KIRKUS REVIEW
For new reader Rocket, every new book is a treasure and an adventure, “like a place he'd never been to, like a friend he’d never met.”
The little yellow bird introduced in How Rocket Learned to Read (2010) continues to teach and encourage this special dog. Rocket sniffs out wonderful new words in his environment, and the bird helps him create a glorious word tree. Now Rocket searches for ideas for his own story in which he can use his word collection. A shy, friendly owl provides the inspiration he needs, and he sets to work on his opus. It’s not all smooth sailing; he writes, crosses out, and draws pictures, alternately wagging his tail and growling. Yellow bird helps with encouragement and questions, and Rocket keeps the owl informed about his work in progress. His finished story wins rave reviews from his teacher and his new owl friend. Hills maintains the same gentle tone he established in Rocket's first adventure. Yellow bird’s innovative and thoughtful teaching methods are perfectly in sync with Rocket’s thirst for learning. The plot moves along at a measured pace that stresses the step-by-step process of Rocket’s endeavors. Illustrations rendered in oil paints and colored pencil lovingly depict the characters and events.
A perfect choice to inspire new readers and writers. (Picture book. 4-8)
