Just So Stories

Synchronicity is an odd thing at times, isn’t it? Just as one of my friends [hello, Sonia!] was telling me about her trials and tribulations with a manic cockatoo since moving into her new house, these two books arrived within a couple of days! We laughed – in that bitterly ironic way that one does – but it was still quite weird really, when you think about it. Anyway, these cockatoos are MUCH nicer than her crazy one with a vendetta.

Hello Cocky! A stickybeak at the cockatoo – Hilary Bell and Antonia Pesenti

Scribble August 2025

ISBN : 9781761381577

Publisher : Scribe Publications

Imprint : Scribble

RRP: $27.99

This is hands down the best rhyming book I’ve read this year. So many that have come my way have been either just a little bit off [or sadly with some, way off ] being a rhythmic joy to the ear. This will be an absolute hit with your kiddos as a read-aloud.

More than that, they will learn quite a bit about the larrikin of our Australian birds with all their fiercely bolshie behaviours. From raiding bins to predicting rain, the creators are quite correct on this point. Everybody has a cockatoo story.

Aside from poor Sonia with her window screens being shredded, washing taken off the line and both she and her doggo being pelted with whatever comes to claw by the rampaging rascal in her backyard, mine is the memory of the one that was my grandfather’s pet.

My father and grandfather had a general carriers business (supplying sand, gravel, cement etc) that spread over third suburban blocks alongside our respective houses. Hard against one fence was a large aviary my Pap had built for Cocky [yes, very imaginatively named indeed] who had arrived injured years before and never left. He was the most pampered and well-loved bird. Rough and tough builders coming to the yard for supplies never failed to stop and pass the time of day with Cocky. My grandfather took him a SAO cracker every morning, as well as his wild bird seed and pieces of fruit. I was not allowed to poke my fingers in because he had a fierce bite and didn’t discriminate about who he used it on.

Both text and illos are marvellous in this one. Both these creators are new to me, but I certainly hope to see more of their work. Your kiddos are absolutely going to adore this book, I guarantee. I love it a LOT! And I’m giving it a raucously screeching 5 🦜🦜🦜🦜🦜 which, of course, would look far better as this >>>>>> [Aussie emojis needed!]

The Gang – Michel Streich

Scholastic Australia

August 2025

ISBN: 9781761205668

RRP: $19.98

So it would appear that Sonia has inherited a member of The Gang because this crowd perpertrate exactly the kind of vandalism she’s experiencing. I only recently discovered Michel Streich’s books but I am already a huge fan. His text is wonderful and his illustrations are superb, and this new book crackles with energy that will have your kiddos screeching just like the avian subjects.

The Gang completely destroy the father’s childhood home until the family hits upon an effective deterrent [quick Sonia – high pressure hose needed!] and all is quiet. But then as the years go by the present generation is greeted by the return of The Gang. Now though, the surrounding trees are so tall and so welcoming that The Gang is content to stay high up in their branches with their families. Whew!

Another top of the tree addition for your collection, and another squawkingly loud 5 🦜🦜🦜🦜🦜rating.

And now to pack these two to send south to Sonia 😉.