Wombat
2021 - Winner
Never in the history of literature has a title said as much about a book as Wombat.
Wombat is a book about wombats, in all their different incarnations – some familiar, some surprising and some frankly unfeasible.
This magical journey through wombatmanity is eased along by author Philip Bunting’s marvelously naïve illustrations and captivatingly rhythmic prose.
It’s a treat for toddlers which will be loved by adults – which is just as well, as they are going to have to open it time and time again.
Wombat: the best book about wombats that you will read this year.
Junior judges' comments
Have you ever wondered how many jokes and puns and crazy new ideas could be made from the two syllables, wom & bat? Me neither.
Well, just imagine deciding not only to rise to this challenge - but also to make your quest that much more fun and mesmerising by combining a wombat word game with a series of drawings of the cutest, furriest, chubbiest, most adorable wombats you could ever imagine?
Thankfully, for the sake of wombat lovers everywhere and every wombat in every wombat hole, Philip Bunting has come to the rescue with his new book called, funnily enough, “Wombat”. It is humorous and full of surprises and VERY unique. Delightfully, the book has a very happy ending - which I will leave for you to discover for yourself...
About the author
Philip Bunting
Philip Bunting is an author and illustrator, with a soft spot for creating picture books for sleep-deprived, time-poor, raisin-encrusted parents (and their children).
Philip’s work deliberately encourages playful interaction between the reader and child, allowing his books to create a platform for genuine intergenerational engagement, and fun.
He believes that the more fun the child has during their early reading experiences, the more likely they will be to return to books, improve their emergent literacy skills, and later find joy in reading and learning.
Philip’s books have been translated into multiple languages, and published in over 30 countries around the world. Since his first book was published in 2017, Philip has received multiple accolades, including Honours from the Children’s Book Council of Australia, and making the list for the Kate Greenaway Medal in 2018.
Philip grew up in the English Lake District, and moved to Australia in his early 20s for a girl (although, some say he was found guilty of crimes against the humanities and sent to Australia on a convict ship). He now lives with his young family in the hills behind Noosa, Queensland.
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