Just So Stories

Harper Collins Australia

September 2025

• ISBN: 9780733343315
• ISBN 10: 0733343317
• Imprint: ABC Books AU
• RRP: $24.99

Honestly, would you expect anything less than marvellous from this pair of celebrated creators? This is a truly lovely and fresh take on the nativity that will appeal to your Smalls greatly. It will also pave the way for some interesting discussions on changing perspectives in narratives with your older kiddos, as well introducing or revising alliteration and refrains. Netta the donkey was born with a song in her heart, and loves to sing, sing, sing! She spends most of her time frisking around hee-hawing ‘Joy! Joy! Joy!’ all over:

From dawn to dusk.

In villas and vineyards.

In stables and streets.

In taverns and tents.

In markets and meadows.

And from the top of the hill that overlooked the town.

Joy! Joy! Joy!

Esther the sheep was also born with a song in her heart, and also loves to sing: “Love! Love! Love!” and joins Netta to sing together in just the same way.

And what’s even better than a duet? A choir! So Uzi the camel, who was also born with a song in his heart – make that, hump – and loves to sing: “Peace! Peace! Peace!” joins in as the trio careers around the town and surrounds.

But not everyone appreciates their musicality, and the townsfolk demand that all three be sold at market. Netta did not sing the day she was sold. She did not sing in her new home, which was a kind one, though Joseph kept her carefully and Mary also loved to sing. She did not want to be sent back to market. When Mary sang of joy, love and peace, Netta longed to join in but kept herself quiet.

Until the family travel to Bethlehem and a baby boy is born during the night. Netta sings quietly: “Joy! Joy! Joy!”. Shepherds arrive from the fields and one of the flock sings sweetly: “Love! Love! Love!”. It is Esther.

When the Magi arrive from the East, a camel rumbles: “Peace! Peace! Peace!”. It is Uzi. The choir is back together.

And, reunited, the choir sings for the newborn King and the angels join in. What a lovely take on the Christmas story!

If you are in a faith school, it will be especially appreciated but even in a secular school, it is still a beautiful look at the reason for Christmas. Katrina’s text is superb. It has exactly the right feel. And, as always, Freya’s unmistakable illustrations match so perfectly. It is the best Christmas book for my money this year and gets a fulsome 5 🎇🫏🐑🐫🤱🏻rating for children of all ages.

The Birth of Jesus: Luke 2:1-20

2 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. ² (This was the first census that took place while^[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) ³ And everyone went to their own town to register.

⁴ So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. ⁵ He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. ⁶ While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷ and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

⁸ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

¹³ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

¹⁵ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

¹⁶ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ¹⁷ When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.