Step Into Reading

Step into Reading’s leveling system recognizes different developmental stages of emergent readers and is designed to deliver a successful reading experience at each step. With over 650 titles in print, children are sure to find accessible books about topics that interest them.

Keep reading to learn more about some of our most exciting new titles and visit RHCB.com for even more.

Field Day!

Field Day! By Candice Ransom; illustrated by Ashley Evans

Get ready for some outdoor fun in this Step 1 book that's perfect for readers ages 4-6! Join the Day kids as they gear up for field day at school.

What's more fun than field day? The Day kids are so excited! They gobble their breakfast and race to the bus. So many fun things are waiting for them! Spoon-and-egg race! Face-painting! Kickball! A bouncy castle! Brother and sister can't wait! 

Step 1 Readers feature big type and easy words. Rhymes and rhythmic text paired with picture clues help children decode the story. For children who know the alphabet and are eager to begin reading.

A day with family is always a great day! Read all the DAY family books:
Apple Picking Day!
Pumpkin Day!
Garden Day!
Beach Day!
School Day!

Words Are Magic!

Words Are Magic! By Zaila Avant-Garde; illustrated by Felicia Whaley

Scripps National Spelling Bee champ Zaila Avant-garde shares her love of words with new readers in this level 1 Step Into Reading book.

Words are magic! Have you heard? Pick a letter. Make a word!

New readers will find joyful encouragement in this level 1 easy reader that sings out about the magic of words. Encouraging kids to mix words, match words, shout and rap words, Scripps National Spelling champ Zaila Avante-garde takes readers along on a noisy and boisterous celebration of letters, sounds, and reading. It's the perfect first step for new readers, full of fun and energy, from one of America's most exciting and unique young voices. 

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.

Also available by Zaila Avant-garde:
Words of Wonder from Z to A
It's Not Bragging If It's True

This Makes Me Anxious: First Day of School

This Makes Me Anxious: First Day of School By Courtney Carbone; illustrated by Jennifer Amaris

Get ready to conquer those back-to-school jitters with this exciting new Dealing with Feelings beginning reader! This Step 2 reader is perfect for kids who recognize familiar sight words and are working on sounding out new ones!

It's natural for children to feel anxious about the first day of school, just like the kid in this story. Her chest feels as tight as her old sneakers since there is so much to do to prepare. Good thing she is not alone! Many people are there to help her feel more comfortable so she can have the best first day! Learning how to voice your feelings and count on others, like your family and teachers is an important skill that can help all children.

The Dealing with Feelings series of early readers is designed to give voice to what's brewing inside. Through short, simple text and repetitive observational phrases, children will learn to name their emotions as they learn to read!

Step 2 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.

Welcome Back! (An All Are Welcome Early Reader)

Welcome Back! (An All Are Welcome Early Reader) By Alexandra Penfold; illustrated by Suzanne Kaufman

A back-to-school celebration featuring the beloved characters from the New York Times-bestselling All Are Welcome! This Step 2 early reader is perfect for emerging readers who are excited to learn more at school.

The sun is up.                                                              
The day has begun.
It’s back to school
For everyone!

The kids from All Are Welcome are heading back to school and eager to see old friends, make new friends, and learn to be readers, writers, listeners, and leaders. Three things they keep in mind: Always try. Have fun. Be kind.

Step 2 Readers use basic vocabulary and short sentences to tell simple stories. They are ideal for children who recognize familiar words and can sound out new words with help. Perfect for children who are ready to read on their own!

Ice Cream Town

Ice Cream Town By Margaret Buckley; illustrated by Kiersten Eagan

What a sweet treat--a cool Step 2 reader all about ice cream for eager new readers and fans of Ice Cream Soup!

This rhyming reader takes kids on a tour of the fantastical Ice Cream Town, where everything is made of ice cream! Fancy a ride on the ice cream train, a dip in the ice cream lake, or a visit to the ice cream park? It’s all possible in Ice Cream Town, where the sweetest dreams come true!

