New Series to Support Student Engagement and Drive Foundational Skill Development
Heinemann and Mossflower Press today announced the launch of a new series of fantasy and science fiction-themed decodable books. The Moonlit Mountain Readers, co-published by Mossflower Press, feature a unique cast of vibrant, relatable characters and combine captivating storytelling with intentional phonics practice. The 90-book collection is designed for students in grades K-2 and will be available this fall.
The Moonlit Mountain Readers are designed to draw young readers into imaginative worlds filled with mythical creatures, talking animals and fantastical landscapes, while also offering explicit practice with essential phonics concepts. The series follows a systematic, research-based phonics progression that supports early reading development and allows students to build confidence and fluency.
“Stories about unicorns and fairies and dragons and mermaids have filled the pages of children’s books for centuries, yet they have rarely been written for children to be able to read on their own,” said Elizabeth Franco, Moonlit Mountain Readers’ lead author and series editor. “We strived to create a collection of fantasy books that would be both decodable and irresistible so that even the most beginning readers can pick them up—and not want to put them down!”
“We know from the explosion of trade books in the genre that children’s interest in science fiction and fantasy titles has been climbing for years,” said Maggie DeMont, general manager of Heinemann. “We’re thrilled to offer the Moonlit Mountain Readers decodable series and provide an opportunity for young students to delight in enchanting stories while building the skills and confidence to become lifelong readers at the same time.”
For more information about the Moonlit Mountain Readers, please visit: https://www.heinemann.com/moonlit-mountain-readers/.
