Dan Taps

This engaging story follows a boy named Dan, who seeks to join his busy family in their fun. The book features simple texts, phonics support, and a fun “I Spy” activity.

Dan Taps is part of the Collins Big Cat Phonics for Letters and Sounds series, which features engaging fiction and non-fiction decodable readers designed to captivate and motivate young readers. The series is fully aligned with the Letters and Sounds Phases 1–6, ensuring that children receive a structured approach to phonics. Each book includes helpful notes at the back, while the accompanying Handbooks provide guidance on demonstrating and modeling reading, monitoring comprehension, and expanding vocabulary.

In Dan Taps, readers follow the story of Dan, who longs to play with his family, only to find that everyone is preoccupied with their own fun. The narrative unfolds as Dan discovers what lies behind various doors, leading to humorous encounters that keep children engaged. The book is aimed at emergent readers, offering simple, highly predictable texts supported by vivid illustrations that aid understanding.

The focus sounds introduced in this book include /s/, /a/, /t/, /p/, /i/, /n/, and /d/, making it an excellent resource for building foundational phonics skills. Additionally, pages 14 and 15 feature a delightful “I Spy” Letters and Sounds activity, which uses visual prompts to reinforce phonetic knowledge. The reading notes provided within the book offer practical tips for parents and educators, including a comprehensive list of the sounds and words covered, ensuring a supportive reading experience for children as they embark on their literacy journey.