Just So Stories

Big Sky Publishing

May 2024

LIST PRICE: AU$ 14.99 / NZ$ 17.99

I am grateful for the beach.

I am grateful for The Kid.

I am grateful for mangoes.

 I am grateful for our cat, even if she’s snarky.

I am grateful for books. 

I am especially grateful for Josh Langley’s books… and this new one is the perfect pick-me-up for kids and adults alike.

Josh is an award-winning author/illustrator who writes not only from the heart but with the full force of his own personal experiences: anxiety, low self-esteem , being different, stress – all mental health and emotional issues that increasing number of little people (and big people) are experiencing.

Life can be tough. It’s tough for a lot of us, and even the most resilient of us often need a helping hand to self-regulate our emotions and mindset. For so many Smalls it can become completely overwhelming. Just last week my own girl – now 18, and so much more self-aware and cognizant of her mental state, went into complete meltdown and sobbing distress, when faced with a decision re her immediate future – job vs study – because, in many ways, she’s still not fully equipped for adulting.

How much more difficult for small humans, particularly if parents/caregivers don’t feel equipped to help them. And this is the beauty of Josh’s books (and workshops). He empowers kids, and their adults, to face life’s challenges with strategies and tools that work. The many testamonials he has received attest to the success of his approach.

We know that gratitude has become a hugely important focus in many circles and, of course, self-regulation has been de rigeur in instructional settings for some time. This new title will be an amazing and enjoyable adjunct to your pursuit to provide the kiddos in your sphere with the emotional armour they need.

I love the endorsement I read that Josh is the Australian Todd Parr. I’ve used Todd’s books ad nauseum over the years and yes, it’s true. Josh’s lively, vibrant and quirky illustrations combined with his insightful and pithy advice are just a joy , and capture the same essence as Todd’s books with a similar, but also individual , style. And I’ve seen for myself the way Smalls respond to it.

I honestly read this and thought this is great advice for anyone – not just kiddos – so I will be sharing and talking it up where and when I can. You won’t find this one in the chain stores – it’s not the kind of book that’s full of toilet humour and cheap jokes.

Seek out your nearest quality bookstore or look online, or just buy direct from Josh’s own website, and while you’re there, check out his other titles and events.

Congratulations, Josh, on another fabulous book! and well done for all the support you give to our young people. I give this a HUGE rating with a 5 gratitude rating 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏..