First Book and Hooked on Phonics

I recently had a conversation with a friend about how much are children love books. While my daughter had no interest in walking until she was 18 months old, she was able to sit still and carefully page through books by the time she was one year old – and she’s never stopped. There is something about reading the lights a spark in her, and I’ve watched as it has spread to my two year old son who idolizes his older sister.

I also remember sadly one day when I asked my seventh grade drama students to brainstorm a list of their favorite Fairy Tales or Nursery Rhymes. One boy in the front row wasn’t writing anything, so I went to him and asked what was wrong. He wasn’t sure what a Fairy Tale and Nursery Rhyme were exactly. When I told him they are those stories that his mom or grandma read to him as a child, he looked at me blankly. “My mom never read to me.”

The people at First Book have made it their mission to see that no other child will suffer like that student. First Book provides new books to children in need throughout the year, but the holiday season is a wonderful time for this organization because they are partnering with some many great companies.

One company that is helping students learn to read through their relationship with First Book is Hooked on Phonics. I began using their products when my daughter was three and we first purchased several of their workbooks for reading and math. We’ve continued to use them with great enjoyment and success, and both of my children now use the Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read Pre-K Edition Deluxe. With activities that utilize both gross and fine motor skills, paper and pencil activities as well as use of a CD-ROM, and all of the Hooked on Phonics characters that my daughter already knew and loved, my children ask me if they can work on the activities!