Just So Stories

Affirm Press

May 2025

Dist: Simon & Schuster

Imprint: Affirm Kids

ISBN13: 9781923046603

As it happens just yesterday, [as I write this 24/05] at my twice-weekly Senior Sisters exercise class we finished off our hour with 15 minutes of yoga. I hasten to point that it was only standing yoga, as we all have made it very clear we do NOT do floor work! So very luckily for me, I did not have Lil’s problem – because I am, to all intents and purposes, a roly-poly wombat with short legs.

Lil desperately wanted
to join in the class.
But each time she tried,
she’d land PLONK on the grass.

This new book from Caz is just a sweet affirmation of how each one of us has our own strengths, abilities, and something to contribute in our own personal group/s. Mine is not floor yoga, but in my own little group I can shine at several of our activities – just watch my boxing or deadlifts!

And Lil is the same. All her animal friends have their own favourite poses to share, but she just can’t manage those. She’s pretty sad about it all but when she puts her mind to it, she does come up with something that is achievable for all… voila! Wombat dreaming pose!

How often do we have a Small who lacks confidence in our class or setting? I know, for my own part, that The Kid was a prime example of this, and it has taken time and plenty of reassurance for her to reach the point she has reached now [so ok, maybe a little TOO confident at times these days, I keep telling her ! 😂].

This is a gentle way of letting our little people know that every single one of them has their own unique qualities and talents to share with others. As you can tell, the illustrations from Zoë Bennett are absolutely adorable. I just love the palette of colours she has used to create this soothing and calming vibe, that – let’s face it- we would associate with the qualities of yoga.

Altogether, it is a lovely package put together in an appealing square binding (as opposed to regular PB size), making it even more ideal for the hands of little folks. As I’ve pointed out before, there is no wombat emoji (such a travesty!) so instead I’m giving this a very mindful 5 lotus pose 🧘🧘🧘🧘🧘 rating, for your favourite little people from about 2 years upwards.