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How Rocket Learned to Read

Hills, Tad. Book - 2010 None on shelf No requests on this item Community Rating: 3.9 out of 5

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A little yellow bird teaches Rocket the dog how to read by first introducing him to the "wondrous, mighty, gorgeous alphabet."

COMMUNITY REVIEWS

good reading! submitted by rsivaraj on August 20, 2011, 7:36am what a fun way to learn to read! And if your little one likes dogs like mine does, there will be a lot of re-reads!

Not an easy reader submitted by klickitat on August 6, 2012, 6:28pm Although reluctant to learn at first, Rocket discovers a passion for reading with the help of an enthusiastic teacher.

Hills' newest book is being marketed as a combination picture book/easy reader. The book trailer features children reading the book to themselves and the acknowledgments credit a professor of "reading education" at James Mason University, among other relevant experts. However, Rocket is not an easy reader, that is, not quite. While some of the text would be perfect for a child who is just learning to read ("Rocket loved to play. He loved to chase leaves and chew sticks."), some of it is probably too difficult ("'Ah, the wondrous, mighty, gorgeous alphabet,' she marveled.") While it's conceivable that a child could read the whole book alone without becoming frustrated, it's very likely that child would consider themselves too old for a picture book. I estimate that the text as a whole scores at least third grade reading comprehension. But a third grader has probably moved on to transitional chapter books and might be embarrassed to be seen with a picture book. The true audience for this book is first graders, who are learning to sound words out, just like Rocket does. But it's unlikely first graders could tackle words like "glorious," "disappeared," or "interrupted" (all featured in the text) without an adult's coaching. The illustrations, while charming and detailed, do not support the text's meaning or give clues for comprehension, as is common in other easy readers.

It's recommended that caregivers "read" this book along with children. Let the child hold the book and read aloud but be ready to offer help during the more difficult passages. Alternately, it would make a good read-aloud for first or second graders. Children will enjoy spelling words out along with Rocket.

Rocket submitted by tomiwa on June 26, 2013, 3:23pm My favorite character was the cute little yellow bird/teacher. I also liked Rocket.

nice story! submitted by fairytale on August 13, 2013, 8:22pm This is a nice story, and I love the ending. Great book for parents to read to kids.

Sweet and encouraging book submitted by Lori Tschirhart on July 6, 2019, 12:52pm We didn't respond so strongly to the other books in the Rocket series, but this one was special and inspired my son to think about learning how to read.

great submitted by kevinhe on August 6, 2019, 2:37pm it's a nice reading inspiring book.

Cover image for How Rocket learned to read


PUBLISHED
New York : Schwartz & Wade Books, 2010.
Year Published: 2010
Description: 1 v. (unpaged) : col. ill. ; 28 cm.
Language: English
Format: Book

READING LEVEL
Lexile: 600

ISBN/STANDARD NUMBER
9780375858994
0375858997
9780375958991 (Gibraltar lib. bdg.)
0375958991 (Gibraltar lib. bdg.)

SUBJECTS
Reading -- Fiction.
Dogs -- Fiction.
Birds -- Fiction.