Just So Stories

Penguin Australia

• November 2024
• ISBN: 9780143777687
• Imprint: Puffin
• RRP: $19.99

You will find numerous posts here referencing Mem Fox, going back almost the entire decade of the blog’s existence, including an insightful Q&A posted back in 2019. My joy in Mem’s work and her presence goes back many years.

Possum Magic was a book I bought to share with The Kid’s mum as a 3-year-old Small and, of course, used it many times over the ensuing decades; the first few years in the classroom and then in my various libraries for 25+ years.

But that’s just one of many of Mem’s Mem-orable books. I also have Mem-orable moments with the person. My first encounter was a PD day, all other details now long-forgotten, at which Mem introduced me to Struwwelpeter😲.

At another she shared The Story of the Little Mole Who Knew it was None of his Business 💩. When I shared that at home with my then teen girls, it instantly became one of her favourites with The Kid’s mum. She not only used it constantly as a child care worker later but when I found the ‘plop-up’ edition, she was enraptured! Yet another Mem-orable moment at another otherwise unremarkable event was Mem reading Tough Boris. That became one of my favourite read-alouds.

And then on another occasion, there was the hilarity of having Mem challenge us in small groups to write a piece [I think it was a given topic – Aging?] and I guided my small group into a parody of Do You Ears Hang Low? – but referencing other body parts. I’m happy to say that I made Mem laugh heartily and applaud. So all in all, you could say that I’m a definite fan of her work and her personality.

As soon as you read this hilarious update, or look-alike, of The Great Big Enormous Turnip along with Judy Horack’s always distinctive illustrations, you will know that this is definitely going to be on everyone’s lists. Of course, first I read it and instantly thought about the Turnip story, and then I read this interview with Mem: “This story is a total rip-off of The Great Big Enormous Turnip,” Fox admits. She goes on to say she added her own quirks with characterisation and ‘amusing vocabulary’.

All in all, this was a labour of love that took three years to complete and from the outset, Mem knew she wanted Judy Horacek to illustrate. We all know what an outstanding partnership these two creators have, so this was always going to be a stand-out book.

Meerkats seem to have grown in popularity over recent years with numerous story books and certainly, a big upswing in petting them at zoos [how strange it was that The Kid, mini-Attenborough, had no interest in a Meet the Meerkat experience but, of course, will happily drape herself with a huge python] and, let’s face it, they are pretty damned cute little guys.

Do yourself and your Smalls a favour and get this one in. And then if you feel a need to dig deeper, read the The Great Big Enormous Turnip (which used to feature heavily in our Year 1 programme of traditional tales years ago) and do a compare&contrast.

There is so much scope with this one with retells, readers’ theatre, change up the characters, illustrate your own and more. At this time of year, you might be looking for something a little lighter but that will still provide a solid learning experience.

There is no meerkat emoji [for some unfathomable reason and currently a big push for one to be introduced]. And there is no turnip one either! So I’m substituting with a hamster – just blur your eyes for this 5 🐹🐹🐹🐹🐹 rating!

Other favourite meerkat books are Meerkat Mail – Emily Gravett and also Meerkat Christmas. As well, Meerkat Splash and Meerkat Christmas- Aura Parker.