How to Use These 4 Book Sets to Sharpen Literacy Skills

Getting the right book sets in your child's hands is a key way to help them read at grade level (or above) and advance their literacy skills, such as reading comprehension. Children can become discouraged from reading when they don't find books that capture and hold their interest. The four book sets on this list, however, are loved by kids and families — and can be used together to boost your child's reading skills. 

Book sets allow readers to explore an entire series they love, which is important for maintaining reading momentum. Once they click with a book they’re interested in, whether it’s about superheroes, science, historical fiction, or animals, they’ll be eager to continue reading the next title in the series. Meanwhile, they won’t even realize that they’re learning and sharpening their reading comprehension and stamina!

Here’s how to use these four book sets that kids and parents rave about to improve your child’s reading skills. 

1. Dog Man: The Supa Buddies Mega Collection

The Dog Man graphic novel series introduces kids to the hilarious half-canine, half-human superhero Dog Man who fights crime (even if he gets distracted by pigeons along the way!). Graphic novels help striving readers make the connection between what they read and what they see, which enables them to hone their reading comprehension, understand symbolism, and build vocabulary.

Read the Dog Man: The Supa Buddies Mega Collection #1-10 together with your child and ask questions about what’s happening in each chapter, letting them draw conclusions from the illustrations and dialogue.

2. I Survived Collection (Books #1-20)

The best-selling I Survived series has introduced countless children to riveting historical fiction. The books in the I Survived Collection explore tales of children surviving some of history’s most dangerous times. 

One great way to introduce this exciting series to your child is to pair the books with what they're learning in school. For instance, when they’re studying historic wars, natural disasters, or animal science in class, titles like I Survived: The American Revolution, I Survived: The Eruption of Mount St. Helens, and I Survived: The Shark Attacks of 1916 bring that learning material to life and provide supplemental knowledge. 

Ask your child to imagine how they would have gotten through the circumstances that the main characters in these books experience. What would they have done differently? How would they have felt? 

3. Magic School Bus Value Pack

If you grew up following Miss Frizzle and her class on scientific adventures, you'll love diving into these classic books with your child — who will also benefit from learning science facts and expanding their vocabulary with The Magic School Bus Value Pack. 

Whether they’re learning about the human body or extreme weather, supplementing your child's science curriculum with The Magic School Bus books will foster their interest in the natural world around them. It will also encourage them to keep asking questions and stay curious.

Ask your child what observations they made when studying the topics in this book set. What fascinated them the most? What do they want to learn even more about?

4. Who Would Win? Ultimate Rumble Pack

Children typically love learning about the wonders of wild animals, which is why the Who Would Win? series will keep their enthusiasm for reading alive. 

Ask your child (or their teacher) what animals they've studied in science class as they explore the Who Would Win? Ultimate Rumble Pack — and use these books to advance their knowledge even further. For instance, if they’re studying wild cats, Who Would Win? Lion vs. Tiger is a great option to start with. If your child is studying ocean creatures, Who Would Win? Ultimate Ocean Rumble will regale them with hypothetical scenarios between some of the ocean’s fiercest animals, like the great white shark and killer whale. 

Even if your child isn't learning about animals in school right now, these books will pique their interest and encourage fall reading routines. 

Have your child predict the "winner" in each book before you begin, and ask them how they came to that conclusion. What observations did they make during reading? Did their predictions differ from the actual winner?