This Is Progress?

By Michelle Derrow, Tam Gray, Daniel Levy, Lina Lofaro, David Spitz, Flora Tartakovsky and Chris Taylor

BRAIN CANDY A sure mark of a less-than-literary children's book: it carries an FDA nutrition label, and the first ingredient is sugar. In an effort to lure less eager young readers, Nibble Me Books, Inc., has produced a series of candy-driven tales. So much for stories sweetened with plot, character and the lilt of language. These books have jelly beans and giant gummy creatures embedded in the pages. (Floss not included.)