Fiction (8-12)

Sample Here is something entirely new in Australian natural history stories for youngsters–an exciting and humorous detective mystery tale of the busy, in which birds and animals play major parts. Clumsy old Bill the wombat, they grumpiest creature in the bush, is a positive pain in the neck and a great nuisance to police trying to investigate the theft by two thieves of a Chinese treasure box. The police are also pestered by two small boys, lovable but mischievous young rascals, and by several suspiciously-acting and inscrutable Chinese. But it is grumpy old Bill the wombat and his feathered and furred bush friends who take the center of the stage and provide a great deal of the comedy and excitement. Authentic as to detail, the book provides young readers with much information about the interesting marsupial wombat, a creature hitherto neglected by Australian natural history writers. Wombat is a noteworthy addition to the popular bush animal and bird series by popular writer C. K. Thompson.