Just So Stories

Harper Collins Australia

September 2023

• ISBN: 9780008599287
• ISBN 10: 0008599289
• Imprint: Farshore Non-Fiction GB
• $19.99

For the nerdy child in me, this is fabulous. For the boomer-brain in me, it was a little hard to wrap my head around. I’m guessing because as an older person, I’m quite OK with thinking about the concept of time, but I’m also perfectly sure that kiddos will be able to grasp this idea quite quickly.

Starting from the premise that 10 000 years ago was the big turning point in human history, when people started to settle into permanent communities, and also began to record their activities and achievements, this book represents that time period as 100 days. Using (and defining) the term ‘circa’ readers can progress through the transformational moments in human endeavour.

The book begins with, aptly, the beginning of humankind, then covers topics like homes and furnishings, medical/health advances, clothing, transport, communication, music and more. There is quite a lot of detail packed into each double spread, with additional captions throughout. It will certainly keep interested kiddos fully engaged for quite some time..It does follow the earlier titles of If the World Was 100 People, If the World Was 100 Animals, so if you have those, definitely, you should get this one.

However, even without the earlier ones, I think this would be an extremely useful addition to your collection from an interest point of view, but also as an adjunct to HASS studies of time/events.

I suggest that readers from around Year 4 upwards would be the most receptive audience for this one.