With the current reading crisis in South Africa reaching critical proportions (Council on Higher Education Report, 2013) the importance of teaching reading cannot be underestimated. As phonics forms the basis of successful, accurate, and fluent reading, this skills is integral in laying the foundation for learners to become successful interrogators of the language. Kirkbys books serves as a detailed and thorough primer on the basics of teaching phonics, supplying teachers with critical definitions, skills, and exercises which are suitable for the classroom. Any teacher finding him- or herself in a foundation or intermediate classroom will benefit from studying and applying the techniques described. I highly recommend this book for both English Home and additional language teachers who wish to enhance their teaching of phonics and their learners reading and comprehension skills. - Hanta Henning BA Hons (Eng Ling) NWU