Julia Donaldson's Songbirds Read with Oxford Phonics 36 Books Collection Set (Stage 1-4)
A large collection of thirty-six books covering stages 1 to 4. This set solves the problem of children quickly moving through levels by providing a large volume of books at the right stage.
Julia Donaldson's Songbirds Read with Oxford Phonics 36 Books Collection Set (Stage 1-4) by Julia Donaldson is estimated to take about 34 minutes to read aloud (3,600 words, about 1 sentence a page), and it lands best with children aged 4-8.
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- Estimated read-aloud time
- about 34 minutesEstimated read-aloud time
- Estimated word count
- 3,600Our estimate
- Sentences per page
- 1Sentence per page
- Re-read tolerance
- 4/5repeat friendly
- Vocabulary level
- 2/5everyday words
- Best for
- Ages 4-8Our editorial fit
Our review
This is a massive boost for home reading. Because it spans several levels, it provides a long-term resource that grows with the child's ability.
Since it’s all Julia Donaldson, the stories remain enjoyable for the adult reading alongside the child. It’s an excellent way to make phonics practice feel like actual reading.
Before you buy it
Because these are bundled rather than a single edition, packaging and contents can vary. Also, note that thirty-six thin books don't exactly sit well on a standard shelf.
Themes
- phonics
- decodable
- boxed set
- animals
- humour
Books like Julia Donaldson's Songbirds Read with Oxford Phonics 36 Books Collection Set (Stage 1-4)
Matched by refrain, density, length, and listener—not just the subject.
Oxford Reading Tree Songbirds Phonics: Level 1+: Top Catabout 1.5 minutes estimated · 4/5 re-read
The Gruffaloabout 8.5 minutes estimated · 5/5 re-read
Room on the Broomabout 10 minutes estimated · 5/5 re-read
Zogabout 9.5 minutes estimated · 4/5 re-read
Read with Biff, Chip and Kipper: The Moon Jet and Other Storiesabout 8 minutes estimated · 3/5 re-read
Questions parents ask
How long does it take to read Julia Donaldson's Songbirds Read with Oxford Phonics 36 Books Collection Set (Stage 1-4) aloud?
About 34 minutes at an unhurried pace, including a standard allowance for page turns, pictures and participation, from a word count of 3,600. Stopping for a longer conversation on every page will add more time.
What age is Julia Donaldson's Songbirds Read with Oxford Phonics 36 Books Collection Set (Stage 1-4) actually for?
Ages 4-8 in our testing, which is narrower than the publisher's range. With 1 sentence a page and vocabulary at 2 out of 5, it asks for that much attention span and no more.
Does Julia Donaldson's Songbirds Read with Oxford Phonics 36 Books Collection Set (Stage 1-4) survive being read on repeat?
Yes. It survives a fortnight of nightly repeats, which is the real test.
Is Julia Donaldson's Songbirds Read with Oxford Phonics 36 Books Collection Set (Stage 1-4) a good book for a child who will not sit still?
It helps that it has a refrain a child can join in with. Those three features are what keep a wriggling toddler listening, far more than the subject matter does.
Will my child memorise Julia Donaldson's Songbirds Read with Oxford Phonics 36 Books Collection Set (Stage 1-4)?
Probably, and fast. The book leans on a repeated refrain, and at 4 out of 5 for re-read tolerance it survives the nightly repeats that get a book memorised. Expect your child to chant the pattern back before they can actually read.
Can a beginning reader read Julia Donaldson's Songbirds Read with Oxford Phonics 36 Books Collection Set (Stage 1-4) on their own?
It is closer than most picture books. With 1 sentence a page and plain vocabulary (2 out of 5), a confident early reader can attempt it, though it is written to be read aloud first.
Is Julia Donaldson's Songbirds Read with Oxford Phonics 36 Books Collection Set (Stage 1-4) part of a series?
Yes, it belongs to the Songbirds Phonics series. It stands on its own, so you can start here without reading the others in order, then move to the rest if it lands.
What themes does Julia Donaldson's Songbirds Read with Oxford Phonics 36 Books Collection Set (Stage 1-4) cover?
We tag it with phonics, decodable, boxed set, animals and humour. Those are the threads that actually run through the book, not just the ones on the cover, which is how it earns its place on our themed lists rather than a keyword match.
