New Releases by Carl Sommer

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.

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.

Rockets are a high-interest, exciting topic for readers of all ages, and an excellent way to engage young children in the awesome world of nonfiction. Our Amazing World features rockets in impressive photos complemented by fun facts about astronauts and rockets to stimulate lively discussions with children. What do they eat in space? Can I go on a spaceship one day? Wouldn’t it be fun to float around!

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.

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.

Ben and Jen’s cat scares their hen when she tries to play, sending the hen scurrying to the safety of her chicken pen. This charming story in an advanced easy reader set on a farm opens with a bang of excitement and unfolds with short words and plenty of context clues to create a love of reading. Ben removes his cat from the chicken pen, milks the cow, and gives the milk to the cat. Jen quiets the hen and tells her they love her and all ends well.

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.

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.

A classic game of cops and robbers keeps a group of friends on the run in this advanced reader. Detailed, colorful pictures illustrate the children playing in their neighborhood. This motivational book tells the story with creative narrative and dialogue that make for a fun reading experience, and it includes a subtle reminder to finish a job before playing.

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.

Pat learns an important lesson that children can relate to when she doesn’t put her pretty hat where it belongs. Pat’s cat finds the soft hat on its favorite chair and curls up on top of it, which upsets the little girl. The bold colors in the illustrations in this book light up the advanced easy reader, and the storyline blends new words and easy one-syllable words into longer sentences to guide children to reading success. This advanced reader contains excellent parent and child discussion points on responsibility and anger.

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.

In this playful family adventure, Rick and Jan’s family drive to their mountain cabin where they enjoy biking and swimming. Crisp, bright illustrations with sparkling blue water, lush green forests, and colorful fish and ducks offer an enchanting look at their outing. A sprinkling of two syllable words and lively dialogue motivate early readers to expand their reading skill. Target Reader 17 is part of Phonics Adventure''s systematic, leveled reading program.

This irresistible motivational phonics literature book from Sommer Learning introduces Zig, a misbehaving pet monkey. Zig creates hilarious chaos when Ken and his sister, Jill, try to feed the goats and ducks on their grandparents’ farm. Utilizing words presented in previous books in the series and a few new words, this story gives early readers a comfortable and fun reading experience. Target Reader 19 is part of Phonics Adventure''s systematic, leveled reading program.

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.

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.

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.

"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"--

Sometimes it takes a unique event to spark an appreciation for the small things in life as evidenced by this delightful retelling of Aesop''s lovable fable. About to be devoured by the fearsome King of the Forest, Bitsy the Mouse manages to convince Leo the Lion to let her go in exchange for future assistance. While Leo cannot conceive of any way that a tiny mouse could help him, he does admire Bitsy''s pluck and releases her. What he later discovers is that big help can indeed come in small packages. Through Bitsy, Leo also realizes the importance of keeping your word

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

Reveals the underlying causes of the violence, criminal activity, sexually transmitted diseases, and other social problems that are plaguing American society and offers a practical solution that could revitalize and repair the social ailments of the twenty-first century.