22nd October International Wombat Day

October 22nd is International Wombat Day. The wombat is a marsupial found in Australia,  The babies remain in the mother's pouch (like kangaroos) for the first six months of their lives before even poking their nose out of the backward facing pouch. It then still hangs around, living in the pouch for another 8 to 10 months.

Facts about wombats

• The wombat is related to koalas, kangaroos, and Tasmanian devils.
• They have very slow metabolism. It can take up to 14 days to digest a meal!
• All three species of wombat are protected under Australian law.
• They are fantastic diggers and spend most of their time underground in their burrows. 
• A group of wombats is called a wisdom.
• Wombat poo is cube-shaped, but without the sharp corners.

Abi Cushman's book Wombats  are Pretty Weird is a good place to start your exploration of wombats. Then read some nonfiction books such as:

• Wombat  by Christopher Cheng 

• Wombat  by John Lesley 

• George the Wombat by Aussie Ark

Next some stories:

All of Jackie French Diary of a Wombat  series.

• Sebastian Lives in a Hat by Thelma Catterwell

• Wombat Divine  by Mem Fox

• Wombat Stew by Marcia Vaughan

• The Beach Wombat  and The Snow Wombat by Susannah Chambers

• The Fire Wombat by Jackie French

• Wombat  by Philip Bunting

• Hairy Nose, Itchy Butt by Garry Duncan