Wombat can't sing by Katie Stewart

Australian author and illustrator Katie Stewart (Where Do Stars Go?) is an animal and nature lover, which shows in the glorious attention to detail within her illustrations. She set out to write this book because of her dislike of how children are told they can do anything if they just work harder or concentrate more. She wants children to realise that what they can do is enough and to be confident even about their own limitations. 'Always be yourself', says the dedication, 'If you can't be yourself, be a wombat'. The story itself is short and sweet with a procession of bush animals trying to teach Wombat to sing. 'Wombats can't sing', he says. All the animals (bird, frog, cricket, kookaburra, butterfly) have their unique ways of making sound and of course, when Wombat tries to copy what they do it never works out. He has the wrong neck, the wrong throat, no wings and is the wrong colour. At the end of the story Wombat realises that he can't sing, but he is special just the way he is. Many other stories like this end with the protagonist working out their own unique way to join in the activity, so it is refreshing that this doesn't happen here. It's an important message for children that it's good to give things a try but we won't always be able to work it out and if we don't enjoy doing something it doesn't matter; we might prefer to watch or listen to others who do. Teaching notes and a teaching activity are available from the publisher.

Themes: Singing, Individuality.

Nicole Nelson