- Large type; ample spacing between lines- Easy-to-follow layout; text appears at same place on every page- Print separated from photos- Simple sentences- Digraphs, consonant blends- Long and short vowel sounds- Introduces multisyllabic and compound words, simple adjectives, and inflectional endings- Common "picture words" list helps reader decode text- Word repetition reinforces learning- Photos assist reader with word recognition and reflect multicultural diversity- Full-color Photographs- Picture Glossary- Word List