All beginning readers love stories about the Berenstain bears because Papa Bear is so disaster-prone.

They identify with Small Bear, who watches Papa's hilarious efforts with sled, skis and skates in 'The Bears' Christmas'. 'I can read it all by myself' is the Beginner Books motto, and behind it is an understanding of how important it is for children to take pride and pleasure in their early reading.

Beginner Books have been designed to appeal directly to children through the use of humour, rhyme, and bright pictures that can be 'read' even by the non-reading child.

Some Beginner Books are simple stories, others are hilarious nonsense: both types have been designed to give children confidence and make them want to go on reading.