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Feel the Reading Chest love
Read the latest feedback from the parents (and children!) learning to read with us!
See All FeedbackJulie M
March 24, 2025
Both my daughters have benefitted greatly from Reading Chest. It was a fantastic way to support them at home and develop their love of reading at a level appropriate to their stage. This enabled them to experience success and read a set of 6 books fully, before moving on to the next book band. They became much more confident and...
Heather O
June 29, 2024
We love reading chest, my daughter gets so excited to see another set of books has arrived and it's really helped her to excel in her reading. The concept is so simple, yet it makes my life easier and prevents the staleness of one reading book a week from school.
How to find the right book band for your child!
Reading Chest has a vast selection of reading books, which are used in schools across the UK. These are carefully graded by reading levels known as book bands. Our simple guide will help you pick the right band for your child:
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Level 4
Level 5
Level 6
Level 7
Level 8
Level 9
Level 10
Level 11
Level 12-13
Pink Book Band
Level 1. Recommended reading age 4 - 5 years.
For children just starting to read. Children are getting used to reading from left to right and matching spoken words to written words. Usually no more than 10 pages with up to 5 words on a page.
Sample Pages & Books
Red Book Band
Level 2. Recommended reading age 4 - 5 years.
The second step up the ladder as children gain a little more confidence and may know some words by sight. Usually no more than 15 pages with 1 sentence per page.
Sample Pages & Books
Yellow Book Band
Level 3. Recommended reading age 4 - 5 years.
Children are beginning to read more varied sentence structures and taking some note of punctuation. Usually no more than 15 pages with 1 or 2 sentences per page.
Sample Pages & Books
Blue Book Band
Level 4. Recommended reading age 5 - 6 years.
Children are becoming more confident at reading longer and more varied sentences. Usually no more than 15 pages with 2 or 3 sentences per page.
Sample Pages & Books
Green Book Band
Level 5. Recommended reading age 5 - 6 years.
Children are starting to read quite fluently and take note of punctuation. Usually about 20 pages with 3 or 4 sentences per page.
Sample Pages & Books
Orange Book Band
Level 6. Recommended reading age 5 - 6 years.
Children are starting to read longer and more complex sentences and can understand a range of punctuation. Usually about 20 pages with 4 or 5 sentences per page.
Sample Pages & Books
Turquoise Book Band
Level 7. Recommended reading age 6 - 7 years.
Sample Pages & Books
Children can read complex sentences fairly fluently, taking note of punctuation. They use expression and do not rely on illustrations to help them. Usually about 20 pages with 4 or 5 sentences per page.
Purple Book Band
Level 8. Recommended reading age 6 - 7 years.
Sample Pages & Books
Children might read silently or quietly at quite a rapid pace, taking note of punctuation. Usually about 25 pages with 5 to 10 sentences per page.
Gold Book Band
Level 9. Recommended reading age 6 - 7 years.
Sample Pages & Books
Children might read silently or quietly at quite a rapid pace, taking note of punctuation. Usually about 25 pages with 5 to 10 sentences per page.
White Book Band
Level 10. Recommended reading age 6 - 7 years.
Sample Pages & Books
Books might have chapters. Children will read silently most of the time. They are interested in longer texts which they can return to easily after a break. Usually no more than 30 pages and about 10 sentences per page.
Lime Book Band
Level 11. Recommended reading age 6 - 7 years.
Sample Pages & Books
Books might have chapters. Children will read silently most of the time. They are interested in longer texts which they can return to easily after a break. Usually more than 30 pages.
Extended Book Band
Level 12-13. Recommended reading age 7 - 9 years.
Sample Pages & Books
Books might have chapters. Children read silently with confidence and perseverance. A wide variety of longer, demanding texts, usually with around 30 - 50 pages..
Featured books for April
Help your little one settle back into school with this collection of school-themed books.
Our latest news, tips, and advice
Read what's happening with Reading Chest, along with advice on how to help your child on their reading journey.
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