Just So Stories

Walker Books Australia

July 2024

ISBN13:9781760656195

Australia RRP:$25.99

New Zealand RRP:$27.99

Anyone who has owned an axolotl, or indeed even just seen one, knows that they are such quirky little animals, they are begging to have stories written about them. I loved this picture book which is pure fun and kookiness.

With it’s bouncing rhythm and perfectly cadenced rhyming text, your Smalls will not only be jigging along with it, but begging for re-reads. Author Juliette MacIver responsibly points out in a preamble that she knows very well that axolotls are neither lizards or fish, but chooses to use those two words (and we all know that it’s difficult enough writing good strong rhyme without having to overlook a useful literary trick, I mean poetic licence-device) so any little people who point this out (and I’m sure there will be at least one), will be able to hold forth on their scientific knowledge of amphibians at will.

Harris Axolotl has a very pampered life but still yearns for more. He wants to swim in the lake he visits sometimes with Axel, but it’s more than that. Harris wants to fly! So, in the dead of night, off Harris goes off to follow his dream, and has to dodge a few dangers (trucks and roaming dogs) but makes his way successfully to the lake and yes!! achieves his dream – huzzah! Just how he does that, you’ll find out.

Honestly, it’s just pure good fun. And not for the first time, I found that Christopher Nielsen’s illustrations are perfectly en pointe! He gives Harris SO much expression – classic!! And yes, I guess you could bang on about the science of axolotls and aerodynamics, and you could point out that it’s dangerous to go out unaccompanied by an adult but why not just read it for the glorious fun of it? I know I will.

There is no axolotl (surely a heinous oversight?) but let’s just say, with poetic licence, I’m giving it a 5 🦎🦎🦎🦎🦎 rating hahaha!! An absolute delight for your readers from around Kindy up to Year 3.