# Spy Sam Reading Book 1 — Big adventure in little words

> Early reader adventure book with dyslexia-friendly features. (iPhone/iPad app by Matthew Cordingly.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spy-sam-reading-book-1/id644904139 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Matthew Cordingly](https://appshunter.io/developer/1512754016)
- Category: Books, Education
- Price: Free
- Rating: 4.90/5 from 18 App Store ratings · 29 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 10.0 · 44 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2013-08-23
- Data updated: 2026-07-17
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spy-sam-reading-book-1/id644904139/reviews.md

## What is Spy Sam Reading Book 1?

Part 1 of an adventure story created for early readers with dyslexia or anyone who struggles with their reading. The book is written with simple vocabulary, a limited numbers of words per page and a blue background making it easier for readers with dyslexia.

"These books are a must-download now for anyone in education or with kids who need a little more support with reading." - Smart Apps For Kids

“This is a great adventure book that includes over 80 pages and simple vocabulary for children.” - appPicker

Recommended by Dyslexia Help - http://dyslexiahelp.umich.edu

* Books 1 & 2 have >90 pages each, book 3 has >150 pages! 
* Over 200,000 downloads of Spy Sam Reading Books! 

Follow us on twitter @SpySamReading for updates

Features:
- Over 90 pages
- Simple vocabulary, using many of the first 100 words taught in many primary schools (KS1). 
- No more than 8 words per page.
- Interactivity around the words, rather than the pictures, to concentrate the child's focus on reading.
- Interactive elements help with sounding out digraphs and split digraphs (eg 'oo' in 'look' and the 'e' in 'bike')
- Buttons and numbers to press to promote understanding.
- Blue background to improve readability for children with dyslexia.
- No swipe to turn page, to reduce accidental page turning and enable flip-book style changes to images on page.
- Simple colourful drawings.
- No page numbers - so the child is not put off by how many pages there is left to read.
- Please note, this app does not read out the words for the child. It has been designed to be read and enjoyed with an adult.
- Exciting storyline with multiple cliffhangers to motivate the child to continue reading. 
- No in-app purchases

## Key features

- Over 90 pages of story
- Simple vocabulary for early readers
- Max 8 words per page
- Interactive word elements
- Blue background for readability
- Flip-book style image changes

## Recent user reviews (10 of 29)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spy-sam-reading-book-1/id644904139/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Love these books!

*2022-05-10, version 4.0*

My 2nd grader normally struggles with reading but he loved reading these interactive books. In fact he even begged me to download Book 2 after he was finished with Book 1. Thank you for real releasing such a captivating book series!

### 5/5 — So great!

*2022-01-04, version 4.0*

What a huge help for my dyslexic son. He felt like this was the first bigger book that he ever read on his own, and it was so perfect for him. What an encouragement to us right when we needed it! He is So excited. Thanks for taking the time to develop these books.

### 5/5 — Perfect for Dyslexic readers

*2021-09-14, version 4.0*

My 9 year old son is loving Spy Sam. His dyslexia causes him to really struggle with reading, but he feels like most “readers” are too childish for him. He loves reading Spy Sam! He is very interested in the story which really motivates him to keep going. Thank you so much for this terrific resource!!!

### 5/5 — Well Done

*2019-12-17, version 3*

We have been searching for mystery/spy books for early readers. Well done, this one is exceptional. Slightly interactive fun. Mysterious graphics. Challenging words. My son is excited about the next one to be released. 
Please keep going and growing!
Regards, a six year old boys mother

### 5/5 — Enticing and achievable read!

*2019-04-03, version 3*

Great story that interests my boys with phonic decodable words and sight words. Thanks so much!

### 5/5 — Fantastic

*2018-11-14, version 3*

Great interactive reader to practice diagraphs!!!

### 5/5 — Bravo!

*2018-10-01, version 3*

Bravo to Mathew Cordingly for creating these wonderful books! I’m trying to help an 80-year old man learn to read and it’s delightful for both of us to have found Spy Sam. The vocabulary in these readers is simple and builds upon itself, the visual clues are helpful, the engagement involved in turning a page by reading a word then tapping the appropriate drawing is very satisfying, and the suspense built into the story is an immense motivator. 

And all for free? What an immense public service!

### 5/5 — Grateful

*2018-08-11, version 3*

Thank you for making this interesting and easy reader. This is the most reading my son has done. The story keeps him interested and the success keeps him motivated. This is a rare find-a wonderful’ free, ad-free app.

### 5/5 — Fab book❤️❤️❤️

*2017-09-21, version 3*

Both my kids have loved the gripping story!!!! Hope he does more of these books as it's the first time they really enjoy reading out loud!! Thanks!!!! ❤️❤️

### 5/5 — I never leave reviews!!

*2016-10-07, version 3*

I never leave reviews because I simply don't make time for it. But I absolutely had to leave one for spy sams! My struggling first grade reader has a ton of level one books. It's a fight getting him to read. These books are the only thing he loves reading and we fight to turn off the iPad and stop reading spy sam now. My biggest problem with these books is that I need more! Please come out with new ones.. just a perfect beginning reader book that is simple enough yet so fun for the kids to read. My son laughs and is so into the story lines. Bravo.. great job! Please keep them coming!!!

## Frequently asked questions about Spy Sam Reading Book 1

### What is Spy Sam Reading Book 1?

Spy Sam Reading Book 1 is the first part of an adventure story specifically designed for early readers, including those with dyslexia. It uses simple vocabulary, a limited number of words per page, and a blue background to make reading easier and more engaging.

### What are the key features of this app?

The app features over 90 pages with simple vocabulary, a maximum of 8 words per page, and interactive elements focused on words to help with sounding out sounds. It also includes a blue background for improved readability and a flip-book style for image changes.

### Is this app free to download?

Based on the information provided, this app is a paid application. There are no in-app purchases or advertisements mentioned, indicating a one-time purchase for the full content.

### Who is this app recommended for?

This app is highly recommended for early readers, especially children who have dyslexia or face challenges with reading. It is designed to be read and enjoyed with an adult, making it a great tool for shared reading experiences.

### Does the app read the words aloud?

No, this app is not designed to read the words out loud for the child. It has been created to be read and enjoyed with an adult, encouraging interaction and comprehension between the child and the reader.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 4.0 — 2020-12-10

Spy Sam Reading Book 1 has been completely rebuilt in Godot, the open source game engine, which has allowed the pages to be brought to life with little animations.

### 3 — 2015-06-10

This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon.

Now a universal app - read it on your iPhone, iPod or iPad! (requires iOS 7 or higher)
Story expanded with a few new pages at the start.
The sample to book 2 is still there, it now follows on at the end of book 1.

### 2.1 — 2014-09-17

Minor usability changes

### 2 — 2014-08-15

Icon changed
App updated to reflect release of book 3
Parental gates for links to App Store

### 1.95 — 2014-08-07

Image quality improved
Other minor improvements
Requires IOS 7
Links to App Store removed

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## More apps by Matthew Cordingly

- [Spy Sam Reading Book 2](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spy-sam-reading-book-2/id742044672)
- [Spy Sam Reading Book 3](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spy-sam-reading-book-3/id905452558)

All apps by Matthew Cordingly: https://appshunter.io/developer/1512754016

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-07-17.*