January Read Aloud: The Wombles
If you are looking for a cosy, imaginative book that celebrates caring for the environment, community living, and creative problem-solving, The Wombles by Elisabeth Beresford may be the right choice. This classic story introduces children to a group of unusual creatures who live quietly in the countryside, helping clean up after humans and turning discarded items into useful treasures.
Below is a book synopsis, a fun discussion about what a Womble might be, and a few hands-on activities to extend the learning.
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| Book Cover |
Genre: Children’s fiction
Best for ages: 6–10 (read-aloud or independent reading)
The story follows a community of Wombles who live on Wimbledon Common in England. Each Womble has a distinct personality, from the wise and thoughtful Great Uncle Bulgaria to the energetic and curious younger Wombles. Their main mission is simple but meaningful: they collect litter left behind by humans and reuse it to make tools, furniture, and household items.
The writing style is warm, humorous, and easy to follow, making it perfect for young readers. Children quickly grow attached to the characters and enjoy spotting the clever ways the Wombles solve everyday problems.
Themes children will notice:
- Caring for the environment
- Recycling and reusing materials
- Working together as a community
- Respecting nature and living quietly alongside humans
This book opens the door to conversations about sustainability without being preachy, making it a great candidate for a read aloud.
What Kind of Creature Is a Womble?
Although Wombles are fictional, they share traits with real animals. Based on their habits and appearance, a Womble seems most similar to a burrowing mammal.
Here are some clues from the book:
- Wombles live underground in burrows
- They are furry and warm-blooded
- They come out mostly at night or when humans are not around
- They are excellent diggers and collectors
Likely real-world animal inspirations include:
- Badgers
- Moles
- Shrews
- Hedgehogs
- Groundhogs
Like these animals, Wombles are shy, practical, and closely connected to the land. This makes The Wombles a great springboard into animal classification lessons about mammals, habitats, and adaptations.
Fun Learning Activities to Extend The Wombles
1. Build a Womble Burrow
Use cardboard boxes, paper towel tubes, blankets, and cushions to create an underground Womble home. Encourage children to label different rooms such as a storage area, sleeping space, or workshop.
Skills practiced:
- Engineering and design
- Spatial reasoning
- Imaginative play
2. Reuse and Create
Just like the Wombles, challenge kids to create something useful using recycled items such as bottle caps, cereal boxes, or fabric scraps.
Ideas include:
- A pencil holder
- A small toy vehicle
- A bird feeder
Skills practiced:
- Creativity
- Environmental awareness
- Fine motor skills
3. Animal Comparison Chart
Have children compare Wombles to real animals such as badgers or moles.
Create a simple chart with categories like:
- Habitat
- Diet
- Body covering
- Special skills
This helps children understand how fictional creatures are often inspired by real science.
4. Community Helpers Discussion
Talk about how Wombles help their environment quietly and consistently.
Ask questions like:
- Who helps keep our community clean?
- What small jobs can kids do to help nature?
- Why is it important to care for shared spaces?
Follow up with a simple neighborhood clean-up or recycling activity.
5. Womble Character Writing
Ask children to invent their own Womble character.
They can write or draw:
- The Womble’s name
- Their special job
- What they collect
- Where they live
This is a great creative writing or journaling activity for reluctant writers.
Take Away
The Wombles is more than a charming story. It is a gentle lesson in responsibility, creativity, and respect for the world around us. Whether you use it as a read-aloud, a novel study, or a launching point for hands-on projects, this book encourages children to think thoughtfully about their impact on the environment.
For families who enjoy stories like The Wild Robot or nature-based fiction, The Wombles is a timeless addition to your bookshelf.
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