I found the neatest little set of beginning-reader books at Barnes and Noble the other day for Cody. They have 6 different levels (2 sets per level), beginning with pre-reading and up through independent reading (probably 2nd grade level). Each set has 10 little mini-books which come with their own little binder and stickers to mark each book as the child reads it.
We started with Level 1, but I'm probably going to go back and get the pre-reading level for TJ since he and Cody fight over these. Each book (in the series we have) has about 10 pages and *very* easy sentences, which repeat new words. As an example:
A hat.
A tan hat.
A tan hat sat.
A tan hat sat on a rat.
A tan hat sat on a rat by a fan.
A rat naps.
A fan taps.
RAP, TAP, TAP!
No nap!
A tan hat lands on a cat.
At the end of the book, there are questions about the story and the words in it. I think this is just what we needed! I got them from Barnes and Noble and found them online for about $4 per set less than what I paid in the store!
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/boo...th=Nora+Gaydos
We started with Level 1, but I'm probably going to go back and get the pre-reading level for TJ since he and Cody fight over these. Each book (in the series we have) has about 10 pages and *very* easy sentences, which repeat new words. As an example:
A hat.
A tan hat.
A tan hat sat.
A tan hat sat on a rat.
A tan hat sat on a rat by a fan.
A rat naps.
A fan taps.
RAP, TAP, TAP!
No nap!
A tan hat lands on a cat.
At the end of the book, there are questions about the story and the words in it. I think this is just what we needed! I got them from Barnes and Noble and found them online for about $4 per set less than what I paid in the store!
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/boo...th=Nora+Gaydos
Those books sound EXCELLENT!!! I know we will be heading that way in the next year or so - I will look for them!! 
