Just So Stories

Walker Books Australia

October 2024

ISBN13:9781529523782

Australia RRP:$24.99

New Zealand RRP:$27.99

One thing is always certain. A book by Kate DiCamillo will always be captivating. After the first Norendy tale, readers knew they could look forward to more of the magic realism of this series and it has come with another glorious story about stories.

Marta and her mother are living in the Hotel Balzaar. Marta’s mother is working as a housekeeper. Marta must keep very quiet – like a little mouse. She must not get in anyone’s way, she must not speak to anyone, she must not be a nuisance. Marta is very worried because she and her mother have not heard from her soldier father for over a year, not since he went missing, and now – how will he find them if they have moved and are living somewhere else?

All this is of great concern to her but when the strange old Countess arrives at the hotel with her unusual parrot, Marta is drawn into the Countess’ story-telling. There are seven stories to be told, she tells Marta and they must be told in order.

But day after day, Marta becomes more and more frustrated as there seems to be no rhyme or reason to the stories – yet, she finds herself, returning to the Countess again and again, always hoping to find the ‘ending’.

Gradually, Marta begins to wonder if her father’s disappearance and a possible return might be connected to the strange and incomplete stories, but whatever the answer, the Countess and Blitzkoff the parrot are intriguing, and Marta is quite transfixed.

Kate has once again crafted a story that will draw children in, and provide them with much to consider and reflect upon about longing, hope and belief. It goes without saying this is a 5 🦜🦜🦜🦜🦜 rating for another splendid fable.