Just So Stories

An anthology of brilliantly illustrated tales only ten words long, from former Children’s Laureate Joseph Coelho and friends

Walker Books Australia

October 2025

ISBN13:9781529502688

Australia RRP:$27.99

New Zealand RRP:$29.99

A JUNIOR LIBRARY GUILD SELECTION
SHORLISTED FOR THE ENGLISH 4-11 BOOK AWARDS LEICESTER
SELECTED AS A KIRKUS REVIEWS BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR

I am so sorry that this review is so delayed.

This slim volume had slipped behind many other bigger books.

I am mortified and a very bad custodian of books.

I shall try to make amends by saying it’s marvellous.

I’ve used six-word sentence activities many times with both primary and secondary students as a way of sharpening creative writing as well as improving summarising. And this book from the talented Coehlo and pals would be a super springboard for creative writing for your students, as well as fun for quick reading. The illustrations (multiple artists) are a huge bonus.

The book kicks of with Joseph’s recount of how he came upon the ten-word tiny tale idea firstly and the back matter has a double spread with some ideas and details for prospective writers, followed up by a challenge page.

Why not grab a copy if you’ve not done so already and encourage your budding authors and illustrators to expand their imaginations, go wild with ‘what if…?’ moments and create their own tiny tales accompanied by their own artwork, whether hand-drawn or digital.

Favourites of mine from this little treasure:

We watched the teacher lead the children through the portal.

Archaeologists slowly brush away ancient earth from the skyscraper’s roof. We buried her on Wednesday, again on Thursday and Friday.

I just love the whole vibe of this book.

There’s a retro vibe to the look of it that has enormous appeal and so much detail in design and illustrations that young readers will delight in poring over it at length.

It’s a vibrant and fulsome 5 📖✍️📖✍️📖rating from me finally!