Member Reviews

After young Wombat is assigned a family tree poster project., he starts to gather stories, photos and inspiration from wombats near and far.

Each of them has a 'special something of their own'. Wombat wonders what his own something is and worries 'What if I don't have a something?'

Of course, Wombat does find his own special something.

Was this review helpful?

A story about Wombat learning about his family tree for school. But in the process starts questioning if he belongs in his family or not. And what he learns. This would be a great book to use to help get kids interested in learning abut their family trees.

Was this review helpful?

This was cute, but I enjoyed the illustrations more than the storyline. Though the overall message was good, the plot felt a little too meandering to be able to really make the point it was trying to make.

Was this review helpful?

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.

Was this review helpful?

This was a cute little picture book with beautiful illustrations that introduces children to the concept of genealogy.

Was this review helpful?

This is a very cute story about an adorable wombat trying to figure out what makes him a special part of his family. While making his family tree he sees what other family members are good at and wonders what makes him stick out as special in his family.
I read this to the 3 and 5 year old girls I nanny. The 5 year old enjoyed it very much and was excited to follow the story. The 3 year old loved the illustrations but did not follow the storyline as well. Overall, it kept both of them engaged and they were having fun telling me their special talents after we were done reading the book.
I am grateful to the publishers and Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advanced digital copy of this cute children's book. My review is given voluntarily and all opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?

A cute, bright book about wombat and him trying to pain his family tree. It was cute to watch him trying to figure out what he was good out. Sitting down and taking the time to curate what he wanted to do and everyone loved it.
I like how at the end there is a place for the child to do his/her family tree and brainstorm their special something.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

Was this review helpful?

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.

Was this review helpful?

Cute, simple book about discovering your family history and what makes you special. It’s not very often I come across a book for children about family history and ancestry so I think this is a book a lot of families would find useful.

Was this review helpful?

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.

Was this review helpful?

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

Was this review helpful?

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!

Was this review helpful?

A big thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Children's for the eARC. I am voluntarily reviewing this book. This is a children's book. I found this to be a very interesting story, with everyone having something to contribute. A family history project. Fun and cute graphics. 4. 5 stars Genealogy does not have to be boring.

Was this review helpful?

The book overall was cute. The illustrations and colors are beautiful. I personally had a hard time reading the ARC file. The pages just didn’t mesh well on the app, but obviously that’s just a technical issue.

I love the pages at the end that says to draw your family and the last page that says to brainstorm about what something’s the child is good at.

Super cute book.

Was this review helpful?

Dawsyn and I try and soak up any minute together reading or playing in the afternoon without the little two. We got a chance to read Wombat and the Family Tree by Marietta Apollonio coming out March 25. It was so cute to them talk about our family tree afterward! It is a really cute story with a big concept for kids. I loved how the author explained it, and used this storyline to take it to a child’s level. It amazed me that she not only wrote the book, but illustrated it also. Thank you @netgalley @mariettaapollonio @thomasnelsonpublishing for the advance copy. 🌳👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 #netgalley

Was this review helpful?

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.

Was this review helpful?

[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.

Was this review helpful?

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.

Was this review helpful?

Wombat jumps into researching his family tree and quickly starts to worry that he doesn't have a special talent like the rest of his relatives. When he finds his own "thing," he is celebrated by his whole family. This story is heartwarming, and the illustrations are wonderful, but it might not be for every kid.

Was this review helpful?

first of all, the illustrations are adorable!

the lesson in this book for children is really nice, especially in a certain moment of their time where they want so bad to be "someone". there is also a nice emphasis of family support which shows how important it is for a child. the activities at the end are so cute, made me want to get my own book so i could do it myself! i highly recommend it

Was this review helpful?