9Cat in the Learn About Animals series uses a phonics curriculum based approach to get children comfortable with reading. This decodable book introduces short a sounds and uses a combination of sight words and short-vowel words in repetition to build recognition and confidence. Bold, colorful animal photographs help guide readers through the text. Text and format is created by Cecilia Minden, PhD, a literacy consultant and former director of the Language and Literacy program at Harvard Graduate School of Education.