Just So Stories

Wombat Books

March 2025

9781761111938

AUD$27.99, NZD$32.99

Yes, a little bit of a cheeky cheat to round off a week of Birdie Num Num posts with this one. But, in my defense, with a Father Bear who was RAF as well as a dear friend in adult life, Squadron Leader and later commercial pilot, Wal Ives, inevitable as a ‘bird’ is also slang for a plane.

[A slight digression to talk about Wal. Back in the early days of ‘social’ internet, Wal and I were both members of the MSN 50s chat room. Wal became a very dear friend to me. He was then in his 80s. But he was one of the most up-to-date octogenerians I’ve ever known. Many fond memories of his outright cheekiness but a special memory was marching with him in the Sydney ANZAC Day March circa 2004/5. He was actually the one who first referred to The Kid when she was born that year as the Little Princess. A gentleman and a scholar. I know he’s in good company in the wide blue beyond.]

In any war, as we know from much historical fiction and documentaries, it is often civilians who play such vital roles that are sometimes overlooked by history. There would be, I have no doubt, many who have been unaware of the role of the Volunteer Air Observers Corps.

This is a delightful and insightful narrative that will demonstrate to children that it is not just adults who can play a pivotal role in important events. No matter how young or small (or gendered!) they are, children can be astute observers at any time. Giving them an important purpose to do so, is like sending a fox terrier after a rat. They are not to be deflected from their goal.

After the bombing of Darwin in 1942, activities in Australia went from merely enlistments and wide-ranging support to a far more active role in defending the country against the potential invasion from Japan. When the call for volunteers goes out, Mavis and her sister both put up their hands to be plane spotters. It was a valuable, indeed an essential, service to aid the RAAF.

Your kiddos will be fascinated by the very fact that kids as young as Mavis could play such an important role. Helping them to imagine the thrill and the potential terror of spotting planes in case one is an enemy, will have your kiddos enthralled. They could then compare to the historical accounts such as this one from Joyce Craig.

And there are still plane spotters today, albeit for more recreational purposes – you can even buy a kids’ plane spotter log book! Amberley Air Base Heritage Centre in Brisbane is one great starting point for this [I took my Brownie pack there years ago – plus flights -and we had a brilliant day!].

Both text and illustrations are well done and provide readers with a good insight into everyday life in an Australian home during the war years. A little slice of hitherto unknown history for many that will strike exactly the right note for your youngsters especially those with an interest in all things aviation.

For a kid like me growing up with regular conversation around planes it’s a given – hence my own interest in writing the book coming out in February! It gets a high-flying 5 ✈️✈️✈️✈️✈️rating from me.