Just So Stories

Simon & Schuster

August 2025

Publisher: Affirm Press

ISBN13: 9781923135413

LIST PRICE: AU$ 22.99 / NZ$ 27.99

It’s a whole new vibe for the Aussie 12 Days of Xmas we may all know and personally I love it. The subdued pastel palette employed by Brentos in all his work encourages us all to view our country and its wildlife, nature and landscapes with a completely new awareness. I find that the change of colour scheme is really refreshing after so much the same for a)anything Australian b)anything Christmas.

I also really love his cartooning style which renders these favourite animals as part of the very essence and fun of Christmas in Oz. All the favourites are here: kangas and koalas, dolphins and turtles, frogs and goannas, quokkas and cockies and more… plus more to spy in illustrations right down to flies. Xmas beetles and geckos. I love the cicada with the Santa hat! and the kangas with reindeer antlers are pure joy, as are the stylish endpapers.

It’s a lot of fun for your own Smalls but if you send overseas, this would be a superb Xmas cracker as a gift as well! I happily give it a sparkly 5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟rating for small humans of around 2-6 years.