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Two homeschool reading and phonics programs, compared on what actually decides the fit: how your child reads now, how much you'll teach, and how each one is delivered.
Updated September 2026 · based on parent reviews and publisher information
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Compare for my child| Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons | All About Reading | |
|---|---|---|
| Grades | PreK–2 | PreK–4 |
| Approach | Scripted, systematic (DISTAR) | Orton-Gillingham, mastery |
| Who teaches | The parent teaches from a scripted guide | The parent teaches from a scripted guide |
| Parent prep | Very low (fully scripted) | Low (fully scripted) |
| Screen time | Mostly offline (books and paper) | Mostly offline (books and paper) |
| Faith | No religious content | No religious content |
| Cost | Typically under $30 for the one reusable book at major booksellers | $159.95 per level (Levels 1–4); Pre-Reading level $119.95. Letter tiles $25.95 one-time, reusable into All About Spelling |
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| Common complaints |
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Parents value how cheap and simple this is: one book, 20 minutes a day, no planning. Kids often start reading real books before finishing all 100 lessons. The scripting is rigid, so parents who want to adapt lessons on the fly find it confining, and it doesn't offer much beyond the first hurdle of learning to read.
Parents consistently point to the Orton-Gillingham method and full scripting as reasons a struggling or anxious reader finally clicks with this program. The trade-off shows up just as often: it asks for real one-on-one time every day, and the upfront cost for a full set of levels adds up.
Neither is better for every child. Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons is the stronger fit for some families. All About Reading is the stronger fit for reading but struggling; yes, diagnosed; suspect, not diagnosed.
Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons: Typically under $30 for the one reusable book at major booksellers. All About Reading: $159.95 per level (Levels 1–4); Pre-Reading level $119.95. Letter tiles $25.95 one-time, reusable into All About Spelling.
Summaries are in our own words.