For beginning readers, with a grown-up
Help your child
learn to read.
Explore letters, practice first words and enjoy stories together. A growing digital library with reading games and printable activities.
$49 today for one year of Premium + five printed books
U.S. shipping included with your first Premium membership. Renews at $49/year, without another book set.
Florida PEP families: reimbursement may be available. See detailsHide details
Your student's portion of Premium may qualify for reimbursement. Confirm eligibility with Step Up before purchasing.
Try it together
A story to watch. A letter to discover.
Watch The Amber Apple Tree, then try its activities right here. No account needed.
The Amber Apple Tree From The Littlest Letters
Try the reading activities
Choose a game. It opens right below.
The Amber Apple Tree
Trace A and a
Letter 1 of 2
Capital A
Stroke 1 of 3. Start at the top. Slant down to the left.
Start at the dot and follow the path. Lift your finger any time; start again at the dot.
Parent help and paper practice
Say the letter name together. Show one stroke at a time and let your child try. We use simple print letters; follow your school's letter style if it differs. Stop whenever your child has had enough.
Use Show me to watch the direction. Drawing is optional. Paper practice works with a keyboard too.
Keep practicing with the letter books. Printable story cards, Bingo boards and tracing sheets are included.
Start with The Amber Apple Tree and Sam and His Cat. No credit card needed.
Included with Premium
A growing kids' library to read, watch and explore.
Keep finding stories your child wants to come back to. Read all the letter books and ten Sam stories online, and explore more children's books across unQbd.
Step 1
Meet the Letters
You read the story aloud. Your child explores the letter, its sound and first blends.
17 letter stories, and growing
Step 2
First Reading with Sam
You read the longer passages. Your child reads the short lines with your help.
10 stories
- Read togetherLetter stories, Sam books and more children's stories.
- Watch and listenEnjoy story videos and books with read-along narration.
- Play and practiceExplore sounds, blend words and trace letters.
- Take it to paperPrint story cards, Sound Bingo and tracing sheets.
Plus five printed storybooks. Yours to keep.
Alongside your digital library, get these five paperback books by mail at no extra charge with your first year of Premium. Read them aloud together and keep practicing online.
A
The Amber Apple Tree
M
The Misty Mountain
S
The Sleepy Snake
T
Tilly and the Train Tracks
P
Papa Bear's Picnic
A year of digital Premium + five printed books
$49 today. Read all letter books and ten Sam stories online, with reading activities and printable downloads. The five paperbacks above are included at no extra charge, with U.S. shipping included.
For your first Premium membership through this offer. One set per account. Renews at $49/year; renewals do not include books.
- Join PremiumCreate your parent account and pay for your first year in one step, then add your U.S. shipping address.
- Start online right awayOpen Meet the Letters to read and practice while your printed books are on their way.
- Receive five printed booksYour paperback set arrives by mail, ready to read together and keep.
Good to know
Questions parents ask
What does Premium include for my family?
For $49 a year, your family gets all letter books and ten Sam stories online, plus reading activities and printables. You also get the wider unQbd library, including fiction, tech books, available audiobooks and animated shows.
Which five printed books come with Premium?
The Amber Apple Tree, The Misty Mountain, The Sleepy Snake, Tilly and the Train Tracks, and Papa Bear's Picnic come as paperbacks. One set per account is included with your first Premium year through this offer, with U.S. shipping included; renewals do not include books.
Is this right for my child?
These stories and activities suit preschool and early elementary children, from learning letters and sounds to blending first words. An adult reads aloud and helps with sounds and unfamiliar words; our parent guide shows you how.
Is this a complete reading curriculum?
No. These stories and activities support your teaching, but they are not a complete kindergarten curriculum. The stories are not strictly controlled decodable texts, so read them together with adult help.
What can we try for free?
Try Amber's story and six activities right here, with no account needed. Create a free account to read The Amber Apple Tree and Sam and His Cat online, plus Amber's printables, with no credit card required.
Do I need a printer?
No. You can read and play on screen, with optional printables for practice on paper.
Can I cancel anytime?
Yes. Turn off renewal anytime in your account, and Premium stays on until your paid year ends.
Can Florida PEP families request reimbursement?
Your student's portion of Premium may qualify for reimbursement. Confirm eligibility with Step Up before purchasing.
Keep learning together
Keep your child learning to read.
Bring the stories and activities you tried into your family's reading time.
- All letter books and ten Sam stories online
- More children's books, story videos and read-alongs
- Reading games and printable activities
- Books for you, too: fiction, audiobooks and tech books
- Five printed storybooks mailed to you, yours to keep
One year of digital Premium
$49 today
Plus five printed storybooks
U.S. shipping included
For your first Premium membership. Renews at $49/year; books included once.