Just So Stories

Westwords

Imprint : Peribo

August 2025

ISBN: 9781923044364

RRP: $27.99

While it’s not a ‘bird’ book like the other two in today’s post, it seems most appropriate to include this gentle and beautiful fable with its winged heroine, Konomi, with those.

Some of you may have read my review of Shirley Marr’s One Day earlier this year, another philosophical and thought-provoking narrative featuring the brief life of a mayfly. Author, Patrick Guest, explains that the book was inspired by his son’s serious medical diagnosis a decade ago and how life – and life expectancy – can be so very varied.

The mayfly, which lives only one day, may be the epitome of living life to the fullest because in that almost blink of an eye, the mayfly is born, lives wildly, mates and dies.

The text is both beautiful, graceful and evocative, and this would be a fascinating read for small people, who no doubt will be sad to learn that the mayfly’s life is so short but, as we know, many of them will face grief and loss, and we do not do them any favours by shielding them from that fact of life. I know this only too well. And the emphasis on a mother’s love is the moment that touched me most when I think about my girl, Jen, in relation to The Kid’s own loss.

Matelja Jager’s illustrations are simply breathtaking. Their delicacy and muted colours are a perfect match for the tone of the narrative. This is the first of Patrick’s books that I have had for review, though I well remember his gorgeous The Second Sky, shortlisted for the 2019 CBCA Picture Book of the Year Award, and illustrated by the amazing Jonathan Bentley. My Smalls and I voted for it as winner in our own private judging.

I can easily see this latest being on forthcoming awards lists as well, as I’m sure you will agree once you’ve seen it yourself. It’s definitely flying high with a 5 💜💜💜💜💜rating.