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Witch & Wombat
Every witch will want a wombat after reading this humorous picture book perfect for little readers who want a new pet!
Wilma, a young witch, cannot wait to get her very first cat! But when the pet store is fresh out of kittens, Wilma brings home. . . a wombat?! What a CAT-astrophe! A wombat is nothing like a cat, but maybe if Wilma puts cat ears on the little critter, no one will notice. . . . (Spoiler they do.)
This bright and fun picture book teaches young witches that our differences can be our strengths when we have an open mind!
Wilma, a young witch, cannot wait to get her very first cat! But when the pet store is fresh out of kittens, Wilma brings home. . . a wombat?! What a CAT-astrophe! A wombat is nothing like a cat, but maybe if Wilma puts cat ears on the little critter, no one will notice. . . . (Spoiler they do.)
This bright and fun picture book teaches young witches that our differences can be our strengths when we have an open mind!
40 pages, Library Binding
First published July 4, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
October 25, 2023
So cute and incredibly sweet message!
Love the illustrations too (and the “hidden” cats bats and spiders in most every page).
Great story about acceptance, adjusting expectations, and learning that in doing so you can see the positives you never expected.
Plus it includes awesome facts about wombats!!
Love the illustrations too (and the “hidden” cats bats and spiders in most every page).
Great story about acceptance, adjusting expectations, and learning that in doing so you can see the positives you never expected.
Plus it includes awesome facts about wombats!!
September 13, 2023
This is such a cute book.
November 1, 2024
Cute story, adorable artwork. The story itself was sparse, though the meaning was clear, but the artwork was fantastic.
October 4, 2023
This was such a cute book! Great for Halloween time but it works the rest of the year too. The story is about appreciating what you have instead of what you think you want. It's done in such a cute style and incorporates wombat facts. What's not to love.
October 19, 2023
I would have given this book four stars (the story is adorable), but I didn't like the overuse of the clipart speech bubbles. It cheapened the illustrations and ruined the flow of the text. Text bubbles can be used to benefit the story, but I didn't feel that occured here. In general, I'm not a huge fan of digital art, so I think had the illustrations been hand drawn, the book may have resonated better with me.
November 12, 2024
Good ENOUGH.
September 3, 2023
Perfect for a Halloween-themed read aloud collection, this picture book reminds readers to accept others as they are and not try to make them into something they aren't, even if they are wombats. Most youngsters associate witches with potions, spells, broomsticks, and black cats. But in this picture book, a young witch named Wilma is eager to adopt her very first black cat. But the pet store has had a run on requests for felines, and there's only a wombat for Wilma in place of the cat she expected to get. Still, Wilma figures that she can somehow train the wombat to engage in feline behavior. Nothing works, and in frustration, Wilma expresses her disappointment with her new pet. Wombat disappears, digging a large tunnel in which he hides in order to study up on proper cat behavior. When Wilma realizes the mistake she's made and how much the wombat loves her if he's making this much effort to please her, she decides to focus on his positives and what he brings to the table that a cat cannot. Even though Wilma wanted a cat, her wombat turns out to be just purr-fect, minus the purring, for her needs. The artwork, created with Procreate, consists of many funny scenes, and the text contains some clever wordplay. All in all, the story is entertaining but also containing an important message about making the best of what we get even when it isn't what we originally thought we wanted. And who says a wombat can't accompany a young witch? Stranger things have happened.
October 1, 2023
Blurb: Witch & Wombat by Ashley Belote and Random House Book for Young Readers, follows Wilma, a witch who can’t wait to get her own cat - just like every other witch has! However, when she arrives at the pet store, she finds they’re fresh out of cats and sends her home with a wombat instead! Wilma’s wombat is not what she expected at all. But her wombat is exactly what she needed.
Heather Macht says: Belote’s adorable text paired with her vibrant illustrations make a wickedly wonderful story. Readers will instantly fall in love with Wilma and wish for a wombat of their very own. You won’t want to miss Witch & Wombat’s unique and heartwarming tale this spooky season!
Reviewed by seasonsofkidlit.com
Heather Macht says: Belote’s adorable text paired with her vibrant illustrations make a wickedly wonderful story. Readers will instantly fall in love with Wilma and wish for a wombat of their very own. You won’t want to miss Witch & Wombat’s unique and heartwarming tale this spooky season!
Reviewed by seasonsofkidlit.com
October 5, 2023
Wilma the witch can’t believe the day has finally come - the day she gets her very own witch’s cat. A fitting pet to accompany a budding witch at moonlit broom flights, potion brew sessions, and spell-casting lessons. Her disappointment is big when she receives a wombat instead of a cat. A plump and heavy animal that can’t land on its feet, is scared of flying and seems to be always in the way. Why did she have to get this useless familiar? But maybe Wilma is wrong, and she can realize how exceptional a wombat can be.
