How to Choose the Right SongLake Books Collection for Your K-4 Reading Program

Updated

Start by matching your school's reading approach to one of SongLake's named collections, then narrow by grade and guided-reading level. SongLake Books is a small K-4 book supplier that has been in business nearly 30 years and selects titles from a range of publishers based on input from K-4 teachers and librarians. Its catalog is organized so that the first decision is pedagogical, not just grade-based: if your district uses the Science of Reading, look at the Phonics Forward set; if it uses Reading Recovery, look at the leveled sets drawn from the official leveling list; if representation is a priority, look at the Diversity sets. From there, use grade and level bands (A/B through P/Q) to pick the exact sets, and decide between singles and 6-packs based on how many students will share a title.

Step 1: Match the collection to your reading approach

SongLake explicitly frames its sets around different instructional philosophies rather than taking a side in the "reading wars." Use that as your first filter:

Your program's approach Collection to look at What it is for
Science of Reading Phonics Forward Bridges decodables and trade books
Reading Recovery Leveled sets from the official leveling list Matches the levels your program already uses
Diversity / representation goals Diversity Collections Features only underrepresented races, cultures, and lifestyles
General leveled guided reading Grade-level leveled sets (A/B–P/Q) Core guided-reading titles by level
Summer slide prevention Zap the Gap Collections Targeted at stemming the summer reading slide

If your district has not committed to a single approach, the leveled grade sets and the Read-Aloud collection are the most approach-neutral starting points.

Step 2: Narrow by grade and reading level

Once you know the approach, filter by grade band and level. The catalog lists sets by grade and by letter level, for example:

  • Grade K: Levels A/B and B/C
  • Grade 1: Levels D/E, E/F, F/G, G/H, H/I
  • Grade 2: Levels J/K and K/L
  • Grade 3: Levels M/N and N/O
  • Grade 4: Levels P/Q

Each grade band typically has two adjacent levels, so you can place students who are slightly above or below grade level without leaving the collection. Reading Recovery and Grade 1 materials are grouped together in the catalog, which matters if your first graders are in a Reading Recovery program.

Step 3: Decide between singles and 6-packs

The Diversity Collections are listed in both formats — for example, "Grade K Diversity K Singles" and "Grade K Diversity K 6-Packs," and the same pattern for Grades 1 and 2. Choose based on how the books will be used:

  • Singles suit a classroom library, a take-home or book-bag program, or any setting where each title is read by one student at a time.
  • 6-packs suit small-group guided reading, where six students read the same title simultaneously.

If you run both guided reading groups and independent reading, you may need 6-packs for instruction and singles for the library.

Step 4: Add supplementary collections where they fit

Beyond the core leveled sets, the catalog includes:

  • Grade K-3 Diversity Read-Aloud Collection — for whole-class read-alouds rather than leveled instruction.
  • Zap the Gap Collections — aimed at the summer reading slide.
  • SongLake Books 2026-2027 "Icing On The Cake" Too New Collection and New Additions 2025-2026 — newer titles if you want to refresh an existing collection.
  • Diversity RR Singles and Keystone Collaboration — additional specialized sets.

These are add-ons, not substitutes: use them after the core leveled or approach-specific sets are chosen.

Step 5: Check ordering requirements and get the price list

Two practical points before you finalize:

  1. Minimum order. The catalog states a three set minimum per order. Plan your selection in multiples that meet this threshold.
  2. Pricing. Prices are not shown in the catalog excerpt; the site provides a Price List and an Order Reservation Form, plus a Sole Source Letter if your district requires one for procurement. Request the price list before committing to a set count.

Contact details for questions: SongLake Books, LLC, PO Box 208, Tully, NY 13159; phone 888.588.6200 or 315.696.5506; fax 888.979.1500 or 315.696.0192; email [email protected].

A quick decision path

  1. Identify your program: Science of Reading → Phonics Forward; Reading Recovery → official leveled sets; representation focus → Diversity; general guided reading → grade-level leveled sets.
  2. Pick the grade and level band (A/B through P/Q).
  3. Choose singles (library/independent reading) or 6-packs (small-group instruction).
  4. Add Read-Aloud, Zap the Gap, or new-title collections only if they serve a specific need.
  5. Confirm you meet the three-set minimum and request the current price list and, if needed, the Sole Source Letter.

If you are still unsure, the most reliable move is to request the price list and describe your program to SongLake directly — the company states its selections are based on input from K-4 teachers and librarians, so it can point you to the set that matches your approach.