Just So Stories

Penguin Australia

Imprint: Viking Books

ISBN: 9780670077342

RRP: $24.99 – buy it now from Books Direct for $19.99 or Boomerang Books for $20.99

Writing my special feature blog post on Caroline Magerl and the new French edition of Hasel and Rose made me realise that, while I’ve had a copy in (I think) all my libraries since it was first released, I didn’t own a copy. And knowing it was out of print I thought I’d only be able to source a second-hand copy but lo! and behold! Books Direct must have a secret stash, because not only was I able to buy it but it arrived within 3 days – get onto it!

Reading this some years on, made me fall in love with it all over again. This slowly developed and exquisitely rendered narrative of loss, longing and love, that I now know from a whole different perspective, is every bit as impressive as it was over a decade ago.

The underlying theme of hope and the resilience to begin again is, arguably, even more relevant for today’s fragile society and our need to empower young readers with as much emotional strength as we can. We know adults have a lot to deal with – stress and anxiety abounds for many of who are concerned about world affairs – but that’s not confined to grown people. Our little people, particularly those especially sensitive or susceptible, need help to grow their own resilience. This is an excellent book to support this.

The beauty of the text and the absolutely sumptuous illustrations are the packaging in which the gift is wrapped. Whimsy is a word that comes to mind instantly as I re-visit Rose’s wishing for a ‘something’ she’s not even sure exists and that funny little rabbity creature that makes its way across the world to meet her is everything a special new friend should be [after all, it’s rabbity – need I say more?]. Hasel and Rose was rapturously received when first released and it is well worth re-visiting now – just as joyous as ever.

I know some t-l buddies don’t have a copy so it’s time to grab one before it’s too late. Enjoy some sneak peeks inside [I still feel so privileged to have seen so much of the original material] and then rush to grab a copy now!

A wish-fulfilled 5 👧🏼🔭🐇📦🌊rating for readers from Prep upwards.