Just So Stories

Harper Collins Australia

March 2025

• ISBN: 9780733343124
• ISBN 10: 0733343120
• Imprint: ABC Books AU
• RRP: $16.99

Young fans of this delightful series will be excited for this new one, in which we finally get to meet Mim’s mother. The travelling bookshop has arrived in Salzburg, which was not their intended destination, but as usual Flossy, the Clydesdale, knows exactly where they ought to be.

And, indeed, she is correct because as it happens as Mim, Nat, Dad and the assorted animals begin to explore and get a feel for the place- not to mention meeting their first customers – they happen to find their mother unexpectedly.

But it’s not exactly a joyful reunion because the bump on the head Mum had written about in her rather strange muddled letter, has really and truly muddled her. She doesn’t remember her family!

There are moments however when she kind of vaguely remembers little things – like a bookshop she once knew, or children she used to know. It’s a very odd sort of adventure for Mim as she tries her best to help her mother remember who she is, and what her life is and, as usual, there are lots of hijinks along the way including some quirky bookshop customers, gardens, sacher torte, Mozart, castles and also unexpected kindnesses. These are such charming adventures overflowing with a joie de vivre that is infectious always. Mim’s innate kindness, which tempers her little brother’s exuberance [he would really tire a teacher out!] and her father’s completely wacky eccentricity, provides readers with an example of forbearance and care for others which is infectious (we hope!). And in this one, we can’t help but feel joy for her when her Mum finally becomes ‘unmuddled’.

It’s another adventure to treasure for the MG readers who enjoy these gently humorous fantasy-adventures. It gets a very unmuddled 5 🏰🏰🏰🏰🏰 rating.