When Bob, Dot, and Jan get their first big bikes, a sunny day is an invitation to take a bike ride and possibly forget to follow their parents’ safety instructions. The illustrations and creative dialogue remind children of experiences in their own lives. Bob’s excitement leads him to take risks on the steep hills littered with rocks. It’s not long before he falls and injures his knee, teaching him a valuable lesson. The story builds on previous reading skills and crafts educational opportunities for the early reader. This cautionary tale gives parents an opening to discuss safety rules and the ramifications of ignoring them.

Jill and Nick with their new red baseball caps return. When the two friends arrive for ball practice, their friends laugh at them for wearing hats. But when Jill and Nick surprise the team by catching balls with their caps, the whole team rushes to get one. Walking back to the ball field, the team sees an oak tree loaded with acorns, and they discover their new caps are perfect for holding acorns. This advanced early reader offers excellent opportunities for parents to discuss how learning new things can be beneficial.

Pets appeal to young readers and entice them to turn the pages to see what Ted and Jan’s dog, Jed, will do on the farm. Giggles will bubble out as Jed tosses his food around in the car and then chases the chickens at the farm. Detailed, brightly colored illustrations lead new readers through this lively story with amusing context clues. Word building skills include beginning and ending word sounds that are similar, slightly longer sentences, and energetic dialogue to strengthen a child’s reading skills

In this playful family adventure, Rick and Jan’s family drive to their mountain cabin to go biking and swimming. Crisp, bright illustrations with sparkling blue water, lush green forests, and glowing fish and ducks create an enchanting experience for early readers, including underwater scenes. One and two-syllable words and lighthearted dialogue motivate early readers to explore their reading skills and reinforce having fun with their parents.