Just So Stories

Penguin Australia

June 2024

• ISBN: 9781761343568
• Imprint: Puffin
• $12.99

Each new Willa and Woof adventure makes me think “Oh this is the best yet!” but, somehow, they just keep coming – and getting better! I really LOVE this one. It makes me, as an adult, think of all the camps I’ve taken kiddos on, both school and with Brownies (later Guides). There are ALWAYS dramas – but, invariably, they are relatively minor in the greater scheme of things and really do make for some great anecdotes later!

Willa is super-excited about going on school camp, especially as this is the first time Year 4s have done so. She and her classmates are like the camp guinea-pigs for the new camping centre recently opened near where they live. Her [young friend] bestie, Tae, is not so keen. In fact, Willa is shocked when he says he most definitely is NOT going!

But it seems Tae’s parents have different ideas, and luckily, Willa’s other [old friend] bestie,Frank, is keen to teach the pair bushcraft, to help them circumvent any potential dangers and disasters.

Those survival skills are put to good use when their camp team leader proves to be not-so-handy, nor indeed as keen, as the children and they all end up in what might have been a sticky situation.

Willa’s [dog friend]bestie, Woof, has a paw in saving the day as well. It’s all great fun, and your Smalls will enjoy this new addition to the series and get a little glimpse of the fun and the adventure to be had in the great outdoors (even when it’s really only down the end of the street!).

I just adore this series. It’s such a perfect fit for those readers who are ready to move on to their next level of reading with chapter books of extended length and the situations in which Willa finds herself are utterly believable with just the right proportions of humour, friendship, drama and family.

Always a pleasure to review Jacqueline’s books and this one is certainly no exception. Another cracker! with my highest recommendation and it has to be 5 🏕️🏕️🏕️🏕️🏕️ rating!