In this episode of Literacy in Color, I'm joined by Brooke Vitale—veteran children’s book editor, author, and founder of Charge Mommy Books—to explore the art and science behind writing truly high-quality decodable books. With over 15+ years in publishing (including experience at Penguin and Disney!), Brooke brings a deep understanding of storytelling and language development to the world of structured literacy.

We talk about what makes a decodable book not only controlled and phonics-aligned—but also joyful, engaging, and instructionally meaningful. From story structure to word choice to illustration strategy, this conversation is packed with insight for anyone who creates or uses decodables in the classroom.

Key Takeaways:

• What makes a decodable high-quality beyond just phonics alignment
• The importance of story arc, character development, and humor in early readers
• Why illustrations matter—and how they can enhance comprehension without becoming guessing crutches
• How to navigate decodability expectations without sacrificing language integrity

Resources Mentioned:

• Shop Charge Mommy Books
• Charge Mommy Books on Amazon
• Charge Mommy Books via Booksource

Connect with Brooke Vitale:

• Website: https://brookevitale.com/
• Instagram: @chargemommybooks
• Facebook: Charge Mommy Books
• Charge Mommy Book’s Literacy Specialist, Marissa Ware on Instagram: @mwliteracy

• Follow me on Instagram: @michelle_thecolorfulclassroom
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• Visit: www.michelleandthecolorfulclassroom.com
• Join The COLORFUL Literacy Toolkit Membership