Just So Stories

Walker Books

November 2024

ISBN13:9781760657222

Australia RRP:$19.99

New Zealand RRP:$22.99

I have followed Zanni’s progress with this one for ages and have eagerly anticipated its arrival. When it was delivered yesterday, wrapped like the cutie it is in brown paper, tied up with string, I couldn’t wait to read it! And I can confirm, it is every bit as sweet and lovely as that gorgeous cover.

Hazel and her friends-who-are-like-family live in a big hollow tree. Hazel is 9 and very caring, very organised and very kind. Then there’s Walter the wombat, who can be (truthfully) a bit wombatish at times – somewhat grumpy, somewhat determined. There’s Tiny, the honey possum – so small she can fit into Hazel’s pocket. As well, there is a very excitable and energetic pademelon called Odette (think hyperactive!) and last, but definitely not least, there’s Poky, the feelings echidna. Poky doesn’t say much but changes colour reflecting Hazel’s feelings, and children will be fascinated to talk about colours matching how we feel [they will very easily make connections with the Inside Out movies].

Each chapter in this sweet book is a little self-contained story of the everyday joys and adventures for this little family. It is in turn, funny, serious, thoughtful and insightful. Young readers will all see themselves reflected at one point or another, because we all have those days when we are grumpy or we feel invisible or we just can’t stop bouncing.

The blurb likens this to Winnie-the-Pooh but with an Australian flavour and certainly I can see that similarity with some characters who are rather like Milne’s in personality e.g. Odette could be a Tigger and Walter an Eeyore, as well as the setting, but I think this charming book goes much further than that.

I love that Zanni has incorporated a focus on feelings, and even mentions the concept of emotional regulation (as Walter meditates), and the emphasis on resilience, problem-solving, acceptance and tolerance are all wrapped up in these gentle stories. Judy Watson’s illustrations are totally in keeping with the whole vibe of the narrative and your readers will absolutely love perusing them.

The friends’ adventures are fairly simple as they racket around the bush looking for ‘glamourous outfits’ or get on each other’s nerves during a whole week of constant rain, and I believe that this will have authentic appeal for kiddos who probably do not have ‘big’ adventures, but who do very possibly have big imaginations.

The final chapter in which Hazel starts at bush school, is definitely reminiscent of Christopher Robin starting school, and let us hope that, like CR, the magic with friends and forest will continue just a little longer.

This will make a fabulous serial read-aloud for Smalls from around 6 years upwards and I would foresee lots of animated conversations, and the potential for some creative writing and art activities as well.

I’m giving it a resounding 5 😊😊😊😊😊 happy-ness rating.