Why Johnny Can't Read: And What You Can Do about It

The classic bestseller on phonics—the method that can teach children to read in six weeks.

In 1955, Dr. Rudolf Flesch published Why Johnny Can't Read, a sharp criticism of the teaching methods being used in American schools. These methods, he argued, were failing children and lowering the nation's literacy rates compared to other countries. Dr. Flesch championed a return to phonics, a method that emphasizes learning letters and their sounds rather than memorizing whole words and recognizing them on sight.

Time magazine reported that the book would "shock many a US parent and educator"—and indeed, it did. The book remained a bestseller for thirty-seven weeks and fundamentally changed the way reading was taught.

Why This Book Matters Today:

• This method of teaching is now recommended by the U.S. Department of Education.
• Perfect for parents who want to teach their child to read, whether:
  • In a homeschooling setting
  • During the preschool years
  • As a supplement to classroom lessons

Why Johnny Can't Read includes complete materials and instructions to help parents effectively teach reading through phonics.