I love this book so much that when I loaned mine out I bought another......now I do not ever let anyone have it! One copy for me, and one copy for my aide! You do not need this book to do the activities, but it is well organized and makes it so you do not have to come up with words and drills on your own. We spend five to ten minutes in this book daily and the benefits ore amazing! I teach kindergarten and recommend it to everyone I mentor!