An augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) system and methods therefore are provided for assisting in learning to read. The system stores book data capturing the sequence of a book and dictionary which is used by a display controller for displaying symbols on an AAC reading user interface. This enables set of symbols to be displayed for each word which include a symbols having a contextually appropriate meaning for the current word being read within a displayed group of symbols. A reader conveys their understanding of the word by selecting the correct symbol. Selecting a symbol triggers audio output of the word associated with the symbol.