Books.org participates in affiliate programs including Bookshop.org and the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through links on this page, at no additional cost to you.
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.
Children's Literature
Wodney bears the brunt of his classmates' teasing because he has a speech impediment. To make matters worse, along comes bigger, meaner and smarter Camilla Capybara, a truly dreadful bully. When Wodney is chosen to lead a game of Simon Says, know-it-all Camilla follows his directions exactly as he says them. Instead of overcoming his shortcoming, Wodney (a.k.a. "Rodney") successfully uses it to get rid of the bully and he becomes the hero. The reader sees Wodney gradually getting the upper hand in both the text and illustrations. Munsinger's expressive rodents amplify the tale. This author-illustrator team really knows how to use humor to get across their message. Children and adults alike will give a cheer for this underdog.