(3) K-3 Early Step into Reading series. This text about two children and their dog who repeatedly climb up and sled down a snowy hill uses rhyme and repetition in a very limited vocabulary to engage the earliest reader. The cartoon-style art is congenial, and, despite the limitations of form, the silly story is amusing enough to hold the attention of a child busy sounding out "BUMP. PLOP. They all stop."

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(4) K-3 Early Step into Reading series. Illustrated by Mike Reed. Rhyme and repetition are used effectively to introduce very beginning readers to different types of boats. While ample visual cues are provided to aid in deciphering more challenging words, the illustrations have a grainy, dated look. The text is serviceable, but far from compelling.

Reviewer: CHristine Sarrazin

(3) K-3 Early Step into Reading series. Illustrated by Valeria Petrone. Using repetition and rhyme, Haskins creates a silly, forty-word story for beginning readers. Ducks swimming in muck are captured by men with trucks; the trucks, however, get stuck in the muck, and the captives are rescued when newly arrived ducks release them from their cages. "Good-bye, trucks in muck!" Uncluttered illustrations in bright colors help a great deal with the storytelling.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(4) K-3 Early Step into Reading and Math series. Two mice use six popsicle sticks in a variety of ways. Some of their creations are more imaginative (two swings, six flags) than others (three Ts). A confusing sequence involving swordplay and a disguise may require close or repeated readings to figure out. Illustrated with bright collage art, this is a simple, easy-to-read story.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin