WOMBAT UNDERGROUND

An Australian bushfire wreaks havoc on wildlife.

The plight of creatures native to Australia—a wombat, a skink, a wallaby, and an echidna—is dramatically told in this story of a raging fire. Ignited by a lightning flash, the fire endangers the animals’ lives and their habitats. Expressed through richly poetic language, the story captures the ways in which the blaze upends the animals’ lives, forcing them to flee and seek shelter. This is a tale rooted in fact, and children will learn some basic information about the animals’ habits and the climatic factors that generate life-threatening flames, emphasized by a tempestuous spread featuring the “Ka-Boom!” of the lightning strike. A gentle fictional component, arising from Wombat’s digging prowess and the cozy burrow it digs for itself, leads to a sweet denouement in which its neighbors find a safe haven. Thus, readers will also discover a welcome message about kindness. The warmly colored illustrations are splendid, providing realistic depictions of the animals and the landscapes surrounding them. Wombat is presented as a cuddly, endearing animal; throughout, the artwork focuses readers’ close attention on how Wombat shelters inside its underground lair. An author’s note explains that Australia has an annual fire season and references the particularly calamitous bushfires that occurred there in 2019-2020, exacerbated by global warming and drought. Additional facts about the animals are included. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A charming introduction to creatures native to Australia and a wake-up call to care for our planet.