The Very Special Heart Words (Phonics Read-Alouds Series)

I recently purchased "The Very Special Heart Words" by Yvette Manns for our Kindergarten teacher, and it has turned out to be an absolute gem! This delightful phonics read-aloud is a heartwarming tale that not only captivates young readers but also serves as an excellent teaching tool for early literacy.The storyline revolves around Heart, an endearing character who embarks on a mission to assist consonants and vowels in constructing words. The narrative cleverly introduces high-frequency words, offering a valuable learning experience for elementary students. Heart takes the letters on a journey through decoding, exploring both decodable and temporarily indecipherable words.What sets this book apart is its ability to seamlessly integrate phonics concepts into an engaging narrative. The author, Yvette Manns, has crafted a captivating story that not only entertains but also educates. The methods Heart employs to map out heart words add an interactive element, making it an ideal resource for educators looking to reinforce phonics lessons.I appreciate how the book caters to different stages of literacy development. It's particularly beneficial for students who have a grasp of letter sounds and CVC words, offering a smooth transition into the realm of high-frequency words. Whether used before, during, or after literacy lessons, or as a standalone read-aloud, "The Very Special Heart Words" proves to be a versatile tool for literacy enthusiasts.In conclusion, I highly recommend this book to parents, teachers, and anyone passionate about nurturing a love for reading in young minds. "The Very Special Heart Words" is not just a book; it's a heartwarming journey through phonics that leaves a lasting impact on both children and adults alike. Kudos to Yvette Manns for creating such a charming and educational masterpiece!

My students enjoyed this book. Our grade level has been teaching heart words since last month and some kids are still growing in the process of learning how to map words. Instead of flashcards, we use sound boxes to count the sounds first then we write the letters in the boxes. This book shows that method. I would recommend reading this book to the kids, it's not a decodable book. I broke up the book over a couple of days.

The Very Special Heart Words is a well-written, engaging story that helped my second grade Word Detectives understand what to do when they encounter a word with a word with a sound-spelling they do not yet know. The students love the characters, the story, and the illustrations!

We are writing in tricky weird and this story keeps it in their level. The pictures are vivid and colorful.