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Wombat's continual worrying annoys the other bush animals, until they help him gain a new perspective on life. ... Read more

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Adults won’t find this very tasteful. Sorry, it can’t be helped, it’s what happened.

Mark Ryder gives us the good, the bad, and the messy in this antic account of his friends’ misadventures during a week of school-camp in the Australian Outback. Camp is everything the boys expect and more–there are caves to explore, mud fights, bad showers, great food, hidden candy, wombats, and leeches. Then disaster strikes: Mr. Cromwell (a.k.a. Crom the Bomb, or simply The Bomb) arrives as a substitute chaperon. The boys are sure their summer is ruined. But in the end, it’s what the boys do to The Bomb that sets off an explosion. . . .Amazon.com Review
Mark, Jonah, Nicko, Azza, and Mitch, a.k.a. the Coconuts, a.k.a.the Convicts, are set to have the time of their lives at pioneer camp.Wattle and daub building, great food, blood-sucking leeches, mud fights,nose-biting horses, half-wild wombats, pirate plays... it's everything theydreamed of. Until the Bomb shows up. Mr. Cromwell is the dourest,cruelest, most unfair teacher at school--and is now a camp chaperon.Crom the Bomb has a particular sour spot in his evil heart for Jonah,and takes every opportunity to make his life miserable. The feud reachesa fever pitch when the Bomb and Jonah inadvertently are paired in acanoe trip, and disappear around the river bend. Can all the Coconutssurvive this camping trip uncracked?

Mark's voice as narrator in this story is flawless. He is, through andthrough, a sixth-grade boy, complete with delight in the grossestthings and hilarity over goofball practical jokes and muddy exploits.William Clarke's kidlike drawings of ant-covered boys and baby wombatscombine nicely with Elizabeth Honey's photographs of rowdy campers tocreate a totally boyish document of a week at camp. (Ages 8 to 12)--Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

An excellent book
I am sixteen years old and Australian. Don't Pat The Wombat was my favourite book when I was ten, and I recently reread it. I'd forgotton how funny and accurate it was.

First, some background information about the setting. Despite what it may appear, the kids are not going to summer camp. They are going to school camp. The difference is, it happens during school time, and not during summer. The summer holidays happen over Christmas, and they only last for six weeks, so no summer camp. Edwina and Helmut are not counsellors. They are backpackers how happened to be in the area. Also, the slang is fairly accurate, if I recall primary school correctly.

Don't Pat The Wombat is about a group of boys in year six, who have called themselves the Coconuts. They're the troublemakers of their class. A few weeks before camp, they become friends with a new kid named Jonah, who is from a rural area. Jonah makes enemies with Brian Cromwell, a cruel teacher that the Coconuts have nicknamed the Bomb, because he explodes. They go to camp in the bush, and have fun. Most of the book is taken up with the description of the fun, but towards the end it develops a more serious theme. Jonah starts opening up slightly, and has an encounter with the Bomb.

The book has a very light hearted tone, which is why I think I loved it so much. You could count the serious bits on the fingers of one hand. The characters are believable twelve-year-olds, and act in a believable way. I was never one of the troublemakers myself, but I remember school camp, before popularity became everything and kids still listened to the teachers. And the lollies, who could forget the lollies?

Elizebeth Honey has written a few other novels, of which the Stella Streets are the closest in tone to this one. I'd recomend those as well.

Australian slang and wombats galore
It's no secret that there are thousands of fantastic unknown children's books out there.I would even go so far as to estimate that over 60% of the best kid books disappear without so much as a ripple under the waves of subsequently published literature.So this is all the more reason to appreciate a well-written unknown book when you find it.That book, such as it is, is Elizabeth Honey's "Don't Pat the Wombat".A fine frolicsome Aussie import, this tale of kids, camp, and canoes is one of the best kept secrets in fiction today.And it's freakin' hilarious.

