In this article, the author of several PM Story Books (used in schools with 5-, 6-, and 7-year-olds who are learning to read) discusses components of those books which she believes makes them successful. It attributes the success of these books to the following 4 ingredients: (1) traditional story structure having the elements of a central character with a problem and the solution of the problem; (2) a story which has meaning and does not bewilder children; (3) stories in a graded series designed to foster steady success, thus producing positive attitudes and desire for pleasure reading; and (4) stories with illustrations which are an integral part of the story and which further the meaning. Contains 43 references and 4 figures. (EF)