Teach Your Monster to Read – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Teach Your Monster to Read

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

app2022

88%

WISE Score

4.5

App Store

A charity-built phonics app that actually works, wrapping reading practice in a gentle monster adventure with 70+ free books included.

Teach Your Monster to Read

app

Everyone, 2022

88%

WISE Score

4.5

App Store

A charity-built phonics app that actually works, wrapping reading practice in a gentle monster adventure with 70+ free books included.

Jump to

Also rated on

Where to Find

App Store

Google Play

Screenwise Verdict

This is what educational apps should be: built by a charity, designed with university experts, no monetization nonsense, and actually effective at teaching reading. The 'Teach Your Monster' series has won awards for a reason.

The monster customization and village quests make phonics practice feel like a game rather than a chore, and the 70+ free books from real children's publishers (Usborne, Okido) mean kids can transition from learning to read to reading for pleasure within the same app.

Parent reviews are overwhelmingly positive, with multiple reports of kids going from non-readers to confident readers after consistent use. The 30-minutes-daily routine seems to be the sweet spot.

The main limitation is age range—this is absolutely a 3-6 year old app. Once kids are reading independently, they'll need to graduate to chapter books and other content. But for that early literacy phase? This is one of the best tools available, and it's free from a charity. Hard to beat that.

Age Fit

Designed specifically for ages 3-6 learning to read, covering preschool through early primary school phonics. Kids who already read chapter books independently will have outgrown it, but it's perfect for that crucial early literacy window when reading clicks.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Created by a UK charity with educational experts from Roehampton University, the app features friendly monster characters and a cooperative village community. The tone is encouraging and positive, focused on helping villagers and stopping a 'book-eating goblin' through reading rather than violence. Parent reviews consistently praise its gentle, supportive approach to literacy without pressure or stress.

Imaginative

Kids customize their own monster character and explore a magical village with various reading-based quests and activities. The game offers choice in what to explore and when, with 70+ free ebooks from publishers like Usborne. However, the core gameplay is structured around phonics practice and reading exercises rather than truly open-ended creative expression. The imaginative elements serve the educational goals rather than the other way around.

Safe

As a charity-created educational app with kids mode available, it's designed specifically for young learners aged 3-6. No ads, no apparent aggressive monetization (70+ free ebooks included), and content is vetted by educational experts. Common Sense Media reviews note some backstory may be distracting but no safety concerns are flagged. The app comes from The Usborne Foundation, a reputable non-profit children's publisher.

Enriching

Built on research-backed pedagogy of 'reading for pleasure' developed with university experts. Covers foundational phonics for ages 3-6, teaches reading for different purposes (recipes, signposts, instructions, stories), and includes 70+ quality children's books. Parent reviews report significant improvements in reading confidence and skills. The app explicitly aims to develop empathy through character perspectives and broader world understanding. However, Common Sense Media notes limited variety in game mechanics.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Created by a UK charity with university reading experts—this is legit educational design, not edutainment slop
Includes 70+ free children's books from quality publishers like Usborne, so you're getting a mini library with your phonics practice
Parent reviews consistently report real reading progress, with kids asking to play daily for 30 minutes
No ads, no aggressive monetization, no dark patterns—just straightforward literacy learning
Covers the full spectrum of early reading: phonics, sight words, reading for different purposes (recipes, instructions, stories)

⚠

What to Watch For

Best suited for the 3-6 age range learning foundational reading—older kids who already read fluently will find it too basic
Some kids find the village backstory and quests engaging; others just want to get to the reading practice (know your kid)
Limited variety in game mechanics means it can feel repetitive for kids who need constant novelty
Works best as a daily 20-30 minute routine rather than an all-day entertainment option

Conversation Starters

"What kind of monster did you create? What makes them special?"
"Which book did you read today in the village library? What was your favorite part?"
"How did you help the villagers today? What did they need you to read?"
"Tell me about the book-eating goblin. How are you stopping them from eating all the books?"

Ask Anything

Get a personalized guide on any topic