Hooway for Wodney Wat [Hardcover]

Helen Lester (Author), Lynn Munsinger (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

Poor Rodney Rat can't pronounce his R's and the other rodents tease him mercilessly. But when Camilla Capybara joins Rodney's class and announces that she is bigger, meaner, and smarter than any of the other rodents, everyone is afraid. It seems she really is bigger, meaner, and smarter than all of the rest of them. Until our unwitting hero, Wodney Wat, catches Camilla out in a game of Simon Says. Read along with Wodney as he surprises himself and his classmates by single-handedly saving the whole class from the big bad bully. Children will delight as shy Rodney Rat triumphs over all and his tiny voice decides the day, R's or no R's.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2--Poor Rodney Rat is teased mercilessly by all the other rodents because he can't pronounce his R's in this beginning to read title by Helen Lester (Houghton, 1999). When Camilla Capybara joins the class and announces that she is bigger, meaner, and smarter than any of the other rodents, everyone is afraid, especially Wodney. One day he unwittingly catches Camilla out in a game of Simon Says, and surprises himself and saves his classmates from big bully Camilla. This retelling nicely reflects Wodney's transformation from shy rodent with a speech impediment to hero of the class. Narration is accompanied by synthesized music and some sound effects. Side one includes page-turning signals (that sound like a small rodent being squeezed), while side two contains an uninterrupted reading. This book and tape set will be popular in school and public libraries.--Shauna Yusko, King County Library System, Bellevue, WA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 3-A shy rat who can't pronounce his r's rises to the occasion and outsmarts a new student who terrorizes the classroom. An ego booster for any child who has ever been bullied or teased, with illustrations that exude charm and personality. (May)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children (March 15, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395923921
• ISBN-13: 978-0395923924
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 8.8 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (74 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #524,589 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Helen Lester has published The Wizard, the Fairy, and the Magic Chicken in 1983, in collabroation with Lynn Munsinger. They have also worked together on the hilarious Tacky the Penguin series and many other wildly funny and popular titles, including the award-winning Hooway for Wodney Wat. Helen Lester is a full-time writer who makes her home in Pawling, New York.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Poor Picked Upon Wodney Becomes the Class Hero!, March 15, 2001

By 

Volkert Volkersz (Snohomish, WA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hooway for Wodney Wat (Hardcover)

As an elementary school librarian, I like promoting books in which a child's disability actually turns into a gift. Here poor picked-upon Wodney, who hides his head inside his jacket at recess, becomes the hero of his class by inadvertently driving the new bully away.

This story reminds me of "Gerald McBoing Boing," by Dr. Seuss, which is about a boy who can't talk, but only makes sounds.

Wodney Wat is sure to encourge many kids, with or without disabilities, for many years to come!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not a Fan..., July 30, 2010

By 

Teachermom (MI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hooway for Wodney Wat (Paperback)

I bought this book to read with my son, who's 5. I thought it would be about overcoming bullies. It was, but I didn't like the message. Basically the only reason Rodney gains confidence & becomes a 'hero' is because he makes the class laugh at another class bully so that she runs away. Message: if you're getting picked on, you should gain acceptance from those bullies by picking on someone else. Really? It could have been such a different & better lesson. Not keeping this book.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hooway for Lester and Munsinger!, July 23, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Hooway for Wodney Wat (Hardcover)

They've done it again! The team who brought us such memorable books as A Porcupine Named Fluffy and Tacky the Penguin are at their absolute best with Hooway for Wodney Wat. Funny text and hysterical illustrations combine to make the perfect read aloud book. I laughed so hard I cried. A must have!