The plot follows a group of roughly ten year-old boys called The Coconuts.They named themselves that after the narrator(nickname: Exclamation Mark)'s mom drove them around singing, "I've got a lovely bunch of coconuts..."The other boys include Wormz, Nicko, Azza, Mitch, and Jonah.Jonah, to be honest, is the real hero of this tale.A calm silent boy, Jonah earns the wrath of the school's most dreaded teacher, The Bomb.When the boys head out for summer camp (an event that included not only the boys but their teachers from school and two parents) it's just their bad luck that The Bomb comes along for the ride.

First of all, this book is undoubtedly one of the funniest I've read in a very long time.Funny books never get any respect, you know.Not adult funny books, nor children's funny books.This is a story where the narrator's mom plays on a basketball team called The Cellulites.The pictures, supposedly drawn by the author, are a hoot and a holler (and frighteningly similar to pictures an actual ten year-old would draw).And the storyline has the boys pulling the kind of innocent pranks you'd expect of them.I was particularly taken with a moment where the boys (after a rousing mud fight) decided to play dead to see what their German counselor Helmut would do:

"Oh, they're dead!" goes Helmut."What a pity, I'd better bury them," and he started shoveling mud on us.

It's that kind of story.On top of that, there's some interesting Australian language to grapple with.America is the kind of country that takes great pains in changing words in the Harry Potter books that appear "too British" for delicate American children's ears.Apparently, Australian slang is a completely different matter.Initially I was quite taken aback by the amount of words I either couldn't understand or couldn't pronounce.Here's a great example.It describes the teacher nicknamed Chook:

"If something goes right, she says, `Jolly beaut!' and if something goes wrong, she goes, `Blinking heck!' For something amazing, she says, `By jingo!' She wears Daisy Duck shoes".

The book's full of this kind of thing.When a boy calls his teacher a nerd his mother patiently corrects him and says the terms he's looking for is "duffer".Slang includes words like "derr" as well.I mean, I think it's great!More books should be coming into our country with these kinds of words.But if you're not prepared for them, it's a bit of a shock.

If I have any objections with this book it's that it's too darn short.Too short by far.You finally are beginning to get a little more insight into the characters and before you know it, time's up!Story's done.All in all, however, I consider this book one of the lost greats.It'd make a fantastic read-aloud to those students that are reluctant to read.The characters are likable, the plot is quick, and the photos and pictures very funny.For a sure fire crowd pleaser (if they can get past the slang) give this book a try.The funniest Australian children's book I have ever, or may ever, read.

The Land Down Under!
Elizabeth Honey is the author of Don't Pat the Wombat has a great idea for a book.She writes about a kid named Mark and his friends are going to camp with their teachers! One of their teachers nicknamed the Boom, because he hates all kids and tries to drown a kid named Journa! Mark and his friends have to save Jouna from the Boom. This book is funny and exciting. That's why you should read this book.

Gross, tastless and laugh-out-loud funny
Remember summer camp in all it's wonderful, horrible glory?Elizabeth Honey does and she brings the memories back to life with this outrageous and funny tale about a group of Aussie sixth grade boys (known as theCoconuts and later, the Convicts) off to camp.

Narrated by Mark (or"Exclamation Mark"), he gives us the tell-all tales about hisfriends and their antics.They befriend newcomer Jonah, who takes on theConvict's ultimate nemesis, teacherMr. Cromwell, a.k.a. the Bomb.("Cromwell at camp is like Darth Vader at your birthdayparty.")

This a frenetic and fun book, documenting the misadventuresof outback camplife (complete with mud fights, exploring, an end-of-camppageant and of course, wombats!

Definately worth a read! ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (1)

21st Anniversay of an Australian Wildlife Picture Book Classic
For some bizarre reason Amazon lists re-released editions of books as separate products so people believe them to be sold out when they aren't necessarily so. At the time of this review they did have the 21st anniversary (2005) edition in stock but if they too are now sold out just do a general search for this title, there will be a number of different editions (with their own collection reviews) where you may find an available copy.Rest assured anyway if all are sold out that Australian publishers like to celebrate anniversaries and constantly re-release children's picture books, so no doubt there will be a 25th edition released in 2009 and probably a 30th in 2014 as well.Since Amazon is a bit slow on their product updates you may need to search Amazon (or even Australian merchant websites) for these books in the years ahead.

