105 Ways to Give a Book

Cybils Nominees ABC Giveaway: The Letter R

You can still win twenty-five picture books for yourself or your school. Learn more about the ABC Giveaway.

How Rocket Learned to Read
by Tad Hills


How Rocket Learned to ReadRocket is minding his own business, taking a nap under a tree when a yellow bird tries to teach him. Rocket is having none of that, and moves his napping place. But he can’t help but hear as the little bird reads a story and then stops just before the good part! Well, Rocket can’t wait to find out what happened in the book, and then eases into the world of the written word. This could be just another “Reading is Great!” titles, but the author saves it from becoming preachy with gentle humor and endearing illustrations. The book also subtly shares that learning to read is work. Fun work, maybe. Rewarding work, definitely. But that it isn’t a skill picked up overnight. This helpful message makes this book a natural for preschool or school storytimes, and will be just a valuable one-on-one with your own beginning reader.
Give this book with some beginning reader titles or look for more Ways to Give a Picture Book or over a hundred other Ways to Give a Book this holiday season.
The Letter R

Book: Duck? Rabbit! by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, or Rabbit Ears, by Amber Stewart

Fingerplay: “Five Little Rabbits”
Five little rabbits sitting by the door.
One hopped away, and then there were four.

Four little rabbits moved under a tree.
One hopped away, and then there were three.

Three little rabbits drinking morning dew.
One hopped away, and then there were two.

Two little rabbits resting in the sun.
One hopped away, and then there was one.

One little rabbit isn’t any fun.
He hopped away to find the others,
and then there were none.
Book: Rattletrap Car, by Phyllis Root

Book: Rain Drop Splash, by Alvin Tresselt

Song: “Rain, Rain Go Away

Book: Ruby the Copy Cat, by Peggy Rathman, or Ruby’s Wish, by Shirin Yim

Song: “Ram Sam Sam”
A ram sam sam
A ram sam sam
Guli, guli, guli, guli, guli
Ram sam sam...
Book: Hello, Robots, by Bob Staake

Alternate Books: Miss Rumphius, by Barbara Cooney; How to Hide a Crocodile and Other Reptiles, by Ruth Heller

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12 comments:

Bridget R. Wilson said...

I loved How Rocket Learns to Read.

Other Good "R" Books:
Rabbits &Raindrops by Jim Arnosky
Run, Turkey, Run by Mayr
Read It, Don't Eat it by Schoenherr

Karen said...

I like reading "We're Rabbits!" by Lisa Westberg Peters with my 2 year old storytime groups.

Sarah said...

Some of my favorites included In the Rain with Baby Duck (Hest), Rhyming Dust Bunnies (Thomas), and Move Over, Rover (Beaumont).

Suzanne Casamento said...

Rocket looks like Harry the Dirty Dog! Too cute. I may have to buy my niece that book.

Leevan Banzuelo said...

Rocket is so cute! I think my niece will like him, so I'm gonna get her this book.

Amy said...

Rhyming Dust Bunnies for sure! Also, Duck! Rabbit! by Amy Krause Rosenthal

Storied Cities said...

I haven't read the Rocket book yet, but we like, My Friend Rabbit.

Unknown said...

How about The Red Book by Barbara Lehman? Also a Caldecott Honor Book.

wmmahaney said...

Rosie's Walk
Miss Rumphius
wmmahaney(at)att(dot)net

Katie said...

Read "Runaway Radish" and then sample radishes!

Z-Kids said...

Arthur Geisert's "Roman Numerals I to MM"

Alison said...

i love this book, my daughter just started reading and it was perfect for her.