Just So Stories

Big Sky Publishing

April 2023

ISBN: 9781922896537

RRP: $14.99

What’s that I hear you say? This book was published in April last year, and I’m only just reviewing it now? Riddikulus! But, in my defense, I would point out that I only received yesterday – it’s been somewhat of a mission one way or another.

Also riddikulus [in the best way possible] is the uproarious humour with which this crazy adventure is laced. Aleesah has proven her versatility again with a whole new set of characters, a very different setting and a somewhat sinister undercurrent of genetic manipulation (Jurassic Park aficionados will eat it up!).

When pygmy sloth, Romeo Alexander Anton Silverio Fortez, is born, his parents, Derek and Imelda, quickly realise their son is no ordinary sloth. He is fast (for a sloth, remarkably so), he is clever, he is curious, he has a mesmerising stare, he is strong – in fact, he has all the prerequisites needed to be a remarkable sloth. He could quite literally be a Super Sloth! And his tiny island of Escudo is way too small to accommodate this big personality.

When Romeo makes his way to New York City he is bombarded with new sights and sensations, not to mention all manner of weird and wonderful animals, and, almost immediately, finds himself caught up in an outrageous incident involving a mutant monster who is holding a young girl captive [think King Kong but with gills].

As it transpires, the young girl he rescues, with the assistance of a very cool cheetah, is Beth Castlemaine, daughter of a multi-millionaire. Beth, along with her porky friend Ham have already set up a crime-fighting hub, hidden underground and Romeo, and Tulip Goldenclaw, the tough cookie cheetah, are just the new recruits she needs.

With the shar-wolf still not captured, their new mission is to do their best to contain the beast, and seek out its creator. What ensues is a fast-paced and entertaining exercise in quick thinking, cute gadgetry and sloth superiority.

Readers from around Year 2 will lap this up if they have not done so already, and with the next instalment due out in March, best get this one in hand if it’s not yet on your shelf. Find out more about pygmy sloths and Escudo Island here.

It has my 🦥🦥🦥🦥🦥 for your kiddos from around 7/8 years upwards.