Best Selling Books by Carl Sommer

Everyone enjoys a spirited competition, but when the challenger is a big-headed braggart, it''s easy to cheer for the underdog or in this case, the under-tortoise. The colorful characters in this retelling of Aesop''s beloved fable will tickle the fancy of any child. The forest animals are beyond tired of Harry Hare''s boasting. So what if he is the fastest animal in the forest? Unfortunately, Teddy Tortoise is the only animal willing to race Harry Hare, but everyone knows that tortoises are not famous for their speed. What follows, illustrates the benefits that can come from having the courage to try. Readers will also gain a new appreciation for the saying, Slow and steady wins the race

Millie is convinced her parents and the world is unfair. With money stolen from her mother’s purse she runs away. Her dream comes true to do whatever she wants. But when her money runs out, things dramatically change.

A classic game of cops and robbers keeps Bob, Dot, and Dan on the run as this busy story unfolds. Detailed, colorful pictures illustrate the children and their neighborhood as they enjoy their game. A bushy-tailed squirrel adds wonderful context clues to accompany the narrative and dialogue in a fun-filled reading experience. Companion Reader 16 is part of Phonics Adventure''s systematic, leveled reading program.

Three boys grow up in the same drug-infested, gang-ruled, poverty-stricken neighborhood. Nelson becomes a successful doctor, his best friend Jesse, an award-winning architectural engineer, but Nelson’s brother Alvin ends up in jail. In this riveting tale, Nelson relates the story of their childhood, and how, with the love and guidance of his grandparents, they come upon valuable lessons on how against all odds to become successful. Featuring accounts from Benjamin Franklin, George Washington Carver, Helen Keller, and Abraham Lincoln, the boys are inspired by some of America’s greatest heroes. Although Alvin chooses differently, Nelson and Jesse are two friends who “Dare to Dream!” Virtues: Courage / Responsibility / Self-Discipline

“That’s my mule! I’m not sharing!” cries Sally about Stiffy her mule. Benny and his mule Bossy feel the same way. So goes this entertaining saga about some very stubborn characters refusing to share, work, or play together.It’s only when Dad gets involved and ties the mules together that they learn an important object lesson: in order to eat, they must cooperate. After much struggling, the mules finally work together, and in the process teach their owners Benny and Sally that sharing brings happiness. Virtues: Cooperation / Tolerance / Respect

To grow up to be big, little lions have to learn survival skills, but the cub Sangu doesn’t want to listen to Papa and Mama’s lessons—he just wants to play. Getting lost while escaping a charging rhino, Sangu learned how unprepared he really was to be out on his own. Befriended by some kind gazelles, Sangu didn’t have the slightest idea as to what a lion should be. After being taunted by his friends, Sangu finally learned to be assertive, to value learning, to listen to his parents, and to respect himself. Virtues: Self-Esteem / Respect for Parents / Assertiveness

The richly colored illustrations in this book beautifully reflect the majesty of this timeless retelling of this ancient oriental fable. When an aging emperor begins the search for his successor, he wisely listens to an elderly advisor and creates a test to find a courageous boy of character and integrity. To choose a worthy successor, he gathers seven of the best students in the land and gives them each a seed to cultivate and return to the palace. Even with careful research and tending, Ming''s seed does not grow. While many urge him to use another seed, he refuses to be dishonest. When it is time to return the pots, six students display vibrant plants, but Ming''s pot is barren. Does Ming even have a chance to become the next emperor? This clever fable highlights the importance of honesty, courage, and integrity.

