Howard B. Wigglebottom Learns It’s OK to Back Away

Author: Howard Binkow

Illustrator: Susan F. Cornelison

Topic: Emotional regulation

Intended Audience: Preschool - 2nd Grade

Published: 2011

Pages: 32 pages

About the book: When Howard doesn’t get his way, he feels angry and behaves in ways that get him into trouble at school and at home. His friend Ali, recognizing his problem, helps him identify what anger feels like in his body and explains how he can use active play to help him feel happier and avoid negative outcomes.

Reader’s guide:

1. Howard feels angry when he doesn’t get his way. What makes you feel angry?
2. Have you seen other people do the things Howard does when he doesn’t get his way?
3. What does Ali teach Howard about managing his feelings?
4. How does Howard’s tummy feel when he is angry? Does yours feel that way when you are angry?
5. Instead of kicking Bob “the Ninja way” to get his chocolate milk, what words could Howard have used instead to try to solve the problem?

Activity for readers:  When Howard feels angry, he learns to avoid doing the wrong thing by stopping, backing away, and using his energy to jump rope, play with a ball, or count. Ask students to draw other activities Howard could do to feel better and then share their drawings with their classmates.