Bold colors invite children to join in a game of ball with Zag and Tom in this fun book. One-syllable words help children master beginning and ending word sounds as they build their reading vocabulary. Slightly longer sentences and lively dialogue introduce the concept that actions have consequences when the boys learn that playing ball is definitely an outside game.

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.

A family-friendly ferry ride, illustrated with bold colors and nice detail, depicts the action beautifully in this advanced early reader’s action. The story includes two-syllable words and rich dialogue, enhancing a child’s growing reading experience. A bonus is the variety of new experiences included in the story: riding in their van as dad drives onto the ferry, discovering that seagulls also like dog food, and learning not to kick the ball when playing on a ferry.

An engaging story for children who like to play chase and hide-and-seek. This thoughtful tale reveals what the cat, the rat, and the dog think as they race to win, each using different strategies. Filled with spirited dialogue and colorful illustrations that promote a love of reading, this advanced early reader opens opportunities for parents to discuss helping others, finishing chores, and trying one’s best until the race is over.