Originally published in Australia in 1984 this book has more than stood the test of time bringing joy to children throughout time. A basic but good storyline combined with great illustrations means this is going to be a constant request by children to be read to them again and again and again.This book is an excellent book to teach children about the different types of creatures in Australia.Although the book doesn't give information on them the drawings are so well done you can expand from the storyline to point out the platypus' duck like bill, echidna's spines and other fairly unique adaptations particular Australian animals have.

Just in case you're wondering the basic plot of wombat stew is a dingo catches a wombat and boasts to everyone (all types of Australian animals) that he is going to shortly be enjoying gooey, brewy, yummy, chewy, wombat stew.These other animals are friends with the wombat and have a cunning plan to save their friend by giving suggestions of other ingredients to add to the stew.For those parents who now how to play or whose kids are learning a musical instrument the final page has the music score to the Dingo's song so the notes can be followed and played by instruments of some kids and sung along by others.

The constant lack of availability and selling out of Wombat Stew is a good lesson to keep good children's books even when your kids have moved on to older reading level books.In the future if you have more kids, friends have kids, you have grandkids etc they will all be very grateful when you come to visit with this classic. For those who don't yet have a copy rest assured though, there will always be anniversary editions of great Australian classics such as this.

Other great Australian wildlife fiction classics for kids by other authors you should check out are Possum Magic, Olga the Brolga and Edward the Emu. ... Read more

Product Description
Wombat can't wait to travel to Beijing to take part in an international soccer camp. Discovering Chinese culture, learning to speak Mandarin, and playing in a real soccer tournament -- what an experience! During a field trip with his soccer team to The Forbidden City, Wombat finds a lost red panda and wants to help the endangered animal get back to the zoo. But when Wombat is mistaken for a thief trying to steal the panda, he is suddenly swept into an adventure on the streets of Beijing! Will Wombat be able to help his new panda friend and make it back to soccer camp in time to play in the big tournament? ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Especially notable for its upbeat attitude and the main character's enthusiasm to thrive amid a strange new land
The second volume in the delightful "Wombat Smith" series about an anthropomorphic wombat with a strong streak of curiosity, Wombat Smith: Beijing Breakaway! follows young Wombat on a trip to Beijing in order to take part in an international soccer camp. Wombat learns to play soccer, discovers the marvels and majesties of Chinese culture, and prepares to play in a real soccer tournament, all of which are exciting enough. But the real adventure begins when Wombat finds a lost red panda; his heart goes out to the unfortunate animal, and he tries to help it get back to the zoo. But when Wombat is mistaken for a thief trying to steal the panda, he gets caught in a whirlwind of events that threaten to keep him from the big game! An engaging story especially notable for its upbeat attitude and the main character's enthusiasm to thrive amid a strange new land. ... Read more

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Whats it like to go to the dentist for the first time? Is it scary and frightening, or is it fun and exciting? In this delightful tale about a terrified Wombat named Woogie, children everywhere will learn that going to the dentist may not be that bad after all. Children of all ages will see first hand that the dentist is not an arch enemy who is to be feared, but a friend who is there to help make their teeth strong!Will Woogie the Wombat learn that going to the dentist is what all good Wombats do, or will he run away, never to return to the dentist again? Join new authors Blair A. McNinch and Dr. Eugene McNinch as they follow Woogie the Wombat to the dentist office for the first time. Children are sure to love this wonderful story as they hear about Woogie and his friends adventure to dentist office.Blair McNinch created Woogie the Wombat and his friends based upon his U.S. Army peers. His brother Eugene, a dentist, added his dental expertise to the story. Profits from the sale of this book will be donated to a childrens charity. This is an eLIVE book, meaning each printed copy contains a special code redeemable for the free download of the audio version of the book. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great read for kids!
Woogie is a wonderful story to share with a child to diminish any fears of the dentist that they may have. My kid couldn't wait to turn the pages. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (2)

Cute
Cute but a little small for what I expected.My 2 year old has obsessed over Charles' Wombat books and she loves it.I guess there's nothing more that matters.

