Diary of a Wombat

Prepare to be charmed by the quiet, determined-and slightly demanding-star of Diary of a Wombat. This whimsical and award-winning picture book offers a hilarious peek into the life of a wombat who's got her daily routine down to an art: sleep, eat, scratch, nap, train humans, repeat. Written by Jackie French and illustrated by Bruce Whatley, the story's deadpan humour, paired with expressive illustrations, delivers laugh-out-loud moments while subtly introducing concepts of routine, time, and animal behaviour.

The diary-style format provides a fresh storytelling perspective that's perfect for introducing younger readers to the concept of time sequencing and journaling. Children will love the wombat's antics and parents will appreciate the clever humour that makes this book equally enjoyable for adults. It's an enduring favourite in classrooms and homes across Australia-and beyond.

Educational Benefits:

• Introduces diary writing and narrative structure through a humorous lens.
• Explores native Australian fauna and habitat in an engaging way.
• Supports sequencing, prediction and inference skills.
• Promotes humour appreciation and emotional connection with characters.

Classroom Ideas:

• Use the diary format as a model for students to write their own œday in the life journal.
• Discuss animal behaviour and compare the wombat's routine with real wildlife facts.
• Incorporate into lessons on days of the week and routines.
• Create a œWombat Wants board listing her daily demands-then add students' ideas!

Information:

• Ages: 3-7 years
• Format: Picture book, diary-style layout
• Author: Jackie French
• Illustrator: Bruce Whatley
• Focus: Animal humour, routines, perspective-taking