Phonics Comics: Otis C. Mouse - Egypt (Phonics Comics: Level 3)
Grade 1–3—These phonics readers in graphic-novel format are intended for children learning to read with adult assistance. The inside front and back covers have information for adults, include Guided Reading Levels, and feature lists of "Story Words" (challenging vocabulary) and "Sight Words" (frequently used words that do not need decoding). In the first book, Otis, a mouse living in New York City, flees a persistent cat and finds himself in a brown shoe heading for Egypt, where he has many adventures, before accidentally ending up on a boat bound for Greece. The subtitle may be over the heads of children but they will still enjoy the humor and adventures. InBattle at Mount Kamado, Master Fu asks Hiro and three other dragon students to search for one of the long-lost Power Jades. Their adventures include defeating ninjas and Evil Master Gomi to retrieve the treasure. The theme of this story is facing your fears, and, to ensure that the message is not lost, the cover caption proclaims, "Face Your Fears." Large, colorful cartoons and a good-size font make these books appropriate for beginning readers.—Marilyn Ackerman, Brooklyn Public Library, NYCopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.