Step 2 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 and rhythmic text paired with picture clues help children decode the story.

How Does Money Work? (StoryBots)

How Does Money Work? (StoryBots) By Scott Emmons; illustrated by Greg Mako and Romney Caswell

The robots from Netflix's StoryBots Answer Time star in an all-new Step 2 Step into Reading leveled reader!

Bing wants to know what money is and why we use it. His questions lead him from a bank to a tour of a successful lemonade stand. What he learns will fascinate children ages 4 to 6 who love Netflix's educational show.

Step 2 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.

Charlotte the Ballerina

Charlotte the Ballerina By Charlotte Nebres; illustrated by Alea Marley

This modern take on the holiday favorite is now a Step 2 leveled reader, weaving together The Nutcracker and the true-life story of the first Black girl to play Marie in the New York City Ballet!

The only thing Charlotte Nebres loves as much as ballet is Christmas. So, when she gets the opportunity to play Marie in the New York City Ballet's The Nutcracker, she leaps at the chance.

Dancing takes practice--hours of adjusting her arms and perfecting her jumps. With the help of her Trinidadian and Filipino families, encouragement from her sister, and a view of her mom and dad in the audience, Charlotte finds the strength to never give up.

Step 2 Readers use basic vocabulary and short sentences to tell simple stories. They are perfect for children who recognize familiar words and can sound out new words with help.

How to Rock a Snow Day

How to Rock a Snow Day By Jean Reagan; illustrated by Lee Wildish

A snow day! That means no school...But what will we do today? From the New York Times bestselling creators of How to Babysit a Grandpa comes a seasonal Step 2 early reader packed with snow much fun!

School is canceled, and there is so much to do: snow angels, lunch, sledding... Will the other kids be able to finish everything on our snow day to-do list?! Join them as they enjoy a snow-filled day of winter activities! 

Perfect for children who are ready to read on their own. Step 2 readers use basic vocabulary and short sentences to tell simple stories. They are perfect for children who recognize familiar words and can sound out new words with help.

Baking with Mi Abuelita

Baking with Mi Abuelita By Julissa Mora

Family traditions are special, especially when they include baking a "delicioso" cake with your abuelita! This Step 2 Reader includes some words in Spanish!

It's Papi's birthday! Which means it's time to get in the kitchen and bake the traditional family cake — Tres Leches! Together, we'll measure the ingredients and when some of it sticks to the pan, no worries! Abuelita is there to save the day. The family is working together on this special tradition, just like Papi did with Abuelita when he was young! 

Step 2 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 and rhythmic text paired with picture clues help children decode the story.

Maxie Wiz and the Magic Charms

Maxie Wiz and the Magic Charms By Michelle Meadows; illustrated by Sawyer Cloud

A rollicking, rhyming, enchanted adventure featuring a young wizard in training in this easy Step 1 Reader.

HOCUS-POCUS! Maxie Wiz has magic homework! She must collect all the charms in her magic spell for it to work. Will she be able to follow the steps and rev up her magic wand?

Follow this little wizard and her dragon on a whimsical treasure hunt.  Predictable rhymes help support a successful reading experience, while bright, lively art brings this delightful story to life.

Step 1 Readers feature big type and easy words. Rhymes and rhythmic text paired with picture clues help children decode the story. For children who know the alphabet and are eager to begin reading.

Give What You Can (An All Are Welcome Early Reader)

Give What You Can (An All Are Welcome Early Reader) By Alexandra Penfold; illustrated by Suzanne Kaufman

Celebrate the act of giving with the beloved characters from the beloved bestseller All Are Welcome! This Step 2 early reader is perfect for emerging readers who are learning to give back to their communities.

Get together, lend a hand.
Can we do it? Yes, we can!

The kids from All Are Welcome are working together to give back to their community. How do they do it? By gathering a team to follow a dream and lending a hand when someone is in need.

