Just So Stories

ISBN: 9781763670051

May 2025

RRP: $26.99

Anthology contributors include (in alphabetical order):

Michèle Dodd . Hannah Friend . Daniela Glyntzos . Jade Goodwin . Carla Hoffenberg . Jennifer Horn . Lellie Lopter . Lorraine & Jessica Miller . Mietta Postlethwaite . Rachael Robertson . Romi Sharp . Nandina Vines.

Congratulations to all of our contributors and all of the entrants who submitted their remarkable illustration and text pieces to Picture It! 2024!

About Just Write For Kids Australia

Founded in 2014 as a support group for aspiring and emerging authors and illustrators, Just Write For Kids has developed into a supportive network that promotes Australian children’s literature and advocates for book creators. We are proud to associate with powerful stakeholders in fostering a love of learning, books and the enjoyment of reading for children and their families.

Reading Opens Doors to future opportunities and choices

The Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF) is a national charity working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander remote Communities across Australia. We are Community-led, responding to requests from remote Communities for culturally relevant books, including early learning board books, resources, and programs to support Communities to create and publish their stories in languages of their choice.

It has been a pleasure and privilege for me to support the work of the ILF for many years now – reaching back as far as 2004 and the Riverbend Readers’ Challenge, founded by Suzy Wilson, when I persuaded a group of my staff to take up the challenge and raise funds. At that time I was Head of Library at Fraser Coast Anglican College, and afterwards continued my support as the challenge evolved into the ILF through the annual Book Swap and other initiatives, all helping to elevate literacy outcomes for First Nations children. I recall the day just after I moved to Canberra when I ‘bumped into’ PM Kevin Rudd and his wife, Thérèse Rein, formerly ILF patron, and some of our conversation was centred on this topic [as well as State of Origin footy!].

Now it gives me even more pleasure to continue my support of the ILF – stay tuned for Reconciliation Week! – via JWFK which, in itself, is such a great initiative.

So it was a delight to review this cleverly wrought collaborative picture book, from so many sensational creators, in support of the Foundation’s mission. It’s a fun read but also a splendid opportunity to explore metaphorical language and concepts. Think about: lost in space, lost in Paradise, lost in the desert, lost socks, or lost in your thoughts ……how many more can your kiddos come up with, I wonder?

The result of JWFK’s annual Picture It! competition makes for a truly imaginative compilation, with the additional fun for your Smalls of hunting for some tiny characters and objects throughout. I wish I was talented enough to join in next year’s competition and maybe I will, talent or not!

I’m very pleased to give this a 4 🗺️🗺️🗺️🗺️ for both the concept/design and collaboration. What a fab springboard into some language and literacy for your kiddos!