Just So Stories

Allen & Unwin

January 2023

ISBN:9781787418929

Publisher:Bonnier

Imprint:Templar

RRP: $24.99

I think this is the most visually stunning book I’ve seen in a long time. In fact, it is breathtakingly beautiful, and demands close scrutiny of the intricate and rich illustrations.

A beautiful fable of identity and self-belief, the little panther is insecure in a jungle filled with bigger and (to his mind) more beautiful cats: the tawny lion with his golden mane, the strikingly striped tiger and the sinuously sleek cheetah. He determines to match these more impressive distant relatives and sets about transforming his appearance, but the elements of nature have other ideas.

The feathers he uses as a mane are blown away by the wind, the painted stripes of pollen are washed away and the pretty leaves nestled in his fur like spots float away when the sun dries them out.

Poor little panther is in despair until he answers the call of the Moon and climbs towards the deep, dark night sky, where the shimmering stars sparkle against his own black velvet pelt. Finally, he feels a sense of belonging and knows that he can hold his own in both looks and courage, against the other jungle cats.

It is a beautiful narrative, told with a lyrical flow that is gentle but, at the same time, strong, but it is, without doubt, the sensational artwork that makes this such a stand-out. I cannot possibly do it justice using my own poor words, but I would strongly urge you to get hold of a copy and see for yourself these glorious illustrations.

This is a picture book that can be used with many age levels and for a multitude of purposes. Certainly the premise of the story is one which is important for children who are developing their own self-belief but I can equally see it being used to inspire art students right up to senior level. I highly recommend it to you for any age from Prep onwards.