Books in Easy-To-Read Books series

Janey and Tommy plan a surprise birthday party for Mother. Here is the sure-fire appeal of secrets and surprises. But there is something more for young readers -- the wholesome opportunity to identify with children like themselves who are in control of the situation. It is their secret and their surprise. This book has been carefully written to keep the young reader's interest high. It is written in a simple, open style, with a strong rhythm that adds enjoyment both to reading aloud and silent reading. There is a very high percentage of words repeated. It is this skillful repetition which helps the child to read independently. Seeing words again and again, he "practices" the vocabulary he knows, and learns with ease the words that are new. Only 214 different words have been used, with plurals and root words counted once.

That rascally rogue Rinaldo is on the run, heading to Rome to find the cat burglar who stole his fortune. But Rome turns out to be far too hot--and so is Rinaldo! His arch enemy, Bruno the Duck Detective, is on his trail and he's enlisted the entire Italian police force in the dragnet. Rinaldo flees to America, but the life of a jet-setter is fraught with danger. Can Rinaldo stay one step ahead of the law? Full color.