Just So Stories

New South Books

Publisher: Scallywag Press

May 2025

9781836300304

AUD$29.99, NZD$34.99

This one would be an excellent springboard into your UoI into those Earth/Sky/Weather type topics as while it is not informational per se, it provides a great opening gambit for conversations about why the sun is important and what it means to life on earth.

Because the narrative is framed for the most part in questions posed to the sun, this makes it perfect for kick-starting ‘Wonder’ sessions in the classroom/library.

At the same time, the illustrations which are mostly painted-paper collaged similar to the work of the late, great Eric Carle are just yelling out to become art projects for your readers. They are stand-out excellent. And, of course, they convey much of the meaning and import of the sun’s ‘business’ with imagery such as flowers and bees, birds nesting and plants growing.

This one gets a 4 ☀️☀️☀️☀️for readers from around Prep to Year 2/3.