Would you like to support local journalism?

(with some quirky flair)

Regular News FEEDINGS via social + online. by locals for locals

HomeLifestyleKidsMeet the Manly Wombat teaching kids about empathy in a pandemic

Meet the Manly Wombat teaching kids about empathy in a pandemic

Beaches friends – meet Wilbert the Wombat.

Or perhaps you’ve already met him? Its author, Manly resident Jamie Brooke, has been spotted popping the children’s picture book in little community libraries in the area over the last week.

This is a beautiful book with a practical application – it’s teaching kids to use empathy and about be safe during challenging times. These times. Lockdown times.

“I wanted to find a way to explain to children the hardships we’re all facing today, like the bushfires and the pandemic, while sharing hope and building community along the way,” shared Jamie.

Aimed at readers aged 5-13 (but perfectly good for grown ups too), it is a handy tool to explain why everyone is wearing masks and keeping their distance at the moment.

These two recently published books written by Sydney-based American expat Jamie Brooke and illustrated by Moch Fajar Shobaru,  are shared from the perspective of a wombat named Wilbert and other loveable characters Wendy the Wallaby and Ken the Kangaroo.

Wilbert the Wombat

Wilbert the Wombat Saves the Day is inspired by a viral social media post stating that wombats were herding smaller animals into burrows to save them from the fires. Jamie wrote Wilbert the Wombat Social Distances during the Covid 19 pandemic. Both books focus on taking care of each other and building community during challenging times.

Now with the two books published in the USA, UK and Australia, Jamie is excited to share these messages of hope and community mindset with a larger audience.

Saves the Day and Social Distances are available at wilbertthewombat.com with 10% of proceeds going to WIRES Wildlife Rescue, a nonprofit organisation dedicated to rescuing and caring for Australian wildlife.

 

Support quality local news

Manly Observer is an experiment in providing non-sensationalist hyperlocal news on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. We cover the big news across the LGA, but with a hyper focus on the Manly electorate encompassing Balgowlah, Seaforth, Freshwater, Brookvale and Curl Curl up to Dee Why. It is run by those living in the community for the benefit of an informed community. We care about an informed and connected community. That’s it. Simple. Thank you for your support in keeping quality local news alive!

Kim Smee, Editor


Become a supporter

News