Different publishers level books differently: a "Level One," for many presses, is far too wordy for a beginner. Sometimes publishers inconsistently level even their own books! Here's a sampling of some books for true beginners, with fewer and shorter words.
GRAN ON A FAN J ER B
HOT DOG J ER CO
THE HAT J ER KE
GO, OTTO, GO! J ER M
SEE ME RUN J PIC M
JUMP, PUP! J ER N
HOP ON POP J ER S
JACK AND JILL AND BIG DOG BILL J ER W
BOB BOOKS SET 1 ER MA
Only slightly more challenging:
BEARS ON WHEELS J ER B
OLD HAT, NEW HAT J ER B
SNOW TROUBLE J ER CR
PICNIC! A DAY IN THE PARK J ER HO
SPRING IS HERE! A STORY ABOUT SEEDS J ER HO
TOO MANY CATS J ER HO
GUS MAKES A FRIEND J ER RE
TICK TOCK J ER WI
SCAT, CATS! J ER HO
While nothing can quite fill the void left by Elephant's and Piggie's retirements, the below are great options at a similar reading level. Many tell their stories in "dialogue bubble" format, just like Elephant and Piggie books.
Elephant and Piggie Like Reading! series [various authors] These books, "presented by" Elephant and Piggie, share a sense of humor that will appeal to E&P fans.
Snail and Worm books by Tina Kugler. These two friends are hilarious!
Woof & Quack books by Jamie Swenson, including Meet Woof & Quack and Woof & Quack in Winter
Duck, Duck, Porcupine! books by Salina Yoon. Try Duck, Duck, Porcupine!, My Kite is Stuck! , and That's My Book!