Tugg and Teeny Jungle Surprises is one of three books in a brand-new beginning reader series written by renowned author J. Patrick Lewis. Award-winner Christopher Denise brings the jungle story to life with detailed and lively illustrations. New readers will quickly fall in love with best friends Tugg, a kind gorilla, and Teeny, an inquisitive monkey. Alongside many other jungle friends, Tugg and Teeny search for a lost treasure, host a wacky zebra race, and discover a strange bird flying in the sky.

Jungle Surprises is written for readers in grades 2-3. It's divided into three chapters and contains 994 words. My daughter, who just turned 6, read the first chapter out loud to me without any difficulty. Though I told her to wait to read the next chapter, the next day she handed the book to me with a smile and said she'd already finished it! She said she liked the story, and just to make sure she didn't miss anything, I had her narrate the rest of the book.

In my opinion, beginning readers can be rather dull and bland unless they feature timeless characters and stories such as Dick and Jane, Curious George, and Dr. Seuss, or well-loved cartoon characters like Care Bears, Thomas the Train, and Barbie. This is not the case with Tugg and Teeny. Though the characters will be new to children, engaging text and delightful illustrations make this new beginning reader a hit!

I recommend this book to newly independent readers who are ready to read their first chapter book out loud or to established independent readers. My daughter's enthusiasm is all the proof I need that this was a great story! Visit www.sleepingbearpress today to get your soft-cover copy for just $3.99.

Product review by Brandi Tesreau, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC, July 2011