Just So Stories

Magabala Books

Hachette Australia

November 2025 | 9781922864109 | RRP $27.99

A new Gregg Dreise book is always a delight- just like the man himself and this one, in the Scales and Tails sequence, is not only a significant story handed down to Gregg from his uncle, but references the Stolen Generation, providing an opportunity to introduce this topic to kiddos in an accessible way.

Once, long ago in the Dreaming, a little lizard hatched from its egg, but as it went looking for its parents, an eagle swooped down and carried him off by the tail. After fiercely wriggling to escape the eagle’s talons, the lizard’s tail broke off and he plummeted to the ground where he was rescued by Biamme, the Clever Man.

But he was a long, long way from his mother’s country. Though he was very happy and safe living with Biamme even though his tail never grew back, the lizard, now known as Warrabah, longed for his family.

But going in search of them proved not only a hard journey but a risky one, as he incurred the wrath of the Elders through whose Country he passed without gaining permission. Biamme’s rescue (again) of him guaranteed his safety although he was no longer a speedy lizard, but the very first turtle.

Kiddos will love the story of how Biamme’s magic transformed Warrabah, and I can visualise many excited art activities arising from recreating Warrabah with his newly acquired protective shields. And, with its underlying theme, of being taken from family and Country, would fit very neatly with some gentle discussion on another reason for changing the date, acknowledging the intergenerational trauma and loss for First Nations families.

Gregg is one of the most multi-talented kids lit creators I’ve ever met, and he’s a really lovely human to go with it. If you have the opportunity to engage him at your school, then do so! It’s been a while since I caught up with him but can guarantee that his music, story-telling, art and knowledge will make for a happy incursion for any of your jarjums.

This one is just as vibrant and evocative as his others and gets a turbo 5 🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢rating for kiddos from Prep upwards. Here are some happy snaps from Gregg’s visit to PLC when I was in charge of the library there.