Skill 8 of 10
Decodable books for diphthongs & variant vowels
Diphthongs and variant vowels are the gliding, slippery vowel sounds that don't fit the tidy short-and-long categories: the oi and oy in coin and boy, the ou and ow in cloud and cow, plus relatives like oo, au, and aw in moon, haul, and saw. A true diphthong actually moves your mouth from one position to another as you say it, which is part of why these sounds feel harder to pin down. They're typically among the last single-syllable patterns a child learns, arriving after short vowels, silent-e, vowel teams, and r-controlled vowels are all in place.
By this point your student has usually stopped sounding out every letter and reads most familiar words on sight, so the thing to watch for is a stumble specifically on these spellings. A reader who breezes through a page and then trips on coin or cloud is ready to work on it directly. Because several of these sounds have more than one spelling, plan for plenty of exposure. Bob Books and Charge into Reading tuck these patterns into simple, high-success stories, while Phonic Books' Talisman gives readers who want more of a storyline room to practice them across a longer text.
116 book sets. Sets that introduce this skill come first.
Charge Mommy Books
Stage 8: Diphthong Decodable Reader Set
Stage 8
Cherry Blossom Press
The Scouts Go Camping
Stage 7: Diphthongs
Droppin' Knowledge with Heidi
Decodable Adventure Series – Pink Set – Diphthongs, Tricky Y, and more!
Pink (Unit 5)
Droppin' Knowledge with Heidi
Decodable Adventure Series – Pink Non-Fiction Single Set – Tricky Y, Diphthongs, & More!
Pink (Unit 5)
I See Sam
Set 6 (Grade 2.3–2.6)
Set 6 of 8
Lerner Publications
The Herd Came in Third
Diphthongs and R-Controlled Vowels
Orca Book Publishers
Moose on the Loose
Book 7 of 7
Oxford University Press
Oxford Reading Tree Songbirds Phonics Level 5: Mixed Pack of 6
Level 5
Reach All Readers
Set 3: Diphthongs, Consonant-le & More
Set 3
Reading Elephant
Series 14 – oo/ew Series – 8 Decodable Books
Series 14
Abeka
Basic Phonics Readers
K5 Basic Phonics Readers
Abeka
Family Fun Readers
Advanced K5 Family Fun Readers
All About Learning Press
All About Reading Level 2 Materials
Level 2 of 4
All About Learning Press
All About Reading Level 3 Materials
Level 3 of 4
Benchmark Education
BEC Decodables Gr. 1 Collection, 72 Titles Single-Copy Set
Grade 1 of K–1
Benchmark Education
Decodable Fluency Builders Gr. 1 Single Copy Set
Grade 1 of K–1
Benchmark Education
DynaMax Decodables Gr. 1 Complete Single-Copy Set
Grade 1 of K–2+
Benchmark Education
DynaMax Decodables Gr. 2 Complete Single-Copy Set
Grade 2+ of K–2+
Bob Books
Set 4: Complex Words
Set 4 of 5
Bob Books
Set 5: Long Vowels
Set 5 of 5
Dash Into Learning
Learn to Read: Phonics Reading Program LEVEL 2 Books + PDF Activity Packs
Set 2 of 3
Dash Into Learning
Learn to Read: Phonics Reading Program LEVEL 3 Books + PDF Activity Packs
Set 3 of 3
Droppin' Knowledge with Heidi
Decodable Adventure Series – Fiction Single Set BUNDLE!
Complete Bundle (Units 1–5)
Droppin' Knowledge with Heidi
Decodable Adventure Series – Non-Fiction Single Set BUNDLE!
Complete Bundle (Units 1–5)
EPS Learning
Storybook Set 5
Set 5 of 6
EPS Learning
Storybook Set 6
Set 6 of 6
EPS Learning
Complete Storybook Starter Set (80 Books)
Complete Set (80 books)
EPS Learning
Illustrated Decodable Reader Complete Starter Set A (60 Titles)
Complete Set A (Levels 1-6)
EPS Learning
Illustrated Decodable Reader Complete Starter Set B (60 Titles)
Complete Set B (Levels 1-6)
Express Readers
Step 6 Book Set
Step 6 of 6
Flyleaf Publishing
Reading Series Three | Book Set (19 Titles)
Series 3 of 3
Forward Motion Readers
Book 3: On Our Way!
Book 3 of 5
Half-Pint Kids
Level C – Moving-A-Long
Level C of 3
Half-Pint Kids
Half-Pint Decodable Readers – Library Edition
Library Edition (Levels A–C)
Heggerty
Decodable Books for First Grade Series 1
Series 1 of 3
Heggerty
Decodable Books for First Grade Series 2
Series 2 of 3
Heggerty
Decodable Books for First Grade Series 3
Series 3 of 3
Heggerty
Decodable Books for Second Grade Series 1
Series 1
Heggerty
Decodable Books for Second Grade Series 2
Series 2 of 3
Heggerty
Decodable Books for Second Grade Series 3
Series 3 of 3
Heggerty
Decodable Books for Third Grade Series 1
Series 1
Hello Decodables
Yellow Fiction Books
Yellow (Books 41–60)
Hello Decodables
Blue Nonfiction Books
Blue (Books 41–60)
High Noon Books
Set B-1
Set B-1 (Levels 3–4)
High Noon Books
Set B-2
Set B-2 (Levels 3–4)
High Noon Books
Set B-3
Set B-3 (Levels 3–4)
High Noon Books
Set B
Set B (Levels 3–4)
Hooked on Phonics
Learn to Read - Levels 7&8 Complete: Early Fluent Readers (Second Grade | Ages 7-8)
Levels 7–8
Hooked on Phonics
Learn to Read Kit with Spelling (Pre-K - 2nd Grade)
Complete Kit (Levels 1–8, Pre-K–Grade 2)
I See Sam
Set 3 (Grade 1.3–1.6)
Set 3 of 8
I See Sam
Set 5 (Grade 2.0–2.3)
Set 5 of 8
IMSE
Set C Fiction, Volume 1
Set C (Grade 2), Fiction Volume 1
IMSE
Set C Fiction, Volume 2
Set C (Grade 2), Fiction Volume 2
IMSE
Set C Nonfiction, Volume 1
Set C (Grade 2), Nonfiction Volume 1
Jolly Learning
Jolly Phonics Readers Level 1 Our World (in print letters)
Red (Level 1)
Jolly Learning
Jolly Phonics Readers Level 2 Our World (in print letters)
Yellow (Level 2)
Jolly Learning
Jolly Phonics Readers Level 3 Our World (in print letters)
Green (Level 3)
Jolly Learning
Jolly Phonics Readers Level 4 Our World (in print letters)
Blue (Level 4)
Jolly Learning
Jolly Phonics Readers Level 5 Our World (in print letters)
Purple (Level 5)
Jolly Learning
Jolly Phonics Orange Level Readers Complete Set
Orange (Level 0)
Jolly Learning
Jolly Phonics Readers Level 1 Complete Set (in print letters)
Red (Level 1)
Jolly Learning
Jolly Phonics Readers Level 2 Complete Set (in print letters)
Yellow (Level 2)
Jolly Learning
Jolly Phonics Readers Level 3 Complete Set (in print letters)
Green (Level 3)
Jolly Learning
Jolly Phonics Readers Level 4 Complete Set (in print letters)
Blue (Level 4)
Junior Learning
Letters & Sounds Phase 3 Set 1 Fiction
Phase 3, Set 1 (Fiction)
Junior Learning
Letters & Sounds Phase 3 Set 1 Non-Fiction
Phase 3, Set 1 (Non-Fiction)
Junior Learning
Letters & Sounds Phase 3 Set 2 Fiction
Phase 3, Set 2 (Fiction)
Junior Learning
Letters & Sounds Phase 3 Set 2 Non-Fiction
Phase 3, Set 2 (Non-Fiction)
Junior Learning
Letters & Sounds Phase 5 Set 1 Fiction
Phase 5, Set 1 (Fiction)
Junior Learning
Letters & Sounds Phase 5 Set 1 Non-Fiction
Phase 5, Set 1 (Non-Fiction)
Junior Learning
Letters & Sounds Phase 5 Set 2 Fiction
Phase 5, Set 2 (Fiction)
Junior Learning
Letters & Sounds Phase 5 Set 2 Non-Fiction
Phase 5, Set 2 (Non-Fiction)
Junior Learning
Science Decodables Phase 3 Non-Fiction
Phase 3 (Non-Fiction)
Junior Learning
Science Decodables Phase 5 Non-Fiction
Phase 5 (Non-Fiction)
Junior Learning
The Beanies HiLo Set 1 Decodable Readers - Phonics (Phase 3)
Phonics (Phase 3)
Junior Learning
The Beanies HiLo Set 1 Decodable Readers - Vowel Sounds (Phase 5)
Vowel Sounds (Phase 5)
Junior Learning
The Pods - Early Decodables - Phonics (Phase 3)
Phonics (Phase 3)
Just Right Reader
2nd Grade Decodables
2nd Grade
Learning Without Tears
Set B: Fiction and Nonfiction
Set B of 4
Learning Without Tears
Set C: Fiction and Nonfiction
Set C of 4
Learning Without Tears
Set D: Fiction and Nonfiction
Set D of 4
Letterland
Phonics Readers Set 4
Set 4 of 4
Logic of English
Foundations B Readers
Level B of D
Logic of English
Foundations C Readers
Level C of D
Logic of English
Foundations B Readers: Young Artist Series
Foundations B (Young Artist Series)
Oxford University Press
Oxford Reading Tree: Level 5: Floppy's Phonics: Sounds and Letters: Pack of 6
Level 5 (Phase 5)
Oxford University Press
Read Write Inc. Phonics Book Bag Books: Pink Set 3 (Mixed Pack of 10)
Pink (Set 3)
Oxford University Press
Read Write Inc. Phonics Book Bag Books: Blue Set 6 (Mixed Pack of 10)
Blue (Set 6)
Oxford University Press
Oxford Reading Tree Songbirds Phonics Level 3: Mixed Pack of 6
Level 3
Oxford University Press
Oxford Reading Tree Songbirds Phonics Level 6: Mixed Pack of 6
Level 6
Pennington Publishing
Sam and Friends Phonics Books (Complete 54-Book Set)
Complete set (all 6 levels)
Phonic Books
Alba
Complete set
Phonic Books
Dandelion Readers Vowel Spellings Level 1
Vowel Spellings, Level 1
Phonic Books
Dandelion Readers Vowel Spellings Level 2
Vowel Spellings, Level 2
Phonic Books
Dandelion Readers Vowel Spellings Level 3
Vowel Spellings, Level 3
Phonic Books
Dragon Eggs
Complete set
Phonic Books
Hidden in Paris
Complete set
Phonic Books
Island Adventure
Complete set
Phonic Books
Moon Dogs Set 3 Vowel Spellings
Set 3: Vowel Spellings
Phonic Books
Rescue
Complete set
Phonic Books
Talisman 1
Series 1
Phonic Books
The Fact Files 3
Set 3
Phonic Books
Totem
Complete set
Pioneer Valley Books
MyCodables Complete Bundle
Complete Bundle (66 titles)
Pioneer Valley Books
Moving On Set 1
Moving On, Set 1
Pioneer Valley Books
Moving On Set 2
Moving On, Set 2
Pioneer Valley Books
Orbiting Set 1
Orbiting, Set 1
Reach All Readers
Set 2: Vowel Teams, R-Controlled Vowels & More
Set 2
Reading Elephant
K-2 BUNDLE – Includes Every Series- 120+ Decodable Books, for ages 4-7
Complete bundle (Series 1–17)
Really Great Reading
HD Word Decodables: Grades 2–5 Set
Grades 2–5 Set
Saddleback Educational Publishing
Decode [1] Boxed Set
Decode (Level 1 of 3)
Saddleback Educational Publishing
Develop [2] Boxed Set
Develop (Level 2 of 3)
Saddleback Educational Publishing
Discover [3] Boxed Set
Discover (Level 3 of 3)
SyllaSense
Red Circle
Red Circle
Treasure Bay Books
We Read Phonics – Levels 5–8 Set (16 titles)
Levels 5–8 Set
Treasure Bay Books
Complete We Read Phonics Series (32 titles)
Complete Series (Levels 1-8, 32 titles)
Common questions
What are decodable books for diphthongs & variant vowels?
Gliding and variant vowel sounds: oi, oy, ou, ow, oo, au, aw. Typically one of the last single-syllable patterns taught. Decodable books for this skill use only words a student can sound out with it (plus previously taught patterns), so new readers practice decoding instead of guessing.
How is this list put together?
Every alignment comes from the publisher's own materials, usually its scope and sequence, and each record links to its source. Sets that introduce diphthongs & variant vowels as a new skill are listed first, followed by sets that practice it.