Just So Stories

Publisher: Magabala Books

Distributor: Hachette Australia

Sep 2025 | 9781922864147 | RRP $27.99

And last, but not least, in this round of beautiful First Nations titles is yet again a family story, including grandparent, by the sea although wayyyyy over this side of the country, in northern NSW. This family is having a mob day out to collect and feast on pippies.

Author Wilaaran Laurie first wrote this story when he was just 5 years old, growing up in Yamba. He was excited, not just about the outing, but about learning some of the old ways of his people. In this recollection of the kind of family outing repeated all over the nation with generations coming together and enjoying both tradition and culture, non-Indigenous children are provided with an insight into something that might be quite outside their own experiences.

The pippy shuffle is practised by many, quite a few that I’ve known in the past, but this particularly joyous example will enchant your young readers. I have no doubt that after reading this, there will be plenty who will want to try it out at the first opportunity.

Some of you will be familiar with the work of Tori-Jay Mordey, especially if you have Our Flag, Our Story, and her illustrations in this book are wonderfully full of life and character [love the very familiar Woolies chill bag that appears – how many kiddos will also recognise it?]. It’s a really feel-good story to which many children will be able to relate, with or without pippies, as they happily recount family picnics and outings they have enjoyed. It’s a shuffling, sandy 5 🦪🦪🦪🦪🦪[just pretend that’s a pippi shape, ok?] rating.