Children - Animals

Wombats

Name: Wombats
Author: Kristin Petrie
ISBN: 9781604537406

by Kristin Petrie

Available on Bookshop Write a review

Books.org participates in affiliate programs including Bookshop.org and the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through links on this page, at no additional cost to you.

Overview

Welcome to the world of the wombat! Many readers may never have heard of this nocturnal creature. This excellent digger is Australia's largest burrowing animal. The book Wombats covers all three wombat species, including the common wombat, the southern hairy-nosed wombat, and the endangered northern hairy-nosed wombat. A chapter on the wombat's body discusses its appearance, size, and special features, such as its strong digging claws and its ability to run and swim. Other chapters cover its habitat, including a map, its herbivorous diet, and its life cycle. Like its relative the koala, the wombat carries its young, or joey, in a pouch. Predators, including humans, are also introduced, along with threats to the wombat's environment, such as deforestation, forest fires, and floods, and conservation efforts that are in place. Full-color photographs will draw in readers while showing off the wombat's unique characteristics. Glossary words in bold, phonetic spellings, and an index supplement this easy-to-read text. Checkerboard Library is an imprint of ABDO Publishing Company.

Reviews

There are no reviews yet. Log in to write one.

Editorials

School Library Journal

Gr 2-4–This high-interest series spotlights a variety of species in diverse geographic locations. Each title explains the scientific classes of animals and what differentiates a nocturnal animal from a diurnal or crepuscular one, and includes a half-page diagram of an animal’s eye accompanied by a sidebar describing how the organ functions depending on the time of day the creature is most active. Each book also provides unique information about its subject. For example, the books explain that aye-ayes find insect larvae to eat by tapping their long middle fingers on tree branches, and that fennec foxes have fur on the soles of their feet. The animals represented will be unfamiliar to most readers and will consequently be that much more interesting. Many of the photographs are dark, but that is acceptable considering the nature of the subjects, and is consistent with the mysterious tone maintained in the books. In general, this is a well-organized and balanced series that will appeal to young researchers.