Lizz and the Monsoon is the first book in a series containing fun stories designed to encourage early reading and to improve vocabulary, reading comprehension, and critical thinking skills. Young children will need help with some of the vocabulary, but every page has full-color illustrations to entertain and aid in comprehension for those just learning to read. This is designed for children of all ages (suggested range of 4 to 12) and—because it’s written entirely in rhyme—will be especially effective when read aloud. Great resource for parents, homeschoolers, and teachers.

In the first volume, a Sonoran greater earless lizard named Lizz learns his lesson after failing to take the advice of his friends and venturing into the middle of a summer monsoon. In addition to enjoying an entertaining story, children will learn facts about the desert and its creatures.

The 40-page workbook intersperses vocabulary practice with other exercises, such as story questions, fun facts, beginning website research, and art. The format leaves room for writing answers and features work-at-your-own-pace learning activities, which become progressively more advanced as the children become better readers. The workbook, therefore, might be used for an entire year’s worth of supplemental reading/writing activity at school or few years’ worth at home.

Author/Editor Susan Newark is a retired teacher experienced with home schooling, high school and college English (both basic and advanced skills), writing labs, technical writing, and critical thinking, along with creation of workbook texts. Her goal is to improve literacy and to use a portion of Amazon sale profits to provide free texts to underprivileged children and underfunded schools.
 
Also available on Amazon (print and eBook):  
 
Lizz and the Monsoon (Children's Reading Service): Newark, Susan: 9798340375995: Amazon.com: Books