Wombat Divine

by Mem Fox, Kerry Argent (Illustrator)

Wombat loves everything about Christmas--especially the Nativity play. He's wanted to be in it for as long as he can remember. At last he's old enough to try out. 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?

Genres: Picture Books, Christmas, Childrens, Australia, Animals, Holiday, Fiction

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Merrion Frances Fox is an Australian writer of children's books and an educationalist specialising in literacy. Fox has been semi-retired since 1996, but she still gives seminars and lives in Adelaide, South Australia.

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you know your Australian critters, you know which part in the Nativity play is the best fit for Wombat. So much humor, and heart, in this story, and it's grand to see Christmas in summer.... I hope you and yours get a chance to read it.

[Jack Kirby and the X-man · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up because I think Mem Fox has a good hit/miss ratio... The cover I have isn't immediately christmassy, and I thought Wombat Divine was referring to an especially good wombat - so I was initially suprised that this was a Christmas book.

This book has everything you could ask for - great illustrations, a smidge of rhythm and rhyme, Trouble, and the happy ending.

Three small aspects that I really liked:
* The small-town Hall where the Nativity Play is held - this is almost certainly a Memorial Hall, and they are found in just about every small town in Australia.
* The second last page has the holly wrapping paper and the fake pine Christmas tree - so out of place in the Australian bush!
* Platypus snoozing off the pudding in the corner after a long Christmas day!

[Luann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wombat is finally old enough to be part of the Nativity play, but part after part goes to someone else. Each animal who gets the part Wombat wanted consoles him and encourages him to try for another part. Wombat doesn't give up and tries not to cry when all the parts are gone. Will Wombat ever get to participate in the Nativity play?

What a sweet Down Under Christmas story! I love Mem Fox and Christmas picture books, so this was a "must read" when I came across it on my library shelves. I loved seeing all the Australian animals dressed up for the Nativity play, and I especially loved the solution to Wombat's dilemma. Add this one to your list for a Christmas storytime or read-aloud.

[Kaethe · Rating 5 out of 5]

02/11/2009
07/21/2012
I just love Mem Fox. I'm also fond of books about Christmas pageants, a fondness I don't share for the thing itself. In fact, it seems an extremely heavyhanded symbol, as in, oh, A Prayer for Owen Meany.
***
We've been making lots of wombat jokes lately, so it seemed like time to revisit.


Library copy.

[Colin Pearce · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you've ever been left out because you are too young, too fat or too something else, Wombat will make you realise that rejection is not the end of things and that everyone has a very important place.

[Nicoleta]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzV6g...

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found Mem Fox's Wombat Divine to be charming. I loved Wombat. He loves, loves, loves Christmas. More than anything, he wants a part in the nativity play. At the auditions, he tries his best. But there are so many parts that he's just not right for. I love the refrain, "Don't lose heart. Why not try for a different part?" which is used throughout the whole auditioning process. He auditions for Archangel Gabriel, Mary, a wise king, Joseph, an innkeeper, and a shepherd. But there's one role that he'd be just perfect playing. Can you guess it?

I liked this one. I thought it was cute and sweet. I liked the writing. I found it unique and oh-so-right.

[Becca · Rating 3 out of 5]

This week we have been discussing plot, one of the story elements. I read this book, and then students identified which parts were the exposition/introduction (where the author introduces the character and setting), the rising action (where the conflict is developed), the climax (the high point of the events, often where a solution to a problem happens), the falling action (when the characters deal with the effects of the solution), and the resolution/conclusion (where the author ties up all the loose ends). Several younger students wanted to check it out right now.

[Mamamaggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

maggie likes these pictures better than julie vargas (other mem fox illustrator) i think the opposite. do like the use of the australian animals though, the rhyme of the story, and the creative nativity scene, nice change of pace from our usual, also very nicely illustrates the theme of everyone's part counting, a very relevant topic for kids. maggies fav line is "cheer up wombat, dont lose heart, why not try for a different part?"

[Joyce Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute story about the wombat who was excited about auditioning for the nativity play but finds himself unsuited for every part, one by one. Comical illustrations capture both the absurdity of some of his choices and his facial expressions in the roller coaster of emotions. I love the way the other auditioners "model encouragement" and help him find the best role ever.

[Asho · Rating 3 out of 5]

My son (5) picked out this book from a selection of Christmas books at the holiday. It isn't my favorite Christmas book, but it was cute, and we were all intrigued by the wombat because none of us were very familiar with wombats prior to reading this book.

[Clwseattle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wombat Divine is a cute, kind and encouraging story. Children will love it and will giggle at the charming illustrations.

. . .So, with his heart full of hope
and his head full of dreams,
he hurried along to the auditions.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this to my 3rd graders. Then we watched video clips I had found of all the Australian animals named in the story.

[Maxwell Rae · Rating 3 out of 5]

A religious book almost as if from an outsiders perspective which was good because it wasn’t so religiousy that it smacked you over the head, but enough to learn a bit of lore.

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely delightful Aussie Christmas tale. Kerry Argent's illustrations are, as always, wonderful.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wombat has always loved Christmas, especially the Nativity play. Finally he is old enough to take a part in it, but every role he tries isn't suited to him for one reason or another. Just when he is feeling sad and disappointed, he's chosen for the best role of all! Sweet story and great illustrations.

