Charles Fuge, Merry Christmas, Little Wombat, Walker Books Australia, October 2024, 22 pp., RRP $24.99 (hbk), ISBN 9781760655105
Merry Christmas, Little Wombat is a Christmas picture book story which has special relevance for Australian children, in that it depicts a summer Christmas beach picnic context and a range of Australian animals.
Little Wombat is excited to join the other little Australian animals for a Christmas party on the beach. Disappointingly, though, they don’t have a Christmas tree. So, the friends come up with a creative solution for a substitute Christmas tree and clean up the beach at the same time.
The narrative bursts with enthusiastic joy as the story moves from Mrs Roo’s lucky dip game to carol singing, to picnic preparations, to decorating activities and imaginative play and finally a feast of delicious treats.
Fuge has captured the fun and excitement of Christmas with colourful images of exuberant, cute, anthropomorphised Australian animals who energetically play music, bounce, run and jump, whilst interacting enthusiastically with each other.
I especially love the sense of movement in the illustrations and the facial expressions of delight, surprise and excitement. Some playful detail is fun too, with a startled looking lorikeet, koala running into the surf, Joey’s expression of delight as she holds a shell, and more.
By focusing on the enjoyment of togetherness at Christmas, rather than receiving gifts, this story sends an important message that Christmas should be about connection and community.
There is also a subtle environmental message to re-use litter in creative ways.
The depiction of cute Australian animals and the simple narrative that flows well, make this book suitable for 2–5-year-olds. It would make a terrific Christmas gift for Australian little ones.
Reviewed by Barbara Swartz
