A couple of publishers refer to board books and novelty books. Writer's Digest is currently running an excellent article on copyright, A Writer's Guide to Fair Use in Copyright Law , by Howard Zaharoff, a copyright attorney who explains that the boundaries of copyright protection aren't as firm as you might think. Ten Little Dinosaurs by Pattie Schnetzler is another example of a novelty book. In order to capture their attention, Hi-Lo books must contain action, humor, and romance with quick dialogue and simple plots. Issues should be realistic and contemporary.
Subjects tend to be about sports figures, celebrities, and popular culture.
Hi-Lo books are purchased mainly by schools. Similar to easy reader books, they use a controlled vocabulary, and run from 400 to 1,200 words. In order to write a Hi-Lo book, you must first get to know your audience. Understanding reluctant readers is the key to writing for them. This article is well seasoned with links to many more articles and information about writing for the reluctant reader, including what publishers look for.