Just So Stories

NLA Publishing

November 2023

ISBN: 9781922507624

RRP: $19.99

Contents:

• Brave Bee and the Castaway Kids
• Will the Wonderkid and the Elusive Treasure
• Amazing Grace and the Sinking Ship
• Lennie the Legend and the Remarkable Ride
• Marvellous Miss May and the Wondrous Circus
• Clever Quong Tart and the New Gold Mountain
• Valiant Jane and the Disappearing Trail

I have been fortunate in reviewing several of Stephanie Owen Reeder‘s books for this blog, including two of the stories from the Heritage Heroes series. Now these little-known histories of plucky Aussie kids of the past have been brought together in this perfect little bind-up volume, along with two previously unpublished stories.

Each one develops a narrative based on an actual historical event involving Australian youngsters, all of whom demonstrate qualities of resilience, initiative, courage and determination that often, sadly, seems to be lacking in many (not all, before you take umbrage) of the kids I encounter in recent times. I do believe we have kids today who are battling different issues and dilemmas for sure, and the challenges they face are more subtle at times, for example, digital safety.

But I would be pressed to name a 7 year child of my acquaintance who would be as brave and resourceful as young Jane Duff, who was lost in the bush with her older and younger brothers for over a week, without food or water, and was able to keep them both safe through her own efforts. Nor could I imagine a boy of merely 9 in my sphere, riding his pony unaccompanied from Leongatha to Sydney for the opening of the Sydney Harbour Ridge – a journey of just over a month. [Lenny’s story was a huge hit with my MBC girls in 2016, and they were jubilant when their pick was declared the Eve Pownall winner that year.]

Were kids tougher back in the day? When I look at some I encounter who dissolve into sobs with an invisible scratch on their finger, or because someone looked at them sideways, I’d be inclined to say yes.

I devoured these insights into these, otherwise, forgotten children and their heroic stories. This beautiful bind-up, which fits so snugly in one’s hands, contains not only the essence of each history but is further enhanced with pertinent facts and details in small ‘pop’ shapes as well as a ‘what happened to..’follow up for each child. An extensive glossary and compilation of resources to ‘find out more’ is valuable backmatter and, throughout, Liz Duthies’s occasional illustrations provide more life and visualisation for young readers. And I cannot ignore the absolutely perfect cover art, with it’s delightful vintage vibe.

Your readers of historical fiction or narrative non-fiction will eat this up and what a wonderful Xmas gift it would make for an astute reader of your circle. I would suggest that children from around 9 years up to early secondary would enjoy this hugely.

I give it a huge recommendation for middle primary to lower secondary readers, whether history nerds such as myself, or those just fascinated with the lives of real people. Her Canberra featured a wonderful interview with Stephanie last year and, we can certainly all look forward to the eventual realisation of Lennie’s adventure in film!