What's Dad doing? by Susan Hall

Ill. by Cheryl Westenberg. National Library of Australia, 2013. ISBN 9780642277916.
(Age: 3-5) Recommended. Themes: Fathers, Family Life. This delightful lift-the flap picture book tracks Pat Possum and his friend Wesley Wombat as they spy on Pat's Dad. Each double page spread follows the same questioning format 'I wonder if he's reading the newspaper, watching TV or mowing the lawn'.
Wait don't lift the flap let the child or class predict possible scenarios. Only after the discussion look under the flap and be pleasantly surprised. Dad is a great help around the house, take an active role in cleaning, cooking and entertaining Grandma. Wesley in his super wombat outfit and Pat are fun characters, spying on Dad from behind bushes and hanging from trees.
Cheryl Westenberg's quirky watercolour illustrations add humour to the story. Her possums and wombats are unique, the expressive faces add character to the simple text. Grandma's slippers and crochet rug are so true to life they brought a smile to my adult family as well! At the end of the story factual information about the ringtail possum is written in an easy to understand format.
Recommended for children from 3-5 years. This book would be a great addition to an Early Years class library, introducing Animal Reports in an easy to understand format.
Rhyllis Bignell