Wodney Wat's Wobot

by Helen Lester, Lynn Munsinger (Illustrator)

Overview

When Wodney must face off against that big bully Camilla Capybara for a second time, a talking robot becomes his secret weapon. The meek wodent . . . er, rodent . . . hero with a speech impediment and a heart of gold is back! So is Camilla Capybara—the BIG bully who makes poor Wodney and his classmates tremble. But this time, Wodney has a secret weapon: a robot that helps him pronounce his r’s and seems to be just the thing to scare Camilla away for good.
         With the second empowering tale about Wodney, Lester and Munsinger use their signature dose of humor to remind us that the little guy can finish first, and it’s often brains—not brawn—that save the day.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780547752105
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	10/04/2011
Sold by:	HARPERCOLLINS
Format:	eBook
Pages:	32
Lexile:	AD460L (what's this?)
File size:	38 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	4 - 7 Years

About the Author

Helen Lester has written many hilarious and popular picture books, including the Tacky the Penguin series and Hooway for Wodney Wat. She lives in New York. www.helenlester.com

Lynn Munsinger has illustrated more than ninety books for children, many written by her frequent collaborator, Helen Lester. She lives in Vermont.

Editorial Reviews

Still having trouble with the letter R, Wodney Wat receives a talking “wobot” for his birthday, which repeats everything he says and—best of all—has no trouble pronouncing “R’s.” Things are great until the return of infamous bully Camilla Capybara (“Everyone thought Camilla had gone west. Forever”), who resumes tormenting her classmates. But Camilla is nothing if not shrewd: when Wodney’s wobot stops working, she swaps her frilly, pink dress for doctor’s scrubs and confidently replaces its battery (before being chased away once again). Readers should have fun reading aloud in Wodney’s voice, but multidimensional Camilla is a scene-stealer herself. Ages 4–8. (Oct.)

Publishers Weekly

"Lester’s precisely worded text creates a wide range of emotions, from joy to gloom to satisfaction, while Munsinger’s expressive line-and wash illustrations capture every nuance of the amusing story."—Booklist "This sequel will be embraced by youngsters who struggle with their speech and need some hints on how to handle the capybaras in their lives."—Kirkus "Readers should have fun reading aloud in Wodney’s voice, but multidimensional Camilla is a scene-stealer herself."—Publishers Weekly —

From the Publisher

K-Gr 2—Adorable Wodney Wat has found a solution to his speech issue. He receives a "Wobot" for his birthday: "a tewiffic pwesent!" especially since this robot can repeat anything that is said to it. Now instead of ordering "wibs and wice" at lunch, Wodney directs his robot to order "ribs and rice." Unfortunately, the fun ends when Camilla Capybara, the World's Meanest Rodent, returns with a vengeance. Camilla zeros in on Rodney's stutter, mocking him at a crucial moment when his robot breaks. Luckily, the robot's malfunction ends up scaring Camilla, resulting in her ego being knocked down a peg or two. In the end, she is defeated, the robot is fixed, and everyone is happy. Wodney is a wonderfully quirky character with whom many children will connect. Munsinger's illustrations are joyful and humorous. A lively addition for most libraries.—Jasmine L. Precopio, Fox Chapel Area School District, Pittsburgh, PA

School Library Journal

Wodney Wat, the lovable rodent who cannot pronounce the r sound, receives a remarkable robot as a birthday present (Hooway for Wodney Wat, 1999).

This pile of metal can do something that Rodney cannot: It can parrot his speech, correcting the pronunciation. Rodney is having great fun with his new metal companion when the enormous bully, Camilla Capybara, returns. Camilla explodes into the room, terrifying everyone, including the teacher. When the robot malfunctions, developing a RRRRR roar, Camilla's weaknesses are exposed, allowing Wodney, assisted by his sidekick, to send her rolling out the door. Munsinger's over-the-top illustrations are the star here. A deft use of humorous expressions on every rodent face will allow young readers to ally with beloved Wodney as he negotiates the challenges of school: ordering wibs and wice (ribs and rice), exercising on the wings (rings) at PE and adding 2+1. With his wobot, it's a snap! Poured into her pink dress, Camilla bursts onto each spread, the pages barely able to contain her. When she is scared, her size is reduced, a fine visual clue to her diminishing power.

This sequel will be embraced by youngsters who struggle with their speech and need some hints on how to handle the capybaras in their lives. (Picture book. 4-9)

Kirkus Reviews