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Wombat and the Family Tree
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 . Wombat and the Family Tree by Marietta Apollonio is for children aged 4 to 8 and features Join Wombat for an adventure in self-discovery as he answers these Where do I come from? What can I learn from people who have come before me? What are my special skills that I can contribute to my family and community?
40 pages, Hardcover
Published March 26, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
February 8, 2024
A little story about a wombat who is trying to decide what makes him stick out on his family tree. It encourages you to be yourself and find your own way. There is an area at the back of the book for where kids can make their own family tree. This would be a good book to go over if your child is learning about ancestors in school.
I received an advanced reading copy of this book for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advanced reading copy of this book for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 4, 2024
[Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.]
This children's book tells the story of Wombat, whose school project is to create a family tree. As he discovers his ancestors and relatives, Wombat realises they all have a little "something" that makes them special and unique. Wombat wonders whether he, too, has a "something" that makes him special as well.
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This was a cute story, but I would have expected it to be more about the "family" part instead of the "individual" part--especially after reading the author's note (which I found lovely), I thought the story would focus more on 'What a family can look like'.
Still, it was good, and the message, though not the one I expected, is an important one too.
This children's book tells the story of Wombat, whose school project is to create a family tree. As he discovers his ancestors and relatives, Wombat realises they all have a little "something" that makes them special and unique. Wombat wonders whether he, too, has a "something" that makes him special as well.
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This was a cute story, but I would have expected it to be more about the "family" part instead of the "individual" part--especially after reading the author's note (which I found lovely), I thought the story would focus more on 'What a family can look like'.
Still, it was good, and the message, though not the one I expected, is an important one too.
November 9, 2023
A good start for kids to start thinking about family tree/family history as the story gives a glimpse about a kid who is trying his best to learn about his family history, build a family tree and makes him see the beauty of having learnt about our own family history.
I find the concept really good and useful. This book can be quite helpful in making kids learn about family trees for the first time.
I just love the illustrations.
Regarding how the book ends, I find it to be a bit abrupt. I just wanted to know if there would be a reference page towards the end.
Thank you, Tommy Nelson, for the advance reading copy.
I find the concept really good and useful. This book can be quite helpful in making kids learn about family trees for the first time.
I just love the illustrations.
Regarding how the book ends, I find it to be a bit abrupt. I just wanted to know if there would be a reference page towards the end.
Thank you, Tommy Nelson, for the advance reading copy.
November 29, 2023
Book for kids on making a family tree. Wombat discovered many things about his family and himself making his family tree. Most important thing he discovered that has he was making his tree, the love of his family.
A great resource to introduce your children to the genealogy of your family. The end of the book has a tree for you to make up your own family tree and discover the love of family yourself.
A special thank you to Thomas Nelson and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
A great resource to introduce your children to the genealogy of your family. The end of the book has a tree for you to make up your own family tree and discover the love of family yourself.
A special thank you to Thomas Nelson and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
March 22, 2024
The book is a nice hardcover with bright colors and illustrated well. It will catch a child's attention to have a look inside. The inside leads you into the wombat's story as he discovers his family tree and what each member is good at.
This story will pique a child's curiosity about his family tree and discover what his interests are. It's a sweet read illustrated in bright colors with a section in the back for the child to do his family tree.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and a positive review is not required. All opinions are my own.
This story will pique a child's curiosity about his family tree and discover what his interests are. It's a sweet read illustrated in bright colors with a section in the back for the child to do his family tree.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and a positive review is not required. All opinions are my own.
May 12, 2024
I adore that the main character is a wombat who searches for his special something to fit into his family tree. Sweet illustrations and a heartwarming story will have readers ready to explore the important part they play in their own families.
May 1, 2024
Urge to wrap this special family tree story in a giant group hug!
April 30, 2024
In Wombat and the Family Tree, Wombat gets an assignment at school to create a family tree. He soon discovers he has a very talented family, and he begins to wonder where he fits in and what is his special something. He tries many different activities but none seem to fit, and he fears he might not have a something that fits into his family. Through the encouragement of family members, he soon discovers he does have a special place in his family after all!
This encouraging story helps reassure children that they too have a special place in their own family tree and even had an activity at the back to help children brainstorm to discover their special talent. Each of us plays a special part in our families, even if we don't see that special something at first. It also sparks curiosity in genealogy and is meant to encourage children to explore their own family tree. There is space at the end of the book to create your own family tree, which my children were excited to fill out.
