Just So Stories

A Collection of Night-time Creatures

Thames & Hudson

February 2025

ISBN: 9781760764166

RRP: $26.99

It would be fair to say I see a lot of animal books, and really they’re all lovely and the kiddos think they’re marvellous too. But sometimes there those that really stand out.

This is one of them. I haven’t seen its daytime counterpart, though I’d love to, but this is just a gorgeous compilation of artistry and information. The book begins with a fulsome introduction from the creator and there is a key to the codes for each animal to indicate its conservation status.

The various creatures are grouped together with clever, and often alliterative, sub-headings [always wins me!] such as: Fantastic Features, Slimeballs and Slippery Creatures and Nimble Night-time Ninjas. The animals are identified and interspersed throughout are snippets of information, size indications e.g. comparisons to a foot or a person.

There is some valuable backmatter with details of each critter, plus a double spread on how humans can help protect these nocturnal beasties. The endpapers are just sensational, [delighting my heart!] with snapshots of eight various habitats.

And, above all, Tai Snaith’s artwork is absolutely beautiful. Obviously, kiddos will love poring over this for the information, as many of these animals will be new to them, but I would also love to use this as a springboard to some artwork from the children. Watercolour is a difficult medium, but it would be a simple matter to adapt the medium and encourage children to be observers and recorders of creatures. Imagine a whole wall (or walls!) of your classroom or library as a mural in one or habitat. Even Smalls love this. I recall doing one based on Fern Gully and while I ‘helped’ with trickier things like drawing characters, the kiddos (1/2s) created artworks of their chosen creatures as well as vegetation to add.

It is very beautiful, very engaging and very informative and I happily give it a 5 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕rating for kiddos from Preps upwards.