Wombat

Gr 3--4--A brief look at a pregnant and then new mother wombat's life in her native habitat reveals nocturnal habits, physical features, behaviors, diet, and more. The visual text draws the readers attention, and the illustrations provide a charmingly attractive background. Library selectors will be tempted to purchase, because of the intermix of well-written third-to-fourth grade text. Unfortunately, though all of the illustrations are appealing, there are few that keenly demonstrate what is happening; most do not. When the text makes note of special physical features, the illustrations do not focus on them and bring them to light. When danger from a territorial dispute between wombats arises, for example, the text describes the action, but the illustrations do not make it clear what is happening. The illustrations remain placid. This disparity is confusing. Disappointingly, there is also no documentation. After matter consists of a paragraph supplying more information about wombats and a useful index. VERDICT Though the art is charming and the text well written, this is not a first purchase.--Nancy Call, formerly at Santa Cruz P.L., Aptos, CA

Equal parts field guide and story--and all wombat. Delicately detailed artwork in browns and greens expertly generates a storybook feeling of the natural world. Sharing pigment with the roots and soil, the wombat's introduction is literally grounding. 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. A clear serif type relates the narrative of the wombat's movements. Accompanying facts about their teeth, burrows, poop, and more are presented in a spindly, italicized sans-serif type with a hand-lettered look that suggests field notes. 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. Fabulous action words like snarls, dives, and pants lend themselves to both vocabulary building and entertaining read-alouds. One point of confusion is the backing of many illustrations with white, which may have readers imagining daytime despite mention of the wombat's nocturnal habits. Otherwise, this volume offers a solid combination of story and information. Wombats' deployment of their "bony bottoms" to fend off their few predators and their secret pouches for their young will tickle and warm anyone to the wombat's ways. (This book was reviewed digitally) Deceptively sharp, like a wombat's bottom. (index) (Informational picture book. 5-10) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.