Mothball the wombat is keeping his Christmas Diary.
"Slept. Scratched. Slept."
What more could a festive wombat need to do? Dangly things that look suspiciously like Christmas decorations? Nah. Get rid of those, for a wombat Christmas is like any other day of the year ... that is, until he smells... CARROTS!
And those carrots just happen to be disappearing into the mouths of some very strange creatures. Bridled creatures. Be-antlered creatures. Large, jingle-jangling, sleigh-anchored creatures! Let's just say this: whatever they are, when it comes to carrots, they're no match for Mothball!
This book is a visual delight. I don't know how illustrator Whatley does it. He somehow manages to consistently combine cute with classic with charming with whimsical with beautiful with hilarious with kooky with contemporary with traditional.
Our friend Mothball is as dry and self-serving as ever - but in that delightfully charming, hilarious way. The hooded eyes, the attitude, the rear-end pudge, the way he runs at a gallop - it's always a sight to behold ... eye-smiling all the way.
French once again does Mothball proud in this utterly adorable, must-have Christmas book, touring the Christmas Eve world via that magical sleigh, munching carrots and even making some unlikely friends.
Essential Christmas reading - as bright and funny as a cracker at the festive table.
Title: Christmas Wombat
Author: Jackie French
Illustrator: Bruce Whatley
Publisher: HarperCollins, $24.99 RRP
Publication Date: 1 October 2011
Format: Hard cover
ISBN: 9780732291716
For ages: 2+
Type: Picture Book
