Reading programs 101

I know there are all sorts of book for kindergarten reading. I've used several of them. I know people are in LOVE with STORY TOWN, personally I think it's good, yet I do not find it appropriate for ESL children. Second, and this may seem weird, I'm against high frequency words there is nothing I dislike more than asking a child to memorize a word. So, what do I like?

Reading from Mcmillan