Synopses & Reviews
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.
Review
"Rodney Rat, who can't pronounce his R's, is the shyest, most miserable kid in school, until one day he saves his classmates from the mean bully Camilla Capybara. Wodney's transformation from cowering to empowered is beautifully underscored in the humorous, expressive illustrations. Appealingly, Wodney doesn't need to overcome his impediment to be liked--and it's the impediment itself and Wodney's clever use of it that foils the villain."
Review
"The team responsible for the Tacky the Penguin books and Princess Penelope's Parrot (1996), among others, is in rare form in this picture book, in which a swell little guy proves himself a hero to his tormentors. Wodney Wat has a problem: he can't pronounce the letter r, which makes him the butt of constant jokes and teasing. He's so distressed, in fact, that he routinely buries his head in his jacket--the closest he can come to actually disappearing. He thinks he's really in for it when "big, mean, smart" Camilla Capybara appears in Miss Fuzzleworth's classroom. But the tables are deftly turned when Wodney is tapped to lead a game of Simon Says: when he says "Go West" after a tough round of play, guess who does. Munsinger's well-detailed illustrations are superbly funny, a perfect complement to a comical story that will not only make kids laugh but also hearten those who feel they'll be outsiders forever." Booklist, ALA
"Rodney Rat, who can't pronounce his R's, is the shyest, most miserable kid in school, until one day he saves his classmates from the mean bully Camilla Capybara. Wodney's transformation from cowering to empowered is beautifully underscored in the humorous, expressive illustrations. Appealingly, Wodney doesn't need to overcome his impediment to be liked--and it's the impediment itself and Wodney's clever use of it that foils the villain." Horn Book
A shy rodent turns his defect into strength to overcome class bully and save the day. Every page is a delight in this imaginative book, which culminates in surprising word play. Energetic illustrations capture perfectly the characters of timid Rodney, the overbearing Camilla Capybara, and their rowdy rodent classmates.
Parent's Choice (R)
Review
"A powerful, much-needed argument for the virtues of civility . . . a nearly perfect parable about being true to oneself in a rough-and-tumble world."
and#8212;Publishers Weekly, starred review
"Understated and sunny itself, this picture book subtly prescribes behavior for situations dire and everyday. So, um, well, will you give it a read...please?"
and#8212;Kirkus, starred review
"Mary, with her wavy blond hair and rosy pink cheeks, is an endearing character who learns when to speak up for herself."
and#8212;School Library Journal
"Bridges' text employs a gentle rhythm and spare language to create a real story out of its underlying theme: being polite and assertive are both important."
and#8212;Booklist
"Sometimes you just have to tell people what you want. And what this smart, affecting and original story wants is some well-deserved attention."
and#8212;The New York Times Online
"This would be a fine picture book for a young girl whose good manners could use tweaking."
and#8212;The Wall Street Journal
"This gently paced tale shows children there's room for both courtesy and confidence."
and#8212;Jennifer M. Brown, children's editor, Shelf Awareness, starred review
"[Mary] is endearing in her shy sweetness."
and#8212;The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
Review
"Delightfully comical, providing a satisfying story that will appeal to the whole family, from toddlers through adults."
and#8212;Kirkus, starred review
"French provides Whatley with bare-bones scaffolding on which to build comic moments of Wombat munching, napping, and tussling with reindeer."
and#8212;Publishers Weekly
"Charming and slight, the humor shines through the spare text and Whatley's expressive paintings of the lazy wombat."
and#8212;School Library Journal
"Succinct sentences and episodic pacing allow Wombat's adventures to speak for themselves."
and#8212;Horn Book
"Jackie French's succinct narration works charmingly with Bruce Whatley's depictions of the myopic, carrot-loving quadruped that accidentally stows himself on Santa's sled."
and#8212;Wall Street Journal
Synopsis
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.
Synopsis
His real name was Rodney Rat, but he couldnand#8217;t pronounce his rand#8217;s.and#160;To make matters worse, he was a rodent. A wodent. When Camilla Capybara joins Wodneyand#8217;s class and announces that she is bigger, meaner, and smarter than all the other rodents, everyone is afraidand#8212;especially Wodney. Read along with Wodney as he surprises himself and his classmates by single-handedly saving the whole class from the big bad bullyand#8212;rand#8217;s or no rand#8217;s. The professionally narrated audio production includes lively sound effects and original music.
Synopsis
This resealable package comes with a paperback and a two-sided cassette tape. The professionally narrated audio production includes lively sound eVects and original music. Side one includes page-turn signals; side two features an uninterrupted reading.
Synopsis
Wodney Wat saves the day when heand#160;triumphs over the class bully!and#160;
Synopsis
Thereand#8217;s a difference between being polite and being a pushover!
Synopsis
Mary Wrightly is the best-behaved little girl around. She always politely says please and thank you and even and#8220;Iand#8217;m sorryand#8221; when something isnand#8217;t her fault. But when a shopper comes between Mary and the blue elephant toy she wants to buy for her beloved baby brother, will Mary just let the woman walk away with it? Speak up, Mary! Monescilloand#8217;s charming illustrations capture the spirit of this gentle look at how asserting oneself is not rude, and even occasionally out-and-out necessary.
Synopsis
Christmas from a wombatand#8217;s point of view, including competition for the carrots children have left out for Santaand#8217;s reindeer,and#160;and guess who gets stuck in the chimney?
Synopsis
and#8220;Slept. Scratched. Slept.and#8221; Indeed, it seems like Christmas will be just another day for the wombat . . . until she smells carrots! In this charming picture book, the star of Diary of a Wombat goes head to head with Santaand#8217;s reindeer in competition for carrotsand#8212;and wins. Then, as an accidental stowaway on Santa's sleigh, she learns that carrots are internationally available. No wonder she isn't hungry for treats on Christmas morning! Engaging illustrations delightfully complement the spare text in this unique, wombatand#8217;s-eye view of a favorite holiday.
About the Author
Helen Lester and Lynn Munsinger have been together through thick and thin since first publishing The Wizard, the Fairy, and the Magic Chicken in 1983 with Houghton Mifflin Company and Walter Lorraine, their editor. They have collaborated 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 author and a former teacher who makes her home in Pawling, New York, and Lynn Munsinger is a full-time illustrator who divides her time between Connecticut and Vermont.Lynn Munsinger and Helen Lester have been together through thick and thin since first publishing The Wizard, the Fairy, and the Magic Chicken in 1983 with Houghton Mifflin Company and Walter Lorraine, their editor. They have collaborated 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 author and a former teacher who makes her home in Pawling, New York, and Lynn Munsinger is a full-time illustrator who divides her time between Connecticut and Vermont.