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The Letter Setters in Fun!

Author Ethan Long
Illustrated by Ethan Long
Hardcover
6"W x 9"H | 20 oz | 12 per carton
On sale Jan 13, 2026 | 32 Pages | 9780823460328
Age 4-8 years

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Learning how to read should be as fun as a day at the beach! Frolick in the sand with four canine friends on a letter-replacement adventure in this phonics-based early reader from Theodor Seuss Geisel Medalist Ethan Long.

The Letter Setters—a lovable group of dynamic dogs—are enjoying a day at the beach, where Pat has D-U-G the perfect sandcastle! But when a huge wave washes the masterpiece away, the plan turns out to be a D-U-D. . . until the setters come up with a new idea to F-I-X this doggone mess. They’ll build S-I-X sandcastles, and keep their favorite one! But as their plans and their castles take shape, these curious canines realize that the best castle of all might be one they build together.

In this engaging new early reader series from acclaimed author-illustrator Ethan Long, each story starts out with a three letter word. On the next page, one swapped letter makes a new word—and a new canine caper for little ones learning how to read! As this fresh and fun device propels the pups into silly, slapstick sequences, phonics help readers to discover new words, study how words relate to each other, and observe how text and pictures support one another.

Ethan Long’s expressive artwork shines in these energetic, educational escapades that provide the youngest readers with the greatest adventure of all—a gateway into a lifelong love of reading.

With fun stories and great pictures, new readers will say . . . “I like to read!” Created by award-winning-artists and talented newcomers and tested by educational experts, I Like to Read® books help develop vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension that lead to reading success.
Ethan Long is an artist and animator who has written and illustrated dozens of children’s books. His accolades include a Theodor Seuss Geisel Medal for Up, Tall, and High! and two daytime Emmy nominations for Tasty Time With Ze Frank and Scribbles and Ink. Ethan is the author-illustrator of the I Like to Read® Horse & Buggy series as well as Hoggy Went-a-Courtin’ and Hoggy at Bat. He lives in Denver, CO.
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About

Learning how to read should be as fun as a day at the beach! Frolick in the sand with four canine friends on a letter-replacement adventure in this phonics-based early reader from Theodor Seuss Geisel Medalist Ethan Long.

The Letter Setters—a lovable group of dynamic dogs—are enjoying a day at the beach, where Pat has D-U-G the perfect sandcastle! But when a huge wave washes the masterpiece away, the plan turns out to be a D-U-D. . . until the setters come up with a new idea to F-I-X this doggone mess. They’ll build S-I-X sandcastles, and keep their favorite one! But as their plans and their castles take shape, these curious canines realize that the best castle of all might be one they build together.

In this engaging new early reader series from acclaimed author-illustrator Ethan Long, each story starts out with a three letter word. On the next page, one swapped letter makes a new word—and a new canine caper for little ones learning how to read! As this fresh and fun device propels the pups into silly, slapstick sequences, phonics help readers to discover new words, study how words relate to each other, and observe how text and pictures support one another.

Ethan Long’s expressive artwork shines in these energetic, educational escapades that provide the youngest readers with the greatest adventure of all—a gateway into a lifelong love of reading.

With fun stories and great pictures, new readers will say . . . “I like to read!” Created by award-winning-artists and talented newcomers and tested by educational experts, I Like to Read® books help develop vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension that lead to reading success.

Creators

Ethan Long is an artist and animator who has written and illustrated dozens of children’s books. His accolades include a Theodor Seuss Geisel Medal for Up, Tall, and High! and two daytime Emmy nominations for Tasty Time With Ze Frank and Scribbles and Ink. Ethan is the author-illustrator of the I Like to Read® Horse & Buggy series as well as Hoggy Went-a-Courtin’ and Hoggy at Bat. He lives in Denver, CO.
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