Just So Stories

Hachette Australia

• Imprint: Lothian Children’s Books

JAN 31, 2024 | 9780734421630 | RRP $24.99

I feel certain that there are many who will remember clearly the AWM publication M is for Mate, which was produced to coincide with the A is for Animals exhibition at the AWM, was short-listed for the 2010 CBCA Eve Pownall Award and distributed to schools.

It was a highly successful and popular all-round production, and finally drew attention to the animals who played such an important part in conflicts. While the exhibition is no longer a physical entity, the digital gallery is well worth exploring, along with the additional AWM resources. Speaking for myself, I always buy a purple poppy as well as a red one, since they first became available, to honour these faithful and, often sacrificed, loyal creatures. 

This strikingly beautiful book once again brings a spotlight to this aspect of our history with its release timed to be available for the National Day for War Animals, 24th February. It is a glorious debut picture book from Fiona White, with its superlative illustrations by Kathleen O’Hagan, that will be utterly inspirational for your readers from Littles to older kiddos, as it unfolds the role played by the variety of animals so invaluable to our troops, illustrates the courage and dignity of from the smallest to the largest, and underlines the importance and significance of the purple poppy.

From the stylish cover, the wonderful endpapers and throughout its clear, factual text told in narrative style, with the accompanying expressive and emotive illustrations, this is a must-have for your collection.

If you can’t get hold of it in time for 24th Feb, then you can certainly ensure you have it for ANZAC Day and share it then, to encourage your readers to consider all the lives given for our safety. The teaching notes will be a great bonus to your program.

From cats to elephants, camels to pigeons, dogs to mules: all the parade of animals who served with honour are commemorated here. I highly recommend it to you for your readers from Prep upwards.