Teddy is a grumpy bear cub. Even though he comes from a loving family, along the way he lost his smile. He doesn''t enjoy any of the things that usually make children happy, such as playing baseball, riding a bike, taking rides at Playland, and swimming. Teddy tries real hard to find his smile, but nothing works until he asks Grandpa, who shares some surprising advice. Teddy can''t understand how making others happy will help, but he’s willing to try. He starts doing helpful things for his family and friends at school. Teddy’s life is transformed. As this moving story unfolds, Teddy discovers the joy that comes from helping others. Virtues: Caring / Cheerfulness / Citizenship

Spike the Troublemaker makes his mark by bullying the area kids, pulling girls’ hair, tripping kids, tattling, and hurting others. But his plan of bullying backfires when he’s caught by one of his own traps

"Why fit in when you were born to stand out?" When a storm separates a young eagle from his family, he takes up residence with a group of chickens. Poking fun at his crooked beak, the way he flaps his wings, and his white feathered head, the eagle is ashamed and embarrassed. Soon, he discovers even more differences. Unlike the frightened chickens, he does not fear the sly fox. While the chickens are happy to live on the ground, he yearns to fly. Although the rooster insists that he was born to keep his feet on the ground, the sight of two soaring eagles changes everything. From this delightful tale readers learn to reach out for their full potential and let their spirits fly.

Life couldn’t have been better for Buzzie Bee. But she heard something that made her furious! Buzzie and the younger bees revolt and start a new hive. It’s a disaster! Then they make a great discovery.

An engaging story for children who like to play chase and hide-and-seek. This thoughtful tale reveals what the cat, the rat, and the dog think as they race to win, each using different strategies. Filled with spirited dialogue and colorful illustrations that promote a love of reading, this advanced early reader opens opportunities for parents to discuss helping others, finishing chores, and trying one’s best until the race is over.

Give a child a pot and a spoon and music beckons. Mom gave Dot a mop to clean the floor and Bob a pot to wash, but they discover there is a lot of banging and hopping to do before they settle to do the jobs. A lifelike, fun story engages early readers with cheerful illustrations and easy-to-master beginning and ending word sounds that encourage a love of reading. Companion Reader 13 is part of Phonics Adventure''s systematic, leveled reading program.

The beautiful princess is undecided about three handsome suitors. All three men behave perfectly in the princess’s presence: how can she tell their true characters? The king plans an unusual race to discover the best man to marry.

Majestic settings provide the perfect backdrop for the vibrant photos of ranch life. This inviting book from Our Amazing World Series, Advanced, entices young children who are mesmerized by cowboys, cowgirls, and horses to visit the wide, wonderful world of nonfiction. Advanced early readers appreciate reading about life on the ranch using words they recognize in the fun facts and mastering some ranch words such as lasso, corral, and longhorn.

In this lifelike shopping story, the rich colors and detailed illustrations depict Tim and Kim’s shopping trip to find Kim a new hat. This charming book introduces words with phonic similarities and sentences that use sound repetition, creatively forming a comfortable reading experience for the early reader. Companion Reader 9 is part of Phonics Adventure''s systematic, leveled reading program.

Children will enjoy the exciting game of baseball in this colorful story. When Jan proves she can hit a fastball, her friends are happy for her. With a combination of one- and two-syllable words with similar sounds, this advanced reader helps children build reading skill. Rich primary colors illuminate the outdoor scenes and add a nice incentive to follow the story.

Bright photos take children right to the fields, where they see adults and children working together to grow food, and pique their curiosity. Did you know carrots aren’t all orange? Where do French fries come from? Appropriate for children of all ages who return to the book again and again as they learn to read. Advanced early readers recognize many of the words and add new ones to grow their reading skills. Our Amazing World Series, Advanced, nonfiction books, filled with fun facts, stimulate a child’s enthusiasm to learn about the world around them.

Zig, the rascally monkey, creates hilarious chaos when he teams up with Vick, the farm dog, in this advanced early reader. Ken and his sister, Jill, are helping their grandparents by feeding the goats and ducks, but their pet, Zig, and Vick have other ideas. Warm colors in the delightfully detailed illustrations encourage giggles to bubble up as youngsters follow the story. Easy to sound words and simple sentences create a comfortable and fun reading experience.

This engaging book from Our Amazing World Series, Advanced, takes children on an underwater journey through exquisite close-up photographs and illustrations. The world’s oceans are home to amazing animals outfitted in gorgeous colors while others are almost transparent. This book is a marvelous introduction to nonfiction for advanced early readers. Children will boost their reading confidence by recognizing many of the words and learning to combine familiar words into compound ones such as newborn, seaweed, and lionfish.

