I Can Read Level 1 – Sneak Peek Books

Chicken on Vacation

Zoey the chicken needs a vacation and she wants to take her barnyard friends, Sam and Pip, with her.

Zoey knows you don’t need to go to the shore to have the perfect beach day. . . but you do need a great imagination and a treasure map! Will Zoey lead her barnyard pals to buried treasure?

When Zoey and her friends get to the beach (the pond in their backyard) they each have fun doing different things. Pip floats around on his duck floatie. Sam swims in the mud. And Zoey rides her surfboard (the dock). They build sandcastles and look for buried treasure. The animals use their imagination to go on a great adventure. And in the end, Pip and Sam love the treasure they find—a pie!

Chicken on Vacation is an adorably cute story that shows readers the power of imagination. Told with simple sentences and humor, Chicken on Vacation will keep young readers entertained. Each page has 1 to 4 sentences and a large illustration. The story is ideal for readers who can read on their own, but who may still need a little help.

Chicken on Vacation will have readers giggling as Zoey pretends that everyday objects are something totally different. For example, a tractor becomes a lookout tower, and an old fence becomes a shipwreck. Readers will look forward to seeing where Zoey’s imagination takes them. Readers who love humorous stories should also check out Splat the Cat and the Duck with No Quack by Rob Scotton.

Sexual Content

None

Violence

None

Drugs and Alcohol

None

Language

None

Supernatural

None

Spiritual Content

None

I Want to Be a Doctor

Jack jumps off the bed and breaks his foot. His whole family—dad, mom, and sister—go with him to the emergency room. While Jack and his mom go into the exam room, his dad and sister go on a field trip through the hospital. In the process, his sister learns about all kinds of doctors.

Young readers will enjoy exploring a hospital and meeting friendly doctors who want to help people feel better. The story blends narrative and nonfiction elements to create an educational story perfect for young readers. Readers will learn about nine different types of doctors including, a dentist, a physical therapist, and a pediatrician. The last page of the book has an infographic listing the different types of doctors and what they do.

I Want to Be a Doctor is part of the I Can Read series that introduces young readers to important community helpers. Another positive aspect of the book is the brightly colored illustrations that show a large cast of hospital employees who are diverse and friendly. Each page has four or fewer sentences typed in oversized text. The short sentences and familiar words make the book perfect for children learning to sound out words and sentences. I Want to Be a Doctor will delight little readers who are curious about hospitals and doctors. Readers who want to learn more about doctors should check out the picture book, The Doctor With An Eye for Eyes: The Story of Dr. Patricia Bath by Julia Finley Mosca.

Sexual Content

None

Violence

None

Drugs and Alcohol

None

Language

None

Supernatural

None

Spiritual Content

None

Splat the Cat and the Duck with No Quack

While riding his bike to school, Splat runs into a duck that doesn’t quack. Splat is determined to help the duck get his quack back. Duck seeks the advice of his friends, who all theorize why Duck doesn’t quack. Splat’s friends are eager to help him, and they come up with realistic reasons and some silly reasons that Duck doesn’t quack. One of Splat’s friends suggests, “Duck needs a bow with a little pink dress to match. That will bring his quack back.” Finally, Splat goes to get advice from his teacher, Mrs. Wimpydimple. Through trial and error, Mrs. Wimpydimple discovers what was needed to bring back Duck’s quack.

The bright, full-page illustrations show Splat’s and his friends’ wide range of emotions. Little readers will love the humorous pictures and the surprising little details such as a rabbit hiding behind a sign and then on the next page, the rabbit is peaking out of the bushes. Splat the Cat and the Duck with No Quack is perfect for beginning readers. Most pages have four simple sentences; some sentences use rhyming and others have onomatopoeias, which makes the story fun to read out loud. The story is designed for readers who can read on their own, but who may still need a little help.

Splat the Cat and the Duck with No Quack will put smiles on reader’s faces. Not only are the illustrations adorably cute, but the fun plot will have readers guessing why Duck doesn’t quack. Splat and his friends eagerly brainstorm ways to help Duck. In the end, Splat and his friends get help from a trusted adult.

The simple plot, the humorous conflict, and the relatable characters all combine to make Splat the Cat and the Duck with No Quack perfect for beginning readers. The Splat the Cat Series will have younger readers giggling as they learn to read on their own.

Sexual Content

None

Violence

None

Drugs and Alcohol

None

Language

None

Supernatural

None

Spiritual Content

None

Splat the Cat: The Rain Is a Pain

Splat can’t wait to try out his brand-new roller skates! When it starts to rain, Splat’s sure that his day will be ruined. He’s determined to have some skating fun, but everyone keeps scolding him. Isn’t there anything fun to do inside?

Younger readers will giggle at Splat’s newest adventure. Splat just wants to have some fun, but he keeps making a muddy mess. His mom, dad, and sister keep telling him, “Out, Splat, out!” The repetition is funny and leads to a surprise ending.

Every child will relate to Splat, who doesn’t mean to cause problems or make his family mad. Readers will love the bright-colored illustrations that show the muddy mess that Splat leaves behind. Splat’s facial expressions show Splat’s changing emotions and are at times humorous. Readers will have fun looking for the mouse that appears on almost every page.

