Wombat Dreaming by Caz Goodwin and Zoe Bennett (Affirm Press) HB RRP $19.99 ISBN: 9781923046603
Reviewed by Kellie Nissen
Everyone has something they are good at: sometimes it just takes a while
to find that something. What might a wombat be good at?
Wombats are round and roly-poly. They are not known for their ability to
balance or contort their bodies into different stretches, so why would Lil want
to do yoga? It’s simple – all the other animals gather together every Sunday,
down by the creek, to do yoga and Lil wants to join in.
It seems that each of the animals has their own signature yoga pose – from
standing on one leg to an elegant downward dog. But Lil can’t do any of them.
Wombat Dreaming, by Caz Goodwin and Zoe Bennett is,
first and foremost, a heartwarming story told with a rolling rhyme and
accompanied by rich illustrations that radiate the Australian bush and
landscape. Hidden beneath the story, the themes of resilience, individuality
and inclusion are subtle, yet strong.
Caz Goodwin has taken a classic storyline – putting the main character
in an unlikely situation that doesn’t fit their expected skillset – and made it
her own. We love Lil straight away, feel for her when she thinks she’s failed
and then celebrate when she succeeds.
Illustrator Zoe Bennett’s gorgeous pictures individualise the animals,
ensuring they are all endearing as they demonstrate the tolerance and
friendliness we so desperately need in our society.
And a yoga-loving wombat with her own signature pose? Who’d have thought
it possible?
Wombat Dreaming is perfectly targeted at children aged
from 3 to 7 years of age – and what better way to introduce a young generation
to the benefits of mindfulness and yoga?
