This post is a free preview from the Loop Families Book Club Membership.

~~~~~~~~~~

December Read-Aloud: "Hoot"

All December book links for Amazon are on our public December Books Page. Amazon doesn’t allow affiliate links behind paywalls, so this page stays open. Everything below is for members only.

December on the Loop always feels like slipping into warm water... literally and figuratively. After weeks of chilly mornings and long ICW travel days, the palm trees suddenly appear, the water shifts to turquoise, and everything starts to feel a little more playful again. So for our December family read-aloud, we’re leaning into a fun, quirky Florida adventure.

This month’s family read-aloud pick is “Hoot” by Carl Hiaasen... It's funny, fast-paced, and perfect for a cockpit read when you’re tucked into a marina or swinging on the hook somewhere near the Keys. If your child would like to read this book on their own, it's great for ages 9 to 12!

The story follows a kid named Roy who discovers a mystery involving burrowing owls on a construction site. It’s filled with Florida wildlife, humor that hits for kids and parents, and themes of courage and doing the right thing. Best of all, it feels like the kind of mischief kids on boats actually get swept up in: exploring new places, noticing little things adults miss, and caring about the creatures they meet along the way.

I've found that Teacher Created Resources can be really helpful with curriculum and teaching ideas. You can find lesson plans for this book for more great ideas!

👉 Find this book, related curriculum, and other books based in Florida on our resource page!

Why This Book Works for Cruising Kids

• It’s light and adventurous, not scary.

• Kids recognize the landscapes: scrub brush, palmetto, sandy lots, oddball animals.

• It opens the door to gentle, fun conversations about wildlife stewardship.

• It’s short enough to comfortably finish in a week or two, even on travel days.

Optional Activities On Board

• Wildlife Watchlist
  • Have your kids sketch or tally manatees, pelicans, iguanas, dolphins, and ospreys.
• Eco Detective Mission
  • Choose a small area near your marina or anchorage and look for signs of wildlife.
• Create a “Family Wildlife Code”
  • Your own rules for interacting respectfully with marine animals.

Movie of the Week

Pair it with “Dolphin Tale” (rated PG).

Set in Clearwater, sweet and uplifting. Perfect after a long boating day.

👉 Find it here.

If you read through "Hoot," you may also enjoy the movie based on the book! 

Discussion Starters:

• What animals have you seen on the Loop this week?

• If something threatened those animals, what would you do?

• How does Roy show courage in small, everyday ways?