Review: Wombat, Mudlark & Other Stories

"Some children are just like the platypus in this story. They have a thirst for knowledge, searching patiently for answers to solve the conundrums of life. They are incredible children and are always willing to share their knowledge."

While I work away in the evenings at becoming a teacher, my everyday reality is working with children's books for a major bookseller. Having something incredible come across my desk happens quite often (there is so much fantastic Australian children's publishing!), but receving something that really makes me swoon and maybe even get a little teary-eyed is a little more rare.

Wombat, Mudlark & Other Stories by the fabulous and ever-giving creative talent of Helen Milroy is one of those books. Helen is descedent of the Palyku people of the Pilbara region of Western Australia. Like many of her other titles, Wombat delicately explores the cultural significance of particular species of Australian animals, and likens the moral lessons they learn and their personality traits to the children reading. What results are powerful moral teaching stories, that are soft, kind and brilliant, the variety that make you want to hold on to them for the children in your own family.

As to whether it belongs in your classroom library? Without a doubt. This book could only serve to encourage students' empathy for First Nations people, and provide a mirror for them to observe their own morals through the journeys of the animals they follow.