are developing early reading skills.

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Julia Donaldson’s Songbirds: Singing Dad and Other Stories

Join in with Singing Dad, meet Viv’s Odd Pet, and find out about Ron Rabbit’s job at the fish and chip shop!

With a focus on building phonics skills, this collection includes seven fun stories with colourful illustrations. It is ideal for children who are developing early reading skills.

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Julia Donaldson’s Songbirds: Ron Rabbit’s Egg and Other Stories

Find out what’s so important about Ron Rabbit’s egg, what happens to the Doll in the bin, and learn about animals in the Animal Quiz!

With a focus on building phonics skills, this collection includes seven fun stories with colourful illustrations. It is ideal for children who are developing early reading skills.

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Julia Donaldson’s Songbirds: The Trunk and The Skunk and Other Stories

Read about the Trunk and the Skunk, find out why Gran is so cross, and discover how Ron Rabbit makes a rocket!

With a focus on building phonics skills, this collection includes seven fun stories with colourful illustrations. It is ideal for children who are developing early reading skills.

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Stage 2 non-fiction collections

Our Wonderful World

Find out about exotic plants, explore beautiful beaches, and see the world through an animal’s eyes!

Explore our wonderful world in this fascinating collection of seven non-fiction texts, ideal for children who are developing early reading skills.

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Make and Bake

Find out how to make your own sock puppet, grow your own picnic, and make a strawberry mess!

This collection is designed to tap into your child’s interest in baking and making things, supporting national curriculum topics and providing phonics practice.

Find out more >

Helping your child to read

Helping Your Child to Read

This guide for parents provides the information and practical advice you need to support your child through each stage of their reading development, from their first steps in phonics all the way to reading independence.

Find out more >