The wombats run across sand, past kangaroos and picnics, explore around rocks and venture between the trees. Here the wombats encounter a thick blanket of smoke from a fire, an experience that many children in Australia (and other countries) will currently relate to.
The wombats escape the ominous smoke and the colours transform into rich blues and greens as rain sweeps over the pages, refreshing the wombats' world anew.
Susannah Chambers' rhyming narrative tells this story of the wombats' day utilising succinct, evocative language, with exciting page turns, encouraging children to eagerly anticipate the next word.
Mark Jackson's illustrations evoke the scampering movements of the wombats, beautifully capture the sandy, wind-swept coastal Australian habitat and bring the soothing coolness of cleansing rain and night sky.
This title complements The Snow Wombat, also by Susannah Chambers and Mark Jackson.
Title: The Beach Wombat
Author: Susannah Chambers
Illustrator: Mark Jackson
Publisher: Allen & Unwin, $24.99
Publication Date: 3 December 2019
Format: Hardback
ISBN: 9781760631857
For ages: 3 - 6
Type: Picture Book
