Writing Your Own Decodables with Brooke Vitale: Turning Research Into Engaging Stories
Have you ever wondered what it takes to write your own decodable books—or how to make them both phonics-aligned and fun to read? In this episode of the Route2Reading Podcast, Amie sits down with Brooke Vitale, former children’s book editor turned author and co-creator of Charge Mommy Books, to talk about how she began writing decodable texts during the pandemic and what she’s learned along the way.
Brooke shares her journey from working with top publishers like Penguin and Disney to creating her own line of decodable readers that blend phonics progression, story engagement, and authentic language. Together, Amie and Brooke unpack practical tips for teachers who want to fill gaps in their phonics sequence or even try writing their own decodables.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
How Brooke transitioned from traditional publishing to writing decodable texts
Why understanding your phonics scope and sequence is key before writing or selecting decodables
Tips for balancing decodability with story engagement
How to decide when to include elements like contractions, possessives, or multisyllabic words
The value of rereading decodable texts to build confidence and fluency
Why grammar and vocabulary choices matter when modeling language for young readers
A sneak peek into Brooke’s upcoming decodable chapter books and science-themed decodables
Key Quotes:
“Decodables aren’t just about teaching sounds—they’re modeling how language works.”
“Start with story. Once you know what you want to say, you can go back and make it decodable.”
“If students can read a decodable only once and never need it again, they were already beyond that stage.”
Connect with Brooke Vitale:
Resources Mentioned:
Upcoming Decodable Chapter Books (Launching Spring)
About the Route2Reading Podcast:
Hosted by literacy coach and author Amie Burkholder, the Route2Reading Podcast brings together research-based insights and practical classroom strategies to help K–2 teachers, coaches, and parents unlock the science of reading in real classrooms.
