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Wombats Are Pretty Weird: A (Not So) Serious Guide
Wombats might be pretty weird, but they’re pretty awesome, too! Wombats Are Pretty Weird is funny, kid-friendly, and informative, and features sidebars, comic panels, extensive backmatter, and a map. Acclaimed author-illustrator Abi Cushman’s nonfiction debut contains everything anyone could ever possibly want to know about wombats!
Wombats are elusive, burrowing marsupials. Their teeth never stop growing, they have backward-facing pouches, and they’re the only animal to have cube-shaped poop. And if you ask their snake friend, Joey, those aren’t the only things that are weird about wombats!
Abi Cushman’s Wombats Are Pretty Weird contains informative, expressive, and funny illustrations, and offers an entertaining blend of narration, sidebars, speech balloons, and dialogue between Joey the snake and the wombats he meets in the wild. A refreshing departure from traditional informational books, Wombats Are Pretty Weird is a child-friendly guide to understanding the weird and wonderful world of wombats.
Features extensive backmatter, including a glossary.
Wombats are elusive, burrowing marsupials. Their teeth never stop growing, they have backward-facing pouches, and they’re the only animal to have cube-shaped poop. And if you ask their snake friend, Joey, those aren’t the only things that are weird about wombats!
Abi Cushman’s Wombats Are Pretty Weird contains informative, expressive, and funny illustrations, and offers an entertaining blend of narration, sidebars, speech balloons, and dialogue between Joey the snake and the wombats he meets in the wild. A refreshing departure from traditional informational books, Wombats Are Pretty Weird is a child-friendly guide to understanding the weird and wonderful world of wombats.
Features extensive backmatter, including a glossary.
40 pages, Hardcover
Published May 23, 2023
About the author
Abi Cushman
5 books99 followersAbi Cushman is the author/illustrator of funny picture books, including WOMBATS ARE PRETTY WEIRD (Greenwillow), ANIMALS GO VROOM! (Viking), and SOAKED! (Viking). Her upcoming books include THE QUIET FOREST (Paula Wiseman Books), written by Charlotte Offsay, and FLAMINGOS ARE PRETTY FUNKY (Greenwillow).
Abi is the winner of the New England SCBWI Portfolio Showcase (2018), the PEN New England Susan P. Bloom Children’s Book Discovery Award (2017), and the Tassy Walden New Voices in Children’s Literature Award (2017).
When she’s not creating picture books, Abi works as a web/graphic designer. Her educational website Animal Fact Guide was named a “Great Website for Kids” by the American Library Association. Abi loves sharing strange animal facts. Did you know that wombats’ poop is cube-shaped? Abi did. And now you know, too.
For sneak peeks, exclusive giveaways, and wombats, subscribe to Abi's newsletter.
Abi is the winner of the New England SCBWI Portfolio Showcase (2018), the PEN New England Susan P. Bloom Children’s Book Discovery Award (2017), and the Tassy Walden New Voices in Children’s Literature Award (2017).
When she’s not creating picture books, Abi works as a web/graphic designer. Her educational website Animal Fact Guide was named a “Great Website for Kids” by the American Library Association. Abi loves sharing strange animal facts. Did you know that wombats’ poop is cube-shaped? Abi did. And now you know, too.
For sneak peeks, exclusive giveaways, and wombats, subscribe to Abi's newsletter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
November 22, 2022
This book manages to be hilarious — with funny illustrations and a dry tone — and informative, teaching readers all about the weird creatures that are wombats. With ever-growing teeth, backward pouches, and cube-like poops, wombats are sure to fascinate budding naturalists and kids (and grownups) who like wacky creatures!
August 5, 2023
Wombats are Pretty Weird is a laugh-out-loud funny story with informative sidebars full of interesting facts about wombats. I learned so much about wombats from this hilarious book that serves as a perfect model of how nonfiction can be both entertaining and informative.
The illustrations are adorable and engaging, and the back matter has additional information about the wonderful world of wombats.
The illustrations are adorable and engaging, and the back matter has additional information about the wonderful world of wombats.
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July 17, 2023funny
November 29, 2022
Loaded with fun, weird, odd, and very interesting facts about wombats presented in a highly amusing and downright giggly manner! The entire cast of Aussie characters are adorable! Kids who love animals will enjoy learning about these clever, affordable-housing builders from down under!
September 26, 2023
Loved this book!! Abi Cushman is so great.
October 27, 2023
Nonfiction picture book from the library
SO cute, and SO informative, and SOOOOO funny :)
SO cute, and SO informative, and SOOOOO funny :)
May 29, 2023
What animal has a cartilage butt, nonstop teeth, a backward pouch, and cube shaped poop? If you said wombat, you would be right! I have been a fan of author-illustrator Cushman since her debut with Soaked and feel privileged to have read an early copy of her latest picture book which introduces readers of all ages to the weirdly wonderful world of wombats.
I love that Cushman included the snake (coincidentally named Joey) from Animals Go Vroom to playfully banter with the narrator, the wombats, and other marsupials as facts are shared. The snake is not the only animal with a sense of humor; wombats also have a comedic side when they are gnawing through a fence, making a poop tower or using their butt of steel to ward off a predator. Their comments are both entertaining and informative. Once kids get Wombats are Weird in their hands, it is going to difficult to stop them from reading!
Cushman’s artwork will draw in readers because her animals exhibit a range of feelings. Text features such as sidebars and maps as well as back matter including real photos of wombats and a glossary of terms teach kids the elements of nonfiction. Thanks to the author for sharing an eARC. Wombats are Weird celebrated its book birthday on May 23, 2023.
I love that Cushman included the snake (coincidentally named Joey) from Animals Go Vroom to playfully banter with the narrator, the wombats, and other marsupials as facts are shared. The snake is not the only animal with a sense of humor; wombats also have a comedic side when they are gnawing through a fence, making a poop tower or using their butt of steel to ward off a predator. Their comments are both entertaining and informative. Once kids get Wombats are Weird in their hands, it is going to difficult to stop them from reading!
Cushman’s artwork will draw in readers because her animals exhibit a range of feelings. Text features such as sidebars and maps as well as back matter including real photos of wombats and a glossary of terms teach kids the elements of nonfiction. Thanks to the author for sharing an eARC. Wombats are Weird celebrated its book birthday on May 23, 2023.
October 31, 2023
WOMBATS ARE PRETTY WEIRD: A [NOT SO] SERIOUS GUIDE, written and illustrated by Wombats Are Pretty Weird: A (Not So) Serious GuideAbi Cushman, delivers jokes and facts without skipping a beat. Cushman’s sense of humor in both her whimsical artwork and fun-loving style make it entertaining, intriguing, and packed with facts. It’s a perfect nonfiction picture book for curiosity-building.
Information and comedy are threaded throughout each spread with ridiculous interchanges between a wombat and a snake.
The book opens with, “Meet the wombat. The wombat is a robust and sometimes elusive burrowing marsupial.” The sophisticated vocabulary combined with repetition, conversational explanations, and adorable artwork make it engaging for ages 4-8.
I especially love the way the artwork leads the reader across the pages and throughout the book. The back matter provides easy-to-read resources. It includes scientific names, conservation status, and descriptive details about three wombat species. There are additional age-appropriate facts and resources (a glossary, a list of further readings, and ten Australian animals’ headshots). Each is provided in ways useful to young readers and to the adults who might share the book with them.
Don't miss this opportunity to laugh and learn together. I recommend this nonfiction picture book for every elementary science teacher’s bookshelf. It is a perfect fit for carpet time, too.
Information and comedy are threaded throughout each spread with ridiculous interchanges between a wombat and a snake.
The book opens with, “Meet the wombat. The wombat is a robust and sometimes elusive burrowing marsupial.” The sophisticated vocabulary combined with repetition, conversational explanations, and adorable artwork make it engaging for ages 4-8.
I especially love the way the artwork leads the reader across the pages and throughout the book. The back matter provides easy-to-read resources. It includes scientific names, conservation status, and descriptive details about three wombat species. There are additional age-appropriate facts and resources (a glossary, a list of further readings, and ten Australian animals’ headshots). Each is provided in ways useful to young readers and to the adults who might share the book with them.
Don't miss this opportunity to laugh and learn together. I recommend this nonfiction picture book for every elementary science teacher’s bookshelf. It is a perfect fit for carpet time, too.
December 3, 2022
As someone who relies on weird animal facts to get through long car rides with my kids or awkward pauses in small talk, I adored Abi Cushman's tounge-in-cheek guide to wombats. This would be a great book to use with students as a model of how nonfiction can entertain as well as inform--- especially if students are working on an animal report of their own!
Cushman is a master at layering clever page turns (the opening features the "elusive" wombat's butt, and we don't fully see the wombat until we turn to the next page), humorous sidebars (the marsupial selfie is laugh-out-loud funny), diagrams, a clever snake narrator, and speech bubbles--- the presentation of wombat facts is never repetitive or boring.
Young readers will learn a plethora of wombat facts (square poop?? cartilage butts?!?!) and be steadily entertained the whole time. I'd recommend this book for both independent reading and classroom use.
Cushman is a master at layering clever page turns (the opening features the "elusive" wombat's butt, and we don't fully see the wombat until we turn to the next page), humorous sidebars (the marsupial selfie is laugh-out-loud funny), diagrams, a clever snake narrator, and speech bubbles--- the presentation of wombat facts is never repetitive or boring.
Young readers will learn a plethora of wombat facts (square poop?? cartilage butts?!?!) and be steadily entertained the whole time. I'd recommend this book for both independent reading and classroom use.
June 16, 2023
Wombats Are Pretty Weird is essentially an introduction and celebration of these kooky marsupials, whose weirdness only makes them more lovable and relatable.
This book is informational fiction—essentially a fiction book fortified with many facts; the Berry Berry Kix (my favorite cereal) of kids' books. The fiction part may be a historically based reimagining of someone's life or adorably personified wombats. Which is to say: it's an extensive, happy range! However, I would love to coin a name for this kind of humorous informational fiction: laughably factual?
Outside of the robust facts presented, the fictional elements in Wombats Are Pretty Weird also showcase some true-isms: for example, wombats' obstinate (and maybe oblivious) personalities. 😂
Thanks to this engaging look at the bulldozers of the Aussie landscape, kids will learn everything they never knew about this amazing animal—while having a rollicking, entertaining reading experience! Highly recommend!
This book is informational fiction—essentially a fiction book fortified with many facts; the Berry Berry Kix (my favorite cereal) of kids' books. The fiction part may be a historically based reimagining of someone's life or adorably personified wombats. Which is to say: it's an extensive, happy range! However, I would love to coin a name for this kind of humorous informational fiction: laughably factual?
Outside of the robust facts presented, the fictional elements in Wombats Are Pretty Weird also showcase some true-isms: for example, wombats' obstinate (and maybe oblivious) personalities. 😂
Thanks to this engaging look at the bulldozers of the Aussie landscape, kids will learn everything they never knew about this amazing animal—while having a rollicking, entertaining reading experience! Highly recommend!
March 5, 2023
Author/illustrator Abi Cushman is back with another delightfully clever book that is sure to educate and entertain readers of all ages. It takes a gifted storyteller to make people laugh out loud as they learn! Example: Did you know that 2 out of 3 wombat species have hair on their noses? (Northern hairy-nosed wombat asks: "Do you think my nose looks better WITH bangs, or without?") Abi's illustrations are colorful, engaging, relatable and super fun. From cube-shaped poop to cartilage-enforced butts, this book will have young readers rolling on the floor laughing as they become instant experts on these miraculous marsupials!
May 8, 2023
This is a very cute non-fiction picture book. Kids will love the fun illustrations and laugh at the funny facts about Wombats, like square poop, baby pouches in the rear of their body, teeth that never stop growing, and strong cartilage butts they use to block predators from entering their burrows. All explained in a fun way. The little snake following the Wombat around was a really cute touch. Teachers and parents will appreciate the glossary and the pictures of various marsupials at the back at book. It is filled with an abundant amount of information children will gobble up while reading WOMBATS ARE PRETTY WEIRD.
July 3, 2023
This is a (not so) serious book about wombats. This is what is AWESOME about that.
1) You will laugh out loud while you read this book.
2) You can use this book for research! (for real)
3) Abi Cushman provides options in the back of the book for FURTHER researching! (whoa)
BONUS:
3)Abi Cushman ALSO actually runs her very own website called Animal Fact Guide and you can do EVEN MORE research!
4)You will STILL laugh out loud while you are reading (and if you don't, have a kid read it to you, because their laugh will be infectious and make you laugh, and laughter makes everyone happy)!
Seriously. Read it.
1) You will laugh out loud while you read this book.
2) You can use this book for research! (for real)
3) Abi Cushman provides options in the back of the book for FURTHER researching! (whoa)
BONUS:
3)Abi Cushman ALSO actually runs her very own website called Animal Fact Guide and you can do EVEN MORE research!
4)You will STILL laugh out loud while you are reading (and if you don't, have a kid read it to you, because their laugh will be infectious and make you laugh, and laughter makes everyone happy)!
Seriously. Read it.
February 14, 2023
Finally! The book that answers the burning question: Why is wombat poop "cubular"? Complete with an illustration worthy of Gray's Anatomy, LOL!!! Between that amazing factoid, the tooth-in-cheek jokes (wombat teeth never stop growing), and a snake sidekick who just might want to be a wombat, kids (and adults) are going to find WOMBATS ARE PRETTY WEIRD entertaining and educational. Chock full of marsupial info that kids will eagerly absorb, and huggable images of wombats, this book is certain to be a frequent "read it again" bedtime request or a popular school read aloud.
February 16, 2023
I came for the wombats, but I stayed for the poop facts. Actually, I stayed for all of it! What's not to love? You have adorable wombats, a silly snake commentator, tons of surprising information, and great jokes throughout. This is the kind of book kids will read again and again. They'll proudly dazzle their friends and family with their wombat knowledge until we beg them to stop.
This book is great for teachers (reluctant readers will love it!) and would make a great gift for kids, too (perhaps paired with a stuffed wombat!)
This book is great for teachers (reluctant readers will love it!) and would make a great gift for kids, too (perhaps paired with a stuffed wombat!)
March 23, 2023
This humorous picture book by author/illustrator Abi Cushman is so much fun to read and informative at the same time. Fascinating facts about wombats (yes, they are pretty weird) are brought to life with amusing illustrations and hilarious comments from the animal characters. I found myself chuckling the whole why through and I learned a lot at the same time. More complicated topics are explained in helpful fact boxes and further information about wombats is given in the backmatter. Highly recommended for young readers and their adults.
May 16, 2023
Wombats are weird in this wacky (and wildly informative) picture book from Abi Cushman. Abi packs tons of puns and fascinating facts into this book. For example, I had no idea wombats have cube-shaped poop or how it forms. Or that they have a "cartilage butt" to protect them from predators in their burrows. This is a book that invites multiple rereadings. Back matter includes further information about the three wombat species and an animal "hide and seek" inviting readers to search through the illustrations and find other Australian species.
July 12, 2023
Wombats Are Pretty Weird is pretty awesome! Cushman’s nonfiction debut introduces kids to the wild and wonderful world of wombats. But it’s not your typical informational text. This adorably illustrated, humor-filled book is packed with fun facts (find out why a mom wombat’s pouch opens toward its rump!), fascinating sidebars (discover why their poop is cube shaped!), and the silly speech bubbles of Joey the Snake. Plus terrific backmatter with photogenic wombat pics and more cool science. It’s a party!
July 18, 2023
This book entertains while teaching about wombats and other marsupials. The illustrations are some of the most adorable I’ve ever seen, and there’s plenty of hilarious dialogue and fun character interactions. Kids will laugh out loud at the kangaroo attempting a group selfie and the antics of the snake, who stands in for the reader as we all learn about wombats together. This is a read aloud that adults won’t mind reading to kids over and over. By the end of the book, you have learned a ton without even realizing it because you’re having so much fun!
August 3, 2023
A hilarious fact-packed guide to a wonderfully weird animal. I loved this book! So much fun! I knew very little about wombats prior to picking up Abi Cushman’s book, except that they were marsupials. I learned a ton. Details about the wombats’ life cycle are presented both in clear, engaging text and in cartoon style thought and speech bubbles, which made me laugh out loud. For example, who knew wombats had rear-facing pouches and cube-shaped poop? For further fun, Cushman populates her pages with other Australian wildlife for an engaging seek-and-find on multiple reads.
September 4, 2023
3 stars (I liked it)
I think my expectations for this book were too high. It definitely has some great wombat facts and it's funny at time but, to me, it felt like the facts and jokes didn't flow organically together. My mind can't help but compare it to Except Antarctica: A Hilarious Animal Picture Book for Kids. Also, for whatever reason, the snake bugged me.
