Wombat Wallkabout

Carol Diggory Shields (2009), 32 pages

Illustrated by Sophie Blackall

Audience: pre-K

Format: picture book

Follow six of the cutest wombats on a walkabout. Deep in the Australian outback they start out on their journey as “six woolly wombats, walking one by one, passed a golden wattle blooming in the sun. The last little wombat, whose name was Clive, stopped to smell the flowers … then there were five.” Oops, now the group has gone from six to five! But his disappearance is not just due to distraction, there happens to be a hungry-eyed dingo tagging along. One by one, the group slowly dwindles down to just two, suddenly … the remaining pair Jen and Jack “thought it awfully quiet, so they looked back. No little wombats? That’s not good! They jumped off the track and hid in the wood.” What should they do? As the dingo approaches the hidden duo soon realize where their friends went … Dingo’s got their mates in a big swag bag. They think of brilliant plan to trick the dingo – and what do you know? Their friends survive … now “Six woolly wombats, good as new. Walked along together, two by two.” Shield’s text is rhythmic without being over the top (seamlessly integrating assonance, alliteration, and rhymes) into each verse. Creating a narrative rich with imagery and substance – she also includes a glossary of Australian terminology such as native wildlife (dingo, wombat, kookaburra) and flora (wattle tree, eucalyptus). Blackall’s illustrations are enchanting; she manages to create adorable characters with personality yet plays homage to the Australian landscape beautifully. This book is ideal for teaching counting, numbers, phonological awareness, and increase vocabulary. A great read-aloud book for kids and adults!

Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this book, you may like: Diary of a Wombat by Jackie French, Koala Lou by Mem Fox, or Edward the Emu by Sheena Knowles

Other books by this author: The Bugliest Bug, Food Fight!, and Saturday Night at the Dinosaur Stomp

Other books by this illustrator: Ruby's Wish, Pecan Pie Baby, Edwin Speaks Up, and Big Red Lollipop

Between the Lions

PBS Kids (2000-2011), 30 minutes

Audience: Pre-K

Format: television show and website

Funded by the Corporation of Public Broadcasting and the U.S. Department of Education’s Ready to Learn grant, PBS Kids produces a variety of television shows for children with an emphasis on reading and early literacy skills, such as Between the Lions, a puppet show featuring a family of literate lions. Main characters Lionel and Leona (cubs) and their parents read a couple stories (examples include Sylvester and the Magic Pebble and I miss you Stinky Face) whilst intersected by other animated vignettes highlighting certain letters, words, and vocabulary from supplemental character skits such as Gawain’s Word, Information Hen, and Word Cup Masters. Using puppetry and simple animation –this show manages to be both educational and entertaining.

As an accompaniment or supplementary tool to their television programming, PBS Kids offers companion computer games that foster literacy skills. Kids can try several Between the Lions inspired games, examples include Fuzzy Lion Ears (kids can pretend they have fuzzy lion ears –listening to words they can match the missing sound to the correct letter and make the word whole again), Pounce! (children can practice word matching by “pouncing” or clicking on each appropriate word) or Word Play (where words are displayed and animated to act out their meaning –for instance the word “vanish” actually disappears or the word “pop” bursts off the screen). Combining clear instructions with a simple interface makes digital games easy to use and appropriate for young children. Although interactive games can be simulating for kids and engage their literacy skills, parental involvement cannot be circumnavigated; parents are still encouraged to model these skills.

Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this TV show, you may like: Reading Rainbow, Olivia, Sesame Street, or Toddworld

Other television shows by PBS Kids: Curious George, Clifford the Big Red Dog, Caillou, Sid the Science Kid, WordGirl, and The Electric Company