The Wombles

First in what became a series of over 20 books about the creatures living in a large burrow underneath Wimbledon Common, who make a living by collecting and re-using the rubbish left behind by careless humans.

I first met the Wombles in the form of the 1970s BBC stop motion animated series, which so thoroughly burnt itself into my brain that I kept flashing on scenes from the show as I was reading. Thus the otherwise delightful illustrations by Margaret Gordon were a little disconcerting, as the tv puppets are significantly different in appearance. Nevertheless, it was most enjoyable re-visiting the Wombles in written format.

The book is written for small children, and thus is on a relatively simple reading level. But it's by no means show more trite -- the stories discuss human behaviour without heavy-handed moralising, and the Wombles helped start an interest in my generation of children in recycling. Each chapter is an incident in the life of the Wombles, which can work almost as a standalone story, but there's an overall story arc throughout the book, covering nearly a year. It's primarily from the viewpoint of young Bungo, who at the start of the book has just reached the age at which he is allowed to choose a name for himself from Great Uncle Bulgaria's atlas, and then start work as a Womble considered old enough to be allowed out of the burrow on his own. It's an enjoyable quick read for an adult talking a stroll down memory lane. And short though it may be, there's some lovely worldbuilding here, portraying in light but deft strokes a very slightly alien society somewhere just out of sight of our own. show less

Looking at the state of this book, this is a many many time re-read - but probably not in quite some time. It's lovely and engaging. It introduces a number of the Wombles and gives each of them a separate personality. Bungo is the main thread that pulls this together, with the stories taking place over the course of a year, which starts with Bungo picking his name and going out onto the common to tidy for the first time. Thoroughly pleasurable.

Living under Wimbledon common and keeping the greens clean and tidy are a family of Wombles. For years it has been their duty to collect, clear and recycle any and all manner of things we messy humans leave behind. Form scarves and umbrellas to buses and cement trucks, the Wombles have managed to reuse and borrow all that they need. But it's not just at Wimbledon where Wombles can be found.

The Wombles introduces these much loved creatures to a new generation of young readers. With their mini adventures, various foods and capacity for finding the lost and discarded, these delightful Wombles will have you laughing along with them in their various antics. A much loved story that children of all ages will adore.

The wombles are some of the greatest children's book characters I have ever encountered. The books are smart, environmentally aware and fun! Suitable even for adults :)

I wonder if this is like The Borrowers....
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It is, sort of. Wombles are nearly the size of humans, and can be mistaken for them if they're discreet. But they do live off our leavings and are clever & 'cute.'

I'm not interested in the sequels. I probably would have been when I was a child, though.

They have been reissued as ebooks; if you're interested, check your library.

Fun to read and its funny. it has good expression.

A fun romp through Wombledom.