Howard B. Wigglebottom Learns About Sportsmanship: Winning Isn’t Everything {Book Review}
Howard B. Wigglebottom Learns About Sportsmanship: Winning Isn’t Everything
I know that everytime I introduce another Howard B Wigglebottom book to you all that I say this, but seriously, it happens EVERY time!! This story could not have come at a better time!!
Learns About Sportsmanship
As you know, my boy started t-ball this year and this is his first team sport. We had our concerns after the first practice, but things have smoothed out considerably. Hubby and I were actually surprised that we have heard some parents (and even coaches) yelling at the 4 to 6 year old children out there on the t-ball field either during practice or worse, during a game!! We are blessed that our boy is just out there to have fun, but after the games he will sometimes have questions about “why that man was yelling?”.
We’ve been reading this Howard B Wigglebottom story to him to not only teach him about playing as a team, but to also play for fun and that sometimes grown-ups can act angry too. That’s right – this book addresses both instances.
The Story
Howard B Wigglebottom loves to win and get angry when he isn’t winning. When he’s playing with his team, he doesn’t let the other teammates play and he talks back to his coach when he is put in time out. While Howard is sitting out, he sees a parent yelling at the referree and decides that he doesn’t want to look like that. He promises not to act out again and is put back in the game.
Howard learns to play for fun, be a team player, and to congratulate his teammates for what they are doing well!!
Winning Isn’t Everything
This past week our boy (the smallest on his team and always last to bat) came up to bat twice and only made it to first plate before the teams switched innings (they switch at 5 runs). He didn’t think twice when he reached first plate and the coach told him to go grab his hat and glove and get in the outfield. He just smiled and moved on. He did eventually get to make it around the bases and cross home plate (score!!) but I don’t know that he minded one way or the other. We are so proud of him for having this personality and we want to nurture that.
Howard B Wigglebottom books help us nurture our son’s precious traits and help us teach him life’s lessons with fun, colorful stories!!
We Do Listen – and the stories of Howard B. Wigglebottom – feature great stories to help your child learn about life and the lessons to help them learn self-confidence and self-worth.
The We Do Listen Non Profit Foundation is a group of writers, artists, designers, educators, therapists, parents, caregivers and teachers who share a vision of a kinder world with more harmony and peace and a better life for everyone to enjoy. Their books, animated books, songs, posters and lessons/discussion questions are intended to empower young children to deal with important life lessons like being a better listener, bullying, anger management, moderation, truth, divorce, peer pressure, belonging, generosity, sportsmanship, attention and feeling good about themselves.
Howard B. Wigglebottom animated books and songs are free at WeDoListen. You can also find free coloring pages to color and print and more!!
Follow what’s new on WeDoListen and Howard B. Wigglebottom
Start a discussion today about Being the Best whether you are winning or not – and about Team Sports – with your child.
Does your child like to win or does s/he play for fun? Are you that angry parent in the crowd?!!
Such a good topic for a book. And what a good boy you have! It’s so important that kids learn this message but the parents need to set the example. I’m not one of the crazy parents but I have yet to attend a kids sporting event where there wasn’t at least 1 crazy parent in the crowd. When I read in the news about another crazed parent injuring (or even killing) a referee or umpire it just sickens me.