Nothing that Sparkles suggests--making crafts, playing checkers, and selling lemonade--goes well with the leaping, spinning, and twirling that Ballet Cat likes to do. When Sparkles's leaps, spins, and twirls seem halfhearted, Ballet Cat asks him what's wrong. Sparkles doesn't want to say. He has a secret that Ballet Cat won't want to hear. What Sparkles doesn't know is that Ballet Cat has a secret of her own, a totally secret secret. Once their secrets are shared, will their friendship end, or be stronger than ever?

    Barkus is loyal. Barkus is generous. Barkus is family.The exuberant Barkus and his lucky young owner whirl and twirl across the pages of this delightful pre-chapter book series from award-winning author Patricia MacLachlan. The accessible text is ideal for even the newest independent reader, while the warm, humorous story and energetic illustrations will appeal to picture book readers as well as advanced readers.

    Then Pete and his mom go to see the Amazing Marco, and Marco hypnotizes Pete’s mom into thinking she’s a pirate! Now Pete’s mom won’t behave. She chases the neighbors. She steals underwear off other people’s clotheslines. She’s even flying the Jolly Roger over the house. Pete has to find the Amazing Marco. He wants his real mom back!

    Fans of Pinkalicious will relate! A little girl wishes everything in her world could be pink . . . including her dog, her cat, and her hamster. Wait! How will she ever find her pink pets in her all-pink bedroom? This simple story perfectly--and humorously--illustrates the old adage "Be careful what you wish for!"Step 1 Readers feature big type and easy words for children who know the alphabet and are eager to begin reading. Rhyme and rhythmic text paired with picture clues help children decode the story.Young readers will LOVE the companion books too! I Love My Tutu!, I Love My Grandma!, and I Love Cake!

    She has pony books, pony toys, and even a pony rug! But Meg lives in the big city and has never been around real ponies before. Then her family moves to the country, and on her first day of school, Meg makes a new friend—a friend who lives on a horse farm! Beginning readers will cheer as Meg meets, feeds, and grooms her very first horses. A sweet story of friendship and big ideas, this is the perfect book for horse lovers of all ages.

    But when they get dirty, they have to do something they do not love at all: take a bath! Otter Keeper says bath time is fun, but Otter and Teddy are not so sure. . . .Otter: Oh No, Bath Time! is a My First I Can Read book, which means it’s perfect for shared reading with a child.

    The only problem is that Twinky doesn't feel dinky. What can a little dog do to prove the age-old adage that size doesn't matter? With engaging characters, easy-to-follow plots, and popular topics, Twinky The Dinky Dog is an ideal Step 3 reader for children who are ready to begin reading on their own.