For Kids: Wombat and the Family Tree by Marietta Apollonio - Helping Children Discover the Something That Makes Them Special!
* I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts are my own and I was not required to write a positive review.
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Family · Picture Book · Self-Discovery
Wombat and the Family Tree
Written and Illustrated by Marietta Apollonio
Published by Tommy Nelson
ABOUT THIS BOOK:
Spark curiosity in children about family history, genealogy, and their place within that legacy as Wombat's family tree project grows into an exploration of his relatives' wisdom as well as what talent he can add to his community.
Wombat's family tree assignment turns sour when he realizes that every ancestor has a special something they are good at--everyone except him. He tries all the talents he's learned about from his family members, from music to carving to cooking, but nothing fits. Then, with a nudge to try again, the family tree branches out to grow into Wombat's very own something.
My Thoughts:
The illustrations in this book are darling and fun. As Wombat comes home with a school project to build a family tree, he soon learns while assembling it that many of his family members have something special they can do. He begins to worry about his own special things and begins to try different things before he discovers his own unique gift.
I felt this book was cute, in a completely secular way. The text is really short and easy to read, as the pictures tell a lot of the story. As my six year old and I read it together, we smiled, but I truly felt the book was best geared toddlers, preschool and kindergarten aged kids.
Coming from a publisher that offers Christian books for children, this book holds no faith-based content and would have had lovely potential for children to discover that God gives them each a special gift and how to use them. I wish this book had that.
Overall, cute and sweet, but not the message our family hoped for.
