Step into Reading 2 – Sneak Peek Books

David and the Giant

David and the Giant tells the Bible story in a fun way that is perfect for younger readers. David cares for his father’s sheep. One day, David is given a basket of food to take to his brothers, who are fighting in a war. Goliath demands that the King choose one man to fight him, but all the men are afraid. David, though he is small, will face Goliath.

David and the Giant is part of the Step into Reading Level Two series, which targets readers in preschool through first grade. Each page features one to three short sentences in large font, making it an easy read. The full-page illustrations use muted colors to bring David’s story to life. Even though David kills Goliath, the illustrations are somewhat comical. However, the pictures do include Goliath being stoned in the head and falling down—dead.

Parents who want to teach their children Biblical stories will enjoy reading David and the Giant to their children as it teaches that God looks out for his people. The story highlights David’s courage and bravery and shows that God looked after David. Even though David faced many threats, he was without fear because he trusted God. David and the Giant retells David’s story with a simple plot and child-friendly illustrations that children will love.

Sexual Content 

None

Violence 

When a lion tries to eat a sheep, David “killed the lion all by himself.” The illustration shows David using a sling and the rock hitting the lion in the head.
When David went to fight Goliath, Goliath laughed and said, “Let me turn you into food for the birds.” David uses his sling to kill Goliath. The illustration shows David using a sling and the rock hitting Goliath in the head.

Drugs and Alcohol 

None

Language 

None

Supernatural

None

Spiritual Content 

David takes care of his father’s sheep and “God looked after David.”

Uni and the Perfect Present

Uni is generous and wants to give Silkie a special present for his birthday. But Uni doesn’t have anything! So, Uni asks different animals what they think the perfect present is. Uni gives Silkie many gifts on their special day together, but there is one gift that turns out to be the most special of them all.

Anyone who has ever had to pick out a gift for someone will relate to Uni’s conflict. As Uni and Silkie spend the day together, Uni asks other animals what the perfect present is. Taking their advice, Uni gives Silkie an acorn, a shiny pebble, and a strong stick. But Uni doesn’t think any of the gifts are special. Then, Uni has an idea! She draws a picture of all the things they saw—a blue stream, golden trees, and purple flowers. Uni finally has the perfect present for Silkie!

Each page of Uni and the Perfect Present has a large illustration that focuses on nature. Readers will love all the forest animals Uni meets, as well as the brightly colored trees and flowers. Each page has one to three simple sentences that appear in oversized text. As a Level 2 book, Uni and the Perfect Present uses basic vocabulary words that are perfect for children who recognize familiar words and can sound out new words with help. In addition, the simple plot is relatable and easy to understand.

Uni and the Perfect Present will entertain readers who are ready to read on their own. The cute illustrations, the likable protagonist, and the theme of friendship add up to an enjoyable story that shows that “Best friends [are] the most perfect present of all!” Readers who love unicorns can find more sparkly fun by reading the Unicorn Diaries Series by Rebecca Elliott.

Sexual Content

None

Violence

None

Drugs and Alcohol

None

Language

None

Supernatural

None

Spiritual Content

None

Unicorn Wings

The unicorn in this story can heal wounds with his horn. He can make rainbows. But what he really wants is to fly! So he sets off on a quest—past birds and butterflies—to find wings of his own. Then the unicorn meets a winged horse. The winged horse has injured his wing. Unicorn knows just what to do—he uses his magical horn to heal the horse. And then the unicorn’s dream comes true—he gets his own wings.

Unicorn Wings is part of the Step into Reading Level Two series, which targets readers in preschool through first grade. Each page features one to three short sentences in large font, making it an easy read. A charming story for the unicorn lover—and emergent reader—in your life. Step Two Readers use basic vocabulary and short sentences to tell simple stories for children who recognize familiar words and can sound out new words with help. Rhyme or rhythmic text is paired with picture clues to help children decode the story.

Young readers will enjoy the simple story. Plus, the full-page illustrations are magical. The pages have a fairytale feel to them with lots of rainbows, flowers, butterflies, and a beautiful unicorn who shimmers. The happy conclusion shows Unicorn flying into the sky on his beautiful new wings. Young readers who love unicorns should put more sparkle into their lives by reading the Unicorn Diaries Series by Rebecca Elliott and the Unicorn and Yeti Series by Heather Ayris Burnell.

