- Large type, moderate spacing between words and lines of type
- Text layout variation
- Photos assist reader with comprehension through content recognition and reflect multicultural diversity
- Moderately easy-to-read decodable text
- Lively photographs and illustrations match engaging text
- Innovative mix of nonfiction and fiction in each book
- Some challenging vocabulary
- Variety of punctuation
- Demonstration of compound word construction
- Introduces multisyllabic words, adjectives, and inflectional endings
- Strengthens reading, spelling, and comprehension skills
- Designed to use for guided, shared, and independent reading
- Full-color Photographs
- Compound Word List
- Glossary