If your younger kids are just mastering reading and want adventure these series would be a great option! These are interesting adventures with controlled vocabulary -- word lists are included in the back. Many of the stories are aimed more at boys, although my girls have loved them, too. But, living in the country in south Texas, they love everything about cowboys and pioneers!
On the lists below I've included the earliest copyright dates I've found, illustrators, and reading levels. There are also several other series from Benefic Press that I haven't seen myself. Please let me know if you can add more information. Thanks!!!
Reading level is shown on the back of the books like this.
I have seen them in 2 different styles. The older books have a cloth cover with the cursive-type writing as you see above on the Rusters and Porky books. They were republished in the 1970's with more colorful covers -- See the Freddy book above. As far as I can tell the text and illustrations didn't change. Size: 6 1/2" x 8 3/4". A favorite series around here!
Cowboy Sam and Dandy
Cowboy Sam
Cowboy Sam and Freddy, c1959, RL2
Cowboy Sam and the Rodeo, c1959, RL 2
Cowboy Sam and the Rustlers
Cowboy Sam and Freckles, c1960, Preprimer RL
Cowboy Sam and Porky, c1961, RL 3
Cowboy Sam and Shorty, c1962, RL 4
Cowboy Sam and the Fair, c1961, RL 2
Cowboy Sam and the Indians, RL 3
Cowboy Sam and Big Bill
Cowboy Sam and Miss Lily
Cowboy Sam and Flop
Cowboy Sam and Sally
Cowboy Sam and the Airplane
Dan Frontier, c1959, Preprimer RL
Dan Frontier and the New House, c1961, Preprimer RL
Dan Frontier Goes Hunting, c1959, Primer RL
Dan Frontier and the Big Cat, c1961, Primer RL
Dan Frontier with the Indians, c1959, RL 1
Dan Frontier, Trapper, c1962, RL 1
Dan Frontier Scouts with the Army, c1962, RL 2
Dan Frontier and the Wagon Train, c1959, RL 2
Dan Frontier, Sheriff, c1960, RL 3
Dan Frontier Goes Exploring, c1963, RL 3
Dan Frontier Goes to Congress, c1964, RL 4
Teacher's Manual - (I've never seen this one. If you have, could you share some info on it? Thanks!)
The Tom Logan Series, by Edna Walker Chandler, illustrated by Jack Merryweather. Size: 6 1/2" x 8 3/4".
Pony Rider
Cattle Drive
Secret Tunnel, c1967, RL 1
Gold Nugget, c1967, RL 2
Stagecoach Driver (listed as Stage Whip in some books), c1968, RL 3
Cowboys of Many Races Series, by Donald Russell, illustrated by Max Ranft. These have activities in the back for the kids to do after they read.
Cowboy Without A Horse
Cowboy On The Mountain
Adam Bradford, Cowboy
Cowboy On The Trail
Cowboy Soldier
World of Adventure Series, by Henry Bamman and Robert Whitehead, illustrations by William Lackey. The adventures of two teenaged boys, Mark and Rich.:
The Lost Uranium Mine
Flight to the South Pole
Hunting Grizzly Bears, c1963, RL 3
Fire on the Mountain
City Beaneath the Sea, c1964, RL 4
The Search for Piranha
Sacred Well of Sacrifice
Viking Treasure
The Checkered Flag Series, also by Henry Bamman and Robert Whitehead, published by Field Educational Publications, Inc. These books are approximately 6"x8" and the print is a little smaller.
Wheels
Riddler
Bearcat, c1967
Smashup
Scramble
Flea
Grand Prix
500
The Jim Forest Readers, by John and Nancy Rambeau, published by Harr Wagner Publishing Company, San Francisco. I have only seen them in the hardback style shown. Size: 6" x 8 1/4".
