How Rocket Learned to Read

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NOOK Book (NOOK Kids Read to Me) 
A digital children's book featuring embedded audio that can be turned on or off, for use with the NOOK Color reader
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More About This Book

Overview

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.

  • How Rocket Learned to Read
    How Rocket Learned to Read  
  • How Rocket Learned to Read
    How Rocket Learned to Read  

Editorial Reviews

From Barnes & Noble
When a spotted puppy named Rocket takes a great leap into literacy, young readers pay heed. Duck & Goose author Tad Hills records how a tiny yellow bird helps Rocket master the rudiments of the alphabet, pronunciation, and, yes, even reading. A festive picture book to help fledgling readers get their wings.
Publishers Weekly
With characters as memorable as those in Hills’s Duck and Goose series, this good-natured story shows readers how Rocket, a spotted puppy, becomes a beginning reader, thanks to a little yellow bird. Hills uses expressive oil and colored pencil spot art (and a subtle sense of humor) to engage readers as Rocket becomes the bird’s pupil; the enthusiastic teacher wisely hooks Rocket on stories before interesting him in “the wondrous, mighty, gorgeous alphabet.... Where it all begins.” The illustrations emphasize Rocket’s responsiveness and wide-eyed curiosity as he learns letters (the bird holds up a worm while pointing to W) and progresses from there. “Together they sang out the sounds that each letter makes and spelled the sounds they heard around them.” If the details of Rocket’s transition can be nebulous (“Soon they were spelling words”) Hills still emphasizes the need for practice (“Rocket thought about the bird’s sweet chirp while he sounded out words like D-I-G and W-I-N-D and C-O-L-D”). The amiable characters and gentle text--as well as an alphabet banner the bird strings up--make this a decent primer for humans, too. Ages 3-7. (July)
More Reviews (3) Fewer Reviews
Children's Literature
All Rocket wanted to do was lay down under his favorite tree in his favorite spot to nap after a busy morning of chasing leaves. Shortly after he settles down, a bright yellow bird disturbs his slumber by asking if he is her student. Rocket decides to nap elsewhere, but is intrigued by the alphabet, and eventually listens to a story as the bird reads. Anxious to find out if Buster finds his bone in the story, Rocket runs to the tree, only to find it empty, save for the story book about Buster. The next morning finds Rocket at the tree before the bird arrives, announcing he'd like to hear the end of the story about Buster. Such begins the student-teacher relationship that leaves Rocket hungry to learn during the winter while the little bird flies south. While he is alone during the winter, Rocket spells out words in the snow, he spells out what happens in winter; d-i-g, w-i-n-d, the names of his friends. When spring arrives, he spells out words such as m-u-d, and m-e-l-t. When the little yellow bird arrives after her migration Rocket meets her with great anticipation and hearty tail thumps of delight. (w-a-g) Together they continue learning about birds flying north, picnics in the sun, and even about Buster finding his bones. The images are great, especially of the weather turning. Something about the ominous grey sky is very realistic, as is the comforting instance of winter melting. Rocket is portrayed as a dog anyone could own, but is based on the author's own dog, seen in the jacket cover flap. However, the real Rocket has not yet learned to read. The book is perfect for those reluctant to earn to read. Familiar objects lend to curiosity and exploration, resulting in a successful reading experience. A terrific addition to any preschool or home library. Reviewer: Elizabeth Young
Lisa Von Drasek
With his new book, How Rocket Learned to Read, Tad Hills…brings a sweet but not saccharine touch to a common struggle of childhood.
—The New York Times
School Library Journal
Gr 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

Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9780375858994
  • Publisher: Random House Children's Books
  • Publication date: 7/27/2010
  • Pages: 40
  • Sales rank: 19,252
  • Age range: 3 - 5 Years
  • Lexile: AD600L (what's this?)
  • Product dimensions: 9.60 (w) x 10.60 (h) x 0.50 (d)

Meet the Author

Tad Hills
Tad Hills

Tad Hills is the author and illustrator of the New York Times bestselling picture books Duck & Goose and Duck, Duck, Goose. He has created four board books featuring the same characters: What's Up, Duck?, an ALA Notable Book; Duck and Goose, 1, 2, 3; Duck & Goose, How Are You Feeling?; and Duck and Goose Find a Pumpkin. He is also the illustrator of Waking Up Wendell, by April Stevens; My Fuzzy Friends; and Knock, Knock, Who's There? Tad Hills lives in Brooklyn with his wife, their two children, and a dog named Rocket who has not (yet) learned how to read!