I think my expectations for this book were too high. It definitely has some great wombat facts and it's funny at time but, to me, it felt like the facts and jokes didn't flow organically together. My mind can't help but compare it to Except Antarctica: A Hilarious Animal Picture Book for Kids. Also, for whatever reason, the snake bugged me.
September 15, 2023
I have not laughed harder at a non-fiction picture book than I did at this one! Maybe it was the sarcastic snake, complaining about having to follow a wombat 2.5 miles up a mountain. Maybe it was the wombat styling its nose hair with a blow dryer. Maybe it was the baby wombat demanding that its mother reset the WiFi inside the pouch. Between the laughs, I learned many interesting facts about wombats and maybe a little more than I needed to know about wombat intestines. There's another book coming in this series and I will be awaiting it eagerly!
December 28, 2023
WOMBATS ARE PRETTY WEIRD is a hilarious non-fiction book that is very enjoyable to be read aloud! Author and illustrator Abi Cushman manages to convey a great deal of information about these adorable and weird marsupials, while peppering in a lot of humor - many of which are perpetrated by the silly commentary of a cheeky snake who accompanies us throughout the book. Little ones will giggle at every page and roar with laughter as they learn about wombats square poop! Great for any animal lovers out there!
January 18, 2023
Wombats are pretty weird and also pretty awesome! (The snake character in this book is a star, too.) This nonfiction picture book lands in the perfect sweet spot between informative/educational and truly hilarious. The main text is interesting and straightforward, and then it's paired with really funny dialogue and illustrations. And that cohesive package is so clever and engaging. I learned a lot, and I couldn't wait to share it with my 6-year-old who loved it too. Highly recommend!
July 13, 2023
Who knew there are three species of wombat? I didn't until I read Abi Cushman's fun, fact-filled book WOMBATS ARE PRETTY WEIRD. A wise-cracking snake acts as a guide covering everything about wombats from their hairy (or non-hairy depending on the species) noses to their unusual-shaped poop. Kids will love the fun banter of the text and interesting details in the side panels. Abi's colorful illustrations bring out all the weird and wonderfulness found in these quirky marsupials.
August 4, 2023
OMG! This book written and illustrated by Abi Cushman is totally hilarious and informative at the same time. Be sure not to skip the end papers and title page because the extra art is too fun to miss. Not only will you learn wonderfully weird tidbits like wombats poop is cube shaped, but the extra dialogue between all the characters, especially snake Jake, will leave you in stitches. Way to go Abi, you make learning extraordinarily fun!
August 23, 2023
WOMBATS ARE PRETTY WEIRD is such an entertaining read! There's a snarky snake narrating throughout, as well as excellent tongue-in-cheek comments, informative phrasing, and wonderful illustrations which give the perfect balance of humor to a lighthearted barrage of fact-based delivery. Not to mention a most fascinating subject: wombats! Guaranteed to delight with quirky and immensely practical insights.
September 11, 2023
By now, you probably already know that wombats have cube-shaped poop. Pretty weird, huh?! Well, it turns out pooping out cubes is one of the most normal things wombats do. These are definitely weird animals. My 4yo and I loved learning all about them in @abi.cushman ‘s hilarious and (not so) serious guide to them, Wombats Are Pretty Weird. It’s full of fascinating facts and funny observations. Be sure to check it out.
September 25, 2023
Wombats Are Pretty Weird is a great book! Abi provides readers with an entertaining story that is packed full of wombat facts! I learned so many things! Who knew there were actually three different kinds of wombats?! I do now! The illustrations are also a huge part of what makes this book successful. The wombat characters are certainly child friendly illustrations, but they also show the distinct differences among the species. Overall a 5 star read!
November 18, 2023
Kiddos will be obsessed with wombats after reading WOMBATS ARE PRETTY WEIRD: A NOT SO SERIOUS GUIDE by Abi Cushman. This hilarious and informational picture book is such a treat from the very first page. I can’t remember the last time a book made me laugh out loud on the title page, endpapers, and back matter. The character expressions, speech bubbles, and jokes are brilliant. Readers really get the whole package with this one! Highly recommend!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews