Just So Stories

National Library of Australia

9781922507822 / 1 July 2025 / AUD$29.99, NZD$34.99

One thing is a given. A book from Stephanie Owen Reeder will always be exceptional and I, for one, have been very much looking forward to this one. And just wait till you see it! On a gloomy weekend such as this one (as I write this) it’s a perfect book to curl up with and linger over and I have no doubt your kiddos will think the same.

Of course, it’s animals and that’s always a winner, but what will really fascinate is the myriad ways in which our animals (60 different species!) court each other, mate, produce and raise their young, establish their homes and find their food, as well as the often weird and wonderful ways they behave.

I have plenty of favourite pages and facts, as will your kiddos, no doubt. I love that shinglebacks are the only lizards to mate for life and that they kiss! The thought of the hip-pocket frog carrying his tadpoles around until they metamorphise just delights me no end. While the impact of humans has made life and love difficult for the mountain pygmy possums [one of my favourite critters!] the fact that rangers have built them ‘Tunnels of Love’ where they can meet up and mate [anyone else remember sneaky kisses in the Luna Park version? – just me?😏] is adorable.

Whether they’re the Brooding Dads or the Magnificent Mums, these parents are so fascinating that this will be a book your readers will return to again and again. Naturally, for any class doing a UoI around Australian fauna this will be invaluable but aside from that, given our kiddos’ insatiable appetite for all things animals this will be a highly prized addition to any bookshelf or collection.

It’s a weighty size which kiddos love as well. As always, Stephanie’s narrative non-fiction is completely engrossing and the illustrations from (local to Brisbane!) Ingrid Bartkowiak so utterly capture the whole vibe of this book, that it becomes a thing of beauty as well as knowledge. I particularly like the ‘framed’ portraits which echo galleries and museums, and underline the idea of learning about these creatures.

Also, I have to mention the delightful endpapers with the lyrebird feather motif. Just check out this amazing trailer and you will have some idea of how gorgeous this is. I happy snapped some fave pages as well as the contents but I’m sorry they are a bit dull [currently it’s not just gloomy but pouring rain so the lighting is a bit naff].

There is some terrific backmatter, as you would expect: an extensive peculiar words/glossary to finish off the learning, a list of baby animal names, websites and books for additional reading, the credits for original images, and two indices – basic A-Z and one of animal groups. Further to all that, there are some teaching notes that may help amplify your units in the classroom or library.

What can I say? It’s another winner and I mean that quite literally – watch out for it popping up on the awards lists in the coming year. I love it bigly and cannot talk it up enough. Brava!! It’s a not-so-peculiar 5 🦘🐨🐸🕷️🦎 [I do wish we had more Aussie emojis!] for this treasure trove.