(2012) Monkey Plays is an energetic companion to Bear Hugs and Panda Kisses. One by one, monkeys add to the jungle fun–swinging from palm trees, hiding in an Indian market, and playing from sundown to sun-up! This playful Step 1 features a rhyming text with a bouncy rhythm and bright illustrations.
(2013) Join Dr. Seuss’ Cat in the Hat as he and Dr. Twiggles help Sally and Nick figure out why their tree won’t grow in this Step-Into-Reading book that’s perfect for springtime reading, and yes-even pancake breakfasts! A trip underground in the Thinga-ma-jigger is undertaken, and sure enough, the maple tree needs water (which Things One and Two procure in ridiculous overabundance) and sun (which the Cat suppliments with a Brighta-ma-lighter). But as for getting syrup from the young sapling? That will take some 40 years! Written specifically for children learing how to read with help, this Step into Reading book is based on an episode of the PBS Kids preschool science show The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! It is perfect for springtime reading, Earth and Arbor Day celebrations, and yes–even pancake breakfasts!
(2011) Punchy dialogue and compact sentences should make this a read-aloud delight.–Publishers Weekly Part-slapstick, part-fairy tale, the gently humorous plot has enough twists and turns to keep newly independent readers engaged.–School Library Journal Fred the dragon has a list of tasks he must complete in order to be a successful dragon–none of which comes naturally. But he’s determined to make #5–eat people–work. Before you can say pass the salt he’s gobbled up three people even though he doesn’t have the stomach for it. Luckily a local shepherd, with the help of a giant and a witch, knows how to cure what ails him and get those pesky people out of his belly. It’s happily-ever-after for everyone in ways you’d never expect. Geisel award-winning author/illustrator Geoffrey Hayes is a stepped reader maestro. The common threads between his wildly popular Uncle Tooth and Otto SIRs and the more recent Benny and Penny series (Toon Books) are clear and constant. The art is adorable, the characters are bursting with personality, and the stories are humorously subversive. From marauding pirates to misbehaving mice to a dragon who swallows people whole (and then continues to communicate with them in his belly!), Geoffrey always hits that sweet spot for the stepped reader audience–easy to decode, illustrative tales that tickle the funnybone.
(2010) Paddywack is a petite nine hands high, and every pony inch is packed full of spunk. It hasn’t been easy, but he now has his rider, Jane, well trained. He’ll trot. He’ll canter. He’ll jump the jumps. He’s a perfect pony . . . when she gives him treats. But on the day of the big horse show, Jane is so nervous she forgets his treats. Will Paddywack dig in his hooves? Or can he rise to the occasion? This sweet story is sure to capture young horse-lovers’ hearts.
(1993) In a perceptive tale of friendship and sports, this multicultural early reader shows how Sam’s visiting Mexican cousin overcomes the language barrier by teaching soccer to his new friends
(2014) Leo Lionni’s Caldecott Honor-winning story about the magic of friendship is now available as a Step 3 Step into Reading book–perfect for children who are ready to read on their own. Everyone loves Willy the wind-up mouse, while Alexander the real mouse is chased away with brooms and mousetraps. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be loved and cuddled? thinks Alexander, who wishes he could be a wind-up mouse, too. Lionni’s enduringly popular story makes a winning addition to the Step into Reading line, letting young children enjoy this classic all by themselves.
(2015) The sequel to the bestselling Sleepy Dog! In this Step 1 Step into Reading Reader, Sleepy Dog does not want to wake up! The sun is up, the cat is up–wake up, Sleepy Dog! Every sleepy child will laugh with Sleepy Dog as he shakes off his snooziness and finally gets out of bed, all ready to play. Fans of the original Sleepy Dog will be excited to join in Sleepy Dog’s fun morning. Step 1 Readers feature big type and easy words for children who know the alphabet and are eager to begin reading. Rhyme and rhythmic text paired with picture clues help children decode the story.
(2015) The Poky Little Puppy stars in his first Step into Reading book! This Step 1 Step into Reading title has been adapted from the original Little Golden Book story The Poky Little Puppy for children just learning to read. Freshly illustrated in the style of the original book, this simple, sweet story about a familiar puppy and his roly-poly, tumble-bumble adventures will inspire confidence in the newest readers. Step 1 Readers feature big type and easy words for children who know the alphabet and are eager to begin reading. Rhyme and rhythmic text paired with picture clues help children decode the story.
(2012) Look out for the Lorax! Dr. Seuss’s lovable grump makes his Step into Reading debut in this wonderland adventure through hills of green where the Truffula trees sway. Through easy words and simple sentences, the youngest readers will discover the Lorax’s paradise, from singing Swomee-Swans to playful Bar-ba-loots.
(2019) From bestselling author duo Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff comes the exciting finale in the trilogy that broke the mold and has been called stylistically mesmerizing and out-of-this-world-awesome. Kady, Ezra, Hanna, and Nik narrowly escaped with their lives from the attacks on Heimdall station and now find themselves crammed with 2,000 refugees on the container ship, Mao. With the jump station destroyed and their resources scarce, the only option is to return to Kerenza–but who knows what they’ll find seven months after the invasion? Meanwhile, Kady’s cousin, Asha, survived the initial BeiTech assault and has joined Kerenza’s ragtag underground resistance. When Rhys–an old flame from Asha’s past–reappears on Kerenza, the two find themselves on opposite sides of the conflict. With time running out, a final battle will be waged on land and in space, heros will fall, and hearts will be broken. A KIRKUS REVIEWS BEST BOOK OF 2018
