Kids travel with Sammy Octopus on a reading and writing adventure. They are encouraged to try different methods of writing and see which way works best for them. They also learn the value of revising and editing, engage in activities that help them make good word choices, and get practice in descriptive writing, letter writing, report writing, poetry, and much more.

Teachers in grades 3 and 4 will appreciate the new Painless Junior Series of classroom helpers. Designed to resemble titles in Barron’s Painless Series— which are used in middle school and high school classrooms—the Painless Junior books feature larger page sizes, amusing illustrations, games, puzzles, and an approach to their subjects that reflects third- and fourth-grade curricula. Their purpose is to inject an element of enjoyment into subjects that many younger students find either boring or mystifying. Kids’ understanding will improve as they have fun learning.