Customer Reviews

Average Rating 3.5
( 55 )

Rating Distribution

5 Star

(20)

4 Star

(15)

3 Star

(8)

2 Star

(7)

1 Star

(5)

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See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 55 Customer Reviews

  • Posted May 17, 2011

    more from this reviewer

    Your child will LOVE Rocket!

    How Rocket Learned to Read is an adorable story of an enthusiastic little bird and her very first, albeit unsuspecting, pupil. Everyday, Rocket chased leaves and chewed sticks and when all the good play tired him out he would settle in for a nice, long nap. Then one day, the eager little bird sets up her classroom right in Rocket's napping spot and mistakenly thinks he is one of her students. Rocket moves away from the bird, but she has hung up her glorious alphabet banner and begun to read him a wonderful story out loud. Rocket becomes entranced with the story and soon wants more. He comes back everyday until the weather turns and his wonderful teacher flies south for the winter. Rocket practices his letters and his words all winter until he is reunited with his favorite teacher in the spring. This is just a glorious book about the magic of words and the beauty in reading. Young children on the cusp of literacy will identify with Rocket and learn to read right alongside him. Those children who have acquired literacy skills already, will be reminded how marvelous the process is and little ones who still have a ways to go will be motivated. The illustrations make this book a perfect "10". They complement the story making Rocket and his little yellow teacher, wonderfully appealing. Every child should have this book!

    4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted September 13, 2011

    more from this reviewer

    This book is great

    My five year old loves this book. He also liked it when he was four. It is charming, the pictures engaging, and the pace is just right.

    1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted May 10, 2011

    Great for pre-readers

    This book is great for helping kids understand how learning the alphabet and phonics translates into reading. My 3 year old loves it!

    1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted April 7, 2011

    Very sweet...

    Beautiful illustrations. A very sweet, reassuring story for the preschool set. Bought this for a birthday gift. Think I will have to buy another for my own preschooler.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted March 17, 2011

    PRE-K WINNER

    Great read for the child who is interested in letters, reading, or school. Charming story with great illustrations! It's an instant favorite in our house.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted March 10, 2011

    jordan

    it is so cute

    1 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted February 27, 2011

    by Macie

    it looks so cute i must have it today!

    1 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted February 5, 2011

    We love it!

    My son loves when i read this book to him! The pictures are really nice too.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted January 24, 2011

    soooo cute

    i did not read it but the picture is cute

    1 out of 7 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted December 28, 2010

    this looks realy cute

    i now must buy this!!!! it looks ADORABLE

    1 out of 8 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted May 8, 2012

    AMAZING

    I only have the sample. But look! Here I am writing reviews and look! I only have the sample! This is AMAZING so far! Not sure if you should get it? Well, I have the solution! GET THE FREE SAMPLE FIRST!!!!!!!!!!

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted May 29, 2011

    Looks cute

    Said it

    0 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted April 22, 2011

    Good Story About WHY We Want to Read

    Good illustrations, well-done storyline, narration is clear and adequately read by author but YOU can make it more fun by reading it aloud to your child!

    0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted April 15, 2011

    Great storyline!

    Although the author could read with more expression and enthusiasm, the story is great! My nephew loves this book!

    0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted April 7, 2011

    waste of my money

    I'm very disappointed with this book because the narrator it's terrible boring and the writing it's so small that is hard to read. Not worth it!!

    0 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 21, 2010

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted April 21, 2011

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted November 14, 2010

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted January 16, 2011

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted November 30, 2010

    No text was provided for this review.

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