Just So Stories

New South Books

Publisher: Groundwood Books

9781779460394

January 2026

AUD$29.99, NZD$34.99

They say there are two types of people – dog people and cat people. While I have happily owned both, if I can only have one it’s a cat. Whiskers aka the Demon Spawn thoroughly agrees with this stance as do thousands of others.

And this delightful book that takes readers on a parade of cats throughout history, and their connection to humans, is a testament to that concept.

From the wild cats living alongside prehistoric tribes to those revered by the Ancient Egyptians, to the early seafaring cats valued by the Phoenicians and other early travellers and the maneki-neko (招き猫, lit. ‘beckoning cat’) of Japan, the black cats reputed to be witches’ familiars [looks sideways at Whiskers] and those who are bringing joy in cat cafes around the world, the cat holds its place in the hearts of many humans.

This rioutously colourful cat cavalacade is a very welcome diversion from the plethora of ‘message’ books and certainly a far cry, or perhaps yowl, [thank catness!] from the ubiquitous ‘fart humour’ books.

This deserves a place on any shelf whether library, classroom or home (and will likely push other books off said shelf) and offers up the opportunity to explore history, myths and legends, superstitions as well as providing a springboard into art and readers’ own cat portraits.

I, along with my familiar, fully endorse it as a meow-vellous and feel-good read with a purring 5 🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛rating for primary kiddos of all ages.

From January 2015 to present – tiny scrap of kitten that The Kid’s mother found till now, the last of the former zoo and boss of the house.