In 1957, Harper published its first I Can Read title, "Little Bear,"
written by Else Holmelund Minarik and illustrated by Maurice Sendak.
Large type, simple vocabulary, chapter-like divisions, and decorative
pictures made Little Bear perfect for emerging readers — they could read
the story comfortably and not feel overwhelmed by the text. Following
suit came such classics as Peggy Parish's Amelia Bedelia series, Lillian
Hoban's books about Arthur the monkey, and Syd Hoff's popular "Danny and
the Dinosaur." Many books in this series are special in the depth of
emotion evoked — "Little Bear, the Frog and Toad" books by Arnold Lobel,
and "Daniel