Meet the First Black Author to Create Phonics Workbooks That Improve Reading Skills in 30 Days or Less Rosa Higgs, a teacher from Berkeley, California, has proven why phonics instruction matters.

The two elementary school teachers started a series of comic books “Hooked on Comics,” which they’re now selling to educators and parents across the country.

As test scores lag, there’s a growing debate between proponents of the “science of reading,” which emphasizes phonics, and traditional educators who prefer to instill a love of literature.

Mullen is bringing her pro-phonics message to parents this week at a free event in Lawrence. A former teacher at Sunflower Elementary School, Mullen will be the featured speaker at the “Reading ...