Just So Stories

Walker Books Australia

September 2025

ISBN13:9781529525861

Australia RRP:$27.99

New Zealand RRP:$29.99

When, I ask you, have you ever been disappointed by a Bob Graham book? Never is my answer and this new one is every bit as charming, heartfelt and warm as so many of his others.

In a street full of tired, empty houses just one remains full of life and colour. The Anderson family at the very end of the road – Mum and Dad, three kids, a dog and Grandpa – happy and comfortable in their own small place. Grandad is a hat-wearing guitar player, with rings on his fingers and bluebird tattoo, always with a pocketful of sweeties, and that hat full of secrets.

When the children ask him to share some of the secrets, he has some wondrous and delightful tales to share: a new tune he composed that went out the window and was taken away by a boy whistling it, a rockpool with a crab which he let flow away with the tide and a night sky filled with stars. The children are a tiny bit disbelieving – but a whole lot entranced.

As the kiddos hang on to his every word as he spins out the hat magic for them, the world keeps turning and changes happen. A new day dawns and new beginning for the street happens, as new houses replace the old and new families come along to share and play and be happy.

I had a tiny pang of regret as I think of the correlation between Five Mile Road and its rebirth, and the many houses being torn down here – not for happy families in the main, but for cashed-up couples who want a sea view while our many homeless people move from one spot to another with their tents – but this is not the focus of Bob’s story, just my own connection.

For this fictional street it’s a happy new beginning and hopefully, with good neighbours and playmates with whom to share the magic. Bob Graham’s illustrations need no talk-up from me. They are so instantly recognisable, so well-loved and always so expressive filled with tiny details. It’s the kind of feel-good story that both adults and kids alike will love and could very easily be used across your entire primary cohort as for Smalls it’s a chance to talk about family and neighbourhoods and for bigger kids, to look at a bigger picture about changing demographics and urban areas.

It goes without saying that anything from the masterful Bob Graham gets a warm fuzzy 5 🏠🏠🏠🏠🌈.