The "Beacon First Reader" differs from other first readers in that all the material has been carefully arranged with reference to its phonetic difficulties. In selecting material the plan has been to present only stories that have stood the test of time, stories which the child delights to hear repeated again and again. Since our language is so richly endowed with these masterpieces, it seems absurd to give to children made-up stories which are in no sense comparable, as examples of literature, to the old folklore. The interest with which the child reads the classic tales he loves proves a most effective stimulus to his reading power. He does not need to be urged to master them, sentence by sentence, but seizes upon them with avidity. The power which this element of interest lends cannot be emphasized too strongly.