Just So Stories

Walker Books Australia

July 2024

ISBN13:9781760655525

Australia RRP:$25.99

New Zealand RRP:$27.99

Well if this isn’t just too cute for words, I don’t know what is! It is both charming and sweet, and I’m already in love with these little characters, as will be your Smalls – guaranteed!

When Fox asks Florence if she wants to hear something, she’s pretty certain he is going to say he can do a handstand, and that’s just fine, because Florence can already do handstands.

But when Fox reveals he has a pet mouse, Florence is very deflated. And, as you might imagine, just a tiny bit envious. Especially when she asks her mum about mice and finds out that Mum doesn’t like them at all.

That doesn’t stop Florence from crossing her fingers – and subsequently, everything else she can as she wishes for a pet mouse of her own. Needless to say, that strategy doesn’t work.

When Fox brings his new mouse to visit, he expresses his wish that he could also do handstands. Florence suggests crossing his fingers – “it might work”. Even your littlest readers will get the whole sense of this one. And realistically, we’ve all been there and probably, some still are………”I wish I could….“.

The Kid and I went to see Inside Out 2 this past weekend, and we loved it. And while we loved the way Anxiety was personified (a big issue for K), and loved that Embarrassment was so huge and awkward, we also really ‘got’ that Envy was quite small (a bit like Jealousy but not as negative and potentially dangerous).

Even our littlest people can be envious and, while this is a really delightful and amusing story at the surface level, it can also springboard some talk around those feelings and begin that development of emotional intelligence.

Zanni’s words are lovely – they really are exactly the way that little ones think/express themselves and, as always, Anna’s illustrations are both quirky and emotive.

I LOVE this and as it’s designated #1, I’m already looking forward to more from this pair – creators AND characters!. A HUGE 5 (what a dilemma!!)🐊🦊🐁🤗💗 recommendation for this little sweetheart for your Smalls from Prep upwards.