Step 2 readers use basic vocabulary and short sentences to tell simple stories. They are ideal for children who recognize familiar words and can sound out new words with help. Perfect for children who are ready to read on their own!

Phonics Patrol! (PAW Patrol)

Phonics Patrol! (PAW Patrol) By Jennifer Liberts; illustrated by Mike Jackson

This Step into Reading boxed set includes 12 full-color phonics readers featuring the pups of Nickelodeon’s PAW Patrol! Each book features a specific phonics concept that will give boys and girls ages 3 to 7 the tools they need to begin reading on their own.

School Day!

School Day! By Candice Ransom; illustrated by Ashley Evans

It's time for school in this Step 1 reader featuring the family from Pumpkin Day!, Apple Picking Day!, Garden Day, Snow Day, and Beach Day!

The start of the new school year means new friends and new experiences! It's big sister's first day of 3rd grade, but it will be a cinch for her to show little brother the ropes on his first day of kindergarten. She already knows where all the rooms are, who the teachers are, and where to go and when at their school! It's great to have a sibling to rely on when starting something new!

A day with family is always a great day! Read all the Day books:

Apple Picking Day
Pumpkin Day
Garden Day
Beach Day
Snow Day
Grandparents Day


Step 1 Readers feature big type and easy words. Rhymes and rhythmic text paired with picture clues help children decode the story. For children who know the alphabet and are eager to begin reading.

Juneteenth: Our Day of Freedom

Juneteenth: Our Day of Freedom By Sharon Dennis Wyeth; illustrated by Kim Holt

Some call it Freedom Day; some call it Emancipation Day; some call it Juneteenth. Learn more about this important holiday that celebrates the end of chattel slavery in the United States in this Step 3 History Reader.

On June 19, 1865, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation, a group of enslaved men, women, and children in Texas gathered. Order Number 3 was read, proclaiming that they were no longer enslaved--they were free. People danced, wept tears of joy, and began to plan their new lives. Juneteenth became an annual celebration that is observed by more and more Americans with parades, picnics, family gatherings, and reflection on the words of historical figures, to mark the day when freedom truly rang for all.
 
Step 3 Readers feature engaging characters in easy-to-follow plots and popular topics--for children who are ready to read on their own.

Space: Planets, Moons, Stars, and More!

Space: Planets, Moons, Stars, and More! By Joe Rhatigan; illustrated by Thomas Girard

Learn about our solar system in this Step 3 Science Reader packed with NASA photos and space facts! Step into Reading, the most trusted name in early readers, delivers an introduction to the final frontier that kids can read themselves! For up-to-date information (including about Pluto and its fellow dwarf planets) and stellar photos and illustrations, kids eager for mind-blowing nonfiction need look no further!
 
Step 3 Readers feature engaging characters in easy-to-follow plots about popular topics. They are ideal for children who are ready to read on their own.

Uni's Wish for Wings ( Uni the Unicorn)

Uni's Wish for Wings ( Uni the Unicorn) By Amy Krouse Rosenthal; illustrated by Brigette Barrager

Uni the Unicorn for early readers! Another exciting Step 2 adventure for children who can't get enough of Uni and friends!

Watching birds soar through the sky makes Uni want to fly! When Uni befriends a winged horse named Pegasus, it seems like flying might be possible. Uni's magic unicorn horn is good for helping others but it cannot make wings. Peg coaches Uni's creative attempts to make a set of wings. And it turns out that Uni can do some things Peg cannot do! 
 
Fans of the picture books, as well as new Uni fans, will be excited to join this bighearted unicorn and friends on a new adventure of learning about caring for another and friendship. Look for all the Uni stories, including Uni the Unicorn Bakes a Cake; Uni the Unicorn Goes to School; Uni's First Sleepover and more!

Step 2 Readers use basic vocabulary and short sentences to tell simple stories. They are perfect for children who recognize familiar words and can sound out new words with help.

Random House Teachers and Librarians