Just So Stories

Harper Collins Australia

October 2023

• ISBN: 9780733343001
• ISBN 10: 0733343007
• Imprint: ABC Books AU
• RRP: $24.99

In her own beautiful and evocative way, Melissa Greenwood has brought readers another celebration of Country and culture, through her own eyes and experiences. This time we are invited to visit the gaagal (ocean) for play, adventures and tucker too.

It is impossible to do justice to these gorgeous illustrations, but I can promise you that you and your readers will be instantly transported to the seaside and the inhabitants vicariously, and if you are anything like me, wish you had paints at hand to try to express your own feelings and perceptions of the ocean.

Melissa’s paintings are all stunning, but there are a couple of spreads here in particular that just make my heart sing with joy, because they embody everything I love about the beach.

The text is, once again, a simply rhyming story with words in language threaded throughout, and the exchanges are absolutely recognisable as the typical conversations in mob families (from my own experience). e.g., ‘Sit back, you mob,’ so we don’t get burnt. We have a yarn and Aunt yells out,’You all want a feed, ay?’. Collecting pipis for the dinner, building a fire, a warning on sharks, the joy of watching whales and dolphins and other creatures, laughing and playing – what more could one want for a happy day outing?

This is such a beautiful series, from both the artistic point of view, and the insight into culture, and I, for one, hope Melissa is inspired to continue with it, as I see it of huge value and importance to our youngest readers as we grow them to walk together.

Once again the full text is repeated at the end of the book English and Gumbaynggir language side by side. I cannot express my thoughts well enough to do this justice, but it absolutely gets top marks from me. I strongly recommend you add it to your collection, either library or personal. Check out Melissa’s website for more on her art and design at Miimi & Jiinda.

Truly a work of art! Check out this selection of glorious images.