How (and Why) Wombats Poop In Cubes
Wombat himself, illustrated by Charles Santoso–just a snippet of the lovely, lovely art for this book
And…now we know. Check out CNN for more. The wombat’s intestine has two stiff sides and two flexible sides, and as muscular contractions force the, er, stuff through, it is shaped into a cube. Like a lot of other animals (anybody who walks a dog knows what I mean), wombats use poop to communicate, and leave little piles of their cube-shaped droppings in common spots to let other wombats know who’s around and what’s up.
No other animals poops in cubes–only wombats. Let’s hear it for the hero of Wombat Underground! There is no poop of any shape in this new picture book, which will be out next year, but (sigh) you just can’t fit everything fascinating and wonderful about wombats into 32 pages. There will be plenty of adventure and action and escaping of raging wildfires.
Read MoreWhat I’ve Been Reading
When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller–the Newbery Committee got it right this year for sure! This book made me believe in magic, took that belief away, broke my heart, mended it, and gave magic back to me–all in the space of seven and a half hours of audio narration. (The narrator wasn’t a fast talker, either!) Truly astonishing.
ALA Awards
Today is the day! It’s the Grammys…it’s the Oscars…it’s the children’s lit awards from the American Library Association.
The Newbery goes to How To Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller (and the remarkable Christina Soontornvat cleaned up with two Newbery Honors!)
The Caldecott goes to We Are Water Protectors, illustrated by Michaela Goade.
And the Coretta Scott King goes to Before the Ever After by Jacqueline Woodson for text and RESPECT illustrated by Frank Morrison for art!
Many, many other books of note here (and a lot of them are Magnificent Homespun Brown). Read, admire, check out, buy, take home and love!
Read MoreAmanda Gorman
Amanda Gorman recites “The Hill We Climb” during the inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
Take note, young writers–she is 22 years old. Start practicing now–this could be you!
Read MoreSarah L. Thomson
A children’s book author publishing award-winning nonfiction, poetry, picture books and novels including…
“Thomson focuses on newfound connection, magic, and suspense to conjure a fast-paced, heartwarming mystery. Thomson’s world is populated by resourceful protagonists, fanciful creatures, and quirky supporting characters.”
—Publishers Weekly