Learn all about the Australian “bulldozer of the bush” in a fascinating introduction to the wombat.Wombats may look soft and cuddly, but they are determined and tough, with sharp teeth that never stop growing, limbs that they use to shovel dirt like bulldozers, and bony bottoms they use to defend their burrows. They can live for years without drinking water, getting all of their moisture from the plants they eat—and they deposit their cube-shaped poop on rocks or stumps as a warning to other wombats. Follow one of these powerful marsupials through a suspenseful day in Christopher Cheng’s engaging narration, paired with endearing illustrations by Liz Duthie and interspersed with intriguing facts. An endnote provides additional information about wombats for readers curious to learn more.
On sale: September 7, 2021
Age: 5-9 years
Grade: Grades K-4
Page count: 32 Pages
ISBN: 9781536220360
Christopher Cheng is the author of
Python, illustrated by Mark Jackson
. He established the Zoomobile at Taronga Zoo in Sydney, Australia, and also taught at the zoo for eight years. He is now a full-time, award-winning author of children’s books of many genres. He lives in Sydney, in a home filled with children’s books.
Liz Duthie is an artist and the education officer at the La Trobe Art Institute in Bendigo, Australia. She is passionate about nature and bringing native creatures to life. Liz Duthie lives in Australia.
Delicately detailed artwork in browns and greens expertly generates a storybook feeling of the natural world. . . . A day-in-the-life flow introduces usual activities like sleeping and territory defense with unrhymed yet poetic prose. The effect is endearing, sweet, and approachable. . . . Cheng’s careful yet playful word choices and Duthie’s expert penciled lines and brush strokes will draw in art appreciators, educators, caregivers, and the children they serve.
—Kirkus Reviews
The visual text draws the readers attention, and the illustrations provide a charmingly attractive background.
—School Library Journal