Fishing is a wonderful way to introduce nonfiction to children. It’s a sport for all seasons and many different places. This charming book from Our Amazing World Series, Advanced, shares intriguing pictures of children and grownups enjoying the sport. Expect to reel in some questions as you read. Advanced early readers take pride in their ability to read the book with its simple words and short sentences.

Missy the mouse has a very big problem—she hates the way she looks! If only she were as big and beautiful as Horace the cat, then all her problems would be gone.One day, while being chased by Horace, the incredible happens. Missy’s wish comes true! She turns into a cat—not just any cat, but the biggest and most beautiful cat in the whole world. But she quickly discovers that cats have problems with dogs. As Missy wishes herself into becoming bigger and stronger creatures, she finally discovers that everyone has problems and learns to accept herself for who she is. Grades K-4.Virtues: Self-Esteem / Trust / Cheerfulness

Children love to watch magicians, and they will enjoy watching the fox do his tricks in this amusing story. Introducing new one-syllable words for early readers to explore through their first and last letter sounds, the story keeps children turning the brightly colored pages to watch the fox amaze his four friends with his tricks. This book encourages reading skill growth through us of slightly longer sentences than the first thirteen books in this motivational phonics literature program. Target Reader 14 is part of Phonics Adventure''s systematic, leveled reading program.

This exciting beginning reader shows Sam and his friends in a rollicking chase to catch a misbehaving cat. The words in the story teach children to recognize beginning and ending sounds, as they learn to recognize words with similar sounds. Brightly illustrated pages illuminate the narrative, encouraging children to use the picture and context clues to follow the story. The misbehaving cat offers opportunities for parents to discuss positive ways to deal with an upset friend. Target Reader 3 is part of Phonics Adventure''s systematic, leveled reading program.

Our Amazing World introduces young children to fascinating nonfiction ideas about large land animals using simple, clear language. Remarkable close-up photos and fun concepts compare the size of a little boy to the weight of a polar bear and the height of a giraffe. Advanced early readers know many of the words in the main facts under each picture, making for a pleasant reading experience. This informative book stimulates wonderful conversations with children and is a reference they will use for years to come.

Bob, Dot, and their parents return (Rock Fishing) for another adventure by the sea, but first the family works as a team to get ready for their trip. Vibrant illustrations in this advanced early reader include a cute frog hopping onto each page and making youngsters smile. In addition to a superb combination of one-syllable and larger words that build on previous stories in the Sommer literacy program, this lovely book has tips on bicycle safety and following instructions on public signs.

The bear cubs Stubby and Prissy can’t seem to agree on anything—not even on who should close the door while playing a game. Disgusted, their forest friends walk out because of their bickering. The cubs finally decide to settle the issue with a most outrageous game of “You move, you lose.” However, two raccoon burglars show up for an unforgettable game of their own.When a wolf chases a little kitten, their stubbornness is tested to the limit. Stubby declares victory, but he soon realizes that the true winner is his sister Prissy. Stubby and Prissy finally learn the folly of stubbornness and the importance of friendship. Virtues: Tolerance / Friendship / Cooperation

“It’s not fair!” shouted Buzzie the bee, when she accidentally finds out worker bees do ALL the work. Before this Buzzie was a happy worker bee, but now she’s furious! She starts a major revolt among the younger worker bees. The angry younger bees leave the hive to start their own. In the new hive the young bees argue and fight over who should do the work. Everyone wants the easiest job! Discover how bees live, eat and multiply in this educational and compelling tale about the importance of teamwork and a good attitude. Learn how working together under a leader is the key to happiness. Grades 1-4Virtues: Citizenship/Teamwork/Responsibility

Fishing is a sport for all seasons and many different places. This action-packed nonfiction book from Our Amazing World pleases children of all ages. Intriguing pictures of children and grownups enjoying the sport no doubt reel in some questions from young readers. Why are they standing in the water? Don’t fish freeze in the cold water? Fishing is a wonderful way to introduce nonfiction to toddlers. Early readers enjoy reading the easy words and short sentences.

