Although his circumstances appeared to be an insurmountable challenge for realizing his musical passion, Louis (and readers) realize the powerful beauty of kindness given (and accepted) and the reward of hope and dependability. A valuable read.

Illus. in full color. Abraham Lincoln, one of our greatest presidents, started out in life as an absent-minded frontier lawyer. How did he nudge his memory? He stuck letters, court notes, contracts, and even his checkbook in his trademark top hat. When he took off his hat, it was all there!

Bobby Quinn is shy. In fact, he's so shy, he has trouble making friends. But that changes when he gets a squirmy little puppy for his birthday. Unlike Bobby, Lucy isn't shy at all. And to his surprise, she keeps dragging him into all sorts of adventures--and friendships, too! In this heart warming story of a boy and beagle's friendship, Ilene Cooper begins the series that has charmed young readers ...

Illus. in full color. Brer Fox makes a boy out of tar, so when Brer Rabbit shakes hands, he'll get stuck. "About fifty sentences, with one or two per gracefully color-cartooned page, this tale is reduced to the most basic motifs, but it does respect the ones it keeps. It will be a book to hand to kids who clamor for a version they can read for themselves."--"Bulletin, Center for Children's Books.

Batter up! It's 1919 and baseball is in trouble! All across the country, people are throwing down their bats, and giving up America's national pastime. It's up to Babe Ruth to win back fans and save baseball! Can he do it, or will he strike out?

When dozens of children in a remote Alaska contract diphtheria, Balto the Siberian husky leads a dog-sled team hundreds of miles through a blinding snowstorm to find help. Based on a true story. B&W illustrations.

Illus. in full color. A shortstop in a tutu? Not if she can help it! Forced by her mother into taking ballet lessons, a die-hard tomboy discovers that there's team spirit at the barre as well as on the baseball diamond.

This funny, entertaining introduction to Ben Franklin and his many inventions includes the story of how he created the "magic square" -- a box of nine numbers arranged so that any line of three numbers add up to the same number, including on the diagonal! A "Step into Reading & Math(" title. Full-color illustrations.

One morning Hen wakes up and finds a gigantic egg in her nest. Whose ege can it be? Here's a hint, Hen--it "doesn't belong to that wily Fox!

This adaptation makes the basic story of the classic novel accessible for younger readers.

This Step 3 beginning reader presents a biography of Civil War nurse and founder of the American Red Cross Clara Barton, a woman who outgrew her girhood shyness to became a fearless "Angel of the Battlefield." Full color.

A compelling account, told in easy-to-read format, of a sled dog who led his team over 53 miles of Alaska wilderness to deliver medicine during an outbreak of diphtheria in 1925.

Eleven-year-old Gilbert, self-styled private eye, takes on his toughest case when he finds a duck in the elevator of his housing project. In this easy-to-read mystery, "the solution is credible, the plot is fresh, the style casual and natural".--Bulletin, Center for Children's Books.

Cat wants a snack.Cat sets a trap.Cat gets...in trouble!Simple sentences and snappy illustrations make this a purr-fect first step into the joy of reading."

A new neighborhood. A new school. An unhappy birthday. Things aren't looking great for Gregory. But when he discovers an abandoned chalk factory behind his house, something magical happens: a beautiful garden and a quiet friendship spring up within its walls.

Helicopters are amazing machines that go places and do things that other vehicles cannot. Readers will love learning about the many daring jobs and rescues they undertake every day.

Independent readers can learn about Columbus's fateful voyage in this dramatic, easy-to-read account of a pivotal moment in history, revised from the original 1991 edition. Christopher Columbus's landfall in what he thought were the "Indies" was full of surprises. This revised edition includes an author's note that provides context for readers about colonization, and shines a light on the fate of ...

A great "next adventure" for a beloved character, perfect for beginning readers.

Corduroy was first introduced to readers in 1968 and soon became a classic character. Everybody's favorite department store bear is having further adventures, now in Step into Reading, the premier reader line! When Lisa goes on a hiking trip, Corduroy sneaks into her backpack. Lisa is surprised to find him there, but she thinks he'll be safe as long as he stays tucked inside. Corduroy just has to ...

Armed with only a slingshot--and God's protecting love--little David the shepherd boy does away with the wicked giant, Goliath. A favorite story from the Old Testament told with charming simplicity. A Step Into Reading Book. Full-color illustrations.