Just So Stories

Walker Books Australia

October 2024

ISBN13:9781760655105

Australia RRP:$19.99

New Zealand RRP:$24.99

This is a super-cute book from a well-established author/illustrator with great credentials. I am the first to say I don’t really know his work though I do recognise Little Wombat.

I need to say this first and get it out of the way. A book full of Australian native animal friends with a rabbit in amongst them [despite my personal penchant for rabbits!] is rather disappointing, given the devastation wreaked by bunnies here since the invasion [I could easily work an analogy in there].

I do think that a sterling editor might have picked up on that. At least, there is also a bilby. But I guess it would make a great talking point with your kids – that not everyone in other countries knows how things are in ours [as has been supremely shown in a recent publishing fiasco that made international news].

That said, it is a really very fun story about this bunch of animal friends using initiative and imagination to create some fun for themselves to make their own festive Christmas. Fuge’s illustrations are really very endearing and attractive and there are some equally fun activities to download. I’m giving it a 3 🎄🎄🎄 rating.