Because there are so many early readers to choose from, I suggest enlisting the help of a savvy librarian or bookseller in the selection process. The American Library Association also presents the Theodor Seuss Geisel Awards to noteworthy early readers each year, and the list of winners is a great place to discover new books. But if your child still remains fixated on the Hollywood heroes, I've selected a couple of standouts in the category.

Star Wars: Ready, Set, Podrace! is published by DK, which is best known for its nonfiction books. This early reader focuses on Episode 1 of the Star Wars saga, but the plot of the film is simplified to focus on the most kid-friendly themes, and there are phonetic cues for all complicated terminology. Finally, the book poses open-ended questions to readers ("Do you think you could fly a Podracer?"), inviting dialogue and further examination of the subject matter.

I also give high marks to Kung Fu Panda: Po's Crash Course. It provides an easily understandable plot synopsis of a film 4-to-6-year-olds might actually see. And the illustrations show a wide range of character emotions, including worry, frustration, and surprise.