Review
I have, thus far, purchased 4 of these plush dolls for various children in the family. It's adorable! My only wish is that the doll were bigger. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Fear, Despair, and Deadly Cute Cuddly Animals
Author Kenneth Cook has a simple formula.

(1) Go somewhere
(2) Encounter a local animal
(3) nearly get killed by local animal
(4) write about it.

From this simple pattern springs a multitude of hilarious variations, and by the time you are finished reading this book, you will be convinced that either Australia is the most dangerous continent on earth, or that Mr. Cook is the unluckiest man in all of Australia. (or more likely, Both.)

"Wombat Revenge" is the second in a trilogy, preceded by "Killer Koala" and followed by "Frill-Neck Frenzy", but it does not matter what order you read the books, or even the stories within one book. All of the stories stand alone, and all of them are very funny.

Kenneth Cook's books are difficult to find outside of Australia, so if you get the opportunity to read one, do not pass it by. ... Read more

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This is the story of a wombat's life, told by Jackie French and illustrated by Bettina Guthridge. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

The Warrior Rocks
I read the Alexander trilogy in 3 days...found myself compelled to continue on...The Warrior was awesome but I found myself wanting more of Kiara and Alexander together.My biggest disappointment is of course Prince Val...perhaps a fourth installment can be added titled The Resurrected or The Returned Soldier?
I found myself hating Queen Artakama all over again, finding King Ptolemy despicable, and their daughter Mereret a horror.
Admittedly, while I enjoyed this book, I found myself skipping over some of the "landscape" details and going past the Ava subplot as quickly as I could.I found myself longing for more "relationship" interaction between Shahi and Val and Kiara and Alexandra.
The ending was full of action and suspense...though admittedly, I would have preferred for one more character to prevail and am hopeful he will yet.All in all, a good read.Additionally, I liked Alexander's ghost making his appearance again...whether as a guide or a conscience, it did add to the story.

Publishers Weekly got it right
Judith E. French has written a truly superior historical romance. This author paints vivid pictures that have stayed with me long after I finished the novel. Beautiful prose, exciting story. You will not be disappointed.

Must read!!!
The Warrior is the 3rd book in the trilogy of Alexander the Great, and it's just as great a read as the first two.My opinion of sequels has never been high, but Ms. French has made each of these books unique, interesting and exciting to read.The characters come alive and you become caught up in their story.Plan to read The Warrior in one
sitting because you won't want to put it down!

Great book by a great author
Judith French delivers another great, exciting read.Loved The Conqueror and The Barbarian.Just like those wonderful books, this fabulous tale is well worth your reading time!

Historically inaccurate, but well written
When I first realized that the book was about Alexander the Great's son, I immediately bought it, hoping for a few pieces about Alexander the Great.

Historical accuracy is somewhat null and void in this book, especially since Alexander IV was murdered at the age of 12 or 13, along with his mother Roxane. One also wonders why a CGI'ed version of Brad Pitt in Troy is on the cover, but that's neither here nor there.

I had trouble reading this book mainly because Roxane was never a warrior, and Alexander sometimes came across as a spoiled brat, something I doubt his father would have approved of, had he lived.

The pieces concerning Kiara and Eire/Ireland were fascinating, and were what made the book worthy of finishing it.

There were a few grammatical errors and typos, and the historical inaccuracies also drew my eye. However, both prose and dialogue flowed beautifully.

For those looking for Alexander the Great, look elsewhere. For those who want a different flavor of historical romance, this may be the book for you. ... Read more