From Publishers Weekly
Three series aimed at beginning readers will gear children up for fall. The Now I'm Reading! series offers two titles by Nora Gaydos, illus. by B.B. Sams, focusing on phonics, each in a brightly colored corrugated binder with a magnetic closure. Animal Antics covers short-vowel sounds for "level one" readers; Amazing Animals highlights long-vowel sounds for "level two" readers. A Parent Guide bound into the left side of the binder offers tips and includes 40 stickers for rewarding successful readers; on the right, 10 numbered 12-page stories fit into transparent sleeves. Each story concludes with a set of questions for "After You Read" plus the skills taught in the tale. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Humorous stories combined with zany illustrations will delight children while they learn to read. The cool CD-case-like package includes a magnetic closure and holds ten removable storybooks plus a Parent Guide! The simple, repetitive text of each story builds page by page to reinforce a child's reading ability. Written by a K-3 educator, these books provide the appropriate sequence of phonetic sounds and whole-language skills necessary for the beginning reader. One or more of the 40 incentive stickers provided can be placed in each storybook as children master reading them. Enhancement activities are located at the back of each book to extend the learning and to build other language skills.

Take the Now I'm Reading! (tm) series to the next level. In this second collection for beginning readers, long-vowel sounds are introduced and short-vowel sounds and sight words are reinforced. Ten books, two for each long-vowel sound, are included for children to practice reading over and over again as they become confident in their abilities. Stories include an ape on a date, a floating goat, a mule making music, and more.

Each package includes: [these can be set next to leaders that point to the photo of the package]

* CD-case-like package with magnetic closure

* 10 removable storybooks (12 pages each)

* Removable Parent Guide

* Sheet of 40 incentive stickers

* Glossary of terms

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly