I also knew how to read when I went into the 1st grade. I was 9 years and about 9 months, at that time you didn’t have to be 6 to start school. I learned to read by asking my mother how to pronounce words I would see in the news papers. I knew what the meant when I heard her say the words, such as the, wind, sky, etc. After a time I could read the paper by myself with out her help(except for really large words). She didn’t think it was remarkable. I believe I could read just before age 5. I was going to the library and checking out books(I really got into science fiction)by the age of 5. Jane and Dick bored the heck out of me. See, see, see. See Jane run. See Dick throw the ball, see spot catch the ball. Didn’t win me any awards with the teacher by bad mouthing the book!
The reason why the book had such a limited number of words, is because it was designed for the "look/say" or "whole word" method of reading instruction. The method is appropriate for pictographic languages like Chinese, but not phonetical languages like English.
The method was known to be counterproductive in teaching children to read English, but that is why John Dewey promoted it. He wanted to diminish children's ability to read, and interest in reading.
Dewey wanted to prevent individual learning. Rather, he wanted children to work together, guessing at the meaning of words. Dewey was a socialist who signed the first Humanist Manifesto.
Crap!Correction to my #33 post. I was FIVE years and 9 months, not 9 years, when I started 1st grade.