Just So Stories

Westwords

October 2025

RRP $29.95

ISBN: 9781923044517

This is another intriguing and very different title from Westwords, and another that can be described as a fable. This a timeless narrative about one’s internal desire to fit in and be accepted, and the lengths to which some will go to do so.

I love these opening sentences: There was no finer place to live than on North Mountain. Folks came from everywhere wanting to live there including Indy

And while one’s mind might immediately envisage such a mountain, the inspired illustrations from Estee Sarsfield, show the reader a playground climbing frame with a bridge and other features. And isn’t that just right? All of us who have done playground duty at one time or another, have observed the ritualistic and tribal dominance of individuals or groups over certain areas.

This story not only outlines that scenario but moves deeper into layers of the way in which we adapt or camouflage ourselves to fit into the prescribed expectations of others. In this instance, it is Indy’s desire to join the Mountain but Percival’s insistence that anyone who does must conform to his rules: no colour, no wild hair, no legs the wrong length – no differences allowed.

Indy rigorously disguises all her attributes in order to pass Percival’s inspection and be accepted, but when the nest she has put on top of her head has a beautiful red bird pop out, things take a different turn. Percival is outraged and demands that she leave. But Indy is not going to abandon her beautiful bird either. To Percival’s astonishment, the other children who have all played so happily together all resolutely say they will leave as well if Indy does.

So they all stay, and, as it turns out, not only is Percival himself so different to all the rest, but everyone, including Indy, is quite OK with that.

Not only is it a powerful message but it is expressed both in words and images so that even your smallest of Smalls will grasp the intent. This is another ideal book to share in those first weeks of the new school year when all are trying to adjust to new social situations and a new class, or indeed to school itself for the first time.

It is both visually striking and succinctly agile in a literary sense. It’s a 5 🛝🛝🛝🛝🛝rating for this unusual but impressive title.