Sexual Content 

None

Violence 

None

Drugs and Alcohol 

None

Language 

None

Supernatural

The unicorn’s horn is magic. “It could make rainbows. . . It could fix cuts and broken bones.”
The unicorn meets a winged horse, but the horse’s wing is hurt. The unicorn “put his magic horn to the horse’s wing. The wing grew strong. It did not droop anymore.”
The unicorn wishes he had wings like the horses. Then, suddenly he does have wings.

Spiritual Content 

None

The Right Track (Disney Frozen: Northern Lights)

Anna, Elsa, and their friends from Disney’s Frozen embark on a new adventure with the help of the Northern Lights. The friends travel to Troll Valley to help the trolls celebrate the Crystal Ceremony. Along the way, they meet Little Rock, whose tracking crystal will not glow. The friends encounter other obstacles as well. Will they make it to Troll Valley in time for the celebration?

Readers will be drawn to The Right Track because it follows Disney’s Frozen characters. The story uses basic vocabulary and short sentences, but is intended for children who are familiar with words on sight and who can sound out new words. Each page has 1 to 3 simple sentences printed in large text. The action is illustrated with large pictures that show the friends’ adventures. The colorful illustrations will help readers understand the story’s plot.

The Right Track uses familiar characters and full-page illustrations to engage young readers. The story is intended for preschool through kindergarten readers, but older readers will also enjoy the story. The plot is easy to understand. However, readers may be disappointed the story ends before Anna, Elsa, and their friends make it to the Troll Valley, so they don’t get to see if Little Rock is able to light his tracking crystal. Despite this, fans of Frozen will enjoy the winter wonderland and will learn about the importance of helping a friend. Readers who are ready to move up to chapter books will enjoy stepping into another winter wonderland by reading the Diary of an Ice Princess Series by Christina Soontornvat.

Sexual Content 

None

Violence 

None

Drugs and Alcohol 

None

Language 

None

Supernatural

Elsa uses her magic. “Elsa waves her arms. She makes a stairway of ice. It stretches across the river.”
When the ice stairway begins “to fall. Elsa uses her magic. She makes ice sleds.”

Spiritual Content 

None

Stitch-or-Treat!

It is Stitch’s first Halloween on Earth! Lilo has prepared a list to ensure that the day is perfect. First, they need to find the right costume for Stitch. After several tries, Stitch finally decides on a vampire costume. Next, Lilo shows Stitch how to carve a pumpkin. Impatient, Stitch carves his pumpkin with his laser blaster. Finally, it’s time for trick-or-treating. Unlike Lilo, Stitch prefers tricks over treats. To Lilo’s chagrin, Stitch scares every person they meet. Stitch delights in this, but all these scares mean no candy for him or Lilo. Disappointed, Lilo walks away, believing that her perfect Halloween has been ruined. However, her spirits are lifted when Stitch catches up to her, boasting a mountain of candy!

Lilo is thrilled. Her Halloween may turn out to be perfect after all! However, her excitement ends when Stitch admits that he stole the candy from other trick-or-treaters. Together, Lilo and Stitch do the right thing—return the candy. They board Stitch’s spaceship and fly over the town, dropping the candy on the trick-or-treaters below. That night, Lilo and Stitch sleep happily, with Lilo’s list completed. It was a perfect Halloween after all.

Stitch-or-Treat continues the story of Disney’s beloved Lilo and Stitch and is sure to charm fans of the film. Readers who are unfamiliar with the characters will nonetheless be entertained by the sweet and short misadventure of the unlikely pair. The book’s art style matches the style of the film, with decorations drawn in the background to create a proper Halloween spirit. Readers will laugh at the illustrations of Stitch trying on various costumes and his confused, frustrated expressions. Fans of other Disney films will also delight in seeing background characters dressed as characters like Snow White and Little Red Riding Hood.

The book is part of the Step into Reading Level Two series, which targets readers in preschool through first grade. Each page features 1 to 3 short sentences in large font, making it an easy read. While it is an entertaining Halloween story, Stitch-or-Treat also teaches a valuable lesson about the importance of considering the needs of others. Stitch shows kindness and maturity by choosing to stop scaring others. Plus, both Lilo and Stitch show the same level of maturity by choosing to return the stolen candy, even if it meant that they both went without it. 

