All About Reading vs Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons
Premium Orton-Gillingham program vs budget classic. Both teach kids to read—but they couldn't be more different.
📑 In This Comparison
⚡ Quick Verdict
🏆 Choose All About Reading If...
Your child has dyslexia or reading challenges, you want engaging games and activities, or you're willing to invest in a thorough Orton-Gillingham program. Best-in-class for struggling readers.
🏆 Choose 100 Easy Lessons If...
You're on a tight budget, have a neurotypical child with no reading difficulties, and want a simple book you can do on the couch. Proven effective for 40+ years.
📊 Side-by-Side Comparison
| Factor | All About Reading (AAR) | 100 Easy Lessons |
|---|---|---|
| Method | Orton-Gillingham (multisensory) | DISTAR (Direct Instruction) |
| Price | $170-$200 per level | $20-$25 one book |
| Age Range | 4-12+ (4 levels) | 4-6 (preschool/K) |
| Dyslexia/Special Needs | 10/10 - Designed for it | 5/10 - Not recommended |
| Engagement | 10/10 - Games, activities, readers | 5/10 - Repetitive, can be boring |
| Ease of Use | 10/10 - Fully scripted, open-and-go | 7/10 - Simple but tedious |
| Time Per Lesson | 20-30 minutes | 15-20 minutes |
| Materials Included | Teacher manual, letter tiles, games, readers, flashcards | One book (that's it) |
| Long-term Coverage | Takes through 4th grade reading level | Only teaches basic decoding |
🔍 Detailed Breakdown
1. The Teaching Method
All About Reading uses Orton-Gillingham methodology—the gold standard for teaching struggling readers and those with dyslexia. It's multisensory (see it, hear it, touch it, move it), systematic, and explicit. Every phonics rule is taught directly with no guessing.
100 Easy Lessons uses DISTAR (Direct Instruction), developed by Siegfried Engelmann in the 1960s. It's scripted, fast-paced, and uses a special orthography (modified alphabet) in early lessons. Very effective for neurotypical learners, but the modified letters can confuse some kids.
💡 Key Difference: AAR teaches kids WHY English works the way it does (phonics rules). 100 Easy Lessons just teaches them to decode through drilling. Both work, but AAR builds deeper understanding.
2. What a Lesson Looks Like
AAR Lesson: Review flashcards → New phonics concept with letter tiles → Word building game → Read from controlled reader → Fun activity or fluency practice. Uses magnetic tiles, card games, and colorful materials.
100 Easy Lessons: Parent reads script verbatim → Child responds → Immediate correction if wrong → Read sounds, words, then story → Brief comprehension questions. Uses just the book and your finger to track.
AAR feels like play. 100 Easy Lessons feels like... lessons. Some kids don't mind the drill; others resist it fiercely.
3. The Struggle Factor
If your child struggles with reading: All About Reading is explicitly designed for this. The multisensory approach helps information stick. Many parents report it "finally" worked after other programs failed. It's used by dyslexia tutors and reading specialists.
100 Easy Lessons is NOT recommended for: Dyslexia, ADHD, visual processing issues, or kids who've already developed bad reading habits. The method is less forgiving and can create frustration and tears.
⚠️ Real Talk: Many families START with 100 Easy Lessons (because it's cheap), hit a wall, then switch to AAR. If you suspect any learning differences, skip 100 Lessons and go straight to AAR. You'll save money and heartache in the long run.
4. What Parents Say
AAR fans: "My dyslexic son is finally reading confidently." "The games make it actually fun—my kids ASK to do reading." "Worth every penny for the peace of mind." "I wish I'd started with this instead of wasting money on 3 other programs."
100 Easy Lessons fans: "Taught all 5 of my kids to read with this one $20 book." "Fast, effective, no prep." "Done by lesson 60 and my kid was reading chapter books." "Not fancy but it works."
100 Easy Lessons complaints: "My child hated it and we quit." "The weird letters confused him." "Felt like pulling teeth every lesson." "Works for some kids, torture for others."
Sources: Well-Trained Mind Forums · Cathy Duffy Reviews
5. After They Finish
After AAR: Kids are solid readers through 4th-5th grade level. Most transition smoothly to independent reading and don't need another reading program. Fluency and comprehension are strong.
After 100 Easy Lessons: Kids can decode but may need a bridge program for fluency. Many families follow up with "Pathway Readers" or just practice with easy chapter books. Comprehension instruction is minimal.
6. The Investment Question
Is AAR worth 8-10x the price? For struggling readers: absolutely yes. For kids who would learn to read with anything? The value is in the experience—it's fun, engaging, and builds confidence. But 100 Easy Lessons will also work.
Many families use 100 Easy Lessons for their "easy" readers and AAR for their strugglers. That's a perfectly valid approach.
🎯 Best For Scenarios
✅ Choose All About Reading For:
- Dyslexic or struggling readers
- Kids with ADHD or focus issues
- Visual or kinesthetic learners
- Children who've failed other programs
- Families who value games and engagement
- Parents who want zero guesswork
- Kids who need confidence boosting
- Long-term investment (reusable)
✅ Choose 100 Easy Lessons For:
- Neurotypical kids with no reading issues
- Tight budgets (under $25)
- Kids who tolerate repetition well
- Parents who want minimal prep
- Testing the waters before investing more
- Kids who already show reading interest
- Second/third children (you know they're "easy")
- No-frills, just-get-it-done families
💰 Price Comparison
All About Reading
100 Easy Lessons
Total program cost: AAR = ~$700 for all 4 levels. 100 Easy Lessons = $20-$25 total.
📌 Our Final Recommendation
If cost is no object or your child struggles: All About Reading. It's the best reading curriculum we've reviewed, period.
If you're on a budget with an eager, neurotypical learner: 100 Easy Lessons will absolutely work. Millions of kids have learned to read with it.
The worst thing you can do is force a struggling child through 100 Easy Lessons to "save money." You'll end up buying AAR anyway—plus paying for the frustration and reading aversion you created.
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Related Reading Resources
Still exploring reading options?
- Browse All Reading Curricula
- Logic of English Review (another Orton-Gillingham option)
- The Good and the Beautiful Language Arts (free option)
- Take Our Curriculum Quiz