Howard B. Wigglebottom Learns about Bullies was published in 2008. It was written by Howard Binkow and illustrated by Susan Cornelison.
Howard B. Wigglebottom is a bunny and he’s being bullied by the Snorton Twins (they are pigs). These Snorton twins are the usual elementary school bullies. They steal money, physically abuse and torment others. When the teacher isn’t looking they act all good.
Throughout the week Howard B. Wigglebottom imagines how to avoid the bullies while in the back of his mind he reminds himself to “be brave, be bold, a teacher must be told”. Eventually the teacher is told and the story comes to an end.
Bullying is a very risky subject for a children’s book and this book has a disclaimer at the beginning saying that “it does not have all the answers to bullying”. Page 30 and 31 (very unusual that a picture book would have page numbers...) have two pages of reading and gives tips on how to reduce bullying.
The ending of Howard B. Wigglebottom Learns about Bullies ends with Howard sleeping comfortably in his bed thinking that he’s going to be safe. I have a feeling the Snorton twin will get their revenge on him some day... so from a realistic point of view, I have difficulties believing this “happy” ending.
I once heard from my friend’s brother who sends his children to a private school that this particular school has a zero tolerance for bullies. If there are any signs of bullying, the bully is kicked out... I thought this was a good system.
I say send all the bullies to a small class sized “bullies” only school. Some kids just can’t control the desire to pick on others...
I don’t know if I would recommend Howard B. Wigglebottom since the heavy subject matter is treated rather lightly by the end. Some children might get some useful advice from this book so it might help someone out there though.
