It's Not about the Straw!

More first books for fledgling readers that offer the enjoyment of a good story with the thrill of accomplishment that comes from independent reading. Written in short, easy phrases with carefully selected vocabulary and plentiful illustrations, each book helps youngsters achieve success as they have fun.



The series follows three friends who love to share stories. In each book, one is reminded of a well-known story:

It's Not About the Ball! is based on The Frog Prince;

It' Not About the Tiny Girl! is based on Thumbelina;

It's Not About the Diamonds! is based on the story of Diamonds and Toads;

It's Not About the Straw! is based on Rumpelstiltskin and

It's Not About the Beanstalk! is based on Jack and the Beanstalk.



As one friend starts his story, the others are reminded of versions they know so each volume has three stories within one framework. The stories come from around the world, and Veronika Martenova Charles provides a note at the end of each book to describe the origins.



Easy-to-Read Wonder Tales are a great first step in developing a lifelong love of reading, and it makes a fine companion to Veronika Martenova Charles's series, Easy-to-Read Spooky Tales.

VERONIKA MARTENOVA CHARLES is an award-winning author and illustrator whose books include The Birdman, illustrated by Annouchka Gravel Galouchko and Stéphan Daigle. She has studied at Ryerson University, the Ontario College of Art and Design, and has a graduate degree in Folklore from York University. Veronika Martenova Charles lives in Toronto.



DAVID PARKINS is the award-winning illustrator of over fifty children's books. He began his career at Dyfed College of Art in Wales, studying wildlife illustrations.

About David Parkins