Rain Is a Pain is intended for readers who are beginning to sound out words and sentences. Each page has 1-5 simple sentences and large illustrations. The Splat the Cat series uses realistic conflicts, fun illustrations, and a playful cat to engage readers. With nine books in the series, readers will have endless fun following Spat’s adventures.

Sexual Content

None

Violence

None

Drugs and Alcohol

None

Language

None

Supernatural

None

Spiritual Content

None

Splat the Cat with a Bang and a Clang

Splat’s friends decide to start a band called the Cat Gang and each person has a part. Spike plays the drums. Plank plucks a guitar. Kitten sings. But Splat doesn’t know how to play an instrument. He doesn’t know how to sing. But his friends encourage him to “use his head” and find out how he can be a part of the band. Even though Slat has a hard figuring out how he can contribute to the band, his friends keep reassuring him. In the end, Splat finds a unique instrument. On the night of the show, Splat and his friends are all able to perform.

Young readers will giggle because Splat can’t dance, and they will smile because Splat’s friends still want him to be part of the band. He tries to play the drums, a horn, and a bell with disastrous results. Splat gets a little discouraged because he doesn’t make “the right sound.” Despite this, his friends continue to encourage him, and they remind him to “use his head.”

Using humor, Splat the Cat With A Bang And A Clang will encourage readers to try new things. Splat didn’t find the solution to his problem, the first time, or the second time, or the third time. But, he never gives up. Splat’s musical adventure will teach readers the importance of perseverance. Splat’s story has the same message as Winston Churchill who said, “Success is walking from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.”

As Splat struggles, the bright, full-page illustrations show his emotions that range from hopelessness, disappointment, embarrassment, and happiness. Readers will love the humorous pictures and parents may want to use Splat’s facial expressions to talk about different emotions.

Readers will enjoy the Splat the Cat Series which has the same cast of relatable characters in each book. The simple plot and easy vocabulary is geared towards beginning readers. Most pages have 2 to 4 simple sentences and onomatopoeias, which make Splat the Cat With A Bang And A Clang a quick read. The story is designed for readers who can read on their own but may still need a little help. Splat the Cat With A Bang And A Clang. For more silly, giggly, reading fun, check out Pets on the Loose! by Victoria Jamieson.

Sexual Content

None

Violence

None

Drugs and Alcohol

None

Language

None

Supernatural

None

Spiritual Content

None

Pete the Cat’s Trip to the Supermarket

Along with his dad and brother, Pete the Cat heads off to the supermarket. But what happens when Dad loses the grocery list before they even get there? It’s up to Pete and Bob to help remind Dad what was on their list!

Pete and his brother help with the grocery shopping, but they don’t just get what they need. Soon the cart is full of groceries that include dinosaur eggs, cupcakes, popcorn, popsicles, and even flowers for Grandma.

Pete the Cat’s Trip to the Supermarket has a simple plot suited for a young audience. The story shows Pete’s family going through the grocery store aisles. The story lacks adventure and conflict, and instead focuses on what each character adds to the grocery cart.

Each page has large, colorful illustrations. Readers will want to take their time looking at the pictures to find some surprises. For example, a frog is passing out free samples of hot dogs and the egg freezer has dragon, ostrich, frog, and chicken eggs.

Pete the Cat’s Trip to the Supermarket is intended to be read by beginning readers. The story contains sight words and will allow children to sound out words and sentences. The short sentences and the simple plot is best suited for younger readers. As Pete and his family load up their grocery cart, parents may want to discuss food choices. The story would be a perfect conversation starter about healthy eating choices. Children will love the brightly colored illustrations, and the story encourages readers to sound out new words.

Sexual Content

None

Violence

None

Drugs and Alcohol

None

Language

None

Supernatural

None

Spiritual Content

None

Danny and the Dinosaur in the Big City

Danny’s class is going on a field trip to the big city, and the dinosaur is invited too! Towering skyscrapers! Rumbling subways! The city is a big and exciting place. Even though the city is big, the dinosaur may find fitting in to be a bit of a challenge.

Young readers will fall in love with Danny and his dinosaur as they explore New York. From watching a musical to exploring the Statue of Liberty, Danny and his dinosaur enjoy the sights and sounds of the famous city.

Syd Hoff created Danny and his prehistoric pal in 1958, but today’s readers will love the duo. Full-page pictures will introduce readers to city life and give readers an idea of how large a dinosaur would stand. The story’s simple plot and brightly colored pictures will encourage beginning readers to keep flipping pages until the very end.

Danny and the Dinosaur in the Big City contains sight words and will allow children to sound out words and sentences. The short sentences and simple plot are best suited for younger readers. Readers will smile when Danny’s dinosaur tries to join the theater’s dancers and when he swims to the Statue of Liberty. Readers will love the adorable dinosaur and his curious nature. Danny and the Dinosaur in the Big City will introduce readers to the joy of reading and may even spark their interest in New York City and the Statue of Liberty.

Sexual Content