Just So Stories

Simon & Schuster

Publisher: Affirm Press

July 2025

ISBN13: 9781923046368

RRP: LIST PRICE: AU$ 24.99 / NZ$ 29.99

While this one fits perfectly into today’s theme in a titular way, it is not about the sky at all. It is, in fact, about a whole lot of different concepts and it is a book which will spark rich discussions with your readers from younger ones to older.

There is a lot of measurement: instruments to measure such as tapes and scales or anemometer and barometer [btw, these are fun to make as a STEM activity – we’ve made an entire personal weather station], as well as terms of measurement: depth, width, volume and so on. The initial part of the narrative is devoted to these but then the book changes tack just like the sailboat on the cover and we get into a more esoteric, philosophical line of thinking.

Consider that we can measure the actual temperature i.e. how cold it might be but not the warmth that laughter – or other joy – gives us. Or the passage of time but not how slowly it can seem to pass, or indeed how swiftly at other times.

It is a really interesting way into beginning philosophy with younger kiddos which could further develop over sessions. I think it would be fascinating to see what your readers can think of as similar examples. Of course, this could also be a springboard into some creative writing or artwork as well, as well as, in its basic premise, an adjunct to your maths program [add it to that list of PBs with mathematical concepts – I always had a bank of these titles stored up ready to share].

Both text and illustrations have a pared down feel that is particularly appropriate to allow for focus on the intent – or that’s how I see it – and, all in all, this a book that is most definitely worth adding to your collection for all these reasons. It’s a 5 ⏱️🌡️📏⚖️🌌 without measure.