WOMBATS ARE PRETTY WEIRD

An introduction to the Australian wombat, delivered with humor and occasional interruptions from a snake.

The snake from Cushman’s Animals Go Vroom! (2021) barges in to add to the fun of this collection of facts about wombats. A fairly straightforward exposition, offered in relatively simple sentences, is accompanied by humorous speech-bubble commentary by the wombat, other marsupials, and the snake. (The snake is the only animal not identified in the backmatter, where Cushman has included a variety of other Australian animals, inviting readers to find them in earlier spreads.) These googly-eyed anthropomorphic animals, drawn with pencil and digitally colored, are shown in fanciful day and nighttime scenes. Often there are cutaway views showing these nocturnal burrowers’ underground activities. The narrative begins by defining marsupial and pointing out an important characteristic of wombats—they can be elusive. It also describes where they live; when they’re active; the differences among species; their backward-facing pouches and tiny, nearly helpless babies; diet; physical adaptations including ever growing teeth and an armored backside; burrows; and, most importantly, their poop. Sidebars provide a more detailed definition of a marsupial, a map, a description of a wombat baby’s early life, and information on how their poop becomes cube shaped. This last explanation will probably be the highlight of most readers’ experience—something they won’t forget. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

An engaging mix of facts and fancy.