DK Super Phonics My First Decodable Stories Pet Shop Panda

Help your child take their first steps into the world of phonics with Pet Shop Panda, the perfect phonic books for beginner readers.

Specially developed by experts to introduce young children to phonics and support their first steps in learning to read, this series is ideal for beginner readers. Children will love joining Ben the Panda in this series as he helps look after the animals at his Grandpa’s pet shop.

Eight delightful books introduce the sounds of the alphabet in small stages, allowing independent reading from the outset. Each book contains a word list for blending practice and a game to enjoy together!

Pet Shop Panda covers the following essential first sounds:

Book 1: s, a, t, i, m
Book 2: n, o, p
Book 3: b, c, g, h
Book 4: d, e, f, v
Book 5: k, l, r, u
Book 6: j, w, z
Book 7: x, y, ff, ll, ss, zz
Book 8: CVC (consonant-vowel-consonant words)

A Parents’ Guide to Pet Shop Panda with advice and activity ideas is also included. Give your child a head start in the world of reading and phonics.

This beginner reader series offers:

- A pack of 8 decodable books that each contain a story that covers different sounds of the alphabet
- Reading material aimed at children aged 4-6
- CVC words (consonant-vowel-consonant). An example of this is sat, s-a-t
- A Parents’ Guide to Pet Shop Panda is also included, with advice and activity ideas

What is phonics?

Phonics is a way of teaching children to read by understanding the sounds that letters make and blending them to make a word. Children can learn to read using this skill to decode new words.

More in the series

This series of beginning reader books by DK Super Phonics is a friendly and accessible introduction to learning to read. If you’re looking for more beginner reader books, why not try DK Super Phonics My First Decodable Stories Haircut Hippos, which provides further practice of these essential first sounds of the alphabet.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs