How Rocket Learned to Read
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How Rocket Learned to Read
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4.15 of 5 stars
Learn to read with this New York Times-bestselling picture book, starring an irresistible dog named Rocket and his teacher, a little yellow ... read full description

reviews

Mar 06, 2011
Ann rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Okay, I loved this!

Rocket is an adorable little dog who, one day, finds himself in the company of a very persuasive birdie. The little yellow bird decides it is going to be Rocket's teacher, and the first thing Rocket learns is how to read.

I love the way this story approached education and reading - instead of demanding that Rocket "needed to learn his ABCs" the little birdie instead introduces Rocket to the wonder of stories found in books, so that Rocket *wants* More...
4 comments like (4 people liked it)
Feb 23, 2011
Lisa rated it: 5 of 5 stars
I was smiling throughout this adorable book because the illustrations, particularly of Rocket the dog, are so expressive. Rocket’s facial expressions are a hoot; they are so cute.

If the story is read to kids who love books and/or are eager to learn to read, I think this is a fabulous book. (If the book is used to try to coerce or entice reluctant readers or reluctant listeners, I’m not as big of a fan of it.) But, I’ve always loved books and reading, and dogs, and I’d have always loved More...
13 comments like (5 people liked it)
Nov 28, 2010
Emily rated it: 5 of 5 stars
This delightful story features a quirky yet recognizable pair (the initially reluctant student and the enthusiastic teacher) in the unlikely form of a dog and a little yellow bird. The text, a charming hymn to the "wondrous, mighty, gorgeous alphabet," begs re-reading as much as the charming, tranquil illustrations invite a second look. A creative introduction to reading through onomatopoeia and a fun read-aloud for both children and adults.
0 comments like (1 person liked it)
Nov 13, 2011
Jessie rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Lured in by storytime, a dog learns to read and spell from his enthusiastic warm-seasoned friend, the bird. An ideal book to be read aloud, this story practices spelling a few simple words, as well as introducing onomatopoeia, sounds spelled out as words. Literacy, phonics, and friendship are tied together by an endearing dog named Rocket, who is a character any child could love. This story also describes independent learning outside of the classroom, as Rocket continues to practice his skill More...
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May 17, 2011
Sweet on Books rated it: 4 of 5 stars
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 More...
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Mar 20, 2011
Sunday rated it: 3 of 5 stars
Simple message about the value of learning to read BUT also about the power of motivation/engagement in learning to read.
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 More...
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Jan 18, 2011
Eva rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Julia says this gets five stars and I concur. Rocket is totally cool! (I love the author pic with the real Rocket on the back flap! It's too cool for a kid (and a parent!) to be able to see the real subject of a fictional book.)
I have to mention the little teaching bird - he just cannot be forgotten because he's just as darn cute as Rocket. I wish I had Hills imagination. I want his imagination. I want to think of a story like this. I'll have to settle for using Hills' stories though.
More...
0 comments like (1 person liked it)
Oct 26, 2010
David rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Follow along as Rocket masters the alphabet, sounds out words, and finally ... learns to read all on his own. Fresh, charming art by Tad Hills, the author & illustrator of Duck & Goose, will make this a favorite. (Goodreads summary)

How Rocket Learned to Read by Tad Hills is an encouraging picturebook about learning to read and the love of reading.
(Apparently also marketed as an easy reader, some of the vocabulary is above easy reading level).

The text moves the stor More...
0 comments like (1 person liked it)
Mar 09, 2011
Sarah-Greenbeanteenqueen rated it: 3 of 5 stars
This little book about reading is adorable! Rocket is a cute little dog who is taught to read by a sweet yellow bird. Rocket's journey to reading mirrors those of young readers. This would be the perfect book for those young readers to listen to and then learn to read themselves. I also think it would be great for a reading pals session where the kids come and read to dogs. What better book to read to a dog than a book about a dog who reads? This is a sweet little story and a great book about le More...
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Jun 24, 2011
Karen rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Rocket is a dog who loves to play outside. One day, though, a bird shows up and decides that Rocket is his first student. Rocket stubbornly listens to the bird read a story and suddenly he wants to know more. The bird tells Rocket that he will learn to read, too. And does. The full page illustrations are softly colored and perfectly portray fall and winter. Some vignette illustrations are used as well when Rocket is by himself .

