Once there was a big brown bear who had been sleeping all winter long. With the popping, snapping, dripping sounds of nature everywhere, one special sound wakes the bear. What could it be that tells the bear to come out from underground? About¿The¿Bank¿Street Ready-To-Read Series More than seventy years of educational research and innovative teaching have given the Bank Street College of Education the reputation as America's most trusted name in early childhood education. Because no two children are exactly alike in their development, we have designed the Bank Street Ready-to-Read series in three levels to accommodate the individual stages of reading readiness of children ages four through eight. • Level 1: Getting Ready To Read- (Pre-K to Grade 1) Books are perfect for reading aloud with children who are getting ready to read or are just beginning to read words or phrases. • Level 2: Reading Together-(Grades 1 to 3) Books are written especially for children who are on their way to reading independently but who may need help. • Level 3: I Can Read It Myself-(Grades 2 to 3) Books are designed for children able to read on their own. They also can be enjoyed as read-alouds..