Just So Stories

Owlet Press

May 2025

ISBN: 9781913339654

RRP; $25.99

Yes, I know its release date isn’t until March but given recent events and despicable actions by political parties especially, I want you to note this and support it fully. It’s not just another fine example of a young Australian with vision but represents a social initiative that has become a global phenomenon.

12-year-old Abbie Jane living in a small town, felt like she just didn’t fit in. Worse than that, she felt the effects of bullying and lack of tolerance, because of being different. Taking inspiration from a rainbow’s beauty and its eternal promise of hope, as well as it’s symbolism of the LGBQT+ community, Abbie threaded some rainbow beads onto her sneakers, just to help her feel braver and to show support for gender diversity.

Sometimes it’s the little things. Just those tiny colourful beads strung onto her laces, gave Abbie a little more confidence, a little more courage and a little more happy-ness. The thought struck her – maybe such a simple thing could make other people happy and confident as well? So she started packing beads into tiny packets and pinning them around town, for people to take.

When the packets disappeared, Abbie was worried that people were just taking them down to get rid of them, but then – somehow, more and more people around her school were wearing the beads on their shoes. Even the teachers were into the groove of the rainbow beads. Abbie’s actions had started to sway the tide of tolerance and something wonderful began to happen.

People around town started wearing Abbie’s beads and when they shared photos all over, letters began to arrive from all over the country AND the world. More and more people wanted Abbie’s True Colours beads. The Rainbow Shoelace Project was born and continues to grow apace. The small action of Abbie, along with her friend Max, gave rise to a whole new level of support for queer and other diverse people, not only in Abbie’s own community but on a much wider level.

It has been such a pleasure for me to develop a friendship with author Claire Thompson and I love that she has chosen to focus on young innovators who are willing to demonstrate their support for those who are disadvantaged or marginalised so often. Her first title, recently released, Croc Candy has already proved a big hit and I believe that this terrific title will also prove likewise. And the illustrations from Eliott Bulpett are a perfect fit!

I must thank Claire and Abbie for my oh-so-cute tote bag and my beads as well – lucky I’ve bought new sneakers!! – my laces will be awesome now. You can get your own free beads from the website, but why not request a community kit and get your kiddos all into the project to show their support? I give this a 5 🌈🏳️‍🌈🌈🏳️‍🌈🌈rating and urge you to add it to your orders list.

The Rainbow Shoelace Project is the brainchild of 12-year-old Abbie Jane who, with her friend Max Dawnn started giving out Rainbow Shoelace beads in their hometown of Broken Hill.

The idea came to Abbie when she was worried about wearing Pride flag-coloured beads on her converse to high school, as she was worried that she would be bullied. Abbie felt scared and alone. Abbie realised that other queer kids might be feeling the same way and decided that it would be great for a queer kid to feel that they are supported by seeing their peers wearing Pride flag-coloured beads.

The aim of the project is to show support to the LGBTIQ+ community by wearing Pride coloured beads on your shoelaces. Members of the LGBTQI+ community and their allies are encouraged to join this project by wearing the beads.