Customer Reviews

Wombat Divine

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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"....

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.

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.

I picked up this book to put away for my daughter for Christmas. We haven't given it to her yet, but I'm sure she's going to love it. I've read through it and think it is adorable!

This is a wonderful happy feeling book, perfect for reading near christmas time. it is simple and effective with wonderful pictures and sentiment. My daughter loves it.

If you are looking for a different type of Christmas story for your children this season, I highly recommend this one. A friend from Australia sent this to my son and we absolutely love it. It has a sing-songy verse, adorable illustrations, and a beautiful story-line that is just not your "standard" Christmas story. Poor Wombat desperately wants to be a part of the Nativity play, but there is just no part he is suited for - except - the most important part of all! I'm buying several copies of this book to give as gifts. Get a copy for yourself - you will love it.

Wombat Divine is an Australian Classic and in my opinion one of Mem Fox's best. My family now own hundreds of childrens' picture books, but this was the first one I ever bought my son. It still remains a firm favourite with us. The illustrations are delightful, as is the story. It's a must have for the Christmas book collection - something a little different and makes a great gift. You can't help but fall in love with Wombat.

This delicious book has an emu directing the Bush nativity. The bossiness and professionalism of Emu are based on the author's husband who teaches Theatre and directs several plays a year! The book is one of Mem Fox's best and the illustrations by Kerry Argent are very witty.

A sweet tale of love and exceptance centered around a traditional nativity play starring Australian's finest animals. Wonderful on many levels. A Christmas classic.

Mem Fox has done it again! Fox uses the special animals of Australia to illustrate that eachof us has a special place in life that we're each suited for. Love the illustration and the possitive way the animals handled finding that special place for Wombat. It was a favorite of ours this last Christmas, but we also keep it out year round and visitors to our home love reading it.