Now I'm Reading! Level 2: Amazing Animals [With Stickers]

I own all the books in this wonderful Now I'm Reading series by Nora Gaydos. I can't say enough about how much I love these books! The author was an elementary school teacher and understands how children learn to read. The stories are perfect length for early readers, and amusing enough to hold their interest. Level 1 starts with simple 3-letter words and a few sight words, and each level builds progressively on the skills previously learned. Look at the back page to determine which level you think your child might be at. Most children in grade 1 should be able to read Level 2. The 10 books come in a nice hardcover case with magnetic closure, and includes a parent guide and 5 reward stickers per story. My children find this aspect very encouraging. At the end of each story are 3 comprehension questions. On the inside back cover of each story is listed the sight words and phonics combinations that are used in the story. I find this very helpful.

I'm an educator and private tutor, and decided to give these to my "beginning reader" nephew. I must say, this is one of the best phonics series I've seen. I gave these books to my 4 year-old nephew and he wanted to read all of them right away. I love the sticker reward system; as we all know - kids (and adults) love stickers, and it was all I could do to pace him so he didn't read and re-read them all in one sitting just to get to the stickers. I've ended up ordering a few copies of all of the "Now I'm Reading" series, for my other kids to work with and extra stickers for them. This series is HIGHLY recommended.

My daughter loves animals so I love to find books that have animals in them so they will appeal to her. My daughter loves the whimsical and colorful illustrations and she is very motivated to read from her experiences with these books. I love these book sets from the Now I'm Reading series. There is a parent guide included and a set of stickers so that when your child finishes a book she can put a sticker in it. There are several stickers for each book so it encourages reading and re-reading the books which is an important key to learning.

These are the best books I have found for learning to read. Level One contains ten short books each emphasizing a short vowel sound. Each book starts with just a word or two and adds another word or two on each successive page. For example, "A cub," "A cub dug," "A cub dug up mud," "A cub dug up mud in the sun," etc. They are wonderful because they are so simple and consistent. My five-year-old loves them because the pictures and text are pretty silly. Ten books are found inside sleeves inside a folder with a magnetic closure. The set also includes a parent guide and forty stickers (four for each book) to be placed inside the covers of each book. At the end of each short book there are comprehension questions and questions asking the child to make up his or her own sentences using three words from the lesson and also to find a rhyming word for three words from the lesson. I love that each book focuses on just one vowel sound and doesn't include words which distract the child from learning just that one sound. It makes it easier to focus and less likely to frustrate. Also available are three other sets in the series. Level 2 is long vowel sounds, 3 focuses on longer words and blends, 4 introduces contractions, compounds, and multi-syllable words. All around just a wonderful introduction to reading--quality text and materials.

I bought this set of reader books at a book fair when my son was a preschooler, thinking it would motivate him to learnn to read early. It didn't! He was very interested in math and science; however, he refused to try to read on his own. Not wanting to be overly pushy, I put the books away and continued taking him to the library weekly in the hopes that one day he would want to read on his own. Finally, just a few months ago, my kindergartener son began to show interest in sounding out words so we took another look at the Animal Antics series books. My son now loves them! He is finishing the last book of the series and I will be ordering the level 2 set soon. His confidence level has soared with reading and now he will try to read anything and everything he can get his hands on. I believe this series is successful for the following reasons:1. Each book consistently follows a certain theme, using a specific short-vowel sound and specific sight words (such as "the" and "and"). These are reinforced throughout each book and I think they build confidence.2. The illustrations are cute, livey and somewhat goofy, which appeals to kids. 3. The stickers, which you place in each book when you have successfully read it, are a real motivator. My son, who has never responded well to the rewards system, is very determined that he master each book so he can put his stickers in them. He then shows the stickers off proudly as if they were awards.In summary, I'm not sure whether these books will make your children want to learn to read, but once they are ready, this is an outstanding resource and confidence booster for your child!