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.

Early readers will enjoy returning to the farm with Ted and Jan. This energetic story will appeal to a child’s adventurous spirit as Jan and Ted and their friends play soccer, chase escaping goats, feed goats and ponies, and go on pony rides. The vivacious, amusing illustrations encourage word mastery and reading skill. Target Reader 8 is part of Phonics Adventure''s systematic, leveled reading program.

Food is all around us, but where does it come from? Bright photos take young children right to the farm where they see children and adults growing food. Our Amazing World nonfiction books on farming are filled with fun facts and encourage young children to expand their knowledge of the world.

A warmhearted family adventure in picturesque woodlands brings laughs when a bear cub helps herself to the family’s food while they are outside watching the ducks in a pond. This adorable advanced easy reader promotes successful word recognition and includes life skills—respecting others, helping others, even counting others.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

An action-packed T-ball game leads Sam and his friends on a rollicking chase to catch a cute cat that runs away with Sam’s baseball cap. In this advanced early reader, children learn to recognize familiar words such as umpire on the brightly illustrated pages. The chase offers opportunities for parents to discuss positive ways to deal with an upset friend and to explain that pets usually aren’t misbehaving but think it’s a fun game when they grab something and run.

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 friendship story is perfect for young readers who are all too familiar with accidents when they are playing. Warned by the other children not to run in the mud to avoid the sharp rocks, Ed ignores them and wades into the mud puddle. When he kicks the ball, he loses his balance and falls on a rock. Crisp illustrations with bright primary colors fill the pages of this lively early reader and offer a good opportunity for parents to discuss listening to others to stay safe. Companion Reader 17 is part of Phonics Adventure''s systematic, leveled reading program.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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 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.

"Fun times with courage/caring/perseverence."

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