Allen & Unwin
September 2025
ISBN:9781761181566
Publisher:A&U Children’s
Imprint:A & U Children
RRP: $24.99
The continuing upswell in First Nations titles is so pleasing and, let’s face it, not before time. As a minority fringe continues to attempt to cause as much division as it can, and certainly global ugliness is on the rise, it is even more imperative for us to share the wealth of knowledge, and the beauty of the world’s oldest living culture with our young readers.
I’m not entirely sure why I didn’t get Victor’s previous book Looking After Country with Fire, because I know I requested it, but no matter I have seen it (as I got it for my library) and it is exceptional.
This one makes a very welcome companion title and will greatly enhance your First Nations collection and your dissemination of cultural knowledge. The virtual walk through Country as Uncle Kuu explains how the people cared for land, water, animals and each other will be a gentle and positive learning for your jarjums as well. Because we know that after the mess that’s been made of stewardship since colonisation, it’s this upcoming generation that will need to work the hardest to rectify it.
Victor’s text is simple but profound – I love that important words are enlarged and coloured for emphasis – and, honestly, Sandra’s illustrations are just wonderful. The details!! Beautiful endpapers, including a nice dedication and a song to teach in the backmatter, this is a first-class book that is guaranteed to be used over and over – whether, I might add, in classroom/library or at home.
One little touch that I particularly like is the final page which starts ‘All creatures, big and small,…’ Whether you know the reference or not, whether you are Christian or not, the sentiment expressed in that hymn really does apply to all. In just the same way, my favourite poem from Christina Rossetti [which I used to have on a Scholastic poster in my library offices for the entirety of my career], and which I have used many times over with kiddos to underline this need for us all to be mindful of our world’s gifts, speaks to this ideal. It’s an absolute 5 🐨🏞️🦘🦎🌱rating for primary aged children – but certainly worth providing some inspiration to secondary students as well.
Hurt no living thing:
Ladybird, nor butterfly,
Nor moth with dusty wing,
Nor cricket chirping cheerily,
Nor grasshopper so light of leap,
Nor dancing gnat, nor beetle fat,
Nor harmless worms that creep.
Sing-song: A Nursery Rhyme Book (1876) | Christina G. Rossetti (1830–1894)
Just So Stories 
Leave a comment