This picture book, with its cute illustrations, didn’t just express the importance of accepting everyone for who they are and opening up to unexpected turnouts and friendships. The story was filled with fascinating facts about wombats that make you appreciate this animal. A wonderful STEM picture book for every little witch or warlock out there.
This picture book, with its cute illustrations, didn’t just express the importance of accepting everyone for who they are and opening up to unexpected turnouts and friendships. The story was filled with fascinating facts about wombats that make you appreciate this animal. A wonderful STEM picture book for every little witch or warlock out there.
September 24, 2023
"Witch & Wombat" is a picture book about a young witch's journey to discovering her perfect spell-casting accomplice. Wilma has her heart set on a cat - the favored pet among her witchy crew. But when the local pet store is all out, she ends up with a wombat, who seems not at all suited for witch sidekick status. When with disappointment one day, Wilma casts him away, she finds him burrowed in and committed to becoming the pet she professes to want. "Witch & Wombat" delivers all the Halloween eye candy a reader might crave and resolves just as sweetly.
April 21, 2024
I read this book as an adult reader for the AR Diamond Book Award. It was a cute story about a girl/witch that gets a wombat instead of a cat. She learns that you can't try to change people or things (like a wombat) to be something that you want. Good growth throughout by the main character. Nice, clean, crisp illustrations throughout with some hidden little details in the back. Overall, it was good.
October 9, 2023
It's adorable, but illustrations and story.
Wilma wants a pet cat but the store is out and she comes home with a wombat (and a piranha). She learns how a wombat does not meet the criteria of a pet cat, however maybe a wombat is just perfect in its own right. I love the black background/space rather than white. The details in the illustrations are perfect and add so much.
Wilma wants a pet cat but the store is out and she comes home with a wombat (and a piranha). She learns how a wombat does not meet the criteria of a pet cat, however maybe a wombat is just perfect in its own right. I love the black background/space rather than white. The details in the illustrations are perfect and add so much.
October 13, 2023
Wilma the witch has been waiting for her very own kitty. But all the pet store had left was a wombat. Now the two will have to learn to work together.
Why I started this book: Great illustrations and wombats!
Why I finished it: Strong Halloween edition to my library and I'm eager to share it.
Why I started this book: Great illustrations and wombats!
Why I finished it: Strong Halloween edition to my library and I'm eager to share it.
November 2, 2023
When the stores is out of cats, Wilma the witch gets a wombat instead. She doesn't have whiskers and is afraid to ride the broom. But eventually Wilma learns to appreciate her for what she is (a great digger of tunnels)
Really fun, especially for wombat lovers! Includes fun wombat facts (like cube shaped poop and a backward facing pouch).
Really fun, especially for wombat lovers! Includes fun wombat facts (like cube shaped poop and a backward facing pouch).
November 29, 2023
This book is adorable. The art is fantastic, and the storyline is heartwarming. Although it does not have to be read at Halloween, I appreciate a non-scary approach to a witch book. I also love that this book subtly incorporates wombat facts into it as well as adds some more information in the back. What's not to love?
September 2, 2023
A young witch wants a cat familiar, but ends up with a wombat. A lot of visual comedy with her trying to push the slothful wombat around. At first she wishes she had a cat instead, but she gets attached to the wombat.
November 4, 2024
**This book is being considered as a nominee for next year’s Beehive Book Award for Children in Utah. My review reflects my thoughts as it pertains to that consideration.**
Really cute story, certainly good for Storytime
Storytime Themes: Halloween, Pets
Really cute story, certainly good for Storytime
Storytime Themes: Halloween, Pets
August 8, 2023
3.5 stars
August 22, 2023
Super cute Halloween book about acceptance and friendship without being scary
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August 29, 2023EpicFest 2023 author/illustrator. Adorable (surprisingly not-Halloween) book about a young witch and her slightly-chubby wombat.
August 30, 2023
The illustrations are wonderful!
August 30, 2023
A young witch gets a wombat instead of a cat. Doesn't seem like that will work well for her. Don't judge until you read the whole story!
September 13, 2023
Loved it! About a witch's familiar. She wants a cat but ends up with a wombat.
September 23, 2023
Cute, my daughter made me read it many times over
October 23, 2023
Cute story that sneaks in interesting wombat facts.
October 26, 2023
This book is adorable. Highly recommend.
December 18, 2023
Oddly enough, this is the second book I've read with this title.
January 21, 2024
This was an instant Halloween favorite in our house! Adorable characters!
May 22, 2024
Late October worthy. Lots of wombat poo.
May 24, 2024
Cute story and sweet illustrations but I did find the speech bubbles a distraction that made it more difficult to read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews