By Carol Bicak
World-Herald book reviewer

Children need to have fun while practicing their newfound reading skills. Here are some books that offer just that.

-- "Every Cowgirl Needs a Horse" (Dutton's Children's Books, $16.99) by Rebecca Janni. For ages 4 to 6. Nellie Sue is a cowgirl through and through. She has a cute pink cowgirl hat and chaps, so all she needs is her own horse. It's her birthday, so maybe she'll get her wish. This book offers read-out-loud fun.

-- "Way Out West on My Little Pony" (Pelican Publishing Co., $16.99) by Jan Peck. Ages 4 to 8. Rhyming text leads readers on a journey through the animal kingdom of the West. A girl rides her pony past prairie dogs and coyotes and bulls and other wild creatures, until she's scared home by a rattler.

-- "Legal Beagles: Danny's Yo-Yo Adventure" (Blackbird Group, $14.95) by Micheline Keller and Patricia Herskovic. Ages 7 to 10, More rhyming text teaches a gentle lesson. Danny the beagle "borrows" his sister's new yo-yo without permission and, of course, he has cause to regret his actions.

-- "Jamie Lee Curtis's Books to Grow By Treasury" (Harper, $24.99) Ages 4 to 8. The actress's new book has stories, poems, songs, word games, puzzles and a CD. What more could you ask for? This treasury should keep kids occupied for many fun-filled hours. And some of Laura Cornell's illustrations are really funny.

Carol Bicak reviews books for the World-Herald. She is also a Community Connection reporter.