The Ladybug Reads...: Review - How Rocket Learned to Read

Wednesday, March 6, 2019

Review - How Rocket Learned to Read

How Rocket Learned to Read
by Tad Hills
Date: 2010
Publisher: Schwartz & Wade
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 40
Format: e-book
Source: library

This sweet picture book starring an irresistible dog named Rocket and his teacher, a little yellow bird, is perfect for back-to-school! Follow along as Rocket masters the alphabet, sounds out words, and finally... learns to read all on his own.

With a story that makes reading fun—and will even help listeners learn to read—this book is ideal for kindergarten classrooms and story hour or as a gift for that beginning reader. Fresh, charming art by Tad Hills, the New York Times bestselling author/illustrator of Duck & Goose, will make this a favorite.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

What a cute little story! How Rocket Learned to Read is a tale about an ordinary dog who encounters an extraordinary bird. All Rocket wants to do is take a nap, but the little yellow bird wants to teach him to read. When Rocket ignores her, she starts to read a story out loud and eventually draws him in. She then proceeds to teach him the alphabet, and then to sound out words. Soon, they're spelling all kinds of things. But as winter approaches, school draws to a close and the little yellow bird flies south. Rocket is left on his own to put his new knowledge to good use.

The story is cute, but the pictures are even cuter. Rocket looks so soft and cuddly that you just want to give him a hug. His early reluctance about learning to read gives way to enthusiasm when he realizes just how much fun it can be. The illustrations of him learning new words and how to spell them are some of my favourites in the book.

This is a very cute book about a reluctant reader who eventually comes around with the help of a special friend and teacher. I would definitely recommend this one!

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