Just So Stories

Harper Collins Australia

April 2025

• ISBN: 9780733343780
• ISBN 10: 0733343783
• Imprint: ABC Books AU
• RRP: $26.99

Doesn’t really seem possible that it’s 10 years since the extraordinary humour of the Stantons burst onto the scene, sending hordes of kids into absolute fits of laughter. Yet, here we are, the laughs kept on coming too, which was a great thing and there’s been a few I’ve reviewed over the intervening years. But this one will always remain a favourite.

I actually remember whisper reading this to a Prep class in a lockdown drill, and trying to keep their giggles contained. That, in itself, was pretty funny. Astute kids, even little ones, will get the idea that the point of this is perception, and what they particularly love is correcting the adult who is reading. It’s the best fun you can have for free, reading a book like this aloud to a bunch of appreciative kooky kids rolling about in hysterics.

Hear Matt talk a little about the WHY he writes here. This is a 5 📦📦📦📦📦 for sure, and it must surely be time you had a new copy or two, so get it on your list.