The Wombats Go Wild for Words

Evergreen Forest is “a very nice forest with very nice trees and very nice flowers,” writes Ferry (Prunella). It’s also very dull, at least until a trio of “word-loving, wandering wombats” arrive and launch a linguistic awakening among the forest’s inhabitants. With an eager duckling following along, the irrepressible marsupials teach “tired” and “very tired” turtles new descriptors for their state: exhausted and weary. Catching on fast, the turtles realize after a rest and a snack that revitalized and invigorated best suit how they’re now feeling. Inspired, the duckling helps school her own family: why describe flowers as “nice” when exquisite and fragrant are so much more delicious to say? Their work done, the wombats deputize the ducky star pupil with an “Honorary Word Wombat” badge. And when she tells them “things won’t be the same without you,” they respond with apt assurance: “They’ll be EXTRAORDINARY!” Buoyant mixed-media illustrations by Nichols (Finnegan Fox) underscore the forest’s transformation with playful textures, round shapes, and mind-expanding words set in bold black capitals. It’s a read that relishes how richer words aren’t just the stuff of vocabulary lists but splendiferous tools for understanding the world. Ages 4–8. Author’s agent: Elena Giovinazzo, Pippin Properties. Illustrator’s agent: Joanna Volpe, Heirloom Literary & Media. (June)