Hooway for Wodney Wat
By Helen Lester
The Story
A rat who can't pronounce his R's gets teased at school until a bigger, meaner, smarter capybara arrives — and his very speech impediment turns out to be exactly what saves the day.
Why It's Special
For the kid who's ever felt embarrassed about something that makes them different, Wodney's story turns that exact thing into his secret power.
- Big idea: The thing kids get teased for can turn out to be the thing that saves everyone.
- Vibes: Playful, silly, and quietly triumphant, with wordplay that turns Rs into Ws on every page.
Perfect For Kids Who
- enjoy silly wordplay and mispronounced letters
- are working on feeling okay about what makes them different
- respond well to an underdog winning in the end
- like to repeat funny lines out loud
Ask Your Little Reader
- Story & problem-solving: How did Wodney's trouble saying his R's end up saving the day against Camilla Capybara?
- Feelings & empathy: How do you think Wodney felt when the other rodents teased him about the way he talked?
- Real-life connection: Has anyone ever teased you for something that makes you, you? How did that feel?
- Imagination: If you had a funny way of talking like Wodney, what would you want it to be?
- Character: Why do you think everyone was afraid Camilla really was bigger, meaner, and smarter than them?
