Wombat Divine
Wombat Divine is a children's book by the Australian author Mem Fox , which is considered a classic of Christmas children's literature in Australia.
Emergence
The book was commissioned by Mem Fox for Omnibus Books, who wanted to publish a Christmas story for children. After more than two years of unsuccessful attempts, the 32-page story emerged, with illustrations by Kerry Argent , which was first published in Australia in 1995. The American edition appeared in 1996.
content
The story is about a wombat who enthusiastically wants to take part in the nativity play and audition for all roles to be assigned. For various reasons, however, it turns out to be unsuitable for everyone, so that the roles are filled with other, typically Australian animals. Finally, Wombat is chosen as the baby Jesus and his task now is to lie as quietly as possible in the manger. Wombat falls asleep like a real baby and plays its role perfectly to everyone's enthusiasm. The book ends with the praise: " You were divine, Wombat. " ("You were divine, Wombat.")
Others
In 2006, Wombat Divine was the theme of the annual Christmas window display at the Myer department store in Melbourne . The exhibition of animated puppets caused a sensation because some of the mechanically animated figures were arranged in such a way that the impression of sexual activity was created.
In some remote learning centers for Indigenous Australians , Wombat Divine was the only book used to teach reading skills in 2005 .
Web links
- Etta Wilson: Wombats at Christmas? A heartwarming tale. Review at BookPage ( Memento from February 16, 2011 in the Internet Archive )
Individual evidence
- ↑ Christmas season celebrations in Australia ( Memento of the original from April 8, 2011 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. . Australian Government Culture Portal
- ^ Children's Books . The New York Times, December 22, 1996
- ↑ Christmas at Myer 2006 - Wombat Divine ( Memento of the original from November 24th, 2009 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
- ^ Myer's Christmas peep show . News.com.au, November 24, 2006 (with video of the dolls).
- ^ Bring on the reading revolution . The Australian, April 9, 2008