While geared toward the younger crowd as it is a fairly short read, my children (ages 6 and 10) still enjoyed the story and cute illustrations and were sparked to explore their own family tree. They liked when Wombat finally discovered his special place in his family tree!
I received an advance copy of this book, however, all opinions expressed are my own and honest
This encouraging story helps reassure children that they too have a special place in their own family tree and even had an activity at the back to help children brainstorm to discover their special talent. Each of us plays a special part in our families, even if we don't see that special something at first. It also sparks curiosity in genealogy and is meant to encourage children to explore their own family tree. There is space at the end of the book to create your own family tree, which my children were excited to fill out.
While geared toward the younger crowd as it is a fairly short read, my children (ages 6 and 10) still enjoyed the story and cute illustrations and were sparked to explore their own family tree. They liked when Wombat finally discovered his special place in his family tree!
I received an advance copy of this book, however, all opinions expressed are my own and honest
February 28, 2024
Thank you so much to Thomas Nelson Childrens and Netgalley for the ebook to read and review.
Wombat has a school project to create a family tree, he reaches out to all his family and gets sent many replies, but each one has a talent, leaving wombat worried what was his.
This was cute, I really loved seeing how he was learning so much about his family and that through the illustrations we could see each family member and what their hobby was. I really loved looking at the illustrations, seeing his family get bigger and bigger, it was so sweet.
The story was cute, little Wombat tried everything his family loved but didn’t know what he was good at until his family helped him understand how talented he really was. I really enjoyed Wombat he was so sweet and really loved his family. The illustrations throughout were all really lovely to look at, the wombat family were also wonderfully drawn.
I liked that after the story it was included with a few activists for readers to do, they could make their own family tree and write or draw what they were good at doing, I love how it encourages children to learn about themselves through these activities.
Wombat has a school project to create a family tree, he reaches out to all his family and gets sent many replies, but each one has a talent, leaving wombat worried what was his.
This was cute, I really loved seeing how he was learning so much about his family and that through the illustrations we could see each family member and what their hobby was. I really loved looking at the illustrations, seeing his family get bigger and bigger, it was so sweet.
The story was cute, little Wombat tried everything his family loved but didn’t know what he was good at until his family helped him understand how talented he really was. I really enjoyed Wombat he was so sweet and really loved his family. The illustrations throughout were all really lovely to look at, the wombat family were also wonderfully drawn.
I liked that after the story it was included with a few activists for readers to do, they could make their own family tree and write or draw what they were good at doing, I love how it encourages children to learn about themselves through these activities.
March 25, 2024
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.
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 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.
* 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.
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 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.
* 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.
March 31, 2024
This book would be a great place to start a conversation with young kids about their family history and the many stories of their loved ones. Though it does not have an overt faith aspect, it could also be used to talk about how God made each of us unique.
In the story, Womat starts gathering family photos and stories and then starts trying out some of his family members' interests to find his own special talents. As a mom and teacher, I would definitely emphasize the places where multiples tries are encouraged (the baking and the art) and the end where kids can write down their strengths and discover that they "might even have a couple somethings!"
I love the author's note and the end pages showing the different family members (whose names all start with "W"), as well as the place in the back where kids can draw or write their family members' and special community members' pictures or names. Very fun!
Thank you to Tommy Nelson for sending me a copy of this book. As always, all opinions are my own.
In the story, Womat starts gathering family photos and stories and then starts trying out some of his family members' interests to find his own special talents. As a mom and teacher, I would definitely emphasize the places where multiples tries are encouraged (the baking and the art) and the end where kids can write down their strengths and discover that they "might even have a couple somethings!"
I love the author's note and the end pages showing the different family members (whose names all start with "W"), as well as the place in the back where kids can draw or write their family members' and special community members' pictures or names. Very fun!
Thank you to Tommy Nelson for sending me a copy of this book. As always, all opinions are my own.
May 22, 2024
A slightly confused piece, where a young wombat (handily called Wombat) is tasked by school to make a family tree. He jumps into this with gusto, getting no end of information, contacts, stories and photos – but then the whole thing branches to one side as he tries and fails to find the one true and honest thing about him that would define his place in the family. He tries baking, ballet and much more from other ends of the alphabet, but all in vain – until everything resolves, and we get the chance to do our own family tree and work out what we'd be known for, as well. Personally I'd wait until the school told you to do such things, and personally I don't think this is any better for combining the two halves of it. Still, if you feel a primer in family history studies needs a side-lesson in perseverance, I'd go for this as opposed to any other option, as I'd be highly surprised there was another such combination to choose. Three and a half stars.
