Wombat

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.

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.