NONFICTION

Wombat Underground: A Wildfire Survival Story

by Sarah L Thomson (text) & illus. by Charles Santoso
Little, Brown. Jan. 2022. 32p. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9780316707060.
COPY ISBN
Gr 1-3–Visually arresting illustrations of the Australian wilderness capture the story of a wombat and four other animals as they face the predicament of a wildfire in their habitat. With the wombat’s natural tendency to burrow saves a skink, echidna, and a wallaby and her baby. The beauty of the wilderness is captured from a variety of perspectives and the details of fire season and its impact are not only told through the narrative but also through informative back matter. This title could be useful in multiple areas of the curriculum including environmental units as well as units on animal habitats and cooperation.
VERDICT Bringing the impact of wildfires to a young audience through this angle, this title does an admirable job of capturing realistic details along with a “hero saves the day” story. Recommended.
Reviewed by John Scott , Feb 01, 2022

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