Howard Binkow

I received this book for review from the author. I did not receive any compensation for my review, and the views expressed herein are my own.

I read this book aloud to my children.

I love the name of the rabbit, Howard B. Wigglebottom. It's cute, it's funny, and accurately describes my kids who can't seem to sit still!

The book starts off funny and entertaining as we see the different ways that Howard likes to fix things. It takes on a little bit more of a serious tone when Howard find his best show more friend, Ali, crying. She is sad because her parents have been fighting a lot, and she feels as if it is all her fault. Howard wants desperately to "fix it," but doesn't know how. Not knowing what to do, he sits with Ali every day and just listens while she talks. Howard doesn't even realize that what he is doing is helping Ali!

Howard talks to his mom about Ali's situation, and she has very sage advice for Howard, telling him that sometimes parents do fight and that it is NEVER the child's fault. Furthermore, she reassures Howard that he is doing what Ali needs most: He is being a friend. Even though we cannot always fix things, we can change the way we think and feel about it.

The moral of the story is:

"Howard learned that sometimes life gives you RAINBOWS and sometimes you get MUD!

So if you find yourself headfirst in mud and you can't change it, you have choices.

You can be unhappy about it...
or make the best of it."

I loved this book! I thought the message was inspiring and very thought-provoking. It is not just a message for children, but for adults as well. Binkow includes suggestions for lessons and reflections at the back of the book, and I spent quite a while discussing the book with my kids. Sometimes, children will hear their parents fight, and Binkow reassures children that it is okay to feel upset but that they should know that it is never their fault.

Howard is an excellent role model, and I loved seeing his concern for Ali and want to try to help her. He comforted Ali, which is exactly what I would want my kids to do for a friend.

Cornelison brought Howard to life with her colourful illustrations. They are just wonderful and capture the essence of Howard beautifully. There is one illustration in particular on Page 23 where we see Howard and Ali from behind, sitting down. Howard has his arm around Ali's shoulders, and he is listening to her as she talks. That picture made me smile, and I was very touched by it.

Even though the synopsis suggests that this book is intended for children aged 4-8, I think this book is suitable for a child of any age. Both my 3 year-old and 9 year-old loved the book.

Although this is Book #4 of the series, each story is independent and can be read out of order.

I am looking forward to reading more Howard B. Wigglebottom books!

MY RATING: 5 stars!! We loved it! Highly recommended for kids! show less

(Read Aloud) In this book, Howard learns what it means to be a good sport. Before he had been obsessed with winning and would do whatever it took to win (even if that was cheating). He realizes how poorly he is behaving after one soccer game and learns it’s more important to be kind and have good sportsmanship than to win. I thought the message of this book was really good and not too lengthy, so it’ll keep children’s attention. This is a good book for children because it brings up show more many good discussion points and the back of the book even has discussion questions. This is a good read aloud because it can keep children’s attention while teaching them, and it can start a conversation about good behavior. show less

I received this book for review from the author. I did not receive any compensation for my review, and the views expressed herein are my own.

I read this book aloud to my children.

I love the name of the rabbit, Howard B. Wigglebottom. It's cute, it's funny, and accurately describes my kids who can't seem to sit still!

Howard gets taken to the principal's office at school because he does the wrong things when he does not get his way. Even when he returns home, he is still in a time-out. show more Howard's friend, Ali, stops by. He asks her why she doesn't get angry, and she tells him that she does just like everyone else. She said that her tummy gets all tight when she doesn't get her way and that she tells herself to "Stop; it's OK to back away," before she does the wrong thing. Then, Ali goes out and does something to feel good again, such as; jumping, kicking or throwing a ball, yelling, or counting. With Ali's help, Howard learns to redirect his anger.

We, too, do time-outs in our household for inappropriate behaviour and that includes when they are having a tantrum. The kids are more than welcome to rejoin the household once they have cooled off. I agree with the "back away" aspect of the book's lesson. In the suggestions for lessons and reflections at the back of the book, Binkow suggests listening to our tummies which might feel "tight or shaky or upset." That part of the lesson was a little hard for my kids to grasp, especially my 3 year-old. Speaking for myself, I don't generally get an upset tummy when I'm angry. Rather, my heart gets pumping and my face usually gets red!

We see a different side of Howard in this book. In the previous one we read (Howard B. Wigglebottom Learns About Mud and Rainbows), we see Howard as more of a "hero." In this one, Ali is the "hero" and Howard is the one that needs her help. I love that Binkow shows the "give-and-take" of the friendship between Howard and Ali and that nobody (not even cute Howard B. Wigglebottom) is perfect!

My kids really like Cornelison's illustrations. My 3 year-old especially got a kick out of seeing Howard's angry "Ninja Bunny" face.

Overall, I really liked this book but not as much as the other Binkow book that we just read (Howard B. Wigglebottom Learns About Mud and Rainbows). One thing in particular that I really like about this series is that it stimulates further discussion with my kids *after* we have read the book. Any book that does that gets my thumbs-up!

Although this is Book #5 of the series, each story is independent and can be read out of order.

MY RATING: 4 stars!! We really liked this book and recommend it! show less

A great tale for little ones who may have a little trouble settling down and staying focused. Great insight to how a student who may seem a little hyper can also be a really sweet kid (or rabbit) as well.