(2) K-3 Cushman combines clear, cartoonlike digital illustrations with a lucid and humorous narrative to introduce young readers to wombats. After outlining features of their genus of marsupials (e.g., the young are called joeys like all marsupials, but unlike others the mother's pouch faces backward), she introduces the three species: the Southern Hairy-Nosed, the Northern Hairy-Nosed, and the Bare-Nosed wombats. As a snake kibitzing throughout the pages states, these names are right "on the nose." The chatty text covers wombats' herbivorous diet, their cube-shaped poop, the fact that their teeth never stop growing, and their burrow homes. Conversational balloons add information with a touch of humor: "Guess what? I'm making BARK for dinner tonight." Appended with basic scientific facts, such as the size and weight of all three species; a glossary; and suggestions (primarily internet) for further inquiry. A visual game asking readers to identify additional Australian animals completes this entertaining and informative volume.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2023

(2) K-3 With the help of his woodland friends, a bemoaning bear narrator gains a sunny outlook in Cushman's spirited picture-book debut. A steady rain is making Bear unhappy. Why? Because the rain ruins everything (ice-cream cones, sand castles, and cashmere sweaters) that Bear loves. The animals take cover in Bear's cave but head back out into the rain after Moose takes up all the space--with his hula hooping. Bear continues to wallow in his misery until his friends persuade him to try the hoops. His initial despondency is quickly splashed away as he discovers the joy of playing in the rain. Full-bleed double-page spreads (rendered in pencil and digitally colored) and with bouncing onomatopoeic sound effects (SPLISH! SPLOSH! SPLOOSH!) magnify the animals' abundant splashing delight. Animated facial expressions and dynamic body language add an extra layer of humor to this entertaining and buoyant read-aloud.

Reviewer: Emmie Stuart | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2020