Update: Exciting news! All About Learning Press has released a brand new ALL-COLOR edition of all 4 levels of All About Reading! A review of Level 4 is RIGHT HERE. Trust me- it’s GORGEOUS. I never thought the lack of color was much of an issue until I received the color edition!

When I first began homeschooling, the responsibility that intimidated me more than any other was teaching my own children to read. I’ve always been an avid reader, and I desperately wanted to instill that same love of books in my kids. What I quickly realized, however, was that my passion for reading did not automatically qualify me to teach someone else how to read. Loving books and teaching reading are two very different things.

With no background in early literacy instruction, I knew I needed a program that could walk both me and my children through the process step by step. We tried several programs in the beginning, but they either bored my daughter to tears with endless drill-and-kill worksheets or pushed forward so quickly that she felt overwhelmed, while I was left lost and scrambling without a clear plan.

That discouraging season eventually led me to All About Reading (AAR). I had read glowing reviews about this program for years, but I wasn’t sure if it was worth the expense. To be honest, I have a tendency to dismiss “popular” options, assuming that the crowd must be missing some hidden gem. But after watching my daughter stall in her progress—and feeling my own inconsistency and inexperience weighing heavily on me (cue the mom guilt)—I realized it was time to take a closer look.

And I’m so glad I did.

Discovering All About Reading

In my search for a fresh start, I kept circling back to AAR. There’s a reason it’s so widely recommended. Eventually, I gave in and ordered the program. After just a few lessons, I knew we had struck gold.

Why did I wait so long to try this? That first week of lessons gave me something I had been desperately missing: confidence. Suddenly, I wasn’t fumbling my way through guessing games or searching Pinterest for activities at the last minute. Everything I needed was right there in the guide, laid out in a way that was simple, effective, and—most importantly—enjoyable for my child.

It was one of those rare curriculum moments where I knew: This is it. This is the program I will use with all of my children from here on out.

What We Love About AAR

There’s a lot to love about All About Reading. Here are a few highlights from our experience:

Multi-Sensory Lessons

Every lesson incorporates visual, auditory, and kinesthetic elements. There are flashcards, activity sheets, letter tiles, and games woven into the instruction. This isn’t just fun for different learning styles—it’s also crucial for children with dyslexia or other learning differences. (See Erin’s note at the end for more on this.) There are tons of blogs that give more detail about the research behind using AAR. One of my favorites is this one from This Reading Mama.

Readers That Truly Match the Level

One of my biggest frustrations with early readers from the library or big-box stores is that they rarely align with what a child has actually learned. Nothing crushes confidence faster than a so-called “Level 1” reader that throws in a word like Pinkalicious when your child is still mastering CVC words like cat.

The AAR readers, on the other hand, are truly decodable. They progress in lockstep with the lessons, so the child only encounters words they are ready to decode. The stories themselves are engaging and beautifully illustrated, which makes the process feel rewarding rather than discouraging.

Scripted, Open-and-Go Lessons

Another lifesaver? The lessons are fully scripted. I don’t have to spend hours preparing, and I certainly don’t have to rely on Pinterest to patch together activities. I can skim through the script the night before, and the next day we are ready to sit down and go. As a homeschool mom of four, that level of prep-simplicity is priceless.

Incredible Customer Service

This deserves its own category. Truly, All About Learning Press (the publisher of AAR) may have the best customer service on the planet. I’ve called them multiple times with questions, and each time I’ve spoken with a real human who actually knows the material inside and out. They are encouraging, empathetic, and practical. Their website is also a goldmine of articles addressing common reading struggles.

Where AAR Falls Short

Of course, no program is perfect. Here are the main drawbacks we’ve encountered:

Price

The elephant in the room is cost. Each level runs $134.95 (for the new Color Edition), plus a one-time purchase of at least $21.85 for the interactive kit. Compared to other programs, it’s definitely on the higher end.

But here’s why I think it’s worth it: everything you need is included. I don’t have to waste time hunting down matching readers, printing off practice sheets, or piecing together phonics games. And their one-year, 100% money-back guarantee means you can use it risk-free.

Teacher-Intensive

If you’re looking for something independent, this isn’t it. Every lesson requires you to sit with your child and work through the material together. For some families, that’s a dealbreaker. For us, it’s been a gift—the daily one-on-one time has actually strengthened our relationship. But if your child thrives on independence, you may find AAR too hands-on.

Lots of Components

Between the flashcards, letter tiles, readers, and activity sheets, there’s a lot to keep track of. Without a solid organizational system, it can feel chaotic. Thankfully, AAR offers helpful tips for streamlining materials, and once you get into a rhythm it becomes second nature.

Lengthy Lessons

Some stories and lessons are quite long. My kids love putting a sticker on their progress chart, but they don’t love when it takes two or three days to get there. Our solution has been to set a timer for 20 minutes and call it a day. That way the work stays manageable, and there are fewer meltdowns.

Cost Breakdown

Levels 1–4: $134.95 each (new Color Edition). Includes Teacher’s Manual, Student Packet, and three readers.
Reading Interactive Kit: Used across all levels.

Basic Kit: $21.85 (letter tiles, magnets, app, divider cards).
Deluxe Kit: $43.85 (everything in Basic plus a review box and tote bag).

You can browse the full product line at All About Learning Press.

Final Thoughts

Of all the benefits of using All About Reading, the biggest for me has been confidence. I no longer feel intimidated by the thought of teaching my children to read. Instead, I feel equipped and empowered.

I’ve now used the Pre-Reading level and Levels 1–3 with my younger children. With each child, I can see my teaching ability improving, and they are thriving because of it. For us, AAR has become a non-negotiable in our homeschool.

If you’re searching for a reading program that is thorough, research-based, and genuinely enjoyable, I can’t recommend All About Reading highly enough.

A Note from Erin on Dyslexia

Hi friends! I wanted to tag a quick note onto Hayley’s excellent review from the perspective of a mom teaching a child with profound dyslexia. We bounced from program to program before discovering AAR. Many were not Orton-Gillingham based, which is essential, and some programs dragged lessons out for weeks instead of days. Others lacked any kinesthetic component, leaving me to invent activities from scratch.

With AAR, everything clicked. The structured, multi-sensory lessons and clear pacing finally gave my daughter the tools she needed. She is now reading on grade level independently—a milestone I once thought we’d never reach. Without hesitation, I will use AAR with both of my boys as well.

This post written by Hayley! Learn more about her here!