Just So Stories

Walker Books

February 2024

ISBN13:9781760655310

Australia RRP:$26.99

New Zealand RRP:$28.99

With a task to complete
and a journey ahead,

Tawny Frogmouth calls a drumming call.

Moon answers, rising gently over the

stubble to meet her and light the way.

What a beautiful lullaby of a book this is! as the reader glides across the night sky with Tawyn Frogmouth with all the bush creatures bidding good night. From the cockatoo nestling to koala joey to sugar glider and numbat curled, even emu with a head tucked under a wing.The pair of frogmouths maintain their vigilance over the bush each night to ensure that all is safe, particularly their own little chicks back in the nest.

Jodi’s text is serene and soothing, casting a spell of sleepiness over all. Accompanied by some of the most marvellous illustrations I’ve seen this year, Tannya’s bold brushstrokes bring the bush to life so very evocactively.

This would not only make a wonderful bedtime book but would be a perfect springboard to art work for kiddos embarking on some portraits of native animals or nature. Lovely all round, and with super endpapers as well.

This one has been shamefully neglected in the maelstrom of review books and you will most likely already have it by now, but if not I’d strongly suggest you do so, either for your collection or for yourself. My highest recommendation for this treasure of a tale with a 5 🌌🌌🌌🌌🌌 rating.