Diary of a Wombat
Diary of a Wombat by Jackie French with pictures by Bruce Whatley is a hilarious and adorable peek into the weekly routine of a wombat. Wombats are cuddly-looking, slow-moving Australian animals who spend their time eating, digging and sleeping. This particular wombat encounters a slight change in his routine when his new neighbors, a family of humans, move in next door. He quickly learns about carrots and all the ways to acquire them. Read along and enjoy the charming illustrations as this wombat learns to train his new human neighbors.
Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Retelling:
Diary of a Wombat is a wonderful story for your reader to practice retelling. After you read the story, allow your child to take a turn and tell the story for you. If they become stuck or need help, encourage them to use the illustrations to spark their memory. Even if the story isn’t the same just by taking a role as the leader, your child will become more invested in the overall experience.
Do this with your child:
After you read Diary of a Wombat encourage your child to start a diary of their own to track their own week. Or if you have a pet in the family, start a diary for them! Maybe you have a grumpy cat or an overactive pup, a slow turtle or a chirpy bird. Have your child observe the animal and if they’re able, write their observations; if they aren’t writing yet, have them draw a picture of the animal’s activities. Have fun!
If you’re interested in sharing Diary of a Wombat with your child you can find it from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt here. Please like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter & Instagram for more inspiration.
