In this study we analyzed the use of children's literature in three widely used commercially published and literature-based reading programs for grades 1 to 6. On average, 37% of the literature selections had been previously published, with a range by publisher of 4% to 55%. These percentages are noticeably lower than those reported for American programs published about the same time. The publishers changed the selections from their original tradebook publication in two key areas: text context and illustrations. The changes frequently altered the intent, content, and meaning of the selections, and in some cases rendered the stories incomprehensible. [Published May 2004]