Okay, I had trouble picking just one book this time and since I haven’t posted in a couple of weeks, I have chosen two terrific picture books. How Rocket Learned to Read (2010, Schwartz & Wade Books) by Tad Hills stars an adorable and engaging canine character named Rocket (who incidentally reminds me of my own little dog). Besides the beautiful oil paint and colored pencil illustrations, what I like about this book is that it helps a young child learn to spell and read in such a way that I am convinced the child would not even realize he/she was learning. Your child will enjoy reading right along with Rocket. Reading is so important. I truly believe that it should be a fun experience for children. Picture books like this one will make that happen.

The second book in today’s review is The Library Gingerbread Man (2010, Upstart Books) by Dotti Enderle and illustrated by Colleen Madden. This is another colorfully illustrated story that teaches children about that all-important, yet somewhat mysterious, library classification scheme-The Dewey Decimal System. Again, I have to give credit to the author who managed to create a fun learning experience. I can see this book being utilized in classrooms as an enjoyable teaching aid. Also, fans of folk tales will recognize the familiar antics of the incorrigible Gingerbread Man as he runs away chanting, “Run, run, as fast as you can. You can’t catch me, I’m the Gingerbread Man!”