WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE NEWLY INDEPENDENT NEWLY INDEPENDENT

READER?READER?

WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE NEWLY INDEPENDENT NEWLY INDEPENDENT

READER?READER?Easy Readers and Easy Readers and Transitional BooksTransitional Books

Easy Readers• Definition: larger typeface, fewer

words on each page, controlled vocabulary

• History: relatively new to children’s publishing – John Hersey – Life magazine article

Dr. Seuss and The Cat in the Hat

• Published in 1957 in response to Hersey’s article

• Houghton Mifflin’s list of 237 easy to read words

• First Example of engaging creative text with controlled vocabulary and exciting illustrations in a unified work

Little Bearby

Elise Minarik• 1957 – Harper and Row came out

with “I Can Read Series” • Short, easy to read chapters,

designed like a chapter book instead of a picture book

• Set the standard for transitional literature

Frog and Toadby Arnold Lobel

• 1970 series started• Distinguished writing and

exemplary art• Singled out for both Caldecott and

Newbery Awards

Components of “Easy Components of “Easy Readers”Readers”

Components of “Easy Components of “Easy Readers”Readers”

1. Content

• Vocabulary• Sentence Length• Plot• Illustrations

Vocabulary• Sight words• 1st / 2nd grade level• Short words, easy to decode• Longer compound words with

illustrations to support understanding

• Natural language of child

Sentence Length• Short declarative sentences• 5 words or less for earliest, 10

words for more confident• Alternating sentence length• Longer sentences if broken into

smaller parts

Plot• 2-3 main characters• Fast moving, clear direct action• Not much description• 4-6 chapters, action on each page• Action verbs move plot• Characters are developed through

interaction• Surprises mix with predictability

Illustrations• Pictures on each page• Varying sizes from page to page• Context clues

2. Design• Typeface = 18 pts• Words / line = 2-10• New line for new sentence• Word space wide and clear• Line space = to type size• Lines per page = < 16• White space substantial for resting eyes• Illustration placement= every double-page

spread for eye rest and picture clues (complement not compete)

LEVELS• Three levels based upon difficulty

– Level One - First Grade• “I Can Read”

– Level Two – Second Grade• “I Can Read”

– Level Three – Third Grade +• “I Am Reading”

Examples of Level One Books

Examples of Level Two Books

Examples of Level Three Books

TRANSITIONAL BOOKS• “Stepping Stone” series• Short developmental stage• Gain reading confidence • Choose books based upon interest

and genres

Characteristics• Larger typeface• Lines per page < 15• Words per sentence = 8-12• Plenty of white space• Fewer illustrations• Longer chapters• Justified margins• Resemble chapter books

Examples of Transitional Books

Theodor Geisel Award• The Theodor Seuss Geisel Award

is given annually to the author(s) and illustrator(s) of the most distinguished American books for beginning readers published in English in the United States during the preceding year.  

• Books that demonstrate creativity and imagination to engage children in reading, receive a bronze medal.  Honor Book authors and illustrators receive certificates,

• The award was established in 2004 and first presented in 2006.

2009 Geisel Award Winners

2009 Medal winner 2009 Honor Books