Description
Described as an Indigenous Blinky Bill meets Winnie the Pooh, this heartwarming and beautifully illustrated middle-grade novel from 2021 black&write! fellow Tylissa Elisara follows Wurrtoo the wombat on his quest to marry the love of his life, the sky, while facing his fears and learning the importance of friendship along the way.
It all began in a burrow. The fifty-fifth burrow of Bushland Avenue to be exact. If you were ever lucky enough to find this beautiful clearing on Kangaroo Island where the arching gum trees kiss, you'd know that Wurrtoo's home is the one at the end with the big red trapdoor and large gold doorknob. Can you see it?
Wurrtoo the wombat lives a quiet and solitary life in his burrow on Kangaroo Island, hoping to one day travel to the mainland and marry the love of his life, the sky. When Wurrtoo inadvertently saves Kuula the koala from a bushfire, he acquires the adventure companion he didn't know he needed.
With Kuula by his side, Wurrtoo leaves the safety of his burrow and sets out on an epic journey to cross the island, reach the mainland and climb to the top of tallest tree in the Forest of Dreaming. But it's fire season, and danger and strange creatures lurk behind every gum tree. To make it, the pair must face their fears together, learn the importance of friendship and discover the power of wombat wishes.
Tylissa Elisara draws on classic children's literature in the tradition of Winnie the Pooh and Blinky Bill as well as stories from her own Narungga, Kaurna and Adnyamathanha heritage in this unique middle-grade novel about friendship, adventure and facing your fears.
Review
Wurrtoo the wombat loves his burrow on Kangaroo island. He keeps digging more and more rooms, and he lives a very quiet life. His big dream is to go to the mainland and find his way to the Forest of Dreaming so he can marry the love of his life - the magnificent sky!
When he is wandering one day he saves Kuula the koala from a bushfire, and they become friends. Kuula is very adventurous and encourages Wurrtoo (who is a bit scared of everything) to follow his dreams - and so they set off together on a great adventure.
Along the way they face an angry bunyip and feral pigs, as well as meeting Kuula’s amazing Auntie Swan.
Will our unlikely friends find what they are looking for?
This is a wonderful story of the power of friendship and facing up to your fears. It also highlights how following your dreams can lead you to places that you never imagined you could go! This is a great adventure story that will be loved by all middle grade readers.