May 30, 2026
Wombat and the Family Tree is a children’s book written and illustrated by Marietta Apollonio.
Summary: A wombat learns about his family history and works to discover his special talent.
My Thoughts: This book wasn’t my favorite. I felt like there were two different story lines (learning what you are good at, and learning about your family), and they weren’t connected very well in the book.
I can see where the author was going with the story, but it just didn’t work for me.
I wish the focus would have been on the family tree, as that was discussed in the very beginning of the book with the author sharing her own family history (which was very interesting.)
Learning about talents and giftings really could have had their own separate book.
In the end, this was an OK book, but more of a one-time read for me.
I would like to thank Tommy Nelson for providing me with a hard copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Summary: A wombat learns about his family history and works to discover his special talent.
My Thoughts: This book wasn’t my favorite. I felt like there were two different story lines (learning what you are good at, and learning about your family), and they weren’t connected very well in the book.
I can see where the author was going with the story, but it just didn’t work for me.
I wish the focus would have been on the family tree, as that was discussed in the very beginning of the book with the author sharing her own family history (which was very interesting.)
Learning about talents and giftings really could have had their own separate book.
In the end, this was an OK book, but more of a one-time read for me.
I would like to thank Tommy Nelson for providing me with a hard copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
February 18, 2024
I received an electronic ARC from Thomas Nelson: CHILDREN'S through NetGalley.
Charming story of a wombat assigned to create their family tree. I appreciate that Apollonio offered so much informative text prior to beginning the story. Readers are offered the opportunity to understand extended relations and how widespread wombat families are. For Wombat, gathering the information on his relatives is easy. He compiles their "somethings" and begins creating his project. Sadly, he can't figure out what his "something" is so experiments with a variety of areas. Finally, at the family reunion, he discovers his gift as he is an artist who created the beautiful family tree.
Apollonio uses a gentle and encouraging tone throughout the story. Readers will connect with Wombat and his attempts to figure out what he is good at. They may also want to explore their own families.
Charming story of a wombat assigned to create their family tree. I appreciate that Apollonio offered so much informative text prior to beginning the story. Readers are offered the opportunity to understand extended relations and how widespread wombat families are. For Wombat, gathering the information on his relatives is easy. He compiles their "somethings" and begins creating his project. Sadly, he can't figure out what his "something" is so experiments with a variety of areas. Finally, at the family reunion, he discovers his gift as he is an artist who created the beautiful family tree.
Apollonio uses a gentle and encouraging tone throughout the story. Readers will connect with Wombat and his attempts to figure out what he is good at. They may also want to explore their own families.
March 27, 2024
Who is an ancestor? What is genealogy? What is a family tree?
Little wombat had a school project that was to reach everyone in his extended family to find out everything possible and to make a family tree. Everyone had a talent that made them special but what about him? He was making the family tree and getting ready for a family reunion! That is special!
A group of wombats is called a Wisdom.
The illustrations by the author are clear, imaginative, colorful, and FUN.
Well suited for reading WITH someone of any age including ESL, and great for gifting to anyone, but especially to a school or your local public library.
I requested and received a free temporary e-book on Adobe Digital Editions from Thomas Nelson: CHILDREN'S | Tommy Nelson via NetGalley. Thank you!
Available 26 Mar 2024
Little wombat had a school project that was to reach everyone in his extended family to find out everything possible and to make a family tree. Everyone had a talent that made them special but what about him? He was making the family tree and getting ready for a family reunion! That is special!
A group of wombats is called a Wisdom.
The illustrations by the author are clear, imaginative, colorful, and FUN.
Well suited for reading WITH someone of any age including ESL, and great for gifting to anyone, but especially to a school or your local public library.
I requested and received a free temporary e-book on Adobe Digital Editions from Thomas Nelson: CHILDREN'S | Tommy Nelson via NetGalley. Thank you!
Available 26 Mar 2024
February 14, 2025
This is about family trees and also finding your own talents. Wombat is giving a school assignment of doing his family tree. Exploring his family, he sees all their many talents. He then begins to wonder what his talent is and he tries what everyone else does.
It’s funny, it really doesn’t focus on the family tree and how it works and how to make it. It does have a graph, but it’s disappointing about family trees. It pretty much ignores that. It could have mentioned that this person was an aunt or grandfather and had this talent and didn’t.
The artwork was cute. The wombats are very cute. Watercolor and ink mix with digital colors for the medium
I gotta say, this was a little disappointing. Oh well. Kids interested in cute animals and finding your talents will enjoy this.
