Just So Stories

Harper Collins Australia

July 2025

• ISBN: 9781460764565
• ISBN 10: 1460764560
• Imprint: HarperCollins AU
• RRP: $16.99

I have no doubts whatsoever that many of you will have kids who loved the #1 in this series, Neeka and the Missing Key. Of course, the whole animals aspect is a huge drawcard, but the plot with all its drama, humour and sense of adventure mixed together makes for a winning combination.

Now Neeka, her family, friends and the animals are back in a new adventure. One thing to love about Neeka is that she really is a normal kid – she gets waylaid by the things she’s interested in most. For much of the time that’s the zoo and the animals and hence, she’s often running late or neglecting other stuff. In this case, it’s the school reading challenge.

Neeka has kept promising herself to get stuck into her book, The Secret Garden, recommended by her teacher-librarian [yes, we are the best!] but somehow so many things seem to crop up, not to mention outright disasters e.g., dropping your book in water! and time is running out.

When a tremendous storm hits there is a mad scramble to evacuate the zoo and it’s all hands on deck to help out. It’s very dramatic indeed as the entry road is blocked by a fallen tree so there’s not even a full staff to help out. But when that drama eases, Neeka is still faced with getting that reading done.

And, despite Mrs Tan’s recommendation, that the book would just the thing for Neeka, it’s taken her quite some doing to get into it – it is, after all, very old-fashioned. But when the book finally captures her interest, and the reading deadline is postponed because of the storm, it’s possible that she just might do it and get to the water park treat with her friends.

It’s another great adventure with very relatable characters, completely believable scenarios and that extra fillip of a whole zoo of animals as neighbours. A mention too for the great cover art again by Max Hamilton.

Another definite 5 🐆🐆🐆🐆🐆rating for this one. And, if you get a chance to hear Tina speak, don’t hesitate! her anecdotes and stories about all her experiences with wildlife are amazing!