Just So Stories

Penguin Australia

• ISBN: 9781761046643
• Imprint: Puffin
• RRP: $14.99

How absolutely delighted am I that the first ‘Parcel for…’ title I review, so closely reflects our happy place – the beach, and some of its very nicest inhabitants – indeed, practically our neighbours.

Each book in this series is a clever, but simply written guessing game for Littles, with absolutely gorgeous comic illustrations – unsurprisingly, given Shelley’s background as an editorial cartoonist.

Lucky Turtle receives a parcel via postie Stork astride a handy dolphin (must tell my own postie this method!), and when the hovering pelicans try to snatch it (as they would Turtle and his friends without hesitation), they are thwarted by the gang sheltered on the beach. Of course, the gang i.e., Turtle, Octopus, Sea Snail and the Crabs would like to get back in the water, but how to manage it with those eagle-eyed pelicans hoping for a tasty seafood snack?

Perhaps Koala’s parcel to Turtle has something that will help them? After running through several possibilities, which are all dismissed due to shape or size, Turtle and the friends open the present to reveal something none of them had thought of, but which proves to be the perfect protection for one and all.

It is a terrifically fun book that children from as young as 3 will relish, and the bonus is that the endpapers have what is essentially a mini-story which will also make them giggle. Lots of fun to be had with this one, and easily suggests some equally fun similar guessing games.

Highly recommended for Smalls from EC upwards.