This Step 2 Phonics Reader uses rhyme and visual clues to illustrate the important concept of the silent e--personified here in the main character. Illustrations. nResearch shows that early instruction in phonics is the first step to reading success. Well, here e comes This Step 2 Phonics Reader uses rhyme and visual clues to illustrate the important concept of the silent e--personified here in our main character nAnna Jane Hays is a former editorial director and child development specialist for The Childrens Television Workshop. She lives in Santa Fe, NM.