Just So Stories

Harper Collins Australia

August 2025

ISBN: 9781460765883

ISBN 10: 1460765885

Imprint: HarperCollins AU

List Price: 24.99 AU

I fell in love with this the day it arrived when I read it immediately, but as I explained to Emma, I really wanted to save it for the Xmas Countdown because – to be honest- this year the Xmas books have not been plentiful really.

And, while I know, some people [me – I am some people] shop for Xmas throughout the year, there are still plenty who are only just shopping now. So rush out and buy this one for any Small you have from around 2 years old up to easily 7 or 8.

It is a crazy good rollicking rhyming twist on Clement-Clarke Moore’s ageless The Night Before Christmas with a very skittish kitty, and some very determined tree decorations.

While the tree baubles are having an argy-bargy about positioning on the tree, jockeying for prime placement, and the Nutcracker valiantly trying to restore order, Kitty McCatty comes charging through in hot pursuit of a rogue mouse. Nek minut – there’s a Kitty on top of the tree and absolute chaos!!

While all the ornaments keep shouting, a quiet suggestion from an unassuming gingerbread person has the whole team activated and working together for a – if not a perfect – at least, a successful solution. It’s great fun and an excellent example of cooperation.

Along with Emma’s snappy text, the gorgeous illos from Matt Shanks [keep your eye out for a Q&A with Matt in the new year] are 100% bound to delight your Smalls. I just love the little touches like the groaning stars or the Nutcracker’s cross face – and they will certainly love the activities based on the pics. It gets a very merry 5 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄rating from me.