This timeless story about sports, winners, and losers incorporates one-syllable words with similar sounds and introduces words that begin with the letter z. The story is packed with excellent situations for discussing feelings when one loses or wins, situations most children have experienced. Using primary colors to illustrate the soccer game, coupled with the facial reactions of the team, it’s easy to see which team won and which one lost.

Ben builds a paper airplane, starting a series of unexpected events in this action story that remind children of things they’ve experienced. The expressive faces of the farm animals on every page add good context clues that assist children in understanding the story. Similar phonic sounds support the early reader’s word recognition to build their reading skills.

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.

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.