ChitoLito - Russian Reading

ChitoLito helps children learn to read in Russian through short, simple books, playful illustrations, and gentle practice activities.

The app is designed for beginner readers, bilingual families, and children who are moving from letters to words and short phrases. Books are organized by difficulty level, so children can build confidence step by step.

This app was created for a very simple and personal reason.

When I was looking for decodable books in Russian for beginner readers, I discovered that there were almost none. Syllable-based reading is a method familiar to many, but it doesn’t work for every child and isn’t always motivating. Books where a child can independently read simple words and short phrases are surprisingly rare.

And it’s hard to fall in love with reading when there is simply nothing to read.

This app does not replace real children’s books or talented authors. It is a supplement — an attempt to fill a gap where materials are still limited.

The app is designed for children approximately 4–7 years old who are just beginning to read, moving from letters to words and learning to read short phrases independently.

Books are organized by difficulty level. The first levels begin with very short words. The texts are simple, repetitive, and predictable — so children can experience success and read on their own. The levels gradually become more challenging. New books are added as reading skills grow.

Important: this app does not replace an adult. It works best when used together with a parent — reading, discussing, and supporting the child. Without adult guidance, a child may simply flip through the pages, and while that is okay, the deeper meaning of reading can be lost. Shared reading makes the experience thoughtful and warm.

All characters in the app were invented by a child. They are slightly unusual — part animal, part fantasy — each with their own personalities, strengths, and challenges. Through them, children can more easily recognize themselves and their emotions.

At the end of each book, there is a short video inspired by the story and additional interactive elements to reinforce the material. All bonus features and videos can be turned off in the settings.

The app includes parental controls. Parents can enable or disable videos, bonus features, and additional elements. The idea is simple: maximum control for parents and a calm, focused experience for children.

I regularly add new books and materials. It is recommended to update the app periodically.