Just So Stories

Five Mile

October 2024

Tilly’s New Broom – Mary Anastasiou/Giorgia Clerico

9781923091542

RRP: $24.99

I think we’ve all been there. When you need a new ride but nothing seems to be right [thank goodness for my friend who was selling Black Betty just in time for me to hand-me-down Scarlett O’Cara to The Kid a few months ago!].

Tilly needs a new broom because her other one is just not cutting it any more. When she heads for the Zoomer’s Expo, the choices are overwhelming. A cushy armchair? Not enough power. Maybe a vacuum cleaner model? Arrrghhh, WAY too noisy! Well, a skateboard is fun, but hello? it doesn’t fly!! There are loads to choose from but finally Tilly finds exactly the right ride. Sleek, shrinks small, and super efficient and whooooooooooooooooosh! away she goes!

Read the Quick Six Interview with author Mary Anastasiou to find more about the writing of this very simple but cute rhyming book. With some equally cute cartoon style illos by Gioria Clerico, it’s a nice way to look at evaluating and making choices for little ones as well as a bit of Halloween-themed fun. I’m giving it a 3 🧹🧹🧹 rating.

The Quick Six Interview with Mary Anastasiou from JWFK

Mrs Snitch is a Witch -Dean Rankine

9781922514776

RRP: $24.99

I think I can very confidently say that in the past 30 years there have been numerous kids who thought of me as witch – some of them with real justification when they deserved to be turned into actual toads, instead of just the figurative ones they were.

Dean Rankine is known for his work on multiple animated programs and also his illustrative work (particularly Brock the Crock). He comes across as a thoroughly fun and down-to-earth guy with a witty sense of humour. So enter Mrs Snitch – it’s simple in the extreme but kids will laugh themselves silly over it and especially at the ‘huh what..??’ ending. Is the teacher a witch? Are YOU a witch? Only time and travel by broom (or flue powder) will tell.

I, for one, would like to see more of Dean’s work as author/illustrator so I do hope he’s working on more – but for now I’d give this one a 🍄🍄🍄🍄 rating – it’s a lot of fun for Smalls from Prep to Year 3.

A Not So Scary Visit

9781923091788

RRP: $24.99

There’s something to be said for facing up to your fears, for demonstrating courage and really – for standing up to bullies, when it comes down to it. This is a very fun twist-in-the-tale story for Smalls.

When two self-important monsters come storming into aboy’s room, full of malicious intent, he is completely composed and sanguine. No matter what they say or do, he shuts them down with his assertion that this is his parents dressed up.

The two monsters are completely nonplussed. They’ve tried all their usual kid-terrifying tactics but no go. This child just refuses to be scared. He’s seen his parents in full scary mode – like when he broke that window or let the hamster go at his aunt’s wedding.

The surprise ending will provide a great laugh for your Smalls who, I’m sure, will have many such tales of bravado to share. I’m giving it a 4 👾👾👾👾 rating for Smalls from Prep to Year 3.