He often collaborates on picture books with his wife, Rosie Smith. Review: We’ve never come across the Diary of a Wombat books by Jackie French before, but this Christmassy sequel appealed to all three of us instantly, and I think that we will have to get our hands on Mothball’s first few adventures in the New Year. Over the past 10 years she has published over a hundred books on diverse subjects ranging from children’s fiction to pest control!īruce Whatley was born in the United Kingdom and emigrated with his parents to Australia during his childhood. Jackie French was born in Sydney in 1953, grew up in Brisbane, graduated from the University of Queensland and moved to her present home in NSW bush land in her mid twenties. It deserves to be a huge hit here too, as it feels really fresh and original.’ Publishing News It’s easy to see why this book has won several awards in Jackie French’s native Australia. ‘Bruce Whatley’s illustrations bring the story to life in a way that is both endearing and amusing. ‘French and Whatley have conjured an affectionate, believable wombat self-portrait.’ New York Times Book Review A hilarious view of Christmas as seen through the eyes of Mothball the wombat. And when Mothball takes an unexpected sleigh ride, it’s not just Santa who faces the prospect of getting stuck in the chimney.Ĭhristmas from a wombat’s eye view is always going to be interesting – especially when that wombat is Mothball! A hilarious view of Christmas as seen through the eyes of Mothball the wombat.Ĭhristmas comes but once a year and it’s just as well for Santa’s reindeer who have to fight with Mothball for the carrots left out for them by the local children. Diary of a Wombat Big Book (Giant Picture Storybooks), illustrated by Bruce Whatley Baby Wombats Week Big Book (Giant Picture Storybooks).

Diary of a christmas wombat