Just So Stories

Hachette Australia

Imprint: Lothian Children’s Books

Aug 26, 2025 | 9780734420176 | RRP $24.99

Three of my favourite First Nations creators have produced this gorgeous picture book which would make a beautiful gift for a small person in your family or friendship circle especially.

Of course, it would also be eminently suited to an EC setting or home. Small jarjum and older family member express their love for each other in a private game of ‘how big is this love’. At the end of a busy day with Small cosied up on their adult’s knee, the grown-up whispers ‘I love you.’ as we do to our special kiddos every single chance we get. Small, as is often the case, would like a little more reassurance of this fact and asks ‘How much?’.

With each declaration and expansion of the depth and breadth of this love we see not only how enormous our capacity is for such love, but glimpse the distance from small backyard across Country, to the sky beyond the Emu and even to the very end of time. Carl and Hakea have produced a subtle but powerful expression of this familial love and, as always, Jade’s illustrations are stunning and perfectly suited to the emotion of the book as well as the colours of home and Country.

It’s a lovely, warm and endearing bedtime story especially which will catch the imagination of your own little person, and no doubt spring to a similar game ongoing. Definitely a 5 ❤️💛🖤💛❤️rating for all little fellas from around 2 years up to 5/6/7.