[Baby Bookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!

Happy Holidays Week, Day 3: Hello, everybody! Today’s book is Wombat Divine, written by Mem Fox and illustrated by Kerry Argent, a very sweet tale of a wombat, a nativity play, and a dream.

Of all the holidays, Wombat loves Christmas most of all! He especially loves the Nativity play, and wants more than anything to be part of it this year. But when he goes to audition, he just doesn’t seem to be right for any of the parts, no matter how hard he tries, nor the encouragement of his friends. Can Wombat find the part that will be right for him?

Choosing this book based on the cover and title alone (and, really, how could I resist?), I was so pleasantly surprised by what a cool Christmas story this was! Wombat’s perseverance in the face of disappointment, the earnest support and kindness of his friends, and the adorable resolution are all great. Plus, in the spirit of exploring the way other cultures celebrate their holidays, this is a decidedly Aussie holiday book: every character is an indigenous Australian animal, and it features a bright and sunny summer Christmas. The length is just fine for baby bookworms, the illustrations are charming, and JJ had a great time reading it. Baby Bookworm approved!

Be sure to check out The Baby Bookworm for more reviews!

[Luisa Knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

I still haven't made it to *thee* Land Down Under, but I've been/lived in New Zealand for a time and spent two Christmases below the equator. The vibes are most definitely different. Instead of "cozy," think "hot" and "sunny!" Walking through the stores while hearing "the weather outside is frightful" and seeing the windows decorated with frosted snowflakes while mannequins showcase swimsuits is just comical.

I loved the experience! To get a taste, read this book. It's Australia, Christmas and the Nativity.

Ages: 4 - 8

Cleanliness: nothing to note.

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[Erin Buhr · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are looking for a unique Christmas tale look no further than WOMBAT DIVINE. For those of us surrounded by pine trees and piles of snow each Christmas, the holidays in Australia are a foreign concept. Mem Fox, however, brings them warmly to the page with a delightful cast of characters. Wombat is desperate to have a role in the Nativity play. Emu says he's to big to be Mary, not tall like the Kangaroos to be a King, and too sleepy to be an inn keeper. Readers will cheer him on in his search for the perfect role. I was surprised and delighted to find my toddlers greatly enjoyed this story, despite having a limited understanding of the concepts of play or Nativity. They were fascinated by the different animals and infatuated with the lovable Wombat. An endearing tale unlike any other Christmas book on the shelf.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to Jackie French, our oldest is ga-ga over wombats. So when we saw this Christmas-themed book featuring her beloved creature, we just had to borrow it right away. The story is entertaining and is repetitive enough to entertain younger children, but has enough details and plot to appeal to older children, too.

We loved seeing the unusual Australian creatures (as well as the more commonly-known ones) and we loved the ending, even if it was pretty predictable. Overall, it was a fun book to read aloud and we enjoyed reading it together.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this one for the Down Under feel you get from the story. The animals are putting on the Nativity play. Emu is in charge, as usual. Wombat is finally old enough to be in the play, but will they be able to find him a part? Every time I shared this one at story time or with friends, it found a lot of new fans. Really, really good.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wombat really wants to be part of the nativity play. But he's too heavy to be the angel Gabriel and too big to be Mary. His friends keep reassuring him and encouraging him to try for a different part...but will he be the right fit for any part?

The illustrations are really adorable.

[Bailey Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is kind of sad during the story because he keeps getting told he basically isn't good enough, until the end when he finally gets what he wants.

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A warm Christmas tale with a cast of lovable Australian animals.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A funny little story about how Wombat tries out for (and fails at) each role in the Nativity play. The illustrations gave me the giggles, and the story was cute.

[Molly Cluff (Library!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wombat can't seem to find a part that fits him for the nativity play. He ends up sleeping in the manger as the (ginormous) baby Jesus. Very charming! I love all the Australian animals featured.

[Katrina Tangen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poor wombat! Funny and very "Aww."

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful

[Kathleen Ryder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wombat loves everything about Christmas--especially the Nativity play. He's wanted to be in it for as long as he can remember. At last he's old enough to try out. 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?

This is literally my favourite book of all time, hands down.

I purchased a copy of this for my son's first Christmas, and I used to read this to him each year. A couple of Christmases ago, he started reading it to me, and he does all of the voices, just as I used to do for him. It is our own special tradition that the two of us share.

This book follows a beautiful storyline of a wombat who just wants to join in with everyone else - sound familiar? He tries everything but something always goes wrong, there just doesn't seem to be a place for him. With the help of his friends, will womabat find his perfect role? No matter how many times I read or isten to this story, I always tear up at the end!

Added to the beautiul plot are some gorgeous illustrations that really bring the story to life.

This is a must have book for any Christmas shelf.

[Becker Children · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was ok, not our favorite of Mem Fox's books. I guess I don't know a lot about wombats but we thought it looked like a bear. As compared to other Mem Fox books, this one lacked a charming rhyme or a particularly interesting or touching storyline. I'd recommend Time For Bed, Wilfred Gordon McDonal Partridge, or Sleepy Bears over this one; those are better Mem Fox books and for a Christmas book, there are way better Christmas books out there.