Just So Stories

Penguin Australia

February 2025

• ISBN: 9781761346583
• Imprint: Penguin
• Format: Hardback
• $19.99

To be fair, Gus Worland, former Triple M breakfast presenter, wouldn’t have initially appeared to be a prime candidate to pull together one of the most successful mental health initiatives in the country.

I don’t mean that he wasn’t capable or that he was lacking in some way. It’s just that like most breakfast announcers (especially for high profile radio stations) this is a personality that’s upbeat and positive. But the loss of his mentor to suicide, propelled Gus into a path that would take him into homes, workplaces and, most importantly, schools with his Gotcha4Life Foundation.

Many of us, and certainly, the schools at which I’ve worked for the past few years, have had a real focus on mental health, resilience and growth mindset with our Smalls, and Not-so-Smalls. The resources and programs from Gus’ foundation are a hugely valuable adjunct to this movement.

Now here’s a first book (and I would think there will be more) which particularly challenges the attitude that still prevails that ‘real men don’t cry’. For this small boy, when so much goes wrong with his whole day, his realisation that tears are perfectly ok, they are a natural expression of emotions, especially big emotions, is a comfort and a release, particularly in the warm, supportive embrace of his dad. It’s a simple book told with humour but with an important understanding to share.

And, as you would expect, Heath McKenzie’s always iconic illustrations make for a fitting accompaniment to the text. With a letter from Hugh Jackman to underline that ‘It’s OKAY to not feel okay’ and it’s certainly okay to cry – whether for sadness, frustration, joy or any other emotion.

If you haven’t done so, why not check out Gotcha4Life’s resources (some below) – your school doesn’t have to sign up for the inhouse program, although that would be a splendid idea, but you can access free resources for your kiddos and for yourself [let’s face it, teachers need all the mental support they can get some days!]. You can also access stats and information on suicide in Australia as below: Suicide Prevention Australia and Suicide Programs as well as Global suicide rates among young people aged 15-19,

I’d recommend this for any collection, and certainly for your counsellor staff, for kiddos from Prep upwards. It’s a 5 👌👌👌👌👌 rating for this one.