Inspired by viral online stories during the 2019-2020 wildfires in Australia featuring wombats ‘saving’ other animals taking shelter in their burrows, here is a lyrical story about strangers in need of refuge.

Up on the hill, Wallaby licks a puddle’s last drop. Skink slips into the shade. Echidna hides in grass as dry as tinder. Under the hill, Wombat carves out a cave that’s all his own. Then—KABOOM!—lightning strikes.

Written in simple and concise language perfect for a read aloud, award-winning author Sarah L. Thomson invites readers to see through the eyes of a wombat as a fire rages through Australian outback. Nearly 3 billion animals were affected by the Australian wildfires of 2019-2020, and wombats played a crucial part in allowing their homes to transform as safe havens for other animals whose homes were destroyed in the fires. Paired with stunning and richly layered art by Charles Santoso, Wombat Underground teaches us that the time of greatest danger is also the time to open our door to those in the greatest need.

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$23.99 CAD

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Hardcover $18.99 $23.99 CAD

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Sarah L. Thomson

About the Author

Sarah L. Thomson has written many award-winning fiction and nonfiction picture books and novels for young readers, including Wombat Underground: A Wildfire Survival Story, illustrated by Charles Santoso. The text for Brown is Warm, Black is Bright began when Sarah noticed how many picture books celebrating color fail to mention brown and black—two of the loveliest and most prevalent colors in the world. Sarah lives in Portland, Maine, and her website is http://www.sarahlthomson.com.

Keith Mallett is an acclaimed painter, etcher, and ceramic artist who has illustrated numerous children’s books, including When Langston Dances by Kaija Langley, Sing a Song by Kelly Starling Lyons, and Take a Picture of Me, James Van Der Zee! by Andrea J. Loney. His work has been exhibited around the world and is in corporate and private collections, and have appeared in magazines, films, and television shows. He lives in San Diego, California, and he invites you to visit his website, http://www.keithmallett.com.

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Charles Santoso

About the Illustrator

Charles Santoso has illustrated several picture books, including The Snurtch and I Don’t Like Koala. He worked at Animal Logic as a concept artist/art director and was involved in various animated feature film and TV commercial projects. Charles Santoso’s work has been exhibited in Sydney and also internationally in North America and France. He currently lives and works in Singapore.

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