Puss in Boots

Puss in Boots is a whimsically illustrated retelling of the classic fairy tale for learning readers by Sue Purcell. Released Jan 15th 2022 by Rosen Publishing on their Windmill Books imprint, it's 24 pages and is available in paperback and library bound formats. This book is part of a series of classic fairy tales written for learning readers which have a similar format and focus.

Most kids will already be familiar with the classic fairy tale so will be able to concentrate on the lessons the author provides on literacy learning whilst listening to the story. There's an emphasis on the phonetics of the words in the text and the sounds with which they're made. Each page of the text has the relevant sound highlighted in the words and a highlighted text box at the foot of each page showing the words which are emphasized in the text.

The book includes keys for teachers/facilitators/caregivers helping them to present the material for learners optimally and comfortably. Small highlighted text areas on the pages also contain prompts for saying character names, finding objects, or practising pronunciations.

The art by Kay Widdowson is full of whimsy and small details which invite readers to take a closer look. It's rendered in a friendly naive style which is appealing and fun.

It should probably be mentioned that the fairy tale contains some outdated "fairy tale" tropes which might be problematic (giving a princess away to marry a strange young man they pulled out of a stream the day before without any hint of her consent is a little awkward to say the least). But in context with a fairy tale setting and talking cats and ogres, it can likely be ignored.

Four stars. Very nice for classroom use or homeschooling.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes

This book is part of a set of books which retell classic fairy tales while also using this opportunity to solidify understandings of phonic rules including letter sounds, blends and vowel groups. Throughout the story are notes for what to notice (likely for a parent or teacher) as well as activities where the child needs to find the odd one out or sound out/emphasize a particular sound. I like that there are short instructions and the tasks take only a few seconds, so that the reader is not distracted from the story while fighting to do the activities, as reading can be a tiring task to begin with for some beginning readers. Additionally, as a Grade 3 teacher, I see way too often boring stories that follow the phonetic patterns which allow beginning readers to practice successfully but potentially fall asleep due to boredom. If you're a teacher like me (or potentially a parent of a young reader) you know what I'm talking about, that fat cat that sat on that mat with his bat named Pat? This book is definitely not dull, in fact it tells a whole story, one that many children would be at least somewhat familiar with and would enjoy following along. I would definitely recommend this book to teachers and families of children in the beginning stages of reading, likely ages 4-8. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this great book!

I really enjoyed how this book supported phonics instruction. Each page has a phonics activity for kids to complete with the words and pictures on the page. Very neat idea! I would love to use this when I have kids of my own.
Thank you for the ARC!

This is a fun and interactive book, where you can read the story, do the phonics, and play games provided by the book. The games were to find objects in the book, or guessing games. So very entertaining. Children will love to learn through games and this will make them eager for more.

Super cute! My youngest child loved this book from start to finish!!!

Love the notes inside for parents/teachers to help ask their kids or class more about the story!

Wonderful interactive and super cute illustrated too!


Recv'd a copy via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*