Just So Stories

Hardie Grant

July 2025

ISBN:9781761211287

Price:AU$24.99, NZ$27.99

Publisher:Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing

Where to start with this piece of magnificence, I ask myself? I know! I’ll start with this anecdote. A week or so ago, the estimable Gus Gordon was going to be at Quick Brown Fox in Grange and I had determined I would go.

The lovely Lulu Baker was beside herself that I would be in his presence, and asked me to give him a ‘smooch’ from her. 😲 Now I ask you – do I seem like the type of gal who would smooch a man she’s just met for the first time? Ok, so maybe don’t answer that. I can only say that the conversation went on humorously with references to pash rash, the fact that Sydney girls pash the best etc etc etc. You get the picture.

The sad fact is that I hadn’t realised that it would be the Saturday we were to go up the coast to begin the Festival of Jen (The Kid’s late mother) so I dipped out altogether. Clearly, Gus was safe from being pounced upon – though, I say in all modesty, he dipped out as well 😜. And now to the review.

This is, in all honesty, a fabulous book from start to finish, though tricky to define and explain actually. Here are some things it makes me think of: The Odd Couple, Ernie and Bert, Ratty and Mole, Joe Buck and Rico Rizzo, Frog and Toad. And it makes me think of movies that amble into all kinds of random situations, characters and outcomes.

But, in all, it is this glorious insight into friendship, life, being content with what we have, treasuring the things that are truly important, told with quirky humour, outrageous characters, random questions, guitars, the Big City, a Weary Mermaid and food, including squirrels.

Luis (the large furry one) and Pablo (the small furry one) live in the forest, spending much of their time outdoors enjoying nature. When inside, they cosy up to the fire, eat food, entertain their occasional friend, Ray (when he’s not lost) and quietly just be.

When Luis wins tickets to see the Weary Mermaid in the Big City, the pair overcome some initial difficulties and make their way to the metropolis on the world’s longest bus trip. Their time in the city is not without drama. In fact, it’s more like one drama after another really. But through it all, the friendship wins out in the end.

And just like a fairytale, they both realise ‘there’s no place like home’ with friends, musical evenings and rhubarb pie. It’s a hoot! It really is. But it’s also a heart-warming, off-beat tale that many astute readers will thoroughly enjoy.

I think it needs some depth of maturity to get all the nuanced references and subtle humour but certainly younger ones could read it and enjoy it at a more surface level.

One thing I particularly love is the size and the binding. Hardie Grant are so good at this and this one is just ‘hand worthy’… that is, holding it is a pleasure. I’m giving it a 5 🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻 rating for kiddos from around Year 4/5 upwards. Check out Gus’ Insta for some fun video snapshots of the book and it’s development.