How Rocket Learned to Read [Hardcover]

Tad Hills (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 27, 2010 | Age Level: 3 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Learn to read with this New York Times-bestselling picture book, starring an irresistible dog named Rocket and his teacher, a little yellow bird. 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.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Look Inside How Rocket Learned to Read

Sounding Out the Words View larger

Spring Has Returned View larger

Reading Together View larger

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From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2 An endearing white dog with black spots loves chasing leaves and chewing sticks. He also loves napping under his favorite tree. Then his sleep is interrupted one spring day by a tiny yellow bird that designates him her first student. Rocket wants no part of her lessons, but the bird is determined to teach him to read. She returns each day, hangs an alphabet banner from the trees, and gushes, Ah, the wondrous, mighty, gorgeous alphabet. Then she begins to read a story, stopping at an enticing part. Overcome by curiosity to hear more, Rocket eventually enters into the bird's lessons, and the two have a grand time using the mighty, gorgeous alphabet to spell out all the things in Rocket's world. The bird leaves as winter approaches, but Rocket continues practicing, spelling everything in sight. And when Bird returns the following spring, a tail-wagging, eager-to-read student greets her with joy. The illustrations, rendered in oil and colored pencil, offer full pages, spreads, and oval vignettes. They depict Rocket in all his various moods, from diagonal brows raised in displeasure to delight at his teacher's return. Adults will love the bird's enthusiasm, her use of stories, and her ability to associate lessons with Rocket's everyday life to win over her reluctant pupil. Youngsters will find this addition to Hills's cast of adorable animal characters simply irresistible. Marianne Saccardi, formerly at Norwalk Community College, CT
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Schwartz & Wade; 1 edition (July 27, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0375858997
• ISBN-13: 978-0375858994
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 0.4 x 10.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #13,941 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #44 in Books > Children's Books > Animals > Birds
  • #80 in Books > Children's Books > Social Situations > Sleep
  • #81 in Books > Children's Books > Animals > Dogs

More About the Author

Tad Hills is the author and illustrator of many books including the New York Times Bestselling Duck and Goose, Duck, Duck, Goose and How Rocket Learned to Read. He lives in Brooklyn with his wife, two kids and dog Rocket who has not learned to read...yet.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book to encourage early readers, August 5, 2010

By 

Mom2Michael (Houston, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How Rocket Learned to Read (Hardcover)

We received this book just yesterday, but my son took one look at the illustration on the front and immediately wanted to read it. Often when this happens, the story doesn't hold his interest. This time was different. He stayed interested, laughing at Rocket with his nose covered in mud and showing emotion as we read each page.

But even better than that, he was not afraid to try sounding out the words. He has known his letters and their sounds for ages, but seldom shows any interest in sounding out words. Instead, he memorizes the books and pretends to read. With this book, he was very willing to sound out the words. And, he surprised me by obviously knowing several words by sight that I had no idea he had learned!

This book is adorable, enjoyable for both the child and the adult. The illustrations are incredibly sweet and the story is cute. Overall a great book to encourage early reading.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Charming book, August 3, 2010

By 

Abigail S. King (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How Rocket Learned to Read (Hardcover)

This is the first book that has inspired my daughter to actually try and read for herself so I'm bound to be extremely biased in its favor. BUT after the first go-around she was begging me to read it again (which generally only happens with the infernal Disney Princess books). I had a great time helping her sound out words and watching her delight when she got words right. It's a perfect book to get your feet wet with when prompting a pre-Kindergartner to try out reading for themselves. And on top of that, the illustrations are beautiful and very sweet. I like the Duck and Goose books too, but Rocket definitely takes the biscuit when it comes to cuteness.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful story that inspires children to learn to read!, August 23, 2010

By 

sunny swimmer "sunny swimmer" - See all my reviews

This review is from: How Rocket Learned to Read (Hardcover)

My three-year old son loves this book, and so do I. It is a sweet and original story of a little bird who takes it upon herself to teach a dog to read. Though the dog initially resists, he is lured in to readying after becoming captivated by a book that is read to him. This is such a clever book that teaches children about friendship, the power of words, the joy of studying, and the power and wonderful of the alphabet!