Wombat Goes Walkabout

Author: Michael Morpurgo
Illustrated By: Christian Birmingham
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Copyright Date: 1999
Number of Pages: 30
Reading Level: Ages 4-8





Summary
In this book a young Wombat leaves his mother and goes to dig a hole. He began to think and he wandered off. He climbed out of his hole and looked around for his mother but she wasn't there. On his search for his mother he encounters many animals that are very proud about what they can do and ask Wombat what he can do. He tells each of them that he can dig holes and think. None of the animals think that his skills are of any worth.Towards the end of his search Wombat climbs up the highest hill thinking that he will be able to see his mother from the hight. He doesn't see his mother but while he's up there he sees fire and its coming straight towards him. So he thinks a lot and he begins to dig. The animals proclaim their dismay yelling at him to run. They come up to him and ask what he's thinking. He tells them that he thinks that the fire can burn faster than they all can run. He invites everyone into his hole. When the fire passes he emerges from the hole and tells the animals that he is looking for his mother. They then join him in the search and bring his mother back to him. In the end his mother asks him what he'd been doing. He tells her that he hasn't done much, just thinking and digging.

Personal Response: This book was very thoughtfully written. The Wombat first is discouraged because none of the other animals think that his skills are of worth. In the end however he proves to them that it is valuable because he ends up saving their lives. I love the message that it gives that even though other people may not think that your talents are valuable, they are valuable. The use of colors is noteworthy. I really like how very warm colors are used in this book.

Potential Problems: One of the animals that claims that the Wombats skills are insignificant is a human boy.

Recommended to...
I would recommend this book to young children that like animals and/or are becoming aware of their talents and abilities.