Very enjoyable, and it would make an excellent addition to anyone's wombat book or children's book collection. And there's plenty of detail in the pictures to keep young and old interested.Īlthough Wombat Divine is a Christmas story, it could be enjoyed any time of the year as it's a tale more about determination than anything else. The images are large and visually interesting, with many double-page spreads. The artwork has a distinctive style and a lot of personality. The water color illustrations by Kerry Argent are lively and imaginative and impart a good deal of charm and energy to the story. In addition to Wombat, the play features most of the more well-known Australian animals, including kangaroos, koalas, an emu, a bilby, a numbat, a platypus, and an echidna. Just as it looks as if Wombat will be unable to be in the play, he lands the most important role of all. Through the words and artwork, we experience Wombat's joy and disappointment as he tries out for, and ultimately loses, each and every part in the play. It's a simple, satisfying story with a linear, straight forward plot. Wombat Divine is very well written and an easy read.

And he does, until there is only one part left unfilled. I love the premise of Australian animals auditioning for the nativity play and the determination of one little wombat to gain a part. Wombat auditions for every role in the play but is ill-suited for all of them, though he's always encouraged to keep trying. Wombat Divine by Mem Fox illustrated by Kerry Argent The most famous Mem Fox book is of course Possum Magic but in my view Wombat Divine, published in 1989, is equally special. Wombat Divine is the story of a wombat named Wombat and his desire to be in the Christmas nativity play being produced by a group of native Australian animals.

Wombat divine