In this playful family adventure, Rick and Jan’s family drive to their mountain cabin to go biking and swimming. Crisp, bright illustrations with sparkling blue water, lush green forests, and glowing fish and ducks create an enchanting experience for early readers, including underwater scenes. One and two-syllable words and lighthearted dialogue motivate early readers to explore their reading skills and reinforce having fun with their parents.

Children will return to this beautiful book again and again to inquire about the big animals that live in the sea. In uncomplicated examples, children learn how to compare the size of the sea animals to people and other things they recognize. From whales to walruses, sea turtles to swordfish, each animal motivates children to learn more as they study the captivating pictures in this nonfiction book from Our Amazing World.

A soccer ball accidently hits Dan’s cat as Jan and Dan play, which instigates a series of unfortunate events. The angry cat with muddy paws perches on the neighbor’s clean van and upsets him. Dan rushes to get his cat off the van and trips over a bucket, spilling the water. No one is hurt in this advanced easy reader, but the story opens multiple discussion points, including dealing with upset pets and people.

In this exciting series of brightly illustrated adventure-filled tales, children will love the first story of a game of ball with Zag and the cat. After knocking over a fan in the house with a ball, Zag and the cat discover that playing ball is an outside game. Zag becomes a champ by hitting a ball that hits the van and enters a can. The bold colors light up the pages, encouraging children to use the picture and context clues to follow the story as they learn to sound out the words. Target Reader 1 is part of Phonics Adventure''s systematic, leveled reading program.

Soft, fluffy chicks are adorable, but where do they live and what are their parents like? This charming book filled with color-rich photos from Our Amazing World Series, Advanced, acquaints children with the wonderful world of nonfiction by examining the life cycle of chickens from egg to adulthood. Advanced early readers enjoy reading the uncomplicated narrative and growing their vocabulary with new words such as rooster.

It was time for the beautiful princess Elizabeth to be married. Charming Simon and strong, handsome Thomas came to ask her hand in marriage. Then there was John, a handsome but not-so-flashy commoner. Elizabeth first noticed him helping an old man get his wagon out of a muddy ditch.Not sure about the true character of her three suitors, Elizabeth asks her father the king for advice. The king plans a race to reveal the character of the three suitors. This story tells the action-packed tale of how perseverance and love are more important than anything in winning the Great Royal Race. Virtues: Perseverance / Caring / Trustworthiness

Early readers enjoy this fast-paced soccer game in the park among friends. In an energetic story that appeals to a child’s playful spirit, bold illustrations provide amusing context clues to encourage word mastery and reading skills. Companion Reader 8 is part of Phonics Adventure''s systematic, leveled reading program.

An adventure with a big rig engages the imaginations of new readers when Jill and Rick get a big surprise. The friendly man driving the big rig offers them to come inside the rig, as their father watches. Who hasn’t wanted to be in a big rig as it does its work? Perched high in the cab with the man, they get to see how he picks up large loads of dirt with the big scoop and drops them into a dump truck. This advanced easy reader uses repetitive phonic sounds and dialogue to enrich a child’s vocabulary and reading experience.

Two persnickety mice, Marcus and Marcella, keep complaining about the noisy forest animals and the hard work they have to do every day in searching for food. They become very excited when a chipmunk tells them about a quiet farmhouse with lots of good food. In spite of warnings from the forest animals, they immediately move to the farm. Their dreams come true. But their wonderful life comes to an abrupt end when the farmer and his wife come home to their unwelcome guests. After barely escaping with their lives, Marcus and Marcella quickly return to their forest home. They learn to appreciate that even with all the noise and hard work, the forest is a wonderful place to live. Virtues: Tolerance/Friendship/Appreciation

The precious animal babies featured in this nonfiction book from Our Amazing World draw appreciative oohs and aahs from children as they turn the delightful pages. Each crystal-clear snapshot accompanied by fun facts creates wonderful opportunities for lively discussions. Advanced early readers will beam with pride as they master the words on the colorful pages.

"When Leo the lion spares the life of Bitsie the mouse, Bitsie promises to return the favor someday. The lion roars with laughter at her. But everything changes when he''s caught in a hunter''s trap and Bitsie''s bravery rescues him"--