Howard B. Wigglebottom Learns We Can All Get Along by H. Binkow & A. Reverend
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.20361/G2VW24Abstract
Binkow, Howard and Ana Reverend. Howard B. Wigglebottom Learns We Can All Get Along. New York: Scholastic Inc., 2014. Print.
This fictional picture book tells a heartwarming story of a young rabbit named Howard who has a conversation with his Grandma after his friends host a picnic but neglect to invite him. Howard’s Grandma helps him realize that he has a tendency to cause conflict between his friends in an attempt to “get his way” or “always be right,” and that this may be why he wasn’t invited. After considering ways to sneak into the party in a disguise, wise Grandma rabbit suggests he learn to get along with his friends so he can go as himself. Grandma teaches Howard some important lessons in considering the perspectives of his friends. She helps Howard see how his friends feel when he insists on always being right and reminds him that he will need plenty of practice. Grandma’s main lesson is that “everyone gets the chance to be right, have a say, and have a turn”. In the end, Howard apologizes to his friends, promises to practice making better choices, and gets to go to the picnic.
Howard Binkow and Reverend Ana specifically guide the reader through 29 pages with 0 – 6 sentences per page containing rich language regarding positive friendship choices. The text provides the foundation for an effective teacher read-aloud appropriate for students in lower elementary. The artists David A. Cutting and Mike Ferrin use a colourful sponge technique to soften the borders and gently shape the characters on every page. The illustrations are self-explanatory and contain engaging expressions, showing a range of different emotions on the characters’ faces.
The use of various animals allows the characters to be universally relatable to most students. The text and images explicitly teach lifelong lessons and establish the cause and effect impacts of a child’s behavior on other people. It relays the powerful message that change requires practice and that it can sometimes be hard work to get along with others. The ending provides a reasonable solution to the problem, leaving the reader with a positive outlook on the lesson and its outcome.
Howard B. Wigglebottom Learns We Can All Get Along is part of a series of life lesson books using Howard as the main character. While he is far from perfect, students enjoy the realistic relationship struggles he learns to overcome. A unique feature of all of the books in the series is that the last two pages have a “Suggestions for Lessons and Reflections” based on lessons in the book.
This lesson-explicit picture book meaningfully relates to the audience and is a promising start to any cooperation or emotions lesson.
Recommended: 3 out of 4 stars
Reviewer: Jane Williams
Jane Williams is a grade one teacher in Beaumont who is working on completing her Masters of Education in Language and Literacy. She believes that every GREAT lesson begins with a story.
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