Just So Stories

Scribe Publications

November 2023

Imprint: Scribble

ISBN: 9781761380617

RRP: $24.99

Two things of which you can be guaranteed: 1) kiddos love vibrant picture books 2) kiddos love food. This gorgeous book, therefore, is guaranteed to be a hit.

Alphabet books are eternally popular, both for teaching purposes and just for the fun of reading, but this one comes with a unique twist as it takes little readers on a gastronomic trip around the world, exploring foods and dishes. Yum!

As you would expect, there are lots that your kiddos will recognise immediately: apples, bananas, corn, chocolate cake, french fries, but there is also a wealth of less familiar offerings like finger limes, fava beans, nougat, quince, tempeh, tamarind, urchin, umeboshi and yorkshire pudding. I love the inclusion of very Australian delicacies like vanilla slices, yabbies and quandong.

I can completely envisage artwork sparked by these colourful illustrations to fill a classroom or library with a veritable banquet, with Smalls perhaps creating their personal favourites to add to the ‘table’. Would they also be able to contribute more suggestions to match letters? And those children from a diverse cultural background may well have other dishes particularly enjoyed by their own families to help round out the culinary repertoire of these ‘future foodies’.

I remember very well in my first year of teaching (year 5) when we had a celebratory end-of-unit feast with each child bringing something that their was their own family’s favourite – many of them from a different country’s fare – thus, we had naan and dumplings, spring rolls and croissants as well as lamingtons and fairy bread! Sadly, there’s probably not so much chance of doing that these days as dietary considerations and what is permitted in schools has become so restrictive but you never know!

Lots of scope at least, and one which will spark many delicious and evocative discussions that would also translate well to maths (cooking/measurement/data collection with surveys), science (chemistry, properties, hot and cold) and health curriculum topics. 

I’m giving it a huge thumbs up and think it will be a terrific addition to any collection or appropriate unit of work. And now, if you’ll excuse me – my tummy is rumbling and I’m off to find something tasty to nibble!