Wombat Divine - Hardcover

Fox, Mem

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0152014160 ISBN 13: 9780152014162

Publisher: Harcourt Childrens Books, 1996

Synopsis

Wombat dreams of winning a part in the Christmas Nativity play, but when he auditions and all of the parts start going to other people, he worries that he will not be in the play at all.

About this title

About the Authors

MEM FOX is the author of many acclaimed books, including Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes, 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.

KERRY ARGENT has illustrated many celebrated picture books, including Sleepy Bears and Wombat Divine by Mem Fox. She lives in Queensland, Australia.

Reviews

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.

Ages 4^-8. Pity the poor Wombat. He loves Christmas and carols and presents, but most of all, he loves the Nativity play. However, when he tries out for the play, there doesn't seem to be a part for him. He's too heavy to be the angel Gabriel, too short to be one of the three kings, too sleepy to be Joseph. It seems as if Wombat won't be treading the boards, until one of the animals comes up with the perfect part, Baby Jesus: "He even fell asleep, just as a real baby would." As usual, Fox spiffily combines a witty text with her wonderful art. Here the fun comes with seeing all sorts of Australian animals (emu, bilby, kangaroo) decked out in their Christmas-play garb. The crisp watercolors set against pure white backgrounds will delight story-hour audiences and lap sitters alike. Ilene Cooper

Edition details

• Publisher: Harcourt Childrens Books
• Publication date: 1996
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0152014160
• ISBN 13: 9780152014162
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Argent Kerry
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 32