Hello, Mama Wallaroo

by Darrin Lunde, Patricia Wynne (Illustrator)

From the author/illustrator team behind MEET THE MEERKAT; HELLO, BABY BELUGA; and HELLO, BUMBLEBEE BAT, a Theodor Seuss Geisel Award Honor Book, comes a simple yet informative introduction to a kangaroo-like animal from Australia, the wallaroo.

In question and answer format—perfect for read-alouds or story hours—readers learn basic facts about where they live, what they eat, when they sleep, etc. Patricia J. Wynne observed wallaroos at the Miller Park Zoo in Illinois to create the realistic yet kid-friendly illustrations. Back matter includes a few extra facts not included in the main narrative.

The clear, concise language and large font and generous spacing of text will encourage emerging readers to tackle the story on their own.

Genres: Picture Books, Nonfiction, Animals, Childrens, Australia

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Features questions about wallaroos and answers proffered from a mother wallaroo's perspective.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is by no means the most exciting book I've ever read, but it is a short, simple, factual introduction, so it serves its purpose well.

[CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

A non-fiction book about this Australian marsupial similar to a kangaroo, Hello, Mama Wallaroo is definitely introducing some rare vocabulary (wallaroo as well as “joey” for wallaroo babies, “graze,” “dingoes,” “pouch,”) as well as telling children (in Canada) more about different places in the world and what kind of animals lives there. The book has a question and answer kind of structure in which the wallaroo speaks in the first person, talking about what she looks like, where she keeps her babies, etc., so it could provide a fun opportunity to do different playful voices. The actions the wallaroo does (hopping, eating, sleeping) also provide opportunities to get the kids moving a bit and doing some playful, pretend actions. The last page that talks about the babies but doesn't have illustrations of them is a bit of a dud though.

[Julie Barrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hello, Mama Wallaroo
Audio book about a walleroo, all facts, where it lives, cares for the young, what it eats.
Similar to the kangaroo, with big ears and feet and only 3 feet tall.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Q&A format offers a good introduction for younger readers to this kangaroo-like critter native to Australia.

[Linda Atkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this as an easy nonfiction for youngest readers with a q and a format.

[Mlh346comcast.net]

J599.22LUN Asks and answers questions. Great illustrations.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very solid non-fiction book for the youngest kids interested in animals.