Just So Stories

Hachette Australia

July 2025

Imprint: Lothian Children’s Books

| 9780734423634 | RRP $29.99

‘Let’s walk down a winding path to where the sand meets the sea’

We certainly love our proximity to the ocean, whether here at home – a five minute walk away or when we take a little trip up the coast, an hour’s drive away. Now your readers can explore not just their own closest beach and ocean, but those from all around the world.

Jess McGeachin (so talented!) has created what is essentially a nature guide for young readers who love nature [which over many years I have found is most of them] roaming from the depths of the sea to the heights of sea cliffs, from our own wobbegongs, my personal favourite shark, to charming sea otters playfully gambolling.

I love the inclusion of dugongs [yes, still waiting patiently to spot one of our locals] and mangroves which, for us, are so close to home but also revel in the puffins and proboscis monkeys, both such almost improbable creatures!

Weedy seadragons and green sea turtles will be familiar to kiddos here in Australia, even if they’ve not seen them in real life and very likely more of these creatures, but there will also be some that are quite new – and perhaps unexpected – for them to discover.

As always, Jess’ text and illustrations are of the very highest standard [love those endpapers!] and this one, especially with summer coming on and more beach time to expect, is a very timely read. It’s a sparkling salty 5 🐚🦀🦭🌊🦈rating for readers from around 5 or 6 years upwards.