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Wurrtoo

The Wombat Who Fell in Love with the Sky
By Tylissa Elisara
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Brief Description
WINNER OF THE 2024 READINGS CHILDREN'S BOOK PRIZEWINNER OF THE 2025 ABIA BOOK OF THE YEAR FOR YOUNGER CHILDREN (AGES 7-12)Described as an Indigenous Blinky Bill meets Winnie the Pooh, this heartwarming and beautifully illustrated middle-grade novel from 2021 black&write! fellow Tylissa Elisara follows Wurrtoo the... Read More
Format: Hardback
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Described as an Indigenous Blinky Bill meets Winnie the Pooh, this heartwarming and beautifully illustrated middle-grade novel from 2021 black&write! fellow Tylissa Elisara follows Wurrtoo the wombat on his quest to marry the love of his life, the sky, while facing his fears and learning the importance of friendship along the way.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description
WINNER OF THE 2024 READINGS CHILDREN'S BOOK PRIZE

WINNER OF THE 2025 ABIA BOOK OF THE YEAR FOR YOUNGER CHILDREN (AGES 7-12)

Described as an Indigenous Blinky Bill meets Winnie the Pooh, this heartwarming and beautifully illustrated middle-grade novel from 2021 black&write! fellow Tylissa Elisara follows Wurrtoo the wombat on his quest to marry the love of his life, the sky, while facing his fears and learning the importance of friendship along the way.

It all began in a burrow. The fifty-fifth burrow of Bushland Avenue to be exact. If you were ever lucky enough to find this beautiful clearing on Kangaroo Island where the arching gum trees kiss, you'd know that Wurrtoo's home is the one at the end with the big red trapdoor and large gold doorknob. Can you see it?

Wurrtoo the wombat lives a quiet and solitary life in his burrow on Kangaroo Island, hoping to one day travel to the mainland and marry the love of his life, the sky. When Wurrtoo inadvertently saves Kuula the koala from a bushfire, he acquires the adventure companion he didn't know he needed.

With Kuula by his side, Wurrtoo leaves the safety of his burrow and sets out on an epic journey to cross the island, reach the mainland and climb to the top of tallest tree in the Forest of Dreaming. But it's fire season, and danger and strange creatures lurk behind every gum tree. To make it, the pair must face their fears together, learn the importance of friendship and discover the power of wombat wishes.

Tylissa Elisara draws on classic children's literature in the tradition of Winnie the Pooh and Blinky Bill as well as stories from her own Narungga, Kaurna and Adnyamathanha heritage in this unique middle-grade novel about friendship, adventure and facing your fears.

'Passionately researched . . . Vividly imaginative . . . A story of the power of friendship, bravery and growth beyond comfort zones, for readers aged 9 and up' BOOKS+PUBLISHING

'Irresistibly playful . . . Told with such humour and whimsy I was charmed from the very beginning . . . Wurrtoo will find a place in the heart of children everywhere' READINGS

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780734421982

Publisher: Hachette Australia

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 27 March 2024

Country: Australia

Imprint: Lothian Books

Contributors:

  • Illustrated by Dylan Finney

Audience: Children

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 24.0mm

Width: 134.0mm

Height: 204.0mm

Weight: 268g

Pages: 160

Collections

Children's Books Children's Fiction Children’s, Teenage and Educational Tylissa Elisara Young Adult

About the Author

Tylissa Elisara (Author)

Tylissa Elisara is a children's social worker who lives and works in Meanjin (Brisbane) with her husband and children. She descends from the Narungga, Kaurna and Adnyamathanha people of South Australia and was born and raised on Mamu Country in Innisfail, Queensland - a heritage, alongside her Irish ancestry, that she proudly regards as a long legacy of storytelling. Tylissa is studying a Master of Writing, Editing and Publishing at the University of Queensland. Wurrtoo is her first novel.

Dylan Finney (Illustrator)

Dylan Finney is an Australian-born graphic designer and artist. He is a proud descendant of the Yanula and Mara clans, and also has English and Irish heritage. He lives on Darkinjung land. His work explores identity and culture - inspired by people, places, animals, light and colour. Dylan lives on the NSW Central Coast.

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