Skill 7 of 10
Decodable books for r-controlled vowels
R-controlled vowels are the reason car doesn't rhyme with cat. When an r follows a vowel, it changes the vowel's sound into something new, as in ar (star), or (fork), and the trio er, ir, ur (her, bird, turn) that all land on nearly the same sound. Teachers sometimes call it bossy r, and the nickname is useful: the r takes over and the vowel stops behaving the way a child has learned to expect. This pattern usually shows up after short vowels, silent-e, and early vowel teams, once a reader can handle a vowel that doesn't say its plain sound.
The tell that your student is ready is often frustration. They decode the consonants correctly, reach a word like bird or farm, and the vowel won't cooperate. Naming the rule usually helps quickly. Because several of the spellings sound identical, expect the reading to come sooner than the spelling, and be patient about that gap. Series like Charge into Reading and Flyleaf Reading Series give bossy-r words steady practice in context, while Phonic Books spreads the same patterns across Talisman, Alba, and Totem so a reader meets them again and again rather than all at once.
117 book sets. Sets that introduce this skill come first.
Charge Mommy Books
Stage 6: R-Controlled Vowel Decodable Reader Set
Stage 6
Cherry Blossom Press
Bert and the Birds
Stage 6: R-Controlled Vowels
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 – Green Set – L & R Controlled Vowels
Green (Unit 4)
Droppin' Knowledge with Heidi
Decodable Adventure Series – Green Non-Fiction Single Set – Vowel R (Bossy R)
Green (Unit 4)
Express Readers
Step 6 Book Set
Step 6 of 6
I See Sam
Set 3 (Grade 1.3–1.6)
Set 3 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
Junior Learning
Sound Families R-controlled Fiction Phase 5.5
R-controlled (Phase 5.5), Fiction
Junior Learning
Sound Families R-controlled Non-Fiction Phase 5.5
R-controlled (Phase 5.5), Non-Fiction
Just Right Reader
Skill Building Libraries: R-Controlled
R-Controlled
Letterland
Phonics Readers Set 4
Set 4 of 4
Orca Book Publishers
Scarlet and the Ring
Book 4 of 7
Oxford University Press
Oxford Reading Tree Songbirds Phonics Level 6: Mixed Pack of 6
Level 6
Pioneer Valley Books
Moving On Set 1
Moving On, Set 1
Pioneer Valley Books
Moving On Set 2
Moving On, Set 2
Reading Elephant
Series 15 – R-Controlled Sounds – 15 Decodable Books
Series 15
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+
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 4
Set 4 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)
Flyleaf Publishing
Reading Series Two | Book Set (19 Titles)
Series 2 of 3
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 Third Grade Series 1
Series 1
Hello Decodables
Pink Fiction Books
Pink (Books 1–20)
Hello Decodables
Orange Fiction Books
Orange (Books 21–40)
Hello Decodables
Mint Nonfiction Books
Mint (Books 1–20)
Hello Decodables
Green Nonfiction Books
Green (Books 21–40)
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 4 (Grade 1.6–2.0)
Set 4 of 8
I See Sam
Set 5 (Grade 2.0–2.3)
Set 5 of 8
I See Sam
Set 6 (Grade 2.3–2.6)
Set 6 of 8
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
1st Grade Decodables
1st Grade
Just Right Reader
Success Series™ Library - Intermediate
Intermediate
Learning Without Tears
Set B: Fiction and Nonfiction
Set B of 4
Learning Without Tears
Set C: Fiction and Nonfiction
Set C of 4
Lerner Publications
The Herd Came in Third
Diphthongs and R-Controlled Vowels
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)
Orca Book Publishers
Decodable Collection (Books 1–6)
Collection (Books 1–6)
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: Blue Set 6 (Mixed Pack of 10)
Blue (Set 6)
Oxford University Press
Oxford Reading Tree Songbirds Phonics Level 5: Mixed Pack of 6
Level 5
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
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
Lifting Off Set 1
Lifting Off, Set 1
Pioneer Valley Books
Lifting Off Set 2
Lifting Off, 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
Starfall
Set of 15 Learn to Read Books
Set of 15 (complete Learn to Read sequence)
Storyshares
Middle School Decodables Kit: Complete Series + Educator Companion
Middle School
Storyshares
High School Decodables Kit: Complete Series + Educator Companion
High School
SyllaSense
Blue Circle
Blue Circle
SyllaSense
Teal Circle
Teal Circle
Treasure Bay Books
We Read Phonics – Levels 1–4 Set (16 titles)
Levels 1–4 Set
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 r-controlled vowels?
Vowels whose sound changes when an r follows them: ar, or, er, ir, ur. Often called bossy r. 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 r-controlled vowels as a new skill are listed first, followed by sets that practice it.