Sometimes I Like to Curl up in a Ball

Title: Sometimes I Like to Curl up in a Ball
Author: Vicki Churchill
Illustrator: Charles Fuge
Ages: 3-5
Rating: 5/5

Plot: Little Wombat tells us about his favorite activities; from curling up in a ball to standing tall. These activities keep him busy all day until he goes home at bedtime and curls up in a ball.

Assessment: This is a delightful story that can be as a book to encourage activity, or near bed. Children can mimic Little Wombat's actions like jumping up high, standing "still as a tree," or making funny faces. There is a light rhyme scheme that makes the story almost sing-song and makes it a great book to read aloud. The story gives the semblance of a day's cycle as it begins and ends with "sometimes I like to curl up in a ball," which is especially reinforced as we discover at the end that Wombat's favorite place to curl up is in bed.

The illustrations are vibrant and animated. The use of white in the background of the story, combined with shades of blue gives the impression of early daytime. This makes the end of day much more noticeable at the end of the story and gives the last page a cozy feel instead of a threatening one.
The lines of Little Wombat, with the little wisps of fur make him look fuzzy and soft, adding some interesting texture. The dark lines around each character really helps to bring them to life by separating them from the loose lines of the watercolour background. Fuge also did a great job with each of the animal and insect friends who seem to have individual expressions and personalities making them come alive with the story.

There is now a series of Little Wombat books for those who have enjoyed this one.


Churchill, V. (2001). Sometimes I like to curl up in a ball. New York, NY: Sterling Publishing Co.