It’s funny, it really doesn’t focus on the family tree and how it works and how to make it. It does have a graph, but it’s disappointing about family trees. It pretty much ignores that. It could have mentioned that this person was an aunt or grandfather and had this talent and didn’t.
The artwork was cute. The wombats are very cute. Watercolor and ink mix with digital colors for the medium
I gotta say, this was a little disappointing. Oh well. Kids interested in cute animals and finding your talents will enjoy this.
April 7, 2024
This is the sweet story of Wombat (a young wombat) who has been tasked with a family tree project. After contacting many of his relatives, Wombat becomes distraught. All of Wombats family members are so talented but he doesn’t know what his special gift is. While working on the project, Wombat tries to figure out what makes him unique.
This book would make a great addition to any school or home library. It provides a great lead into learning about family trees. It also provides a great discussion on discovering ones unique talents and how each person’s skills are different.
Wombat and the Family Tree is written and beautifully illustrated by Marietta Apollonio. I love that there is space in the back of the book for a child to work on their own family tree.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This book would make a great addition to any school or home library. It provides a great lead into learning about family trees. It also provides a great discussion on discovering ones unique talents and how each person’s skills are different.
Wombat and the Family Tree is written and beautifully illustrated by Marietta Apollonio. I love that there is space in the back of the book for a child to work on their own family tree.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 18, 2024
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a review.
In general this book is a way to help your child understand how families are connected and the general concept of genealogy. Because this is a picture book for ages 4-8, I was a little overwhelmed by all the information the author put in the author's note. The information is very good but the print and the amount of information is too much. The definitions could have been on one page by itself and the author's explanation of her family should have been in the back of the book. I also felt that the story didn't flow smoothly between the subject of his family tree and the subject of the "something" that he was good at. Both good things but it just didn't flow for me.
In general this book is a way to help your child understand how families are connected and the general concept of genealogy. Because this is a picture book for ages 4-8, I was a little overwhelmed by all the information the author put in the author's note. The information is very good but the print and the amount of information is too much. The definitions could have been on one page by itself and the author's explanation of her family should have been in the back of the book. I also felt that the story didn't flow smoothly between the subject of his family tree and the subject of the "something" that he was good at. Both good things but it just didn't flow for me.
November 9, 2023
In Wombat and the Family Tree, little Wombat is tasked with creating his family tree for a school project. As he uncovers family members from his wisdom (a group of wombats), he starts to wonder what his special talent may be. After some failed attempts, Wombat stumbles upon his unique gift.
This book had beautiful illustrations and a really sweet message. The author's note also included opportunities to learn some new vocabulary words. This is a darling book for younger kids to facilitate asking questions about where they come from.
Thank you to Thomas Nelson Children's for gifting my family with an ARC to review. All opinions are our own. We enjoyed it!
This book had beautiful illustrations and a really sweet message. The author's note also included opportunities to learn some new vocabulary words. This is a darling book for younger kids to facilitate asking questions about where they come from.
Thank you to Thomas Nelson Children's for gifting my family with an ARC to review. All opinions are our own. We enjoyed it!
November 15, 2023
Wombat is tasked with the assignment to do a family tree for his school project. Wombat learns that each family member has a unique skill. Wombat struggles to find what his talent is. At the end of the story, he realizes what is his skill.
I like that the author included a page with terms children can learn and also an activity page on the back. This is a good book to help guide a conversation with little ones about family, where we come from and what are our strong skills. The illustration are very cute.
I do feel like the story ended abruptly.
Thank you NetGalley, Thomas Nelson:Children’s and Tommy Nelson for sending me an ARC in exchange of an honest review of the book received.
I like that the author included a page with terms children can learn and also an activity page on the back. This is a good book to help guide a conversation with little ones about family, where we come from and what are our strong skills. The illustration are very cute.
I do feel like the story ended abruptly.
Thank you NetGalley, Thomas Nelson:Children’s and Tommy Nelson for sending me an ARC in exchange of an honest review of the book received.
February 22, 2024
Wombat has an assignment to make a family tree in the book Wombat and the Family Tree by Marietta Apollonio. Wombat is collecting information about all his relatives for his family tree. He begins to notice that everyone seems to have a special talent. Wombat wants to find his own talent but everything he tries seems to be wrong. When Wombat finally starts to put together his family tree, he discovers something special of his own. This is a sweet story with lovely illustrations. It conveys the value of family and of self. I recieved a free copy of the ebook from NetGalley for the purpose of review.
