Wombat Divine [Hardcover]

Mem Fox (Author), Kerry Argent (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: K and up

Wombat loves everything about Christmas--especially the Nativity play. But at the auditions, the first part goes to someone else. So does the next. And the next . . . Will there be a part left for Wombat? "Embodies a refreshing all-for-one Christmas spirit. . . . Its pleasures are infectious."--Publishers Weekly (starred review) "Delicious humor. . . . A delight to read and share."--School Library Journal (starred review)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Wombat is a cute and lovable character with a passion for the stage and a desire to be in the nativity play. The popular illustrations of Kerry Argent are well loved by children, and this book could easily become a Christmas classic.

From Publishers Weekly

The show must go on?and the annual Nativity play is no exception. Ready to break a leg, Wombat eagerly auditions for every part in the production, only to find that he's not quite suited for any of them. When fussy director Emu brilliantly suggests that Wombat accept the important role of baby Jesus, the play is finally ready for opening night. In her humorous and understated watercolors, Argent's (One Woolly Wombat) beguiling bunch of Australian animals embodies a refreshing all-for-one Christmas spirit. Fox's (Time for Bed) title is one of the few this season to take a playful approach to Christmas and its pleasures are infectious. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books; 1 edition (October 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152014160
• ISBN-13: 978-0152014162
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,208,860 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #6 in Books > Children's Books > Holidays & Celebrations > Around the World

More About the Author

MEM FOX is the author of many acclaimed books, including Possum Magic, Koala Lou, Time for Bed, and, for adults, Reading Magic: Why Reading Aloud to Our Children Will Change Their Lives Forever. She lives in Adelaide, Australia.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must for Any Children's Book Collection, June 27, 2000

By 

Shane Dikolli (Durham, NC, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wombat Divine (Paperback)

We have purchased or have been gifted about 200 children's books overthe past 4 years and browsed through many more at bookstores andlibraries. My wife and I agree that Wombat Divine is at the top of our list of favorite children's books. It is also the book most requested by our children. The story is short and touching. The words are carefully crafted. The artwork is wonderfully vibrant and provocative. The story is about native Australian animals, Christmas, live theatre, auditions, rivalry, friendship, heartbreak, joy, and success. I recommended it to a School Librarian and her reply was: "Based on your recommendation, I looked for Wombat Divine in a bookstore - found it, loved it, bought it"....

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A lovely Christmas present, October 24, 2000

By 

Kathleen Cobcroft (Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wombat Divine (Hardcover)

Wombat Divine is a lovely (and beautifully illustrated) Christmas story if you're looking for something a little unusual. Wombat tries out for all of the parts in the Nativity play, but he's such a big clumsy muddle of a wombat that they can't find a part for him to play. Finally they think of the perfect role for him - the sleeping baby Jesus.

Wombat's various disasters are very funny for kids, and the Australian animals are very well drawn (lots of character). Wombat Divine is a great addition to the bookshelf.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Australian Wildlife Christmas Nativity, October 22, 2007

By 

James N Simpson (Gold Coast, QLD Australia) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Wombat Divine (Paperback)

Although not the best of Mem Fox's work Wombat Divine is a very good story about an enthusiastic main character who doesn't quite have the ability to be initially succeed where he wants but has his dream come through in the end. A wombat has always dreamed of being in a nativity play but each character he tries out for, he finds out he is unsuited for.

The great story though is let down by very average illustrations by Kerry Argent, which is a shame as those who have read the wombat tale Sebastian Lives in a Hat know she can do a very good job when she puts in the effort and can draw very realistic looking wombats. None of the Australian animals in Wombat Devine actually resemble the Australian wildlife they are supposed to be. Wombat looks like a bear, the emu for some reason has wings that can come out of the front of its body like arms which emus in real life no doubt wish for but don't have, the echidna is just the platypus with a lot of yellow triangles coming out of its body, the bilby looks like a rabbit (no wonder Mem Fox dumped this illustrator and went with Pamela Lofts for the sensational Hunwick's Egg where the bilby actually looks like a bilby.