This would be the perfect beginning of the school ye More...
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May 22, 2011
Candice rated it: 4 of 5 stars
I tried this one on my Nook and I don't think I would use the Nook to read a book to a young child. It's too small and they can't help turn the pages. As for the book's content, it was a charming story of a little dog named Rocket who learned to read. One fall day, after chasing leaves, Rocket lay down in his favorite spot. A little bird came along and offered to teach Rocket to read, but he wasn't interested until the little bird started to read and left Rocket in suspense as to what would More...
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Jan 30, 2012
Cariane rated it: 5 of 5 stars
From the moment i spotted this book i knew from the cover that i would love it. As a lover of dogs, i always catch myself adding commentary to what may be going on in my dog's head and i feel as if this story book about a dog named rocket that expectantly finds a little bird teacher reflects this same comical habit. it also shows how to be a good teacher and how teachers can get their students attention. By reading a book about a dog aloud the little bird was able to get rocket to want to rea More...
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Jun 18, 2011
Sherry rated it: 5 of 5 stars
"How Rocket Learned to Read" is a fantastic little story on so many levels. Apart from successfully demonstrating how to begin to make sense of printed words, it celebrates the importance of story upon our imaginations, and the importance of teachers and mentors to whom we look up to for guidance and companionship.

A little bird, not unlike Tweety Bird, strikes up a conversation with a fluffy, playful dog named Rocket. The bird has a classroom in mind, and hangs a banner More...
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Sep 07, 2010
Sarah rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Rocket has had a busy day and is ready for a nap when a little yellow bird arrives and wants to teach him how to read. Rocket isn’t sure he wants to be the bird’s student -- there are sticks to catch and dog things to do, but he’s soon hooked on the little bird’s story times about a dog named Buster, and soon he has developed a friendship with his teacher and is learning to read himself. This is a great book to share with any child who is learning to read - it helps children and caregivers dev More...
0 comments like (1 person liked it)
Aug 15, 2010
Tatiana rated it: 5 of 5 stars
This was a wonderful book about an adorable dog named Rocket who longs to read, and a plucky, determined bird who teaches him the alphabet. "Rocket Learned to Read" is a book to be read at a slow pace, as one can savor the lovely illustrations as Rocket and his background transform over time. What's great about this book is that Rocket comes to learn to read of his own free will, but once he does, the little yellow bird is sweet in her daily encouragement of her star pupil.

Hi More...
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Mar 21, 2011
Laura rated it: 3 of 5 stars
A little yellow bird teaches Rocket the dog how to read. Rocket, a charming puppy, doesn't want to go to school but is interested in the little yellow bird's story. After convincing the puppy to come to school, the little yellow bird teaches him the alphabet and the sounds that each letter makes. The bird flies south for the winter but Rocket continues to practice his reading skills. My favorite part is when Rocket spells his friends' names. A cute story about a sweet friendship and a littl More...
2 comments like
Jan 27, 2010
Angela rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Tad Hills has lent his talented mind and hand to a wonderful new picture book about learning to read. In this new literary adventure, we follow Rocket as he discovers the joys of reading. Rocket's teacher is an enthusiastic, motivated and cunning little yellow bird who could convince the most reluctant reader to jump right in. Beginning with the alphabet, then learning to construct words, and finally, Rocket and the little yellow bird share the joy of discovering stories. A must for book-loving More...
0 comments like (1 person liked it)
Sep 21, 2011
Abigail rated it: 3 of 5 stars
Tad Hills, creator of the popular Duck & Goose picture-books, delivers an adorable tale of a puppy who discovers the power of words in How Rocket Learned to Read. Exhausted, after a busy morning spent chasing leaves, all Rocket wanted to do was take a nap. Instead, he found himself being hailed as a prospective student by a little yellow bird, eager to teach him the alphabet, and convince him of the delights of reading. Undaunted by his lack of enthusiasm (and by his pointed removal from the More...
0 comments like (1 person liked it)
Jan 28, 2011
Julie (Klickitat) rated it: 3 of 5 stars
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 More...
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Jun 28, 2011
Cindi rated it: 5 of 5 stars

Tad Hills is a genius and his newest release, How Rocket Learned to Read, is just one more title that proves it.

