Just So Stories

Ford St Publishing

March 2025

ISBN: 9781922696502

RRP: $27.95

When it comes to Mother’s Day, it’s always a bitter-sweet feeling in our house as we each grieve for our own mothers, but we have each other and that’s important too.

Just like the grandmother and granddaughter in this absolutely delightful picture book from Ellie Royce and Penelope Pratley. While we are opposites in many things as age divides us: yes, one is bouncy and quick, the other is slower and cautious, and one has lustrous long brown hair that flips beautifully, and one has short hair getting snowier by the day, yet we still have so much in common and that we share.

We love the beach and the wild waves. We love home-made crumbed chicken. We love plants and gardens. So much to share, despite the gulf of years.
All that is echoed in this relatively simple picture book in which a few words accompanied by expressive illustrations tell the story of the love between the generations and how important that connection is.

Whether it is the shared love of ice cream, telling stories, taking naps with cuddles or hand-holding for comfort, this grandma and grandchild relish each other and find joy in their relationship.

There is a special bond between grandparents and grandchildren, that is almost tangible as observers will note seeing them out and about at parks and pools, beaches or shops. Just as it is for these two, clearly very close and confident in each other’s love, spending time with each other is a precious commodity. Some are blessed with more of that time than others 💗. Happy Mother’s Day to all:
 Those who long to be a mum
 Those who have lost their mum
 Those who have never known their mum
 Those who are fur-mums
 Those who are new mums (and likely tired!)
 Those who have lost children
 Those who are bonus mums
 Those who are mother figures
 Those who are solo mums pulling double duty
 Those who are foster mums
 Those who are step-mums
 Those who are mums

This is a book to treasure and makes a beautiful gift for the grandma in a child’s life. I recommend it for Smalls from around 3 years upwards and happily give it a 4 💗💗💗💗 rating.