April 15, 2024
This book is all over the place. There is no cohesive storytelling. The book starts out with some front piece about genealogy and history and definitions, which are lovely, but I think should be at the end of the book. Wombat is given a project to learn about his family history and create a family tree. And he realizes that his family members do various things, he’s trying to find his thing. At the end, they have a family reunion and wombat shows everybody his family tree. For me the best part of this book is the art. The artwork is fantastic. It puts a smile on your face and has a happy feel. I just wish the storytelling lived up to the art.
January 27, 2024
Another winner from author-illustrator Marietta Apollonio, author of JACK THE LIBRARY CAT!
This warm, whimsical picture books is like a big hug to read and view!
Marietta Apollonio honors the many iterations we have as family with the time-honored family tree project that can make some kids feel left out.
Wombat fixes that and finds his "something" that make him unique. This picture book shares a universal message of acceptance and finding yourself.
Re-read- to discover all the fun "Easter eggs" in the art, an homage to fuzzy-headed artist I love.
This warm, whimsical picture books is like a big hug to read and view!
Marietta Apollonio honors the many iterations we have as family with the time-honored family tree project that can make some kids feel left out.
Wombat fixes that and finds his "something" that make him unique. This picture book shares a universal message of acceptance and finding yourself.
Re-read- to discover all the fun "Easter eggs" in the art, an homage to fuzzy-headed artist I love.
February 13, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this book in exchange for my review! All opinions are my own.
As someone who grew up wondering about family history and my ancestors, I thought this book was super charming. If I had a child, I would share this book with them. I loved the adorable illustrations.
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As someone who grew up wondering about family history and my ancestors, I thought this book was super charming. If I had a child, I would share this book with them. I loved the adorable illustrations.
Connect with Me <3
My blog is https://bookreviewsbyjules.blogspot.com/
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Thank you!
February 25, 2024
[Thanks to Netgalley and Tommy Nelson Children’s Publishing for the chance to read this book.] Wombat has a family tree assignment and learns that his family members all have special talents that make them special. This book follows Wombat as they try to find their own special talent. I loved how the book included activities at the end for readers to make their own family tree as well! This was a cute book for any child who is interested in hobbies or learning more about their genealogy and lineage.
March 24, 2024
Wombat’s Family Tree project opens a wonderful window into Wombat’s “wisdom.” (Wisdom is the adorable name for a group of wombats.) As wombat identifies his relatives, near and far, he discovers what each individual wombat’s special talent is. So Wombat embarks on a quest to find his special talent, too!
Bright, cute illustrations abound! While too lengthy for a typical Storytime picture book, Wombat and the Family Tree will be a gem for lower elementary classroom use. The included activities will lead to fun projects for other little wombats or little humans!
Bright, cute illustrations abound! While too lengthy for a typical Storytime picture book, Wombat and the Family Tree will be a gem for lower elementary classroom use. The included activities will lead to fun projects for other little wombats or little humans!
May 8, 2024
WOMBAT AND THE FAMILY TREE shares an important theme about the value of family – both those we’re born into, and those we form. It also shows a young child on a quest to find their own passion and identity, and being persistent in meeting a goal. The book’s endearing wombat characters will delight children, and the back matter invites readers to draw their own family tree and think about the qualities that make them unique. This heartwarming book would be a lovely addition to any children’s bookshelf!
December 3, 2023
Wombat had a school project to do: making a family tree. For children, this is not interesting. It wasn't until adulthood that my roots interest me. Then again, sometimes it's boring to learn about someone you didn't know exactly who. But this is a good start for children to learn about their extended family. Some family have a secret here and there, and learning about them is good. You might get inspired by their specialties.
December 11, 2023
A cute, easy, read. Perfect for kids ranging in age from 2-9. We enjoyed reading this book thoroughly, so much so that my 7 year old read it a second time to her younger siblings! For the older kids, it opened up the conversation of our own family tree, as well as our individual talents. They are excited to make a family tree of their own over the upcoming school break. This also led us on a learning journey about wombats & other marsupials! Definitely a story we will read again and again.
January 22, 2024
The charming and talented author/ illustrator, Marietta Apollonio celebrates family in her latest book, Wombat and the Family Tree. You will delight in her joyful color palette illuminating the sweet story of Wombat, his relatives, and a school project. Wombat wants to do his best. If only he knew what his special something was. Marietta’s author note introduces young readers to genealogy and is a book families will want to read over and over.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews