Just So Stories

Penguin Australia

• February 2026
• ISBN: 9781761355714
• Imprint: Penguin
• RRP: $19.99

Since the new year, I’ve been busy on a regular basis planning The Kid’s 21st birthday celebration. Just like her mother, she didn’t want anything, but I persuaded her otherwise, so a smallish party at home for friends, followed by a dinner for family and friends-like-family at her favourite restaurant.

As I go through photos compiling some for the event, and with the 11th anniversary of her mother’s death looming (just 13 days before The Kid’s birthday), it’s a bitter-sweet experience for me to be doing this instead of, and without, her mum. In one sense then, this book was actually perfect timing, because no matter she’s now been gone from us for 11 years, Jen is still my baby and despite being 21, Kysha is still ‘our’ baby.

This is a beautiful poem that so very amply demonstrates how we, as parents, feel about our babies, no matter how old they are now nor even if they are no longer with us – and really it brought me undone. Simply because of my own personal circumstances I would struggle to read this one aloud without losing my equilibrium. That’s not a bad thing really because children need to see our emotions as well [there is a handful of books I can’t read aloud without getting teary] and there have been times when my little people have patted my arm or hugged me because I got sad reading something to them – and the other way round, of course.

This is Jessica Urlichs’ most requested ‘make it a picture book’ poem, and a legion of fans will be delighted with the result, especially as it’s illustrated by the über-talented Jessica Robard.

You’ll always be my baby

just heavier to hold.

You’ll always be my beginning

but a comfort that feels old.

Our delightful little Daisy, our ‘shared’ baby from our local coffee shop, is about to turn two and her mum, Lauren, was saying just last week how she’s already getting teary watching her grow up so fast. I told her then that I have the perfect book for her and will be handing this copy over. So just as Jen is still my baby after 11 years of being lost to us, and even though she would have been turning 46 this year – and now with Small, no longer Small… but grown up, thoughtful, mature, sensible, determined, glorious Kysha about to be 21 [yep, every time I say it I think – inconceivable!] they all are still our babies, and we hold them fast to our hearts always.

What a wonderful gift this would make for a newborn in your circle but also a lovely shared read for your little people – or maybe even your big people. Without a moment’s hesitation it’s a 5 👶👶👶👶👶rating for kiddos from babies onwards.