Rocket is an adorable little black and white dog with a sort-of-sad face. Rocket loves doing what all dogs love to do; he chases leaves, chews sticks and naps under his favorite tree when he gets tired. One day he notices a small yellow bird in a tree and a sign that he can't read is nailed to the tree. The bird tells him it's almost time for school and he needs to More...
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Jul 29, 2011
Sandybear76 added it
I loved this book. I read it to the first graders today. Some words are spelled out on the pages. As I spelled, they told me the word. They are great spellers!! The teachers even listened to the story today and enjoyed it as much as the kids. Rocket wants to play and chase leaves. A little yellow bird wants to teach Rocket how to read. The yellow bird starts to read a book but leaves before finishing the story. Rocket looks for the yellow bird the next day so he can hear the ending of the story. More...
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May 27, 2011
Little Miss and the Legomeister rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Little Miss says: I actually love it. I love when Rocket learns to read. I also like when you read it to me. I like when the little bird disturbed Rocket. When Rocket learned to read he liked his teacher the yellow bird. His teacher was fantastic. Rocket liked to chew bones when his class was gone. And when it was back spring a sign appeared on a tree and it said "Class starts tomorrow" and he was excited. Also he made new friends and spelled their names out.

So yes, it's a More...
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Jan 28, 2012
Yixuan rated it: 5 of 5 stars
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. Wonderful book and beautifully illustrated. I love how the story progresses and how the friendship develops. It shows seasons by what is most noticeable to a dog and the way to learn to read by observing the things around you.
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Sep 17, 2010
Barbara rated it: 5 of 5 stars
This is a delightful book about learning to read. Rocket befriends a little yellow bird, who engages him in learning the alphabet and learning to read. The pictures are perfect for conveying the closeness between the friends and the excitement in learning to read. I would use this for kicking off the year's reading workshop, for talking to kids about hopes and dreams (thanks, Laura) or just as a favorite read aloud with young children.

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Sep 17, 2010
Tricia rated it: 4 of 5 stars
A child who is struggling to make sense of reading may appreciate and gain insight from this title. A little bird shares the joy of reading...first through reading aloud, then by sharing the alphabet and finally by making sense of words using letter sounds. Children who aren't yet reading will enjoy the story...while children who are just learning to read like the challenge of figuring out some of the words that Rocket is learning.
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Jan 05, 2012
Angie rated it: 3 of 5 stars
This is a very cute picture book about a dog learning to read from a bird. I love the way the bird entices and teaches Rocket to read. It is not forced on him (which wouldn't work), but is set up as something he wants to do and eagerly anticipates learning. I really liked the message and I think this would be a good book for new readers or those just learning to read.

This is a 2012-13 Missouri Show Me Award nominee.
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May 08, 2011
Glenda rated it: 5 of 5 stars
The best thing about this book is what Tad Hills doesn't say about how his dog Rocket learns to read. Rocket doesn't sit in front of a computer screen, an "educational" children's show, or a canned curriculum program to learn to read. Rocket learns to read by experiencing the world, and his teacher is a bird. Read: nature, Hills' nod to Thoreau, who went to the woods to learn. This is a fantastic picture book.
0 comments like (1 person liked it)
May 02, 2011
Reader rated it: 4 of 5 stars
This book just won the Erma Black award and it reminded me to include it here. There are plenty of books about books, but this one stands out. The simple story of a bird teaching his first student to read over the course of a year will charm just about anyone. I'm no fan of sap, and Hills does a good job of not falling into that hole. How Rocket Learned to Read would work very well as a read aloud, and I can see teachers using this to inspire fledgling readers. -T
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Sep 18, 2010
Todd rated it: 4 of 5 stars
This is a very sweet book about inter-species friends. A small bird befriends a young dog, Rocket, and teaches him the alphabet, and eventually words. Picture book readers will recognize their desire to understand letters and words and identify with Rocket as he learns from his little yellow bird teacher. Nothing earth-shattering, but fine illustrations and a tidy message of the value of learning and reading.
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Sep 17, 2011
Krista the Krazy Kataloguer rated it: 3 of 5 stars
Rocket is a playful, busy dog whose life changes when he meets a yellow bird who teaches him the alphabet and reads stories to him. This is like the playful child who enters school and finds a whole new world opening up. It's a simple story that will give preschoolers a heads up as to what they might learn in school and will show them that it will be fun. I liked the way the bird enticed Rocket, who was initially uninterested, to join the class, by reading a story aloud, within Rocket's heari More...
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