Just So Stories

Hachette Australia

September 2025

Imprint: Lothian Children’s Books

9780734421418 | RRP $32.99

I could just say – Sami Bayly – and not need to write another word really. I know it. You know it. The kiddos certainly know it. This woman’s ability to create fascinating and fabulous books that tap into children’s innate love of animals and nature is extraordinary. There is no doubt in my mind that hers are the favourites of many our young readers.

This one, as is obvious by the title, looks at the fast and slow from the common garden snail to the cheetah, from panda to pronghorn antelope and so many more. Sixty astonishing animals are showcased each in a double spread with Sami’s beautifully detailed rendering of their appearance, their scientific name as the caption (repeated with a pronunciation guide) and a facing page of facts: description, speed factor, conservation status, location/habitat, diet and fun facts.

I love the little extra touches such as the speed factor for the giant clam, (which has an extraordinarily beautiful illustration, one of my favourites in the book,) or the koala both rated as ‘super slow’, while the brown hare is ‘extremely fast’. So there are degrees of speed [pretty much the same for students completing work or tidying their bedrooms, I would say].

There are also some seriously little-known critters, many of them new to me: the ox heart ascidian aka the gold-mouth or ink-spot sea squirt – really WEIRD looking – or the silver-haired bat [no, it looks nothing like me, I’ll have you know!].

Beautifully bound, as I know to expect from any book from the Hachette group, even down to the ribbon pagemarker, this is another that not only will be a must-have for your collection but makes a magnificent gift.

I have just the right kiddo in mind for this beauty and the others reviewed today. It’s always pure joy to see Sami’s work and this gets a speedy and slow-mo 5 🐆🦥🦇🐌🪼– which is pretty right because they’ll speed through it the first time and then re-read endless times slowly. Great idea for Santa – think of the peace and quiet!