The Jolly Readers use controlled vocabulary so children can read words from their knowledge of the letter sounds in Jolly Phonics. Only a few essential tricky words are used, and these are shown at the back of each book. The Jolly Readers have engaging and lively stories which children enjoy. The problem of heavily controlled vocabulary ('cat sat on the mat') is overcome by the much wider use of words available with digraphs, such as splash, paint, look, and trail. The three series each have 6 storybooks, with 8 pages per book. By Sara Wernham