Just So Stories

Hardie Grant

Imprint: Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing

August 2023

RRP: $9.99

If you have the littles constantly wanting to borrow graphics, then this series will be a godsend to you. From the dynamic creative team that brought us The Real Pigeons, these new books tick a lot of boxes: develop reading skills, encourage a love of reading, promote inclusivity and positive relationships and are highly suited to both independent reading and read-aloud. Oh, and they are great fun too!

Although the release date for these is August, they are available for pre-order now from the usual suppliers and I am going to strongly suggest to you that you should definitely put them on your list because I predict they will be selling like proverbial hotcakes.

Meet the Twigs: Red, Noodle, Ziggy,and Stump, each with their own very individual twiggy personality. In Book 1 Red, the twig who loves to be wild, springs surprises on his unsuspecting friends with very unhappy results. It takes a while, and a bit of careful thought from the other twigs, but finally Red discovers that the best kind of surprises are the pleasant ones.

In Book 2, Noodle decides she wants to paint and her friends all help her collect the right art equipment. The only difficulty is where to find blue in nature, and when a plan to take blue from the sky misfires, the problem is solved unexpectedly with blue feathers from a passing (and rather shocked) bird. Ziggy has got very tired holding up the leaf canvas for so long but is thoroughly delighted when she see Noodle’s portrait of her.

Stump takes centre stage in Book 3 when his sadness at no longer being part of the Big Tree takes over. He misses the breeze up in the tree but the twiggy friends band together and find a terrific alternative ‘breeze’, not to mention the joy of group twig hugs.

Book 4 has zany Ziggy, she of the Snail Zoo in Book 1, keen to go exploring and find treasure. Her twiggy friends are super keen to help but the thing is that each has a different idea as to what treasure it. As for Ziggy, she doesn’t know at all what she means by treasure. It takes wise Noodle’s collection of nature items, a very high rock and a twiggy friend rescue tower for Ziggy to grasp the true meaning of treasure.

All in all, these are just joyous and truly delightful. Kiddos will gain understanding about colours, feelings, comparatives, friendship, cooperation and collaboration as they romp through the riotous fun adventures.

Don’t delay – put in your pre-order now and look forward to some great fun with your younger readers from Prep upwards. Be sure to lay in a goodly supply of googly eyes so that everyone can make and adopt their very own Twig!

Hello Twigs, Surprise! ISBN:9781761211980

Hello Twigs, How are You Feeling? ISBN:9781761211997

Hello Twigs, Time to Paint! ISBN:9781761212017

Hello Twigs, Let’s Find Treasure ISBN:9781761212000