Just So Stories

Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing

Imprint: Little Hare Books

November 2023

ISBN 9781761213205

RRP: $29.99

A perfect book to prepare a Small for the arrival of a Smaller-still, or a gift for that Small when the new little human has arrived. These are four favourite stories about siblings that are now compiled into one of the nicest anthology bind-ups I’ve seen.

Many will be be familiar with these stories already but I confess I hadn’t (for whatever reason) seen I’ll Always be Older than You previously, that I can remember.

Everyone loves The Swap – because let’s face it, who hasn’t wanted to swap out their sibling at some stage of life (admittedly, that didn’t happen to me until I was 50 but still…). Caroline Crocodile decides she has had enough of her smelly and dribbly baby brother so tries out several other babies – but they are even worse!

Then there’s Soon – such a beautiful pairing of creativity from Libby Gleeson and Jedda Robaard – with little mouse waiting ever-so-long for her new baby to arrive. This is just the sweetest little narrative of expecting ever, I say.

 Too Busy Sleeping reflects the feelings of most brand-new older siblings. When will that baby actually be able to do something? Anything! Zanni Louise has captured that feeling of impatience while Anna Pignataro’s mixed-media illustrations are just gorgeous – the look on grumpy Eleanor’s face as she hides away in the bath tub!

And finally I’ll Always be Older than You, a lovely exploration of the benefits (and responsibilities) of being the older sibling. I particularly like:

I’ll show you the special things in my room, but you won’t be allowed to touch.

I’ll give you my toys from when I was little – the ones I don’t like very much.

After all the altruism can only stretch so far!

All in all, four super sweet stories that will delight and reassure those older kiddos when their new little brother or sister arrives.

Highly recommended for readers from around 4 years upwards.