Bottersnikes and Gumbles

Bottersnikes and Gumbles #1

by S.A. Wakefield, Desmond Digby (illustrator)

Deep in the Australian bush live some comic animals, the rude, stupid Bottersnikes who are much too lazy to work, and the quick-witted perky little Gumbles, who are determined not to be servants in the Bottersnikes' rubbish-dump home.

Genres: Childrens, Fantasy, Fiction, Humor, 20th Century

79 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1967

Reviews

[Rosanna Threakall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book that one of my Primary School teachers used to read to us when I was really young and it's actually a really rare book.

I was overjoyed to find it in a charity shop for £15.

It was so nostalgic to read and is such a cute story for kids. So glad I picked up a copy to read to my 4 month old nephew and keep for my future kids too!

[Harriet Moar-Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot BELIEVE this is on here. I had started to wonder if I owned the last remaining copy on the earth because it's out of print and I randomly found it in a charity shop for 50p and fell in love with it and then I found that NO-ONE else had read it and asking people if they had read it made me sound insane. This book is so nice with these fantastic made up creatures that contrast in every way possible. It just makes me happy to read it

[Fiona · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reliving my childhood with a famous Aussie book that I found in a charity shop (gum leaves drying inside a bonus). Wanted to see if it still stood up or had any inappropriate bits but still funny and silly and morally sound.

[Vicki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aww, remember The Puffin Club, readers of a certain age?

I used to wait with baited breath for the next issue (once a term I think, when one of my teachers would get a copy from another teacher friend... rationed by cash and good old fashioned "you can't have all of them" training by my parents (yes folks, kids DIDN'T get everything they wanted in the late 70's/80s), I was allowed one book an issue... After my beloved moomins, this was one of my hunkered for yet never attained choices.

I happened upon this in a charity shop in Devon last year, and just dipped in - I'm not disappointed! Nice little tale of good, bad & giggly; it's a bit like the wombles , but in the outback. Published 1967 themes of recycling, keeping the countryside clean and taking your responsibilities seriously, but working with friends or as a team... topics that don't go out of fashion in a nice tale for young children

[Carmel Vermeltfoort · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could barely get through reading this book because I was laughing so much. I've never read this book without laughing out loud every time. I have owned it since the 1980s and it is one of my treasures. How it evokes the Australian bush is a delight. The fact of the rubbish heaps to be found there, rings do true to me. But reading it this time I was struck by the things that are no longer a part of our lives. How would you explain a radiogram to children; bottle tops; cash registers?

This bush is populated by Gumbles - happy, friendly joyously soft and soft-hearted creatures, and by Bottersnikes - hard, mean and lazy. Brilliantly imaginative, this story follows the adventures of the Bottersnikes learning how useful it would be to keep Gumbles around to help with the tasks involved in making them comfy... And of course, how the Gumbles outsmart the Bottersnikes and escape.

What a joy.

[Louise Stimson · Rating 5 out of 5]

another book I read at 7, and then 17 and again and again. that said, not loving the cartoons

[Ruby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ah, what a great kids book. I love reading it because it’s so simple and cute and funny. And, of course, set in the Australian bush.

[RP · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant fun. The kids loved it. Especially the 'snike that was able to dream up real things! V imaginative.

[Bec D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious!

[Nic Greenfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The trouble with Gumbles is that when they go giggly they are silly enough for anything.”

[Jaq · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ah walking back into your childhood to become reacquainted with a past favourite is fraught with danger. My nine year old and I took turns reading this - a chapter each.

He took great delight in the bottersnikes - and I found them funnier. The gumbles were sort of hapless and cheerful, but for true hijinks it's the bottersnikes that had us talking about it for a long time afterwards.

And I note that one of the Bottersnikes was called Smiggle - which happens to be one of my favourite stationery stores here....interesting......

[Rach · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember this book being read to my class when I was in primary school. I loved it and still have such vivid images in my head from that reading. I felt such a rush of excitement when I found it on the bookshelf of my library recently and couldn't wait to share it with a year2/3 class I have once a week. Suffice to say, they loved it so much they want me to track down the other stories in this series and read them. Win!

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this whimsical and imaginative story as a primary school aged child. The illustrations perfectly compliment the story. This story reminds me of roadrunner cartoons in a strange way. The gumbles are annoying like the roadrunner was. I wanted the bottersnikes to win!

[Darkpool · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Aussie classic which I have treasured. Has loads of little 'language' jokes in, which I loved as a youngster. A really cute book.

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved these books and I still do. Great little Australian series with a wonderful environmental message hidden in there. I wish someone would make the books into a film.

[Sammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

An Australian classic! Wakefield's stories resonate with anyone who grew up in the Aussie bush. Delightfully imaginative.

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cant believe this is here! I love these books! Well I must admit I haven't read them since I was small but they have a place in my heart and are still tucked away on a shelf awaiting my children!

[Gail Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun quick read. Don't think too hard about it though because there's bullying, bad behaviour and slavery.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A favourite book from my childhood. If only I could get hold of a copy today......