Just So Stories

Harper Collins Australia

November 2024

• ISBN: 9781805071174
• ISBN 10: 1805071173
• Imprint: Usborne GB
• List Price: 29.99 AUD

Once upon a time we would likely say this is the sort of book that boys will love to pore over for hours, and while that still holds true, it’s fair to say that in my observations over the past ten years, it is just as likely to be girls who reach for this type of non-fiction.

Where some people will repeat that it’s these ‘grab bag’ fact books that are a magnet for boys, I think girls today have proven that they are just as interested in non-fiction, quirky facts and interesting tidbits. And I know that the girls I’ve had in my libraries for the past ten years are of this cadre. My Mighty Girls have demonstrated their adeptness and interest in these areas over and over, especially in my Geek Girls and T(h)inker Team groups.

Certainly, I would suggest for the kiddos who find sustained reading still a difficulty, this is a great solution. It is colourfully illustrated and diagrammed with the information ‘chunked’ in various ways making it that perfect ‘dip in and out’ book. It’s also what I refer to as a smorgasbord of reading snacks.

Definitely one that would be perfect in a Xmas stocking for the curious kiddos and also, of course, a great addition to a non-fiction collection. A very enthusiastic 5 👩‍🔬👩‍🔬👩‍🔬👩‍🔬👩‍🔬 rating.

The blurb says it all really: A must-have for any curious mind, this book is packed with fascinating facts, and will take you on a thrilling journey through the world of science, history, geography, and so much more.
Read from cover to cover, or dip in and out at random, to find out about the human body, animals, the environment and technology, and discover mind-expanding facts on every page.
Brilliant, bold design makes complex and wide-ranging information easy to understand and absorb.
With fun quizzes to test your knowledge, this book is perfect for children who want to know everything – and tell you all about it.