Just So Stories

Scholastic Australia

Imprint: Alison Green Books

May 2026

ISBN: 9780702333194

ISBN-10: 0702333190

There are some favourites that just get better with age, don’t you agree? And this new hardback edition, beautifully bound with its gorgeous dustjacket [like books of my long-ago youth!] is one of these.

As if the charms of Axel’s illustrations are not enough, his own twist on these classic fairytales will have your kiddos snickering with glee.

Goldilocks, The Three Little Pigs, Puss in Boots, The Hare and the Hedgehog and Nursery Rhymes make up this delicious assortment. And by far my favourite is The Three Little Pigs. Firstly, because their mum basically turfs them out of home because she’s sick of their loafing about and not contributing anything to the household.

Off they go, usual dril, to build houses of their own and when the houses of the rather silly first two pigs get blown over by the BBW, it’s home to mother! Canny Pig #3, of course, builds his house of bricks and thwarts the BBW’s huffing and puffing routine.

Subsequently, the proposed excursions to the apple orchard and fair follow, pretty much, the traditional narrative. But when the frustrated BBW has had enough, and climbs the house and attempts to wriggle down the chimney, the little pig, with great forethought, has the fire lit in a flash.

However, unlike the gruesome fate with which readers might be familiar, the wolf proves to be not quite as stupid as we might think, feels the heat on his feet and scarpers quick smart, leaving Pig #3 to finish cooking his turnip soup and live in peace. Love this twist! And so will your readers – just as they will enjoy the variations on the rest.

What a great kickstarter into some fractured fairy tale writing this is. Get onto this new edition, forthcoming in May so pre-order now. How could it be anything less than a 5 🐷🐺👧🐻🐈‍⬛for this one.