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katykelly's review against another edition
5.0
A classic that my son really took to.
I wasn't expecting it, but my 7-year-old really enjoyed listening to this in the car. He watched the animation as a toddler but didn't remember it. I don't think I ever read the book myself, I think I only know the characters from the TV programme myself.
It's a lovely read, and stands the test of time well, it doesn't use old-fashioned language and the London and world of the time doesn't appear much changed.
Bernard Cribbins does as excellent job narrating the book as he does the TV animation, bringing to life the few Womble characters and their escapades through the seasons, in snow and rain, famine and feast, with visitors and visiting the city.
The stories are entertaining, and the array of characters, from the stately Bulgaria to the young pup Bungo are sympathetic and convey a real 'family' feel to the listener. They care about each other, are all imperfect but all work together at something worthwhile and know their roles.
A lovely listen, and we'll probably be revisiting the DVD now. My son has already asked to listen to this again.
It's so wonderful to see the classics of the period are still relatable. One for ages 6 to 9 particularly.
I wasn't expecting it, but my 7-year-old really enjoyed listening to this in the car. He watched the animation as a toddler but didn't remember it. I don't think I ever read the book myself, I think I only know the characters from the TV programme myself.
It's a lovely read, and stands the test of time well, it doesn't use old-fashioned language and the London and world of the time doesn't appear much changed.
Bernard Cribbins does as excellent job narrating the book as he does the TV animation, bringing to life the few Womble characters and their escapades through the seasons, in snow and rain, famine and feast, with visitors and visiting the city.
The stories are entertaining, and the array of characters, from the stately Bulgaria to the young pup Bungo are sympathetic and convey a real 'family' feel to the listener. They care about each other, are all imperfect but all work together at something worthwhile and know their roles.
A lovely listen, and we'll probably be revisiting the DVD now. My son has already asked to listen to this again.
It's so wonderful to see the classics of the period are still relatable. One for ages 6 to 9 particularly.
lostingothicmusic's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
juniperpages's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
I love the concept of the Wombles and their way of life - collecting rubbish and repairing, reusing and recycling it and always sharing everything. But the fatphobia in this book really makes it read like it’s from the 60s and is pretty egregious in places.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia
kynan's review against another edition
3.0
This was our bedtime book for October, one chapter a night for the most part but sometimes half a chapter depending on how tired everyone was.
I didn't know that the Wombles existed in book form, before they existed in television form and discovered this fact when we were in the UK recently and binging on English-language books whilst they were available. I noticed the Wombles book on the table and decided to grab it, based purely on childhood memories.
From my perspective, it appears that the television series was pretty faithful to the characters from the book. I didn't love the story, but I didn't hate it either. The various Wombles are briefly introduced, mostly just defining their main characteristics (the old, wise Womble, the engineering Womble, the chef Womble, the bumbling nightwatch-Womble, the naive newly graduated Womble, etc). Once the Womble's "character" is defined then the stories spool out, usually following one or two Wombles on a self-contained experience, although there's a fair bit of call-back to previous adventures as the book progresses. There wasn't a lot of exposition and things, both large and small just happen and are passed by without too much delving into the hows or repercussions. Now, with all that said, I suspect I'm no longer the target audience, because the kids (4ish and 7ish) loved it. The chapters were just a smidge too long for my four-year old (although we might have made it through if there was a picture guaranteed in each chapter) which is why we sometimes only read half a chapter at a time.
We didn't read this every night, but it was asked for every night! I asked them both if they liked it when we finished yesterday and they both said they had and demanded that we start on [b:The Wandering Wombles|9555681|The Wandering Wombles|Elisabeth Beresford|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1344315273s/9555681.jpg|2277656] tonight. The children's reviews were: "It was fun, they had a lot of fun! I liked that they were all happy at the midsummer's party. I liked Cousin Yellowstone and Uncle Bulgaria and Tobermory" and "I liked Madame Cholet...can't talk now watching TV."
I didn't know that the Wombles existed in book form, before they existed in television form and discovered this fact when we were in the UK recently and binging on English-language books whilst they were available. I noticed the Wombles book on the table and decided to grab it, based purely on childhood memories.
From my perspective, it appears that the television series was pretty faithful to the characters from the book. I didn't love the story, but I didn't hate it either. The various Wombles are briefly introduced, mostly just defining their main characteristics (the old, wise Womble, the engineering Womble, the chef Womble, the bumbling nightwatch-Womble, the naive newly graduated Womble, etc). Once the Womble's "character" is defined then the stories spool out, usually following one or two Wombles on a self-contained experience, although there's a fair bit of call-back to previous adventures as the book progresses. There wasn't a lot of exposition and things, both large and small just happen and are passed by without too much delving into the hows or repercussions. Now, with all that said, I suspect I'm no longer the target audience, because the kids (4ish and 7ish) loved it. The chapters were just a smidge too long for my four-year old (although we might have made it through if there was a picture guaranteed in each chapter) which is why we sometimes only read half a chapter at a time.
We didn't read this every night, but it was asked for every night! I asked them both if they liked it when we finished yesterday and they both said they had and demanded that we start on [b:The Wandering Wombles|9555681|The Wandering Wombles|Elisabeth Beresford|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1344315273s/9555681.jpg|2277656] tonight. The children's reviews were: "It was fun, they had a lot of fun! I liked that they were all happy at the midsummer's party. I liked Cousin Yellowstone and Uncle Bulgaria and Tobermory" and "I liked Madame Cholet...can't talk now watching TV."
jasmiinaf's review
4.0
I listened this as an audio book and it was great. I fell in love with the cute creatures and the reader was perfect for this book. My favorite character was surprisingly Tomsk.
goonerette's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
nikita_h's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
emilija_kava's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
mat_tobin's review
4.0
What I'd describe as an amalgamation of The Moomins and the make-do-and-mend post-war Britishness, Beresford's Wombles are a delight. I loved each little story which connect to those told previously. Those endearing, if not slightly scary, characters from the 70s are all there and I give full credit to Bernard Cribbens for setting the tone just right, in my opinion.
When they reach a working age, all Wombles are allowed to choose their name from an old atlas and so, much to the consternation of Great Uncle Bulgaria, we meet our first Womble, Bungo whose adventures and friendships guide us through many of the stories. I had a particular love for Orinoco who has an impressive penchant for catching 40 winks as much as possible whilst eating as much as he can whilst on and off duty. A lovely collection which I read with a smile on my face throughout.
When they reach a working age, all Wombles are allowed to choose their name from an old atlas and so, much to the consternation of Great Uncle Bulgaria, we meet our first Womble, Bungo whose adventures and friendships guide us through many of the stories. I had a particular love for Orinoco who has an impressive penchant for catching 40 winks as much as possible whilst eating as much as he can whilst on and off duty. A lovely collection which I read with a smile on my face throughout.
kh2912's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0