All About Reading

General Summary

• Comprehensive, systematic phonics program for PreK-4th grade
• Multisensory, Orton-Gillingham approach to reading instruction
• Parent-led curriculum with scripted lessons and manipulatives
• Includes letter tiles, readers, activity books, and teacher's manuals
• Mastery-based progression with focus on reading skills only

Effectiveness: Strong Results in Reading

Parents consistently report significant reading progress with the program:

"I am part-way through level four with my oldest and feel like I can finally say IT WORKS with some authority."

Teacher Tutor Mom

"All About Reading has catapulted my child into advanced reading."

Hummingbird Homeschool

Multisensory Approach: Engaging and Adaptable

The hands-on methods are especially appreciated for diverse learning styles:

"The lessons include multi-sensory components such as flashcards, activity pages, letter tiles, and games, which are perfect for different learning styles and also students with dyslexia."

Life, Abundantly

"Our lessons often took place while he was jumping, running, climbing or swinging... he learned through this program. Every time I saw progression, I could tell the material was sticking."

Good Life Xplorers

Quality of Materials: Well-Designed Readers and Activities

Parents highly value the program's custom-designed reading materials:

"I love the readers from AAR! ... The AAR readers progress right along with the lessons in the book, so the child learns the phonetic rules before having to apply them to decoding. The illustrations are also beautiful and add to the stories."

Life, Abundantly

User-Friendly for Parents: Clear Instructions

The scripted format gives confidence to parents teaching reading:

"If you have NO IDEA how to teach reading, this is your new favorite resource! The lessons are scripted and tell you EXACTLY what to do and in which order... Each step of each lesson is laid out clearly – you just need to collect the materials and follow the instructions."

Fearless Homeschool

"I also love that the program is designed for busy parents... all of the leg work is done for me."

Life, Abundantly

Parent Time Commitment: Hands-On Teaching Required

The high level of parent involvement is a common concern:

"If you are looking for a program that is not teacher intensive, this is not for you... you WILL have to sit with your child and actually do every lesson with them."

Life, Abundantly

"AAR does have a lot of pieces/most parent intensive."

Reddit - r/kindergarten

Cost Considerations: Premium Price Point

The expense of the program is a significant consideration for many families:

"The biggest con that kept me away for so long was the price!"

Life, Abundantly

"At $250 a year for just reading, it's a tough ask."

Reddit - r/homeschool

Organization: Managing Many Components

The multiple pieces require good organization:

"There are a lot of components to this curriculum, and it can be confusing to implement if you don't have a great organizational system."

Life, Abundantly

Pacing: Thoroughness vs. Speed

The deliberate pace can be an adjustment for some families:

"Some of the lessons and stories are very long... sometimes it takes several days to finish a lesson."

Life, Abundantly

"It has some boring parts (practice sheets) but we do M&Ms to make it fun."

Reddit - r/homeschool

Child Engagement: Varies by Student

Not every child connects with the program's style:

"All About Reading... is a huge fail in my house. My kids just H-A-T-E-D it! The workbook pages are too preschool, even in level 4; they couldn't stand the stories or pictures..."

COAH Community

Who Thrives With All About Reading?

Well-Suited For:

• Children who benefit from systematic, explicit phonics instruction
• Students with dyslexia or other reading struggles
• Families where a parent can dedicate daily one-on-one teaching time
• Kinesthetic or multisensory learners
• Parents who want a scripted, ready-to-use reading program

Consider Alternatives If:

• You need a program with low parent involvement
• Your child is strongly independent and resistant to parent-led lessons
• Your budget is limited and you need a less expensive option
• You prefer digital curriculum or video-based instruction
• Your child is significantly older but reading at a lower level (content may feel "young")

Our Bottom Line

All About Reading stands out as a thorough, highly effective phonics program that delivers results through its systematic approach and multisensory techniques. For families willing to invest both the money and daily teaching time, it provides a solid foundation for reading success. The program particularly shines for struggling readers and those with learning differences like dyslexia. However, the significant parent involvement required and premium price tag make it a careful consideration. Parents should weigh these factors against their own capacity and their child's learning style when deciding if All About Reading is the right fit.