More good choices for rookies are available in the All-Aboard Reading "picture readers" from Grosset & Dunlap. These books look like first readers, but also contain rebuses in the text along with flash cards at the end. I like Picky Nicky by Cathy East Dubowski and Mark Dubowski (ages 3-5, $3.95, 0448412950) about a girl who eats nothing but spaghetti.
Another excellent starting-to-read choice is I See a Sign, written and illustrated by Lars Klove (Aladdin, $3.99, ages 5-8, 0689807996). It's filled with photographs of signs -- a stop sign, a pizza shop sign, a bike crossing sign -- so there are plenty of picture signals to help lead the way through the simple text.
HarperCollins' I Can Read books have long been a standard bearer in the field. They're now available in hardcover for lots of use. Despite fairly simple text, here are quite memorable characters and stories. If, for example, you've yet to meet Syd Hoff's Danny and the Dinosaur, make the acquaintance as soon as possible. The latest installment is Danny and the Dinosaur Go to Camp (preschool-grade 2, $14.95, 0060264403), with the Dinosaur trying his best to be a happy camper.
I've just met more fabulous friends in two more I Can Read books. The first is Newt, a Hero Salamander created by Matt Novak (ages 4-8, $14.95, 0060245018). The book contains three very short stories, "Flower," "Bug," and "Moon," so kids will feel like they're reading a chapter book. These reassuring tales are laced with humor and good writing. Here, for example, is Newt's idea of a perfect day: "Swamp slime glittered in the brilliant sunlight, and mud squished between his toes."
Three more short tales can be found in Detective Dinosaur, by James Skofield and illustrated by R. W. Alley ($14.95, ages K-3, 0060249080). In a trio of humorous cases, Detective Dinosaur teams up with his sidekick, Officer Pterodactyl. Kids will definitely go for this goofy pair.
Speaking of goofy, get ready to fly high with Commander Toad in four books by the talented, wildly prolific Jane Yolen, including Commander Toad and the Planet of the Grapes (illustrated by Bruce Degen, Paperstar, $4.95, ages 7-10, 0698113535). Originally published in the mid-eighties, there's a level of sophistication here in plot, humor (endless puns), and some of the language -- not often found in beginning readers. So hop aboard Commander Toad's vessel, Star Warts, and have a grape day.
Alice Cary reads, writes, and reviews books for young readers.
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