Hooked on Reading Newsletter

Check out the Hooked on Phonics children's literature review. Our editor's picks are sure to get your child excited about reading!
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This month's recommended titles from reviewer Lisa L. Owens work well for this time of year, whether your child wants to read about winter, pioneer life, Chinese holiday traditions, or maintaining individuality at school. Any one of these books can provide a welcome respite from the seasonal bustle and just might come in handy for a child who has run out of things to do during a holiday break from school.

Great for Prereaders

First Day of Winter
by Denise Fleming

Set to the instantly recognizable rhythm of “The 12 Days of Christmas,” author-illustrator Denise Fleming’s picture book homage to all things winter begins, “On the first day of winter, my best friend gave to me … a red cap with a gold snap.” The cozy, rhyming text and colorful paper cutouts bring to life the building of a snowman across ten days. Fleming skillfully captures the quiet beauty of a snowy day and the kinship between a child and a snowman “friend.” She shows each fun addition to the snowman—from two bright blue mittens for his stick hands on up to ten salty peanuts for his wintry toes—from a variety of perspectives, adding plenty of visual interest to the already engaging text. Your child will have fun counting along, both frontward and backward as in the traditional song, and he will no doubt ask for this book again and again throughout the season.

Great for Ages 4 to 8

When Winter Comes
by Nancy Van Laan

Nancy Van Laan’s lovely picture book begins with the compelling question “Where oh where do the leaves all go / when winter comes and the cold winds blow?” She addresses that, along with other topics such as what the animals do as the season changes from fall to winter, using gentle, poetic prose that keeps readers enthralled as they move through the book. Illustrator Susan Graber’s acrylic paintings feature a mixture of subdued and vibrant colors that perfectly capture a transitional day in which your eye might focus on drifting autumn leaves and a child’s new red mittens in the foreground while taking in the backdrop of hazy gray skies and light falling snow. The text and illustrations work together to create a seasonal gem with timeless appeal.

Great for Ages 8 and Up

The Little House Box Set
by Laura Ingalls Wilder

This nine-book collection of the original Little House chapter books was released earlier this year. A new book design and photographic covers make the set fresh and appealing to a new generation of readers without taking anything away from the main attraction: author Laura Ingalls Wilder’s fictionalized accounts of her experiences growing up in a pioneering family during the 1800s. The series opens with Little House in the Big Woods and follows young Laura’s family life, her adventures on the American frontier, her growing pains at school and among friends, and her transition to adulthood. Your child will treasure this much-loved, critically acclaimed set. Each book stands alone, making it easy for young readers to read the series from start to finish or read the titles in any order they choose.

Special Pick: Cultural Collection for Ages 4 to 8

Moonbeams, Dumplings, and Dragon Boats
by Nina Simonds, Leslie Swartz, and the Boston Children’s Museum

Billed as a “treasury of Chinese holiday tales, activities, and recipes,” the authors have put together a wonderfully cohesive volume that helps expose children to the cultural traditions of China. Meilo So’s vivid watercolor paintings bring this stunning book to life. Readers will discover delightful Chinese legends, fascinating background information about major holidays, tasty authentic recipes, and fun-to-create crafts that deepen their understanding of Chinese customs. Once your child has absorbed the book, encourage him to revisit the collection throughout the year for tips on observing special days such as Chinese New Year or the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival and to try his hand at the many kid-friendly activities included. As a bonus, the authors have included a helpful resource section with tips for continuing an exploration into Chinese traditions.

Reading Rainbow Pick for Ages 4 to 8

Unique Monique
by Maria Rousaki

First released by Greek publisher Papadopoulos Publishing in 2001 under the title Melpo the Unique, Unique Monique was published by Kane/Miller in 2002. Author Maria Rousaki tells the fun tale of young Monique’s quest to express her individuality at school despite the need to wear the same bland student uniform as everyone else. When Monique discovers a trunk filled with eye-catching accessories at home, she starts testing the limits of the school dress code by sporting a new item each day. Her classmates are impressed, but her teachers reject everything she uses to spice up her look, from a floppy red hat, to a fancy oversized bag, to a pair of funky striped socks. Monique refuses to give up, though, and triumphs the day she arrives at school with something nobody can forbid her to wear—the colorful new braces on her teeth!

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