Howard b. wigglebottom learns to listen

Imagine how much easier life would be if children listened better. Meet Howard B. Wigglebottom, a curious rabbit who just doesn’t listen! This new illustrated book has been created to help children, ages 4-7, improve their listening skills and pay attention. Educators, parents, and children alike will laugh and learn as Howard B. Wigglebottom learns to listen.

Children’s Literature

Howard is like a lot of youngsters who have trouble listening and focusing during their daily activities at school and at home. He is loud and lively and full of himself, but his lack of attention and poor listening skills cause him lots of problems. His classroom friends and teacher are dismayed when he bounces around during story time–although he is a bunny, this is not the appropriate time for such boisterous action. The teacher’s face (she is a goose) is fairly stern but she does say please when she admonishes him to be quiet and listen. Concrete examples abound as he fails to listen. His long rabbit ears get caught in the ceiling fan, he slips on a banana peel because he does not listen to the beaver’s warnings, he hurts his friend’s feelings (and her crocodile snout) because he doesn’t listen, and he gets a black eye when he fails to heed the team’s alerting calls of keep your eye on the ball. Because of his antics in the art room, he has to spend time in time out, where he really begins to think about all of the things that have happened to him because he did not listen. Once he makes up his mind to be a better listener, he tries extremely hard to listen, which results in much happier experiences for him. He even gets extra play time for paying attention to his mother. The back matter includes seven steps for being a better listener and listening discussion questions for parents, teachers, caregivers, etc. to use to prompt observant discussions about Howard’s need to listen. Careful listening is essential for safety and learning and enjoying life. Reading about and examining Howard’s actions will help youngsters give thought to being better listeners themselves.