Sexual Content

None

Violence

None

Drugs and Alcohol

None

Language

None

Supernatural

None

Spiritual Content

None

The Firefly with No Glow

Luke is a firefly who lives in a garden, but unlike his friends, Luke doesn’t have a light and “no light means no glow.” As Luke and his friends explore the world, Luke’s friends help him. But one night, a boy catches Luke’s friends and puts them into a jar. None of the other fireflies can help, but because Luke doesn’t glow, the boy doesn’t see him. Luke frees his friends. While he doesn’t have a light that glows, after he helps his friends, Luke is glowing with pride.

By reading The Firefly with No Glow, children can fly into the world of the fireflies and explore. Every page has illustrations that show the adorably cute fireflies who live in a beautiful world full of creatures—an owl in a tree, ladybugs on a leaf, and crickets playing a song. Young readers will have fun trying to find all the creatures in the illustrations. Most of the full-page illustrations show the dark blue night sky which allows the fireflies light to shine bright. When the fireflies are trapped in a jar, their frowns are evident, but the scenes are not scary.

The Firefly with No Glow is part of the Step into Reading level two, which is geared toward preschool through first grade readers. With large font and 1 to 2 short sentences per page, young readers will enjoy the simple story. However, some readers will need help sounding out unfamiliar words.

The story focuses on Luke, a firefly who is different than the other fireflies. However, it is Luke’s difference that allows him to save his friends. While Luke doesn’t have a light that glows, he is portrayed in a positive light. The Firefly with No Glow highlights how one firefly’s difference makes him the perfect firefly to help his friends. The cute, engaging story will leave readers with a warm glow and help them understand that being unique is a good thing.

Sexual Content

None

Violence

A boy “catches a few of Luke’s friends. They are trapped in a jar.” Every firefly that tries to help, gets caught by the boy.

Drugs and Alcohol

None

Language

None

Supernatural

None

Spiritual Content

None

Disney’s Moana: Pua and Heihei

Moana helps get ready for a feast. She finds a shell and decides to make her dad a gift: a bracelet. Heihei the rooster keeps making trouble, he pecks holes in the leaves that the villagers use to wrap food in. Moana drops the bracelet and it lands on Heihei. Pua the pig wants to find the bracelet for Moana. Both Heihei and Pua get trapped in a fishing net. Moana untangles the net and finds the bracelet. Moana is happy that her dad loves the gift.

Young readers will need help reading Pua and Heihei. The story uses basic vocabulary and short sentences but is intended for children who are familiar with words on sight and can sound out new words. Each page has 1 to 3 simple sentences that are printed in large text. The action is illustrated with large pictures that show all of the accidental mischief that Heihei and Pua get into.

Pua and Heihei uses familiar characters and full-page illustrations to engage young readers. The story is intended for preschool through kindergarten readers, but older readers will also enjoy the story. The plot is easy to understand and the colorful illustrations will help readers understand the story’s events. Fans of Disney will enjoy stepping into Moana’s tropical world and laugh as Pua and Heihei cause all sorts of silly trouble.

Sexual Content

None

Violence

None

Drugs and Alcohol

None

Language

None

Supernatural

None

Spiritual Content

None

DC Super Friends: Shark Attack!

When a space probe falls into the ocean, Batman and Aquaman try to recover it, but the villain Black Manta gets there first. Black Manta uses a device to control the sharks. Aquaman tries to talk to the sharks, but the device stops him. While a great white chases Batman, Aquaman hides in the sea grass. Batman and Aquaman are able to save the day and get the device. The Coast Guard fish both the space probe and Black Manta out of the ocean.

Superhero fans will cheer for Batman and Aquaman when they defeat the Black Manta. Each full-page illustration shows the action, which includes being chased by sharks. Even though Black Manta is the villain, Aquaman asks the sharks not to bite him. Even though the reader knows that Batman and Aquaman will be victorious, they will enjoy the fast-paced action as they learn a few shark facts.

Young readers will need help reading Shark Attack! The story uses basic vocabulary and short sentences, but is intended for children who are familiar with words on sight and can sound out new words. Each page has 1 to 3 simple sentences that are printed with large text. The action is illustrated with large pictures which often include various types of sharks. As the superheroes battle the Black Manta, the violence consists of the sharks bumping but never biting.

Shark Attack! uses familiar characters and full-page illustrations to engage young readers. The story is intended for preschool through kindergarten readers, but older readers will also enjoy the story. The plot is easy to understand and the colorful illustrations will help readers understand the story’s events. Superhero and shark-loving readers will enjoy seeing Batman and Aquaman take a bite out of crime in Shark Attack!

Sexual Content