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Learning how to read should be as fun as a day at the beach! Frolick in the sand with four canine friends on a letter-replacement adventure in this phonics-based early reader from Theodor Seuss Geisel Medalist Ethan Long.
The Letter Setters--a lovable group of dynamic dogs--are enjoying a day at the beach, where Pat has D-U-G the perfect sandcastle! But when a huge wave washes the masterpiece away, the plan turns out to be a D-U-D. . . until the setters come up with a new idea to F-I-X this doggone mess. They'll build S-I-X sandcastles, and keep their favorite one! But as their plans and their castles take shape, these curious canines realize that the best castle of all might be one they build together.
In this engaging new early reader series from acclaimed author-illustrator Ethan Long, each story starts out with a three letter word. On the next page, one swapped letter makes a new word--and a new canine caper for little ones learning how to read! As this fresh and fun device propels the pups into silly, slapstick sequences, phonics help readers to discover new words, study how words relate to each other, and observe how text and pictures support one another.
Ethan Long's expressive artwork shines in these energetic, educational escapades that provide the youngest readers with the greatest adventure of all--a gateway into a lifelong love of reading.
PreS-Gr 1--This fun early reader is perfect for those learning to sound out new words. A group of setters (think dog breeds: Irish, English, etc.) are having a fun day at the beach playing in the sand. There is only one word on every other page, and the alternating pages have whimsical art to illustrate the word on the previous page. With each new term, only one letter is changed from the previous word, and this letter is highlighted to show the change. Despite only using one word at a time, digitally rendered, cartoon-style illustrations take readers on a beach adventure filled with friendship, humor, and challenges overcome. The simplicity of the text makes this book accessible to almost all new readers and is the perfect way to start the transition from having books read aloud to them to reading books on their own. VERDICT This simple yet highly effective early reader will greatly help new readers and can be a first purchase for all collections.--Jessica Trafton
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