The Wandering Wombles

The Wandering Wombles by Elisabeth Beresford (Bloomsbury)

PB RRP $13.99

ISBN 9781408808337

Reviewed by Nean McKenzie

Following on from the first book in the series, The Wandering Wombles continues with the adventures of our familiar furry friends who clean up after us messy, rather wasteful human beings. In this book the Wombles face the problem of finding somewhere new to live. The story is quite fast paced and would suit readers aged eight to twelve. Black and white illustrations by Nick Price depict the Wombles with their pointy noses and shy expressions. Who wouldn't want to meet a Womble some day?

Two new characters are introduced in this book. Wellington is a young, bespectacled Womble who works in the library. The responsible Miss Adelaide is in charge of the Womblegarton. In case adding two more to the already large cast of characters confuses any readers there is a Wombles Who's Who at the back of the book. This is followed by a few Wonderful Wombling Facts to further satisfy the fans.

This story is not just set around Wimbledon Common. In their search for a new home, the Wombles send out a scouting party (Bungo and Orinoco) to Loch Ness in Scotland. The gardens of Buckingham Palace are also checked out as a possible place for a new burrow but are found to be far too tidy for Wombles.  

To the obvious recycling message is added an environmental message. The destruction of the burrow is caused by heavy trucks passing by the Common. But don't worry, the Wombles are resourceful and the book has a satisfying ending. The reader can then look forward to the next book in the series of six.  

The Wombles

The Wombles by Elisabeth Beresford (Bloomsbury)

ISBN 9781408808375

PB RRP $13.99

Reviewed by Nean McKenzie

Forty-two years after they first appeared in print, The Wombles are back to inspire a new generation with their furry form of recycling. This re-release begins with a preface written by Elisabeth Beresford, followed by an additional note from Great Uncle Bulgaria (the patriarch of the burrow of Wombles under Wimbledon Common). Black and white illustrations by Nick Price are scattered throughout the text, further depicting just how cute Wombles are. These stories would be suitable for children aged 8 to 12.

The Wombles have popped up several times over the past few decades. They were also part of a highly successful BBC TV series aired in the 1970s, followed by further series in the 1990s. The cast of characters includes the lazy, over-eating Orinoco, the new kid on the block Bungo, Tomsk, the night watchman and the cook Madam Cholet. Just in case anyone is confused there is a 'Womble's Who's Who' at the back of the book. The Wombles collect 'rubbish' that Human Beings leave behind and take it back to their burrow where it is turned into something useful.

Each chapter contains an adventure of some kind such as finding a concrete mixer to mend the burrow; inviting an elderly Human Being to the Womble Christmas party; and getting free tickets for the tennis (Wimbledon, of course). Children reading this book cannot help but become fond of these little creatures who cannot tell lies or let go of something once they've hung onto it. They will be drawn into the world of the Wombles as they make mistakes and get into scrapes, very much like their readers do every day.  

Elisabeth Beresford died on Christmas Eve 2010 at the age of eighty-four. She leaves behind a legacy of highly enjoyable stories with a strong environmental message that have stood the test of time.