Ben and "Wodney Wat's Wobot."Rodney Rat is a small rodent who can’t say his r’s. No matter how hard he tries, they come out sounding like w’s.

Despite this, Rodney is a happy fellow. In Wodney Wat’s Wobot (Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 2011) by Helen Lester and Lynn Munsinger, Rodney likes going to school, has good friends, and for his birthday, he gets a wonderful wobot.

I mean a ronderful robot. Or a wonderful robot. Whatever.

When Rodney pushes a button on the robot’s nose and speaks, the robot repeats what Rodney says … but the robot pronounces all the letters correctly.

Rodney is thrilled. He takes the robot to school with him where it’s very helpful when Rodney wants to order ribs and rice for lunch.

But then, Camilla Capybara, the biggest and meanest rodent around, comes back to school and resumes her reign of terror. Just at that time, the batteries in Rodney’s wonderful robot start to fade.

And, somehow, without meaning to, Rodney finds the one thing that Camilla is scared of.

Will it be enough to save the day?

Let’s hear from today’s guest reviewer, Ben!

———————

Today’s reviewer: Ben

Age: Just turned 5.

I like: Candy, having soccer practice, super heroes.

This book was about: A robot.

The best part was when: Rodney had a birthday cake made out of cheese on the first page.

I laughed when: Camilla teased Rodney with her tongue out.

I was worried when: The robot ran out of batteries.

I was surprised that: Camilla the Capybara came back!

This book taught me: Not to tease people and to be nice.

Other kids reading this book should watch for: Camilla. Because she was teasing and sticking her tongue out.

Three words that best describe this book: “Rodney.” “Robot.” “Worried.”

My favorite line or phrase in this book: “Nananana na na. someone’s got a stutter.” and “Something’s wrong with my wobot.”

You should read this book because: Of the robot. And because Camilla is mean.

———————

Thank you, Ben!

This book is a follow-up to Hooway for Wodney Wat.

If you’d like to learn more about author Helen Lester, you can read this interview.  (My favorite quote from it is, “I don’t think the thrill of turning a page to see what happens next will ever go out of style.”) Or, you can visit Helen’s website.

If you’d like to learn more about illustrator Lynn Munsinger, check out this impressive list of books she’s been involved with.