Just So Stories

The True Story of a Rising Star, Angus Copelin-Walters

Woodslane Press

January 2025

9781922800817/$27.99

Claire Thompson and I connected when she asked if I could help her to develop some professional resources to partner both her forthcoming book and also a writing with kids gig she was undertaking. It has been an all-round pleasure I have to say and how I enjoyed hearing Angus’ story, well ahead of the public.

This is not only a terrific account of how one little empathetic boy dreamed up an idea to put his thoughts into action, but a real inspiration for all those kiddos who might feel frustrated by their disability, which impacts their academic progress especially. Angus was just a little fella when he not only discovered his struggles at school were down to dyslexia, but also found out about the vast numbers of people becoming homeless.

He decided he wanted to do something to help those people, and in spite of his difficulties with words and calculations, he managed to develop through experimentation and trial-and-error a truly unique product.

Inspired by his love of crocodiles (after all, he does live in the Top End!) Croc Candy, delicious lollipops like no others, were born. Bit by bit, Angus’ project grew, attracting attention from such high-profile people as Sir Richard Branson, the late HM Queen Elizabeth II and an Australian Prime Minister, but, more importantly, becoming a huge success.

I love that this story is about resilience and persistence. I also love that Angus enlists the help of his adult friend, Uncle Tony, who has taught the boy about bush tucker. Uncle Tony’s suggestion about green ant flavoured lollipops, because of the traditional use for coughs and colds, is an outright winner.

It’s one perfect example of how our First Nations peoples have such a wealth of knowledge to share with us. As well as that, it’s the story of not only one little boy’s desire to be of service to others less fortunate but how he was supported in his dream by a great network of family and friends, and how, in spite of his disabilty, he proves that success is not all about how well you’re doing in school.

Claire has put together a narrative non-fiction that will speak to children, particularly those with their own challenges, and the illustrations by Deborah Brown are vibrant and expressive.

I think this is a great book with which to kick off a new year with your kiddos, some of whom will be feeling the anxiety of not being the ‘top’, nor anywhere near it, in their cohort. I know only too well how The Kid was made to feel when she was a little ‘un and in that same boat, and it was made worse by the insensitivity of some teachers, even in a caring school.

Make it one of your missions this year to go the extra mile, for that Small or even not-so-Small, who feels acutely their ‘lesser’ ability to keep up. Find their strength and work with it – it will be there somewhere. Angus is proof indeed of that [so is The Kid].

I’m giving this a huge 5 🍭🍭🍭🍭🍭 rating. I’m including a couple of resources I found for Claire, which you might also find useful – my idea was to have kiddos draw or write their goals or how they might help others or really whatever best fits your purpose.