Module 6: Hooway for Wodney Wat by Helen Lester

"Poor Wodney.

Wodney Wat.

His real name was Rodney Rat, but he couldn't pronounce his r's."

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Citation

Lester, H.  (1999).  Hooway for Wodney Wat.  New York:  Houghton Mifflin Company.

Summary

Wodney Wat can't pronouce his r's, something for which his "wodent" classmates tease him mercilessly.  Wodney Wat hates speaking up in class.  Camilla Capybara, the new, show-off, mean student in class, makes everyone afraid of her.  And so, when Wodney Wat is chosen to lead the class in a game of Simon Says, he is terrified of what Camilla Capybara will say when she hears him speak.  Wodney's unique way of talking is misunderstood by the class bully, causing for some hilarious "Wodney says" moments that put Camilla Capybara in her place.

My Impressions

Hooway for Wodney Wat is an adorable story about how a speech impediment doesn't have to be embarassing.  The colorful language used to tell the story really brings it to life, as characters gnaw, their fur prickles, and they squeal with laughter.  The illustrations, by Lynn Munsinger cleverly show the events in the story and fill Wodney Wat with personality.  It is wonderful to see an entertaining story about being different that isn't contrived or requires the character to change to be accepted by his peers.  Wodney Wat is a loveable little wodent that will delight all children, regardless of how the speak.

Review

This author-artist team's latest foray into celebrations of differences (Tacky the Penguin, etc,) brings us Rodney Rat, a small rodent who can't pronounce his rs. His classmates' taunting has turned "Wodney" into the shyest, most miserable kid in school. "His squeak could barely be heard in class. He gnawed his lunch alone. And while the other rodents scurried and scooted about at recess, Wodney hid inside his jacket." Along comes salvation in the unlikely form of a new rodent, the mean and disruptive bully Camilla Capybara. Because she doesn't know about Wodney's speech impediment, she takes his orders in "Simon Says" literally, weeding instead of reading, waking leaves instead of raking them, and, crucially, going west instead of taking a rest. Having vanquished Camilla, Wodney is now a hero. Wodney's transformation is beautifully underscored in Munsinger's humorous, expressive illustrations: he gradually changes from hunched-over and cowering to tall and empowered, shouting instructions "in a voice so strong he had to hold his own ears." It's particularly nice that Wodney doesn't have to overcome his speech impediment to be liked; in fact, it's the impediment itself and Wodney's clever use of it that foils the villain and earns his classmates' admiration.

Parravano, M. V. (1999). [Review of the book Hooway for Wodney Wat by H. Lester]. Horn Book Magazine, 75(4), 457. Retrieved from http://www.hbook.com.

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 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.

Mandell, P., & Yusko, S. (2004). [Review of the book Hooway for Wodney Wat by H. Lester]. School Library Journal, 50(2), 74. Retrieved from http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com.

Suggested Library Uses

•  Read in a storytime and play Simon Says with the children, changing w's for r's, as Wodney does, for a fun listening and direction following activity.  Talk about speech impediments and encourage children to be kind to others who speak differently.
• Include the book in a display about diversity.

Notes
Buckaroo Book Award, 2000, Winner (Grades K-3, Wyoming)

Wodney Wat and Camilla Capybara meet again in Wodney Wat's Wobot (Lester, 2011, Houghton Mifflin Books for Children)!

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