New Releases by Carl Sommer

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.

When Bob, Dot, and Jan get their first big bikes, a sunny day is an invitation to take a bike ride and possibly forget to follow their parents’ safety instructions. The illustrations and creative dialogue remind children of experiences in their own lives. Bob’s excitement leads him to take risks on the steep hills littered with rocks. It’s not long before he falls and injures his knee, teaching him a valuable lesson. The story builds on previous reading skills and crafts educational opportunities for the early reader. This cautionary tale gives parents an opening to discuss safety rules and the ramifications of ignoring them.

Come along on a family camping trip to a national park in the mountains! From Our Amazing World Series, Advanced, this book features a camping trip with children as the narrators. They explain tent life, hiking, safety, fishing, and activities for a rainy day. This attention-grabbing advanced early reader exposes young readers to the joys of the outdoors.

This spirited story introduces the concept of teamwork, an important skill for children to learn. With similar sounding names, friends gather supplies to play soccer, divide into teams, and then play in the park. The colorful illustrations appeal to a child’s playfulness and encourage interest in word mastery and reading success. The emotional faces of the winners and losers foster discussions of teamwork and appropriate game behavior.

The life-like, richly colored illustrations in this story reflect the friendship between Nick and Jill as they try to find a new hat for Jill. Nick doesn’t want a hat, but when their search reveals that Nick could use a cap to improve his baseball skills, he changes his mind. An early reader for young children, the book introduces new words with phonic similarities that comfortably build a child’s reading skills. Target Reader 9 is part of Phonics Adventure''s systematic, leveled reading program.

The vivid, rich colors of birds in their natural habitats around the world are an exciting way to introduce young children to nonfiction. From the tiny hummingbird to the mammoth ostrich, this entertaining book from Our Amazing World ignites the curiosity of children. Advanced early readers enjoy mastering the names of the birds as they read the book.

Pets appeal to young readers and entice them to turn the pages to see what Ted and Jan’s dog, Jed, will do on the farm. Giggles will bubble out as Jed tosses his food around in the car and then chases the chickens at the farm. Detailed, brightly colored illustrations lead new readers through this lively story with amusing context clues. Word building skills include beginning and ending word sounds that are similar, slightly longer sentences, and energetic dialogue to strengthen a child’s reading skills

Soft, fluffy chicks are adorable, but where do they live and what are their parents like? The special jobs of Papa rooster and Mama hen are explained in this charming nonfiction book, and young children see fluffy chicks grow up to look just like their parents. Through crisp, clear photos, Our Amazing World’s book about chickens opens excellent talking points, such as: Why are the chicks hiding under their mother? Why does the rooster look different from the hen?

Bob and Dot’s family return in this adventure of seeing boats. Bob gets his wish to ride his bike on the clear path, and again gets another wish when he takes an exciting motorboat ride. Detailed, colorful pictures illustrate the children using safety practices such as life jackets and locks for their bikes. Words and sentences that build on previous stories in the motivational phonics literature program create a fun-filled learning experience for the early reader. Target Reader 16 is part of Phonics Adventure''s systematic, leveled reading program.

Deserts around the world are home to unique animals with unusual abilities. Did you know a cheetah runs 75 miles an hour and the desert bald eagle is different from the American bald eagle? Our Amazing World Series, Advanced, presents these distinctive facts especially for young children with dazzling photos to foster a love of learning and an interest in reading. Children of all ages and their parents will enjoy this book. Advanced early readers will like adding new compound words to their vocabulary from known root words, such as “wildflowers” and “waterless”.

Children join Ben and Nell on their adventures to visit their grandparents, a trip which many children have taken. Bell, their flamboyant and arrogant pet monkey, intrigues young readers when he misbehaves on the plane and with the ponies on the farm. The family’s adventures are built on the phonic sounds of similar words, slightly longer sentences, and hilarious dialogue, creating an enjoyable book for the advanced early reader.

Young children get an inside look at a busy farm and the variety of useful animals in this book from Our Amazing World. Some the animals eat grass, others eat bugs, but they are all important to the success of the farm. Spectacular up-close-and-personal photos and fun facts engage children in lively discussions, such as: How does she get the milk from the cow? Can I ride a horse?

This enjoyable story engages early readers through beautiful illustrations and one-syllable words encourage a love of reading. Competing to win a game of tag, the cat, the dog, and the rat approach the game with different strategies. The life affirming message to always try your best and don’t give up until the race is over is presented through adorable characters and cheerful illustrations. Target Reader 13 is part of Phonics Adventure''s systematic, leveled reading program.

In this excellent introduction to the tantalizing world of history, young children become acquainted with old and new farming techniques. Our Amazing World inspires critical thinking as children begin to explore how the world changes. Teaching children the importance of farming for feeding the world is an integral part of a good education, and the clear photos will have them bursting with curiosity.

What better way to learn about nonfiction than through the remarkable life of a working farm and the useful animals that live there? Some of the animals eat grass, others eat bugs, but they are all important to the success of the farm whether by giving milk, laying eggs, or herding other animals. Our Amazing World Series, Advanced, shares fun facts and bright photos that encourage life-long learning in this thought-provoking book and stimulate advanced early readers to master new vocabulary words and strengthen reading skills.

A warmhearted adventure, this family-oriented book includes life skills of respecting and helping others. An enjoyable early reader which promotes successful word recognition and skills in reading longer sentences. Picturesque woodland scenes animate the story and bring laughs when the cub helps itself to the family’s food without an invitation. Companion Reader 18 is part of Phonics Adventure''s systematic, leveled reading program.

Life on a ranch with cowboys and cowgirls, cattle and horses, is intriguing to all of us. Colorful photos in majestic ranch settings provide an inside look at life on a working ranch. Our Amazing World introduces nonfiction concepts to young children through the variety of ranch activities presenting great discussion points, which children love.

Deserts found around the world have unique animals that surprise everyone. Our Amazing World introduces nonfiction for young children with dazzling photos and uncomplicated terms about desert animals, fostering a love of learning. Be prepared for lively discussions with all the fun facts and colorful pictures.

Take a look at these dazzling photos of wild bears and see a giant panda, a black bear, and an Asiatic bear. This captivating book from Our Amazing World Series, Advanced, introduces the wide and wonderful world of nonfiction to young children through the lives of wild bears in their natural habitats. The carefully constructed narrative is perfect for advanced early readers to gain confidence in their reading skills and boost their understanding of the animal world.

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.

"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.

"When a donkey, dog, cat, and a rooster become too old to be useful to their masters, they decide to find a new way to be of value to the community. The four friends learn that helping one another and a positive attitude reaps great rewards"--

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

"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"--