Just So Stories

Making a Difference in a Messed-up World

New South Books

Publisher: Greystone Books

APril 2025

• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1771645911
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1771645911

AUD$24.99, NZD$29.99

This is a book completely on point especially for all the kids and schools taking action towards zero waste and climate change/environmental degradation. I love that it’s written jargon-free with an easy conversational tone that feels like author Rob is speaking directly to his audience, making it easy for them to connect.

There are nine chapters: Stuff, Waste, Food Waste, Food System, Water, Energy, Transportation, Money, Connection with a Conclusion plus back matter of glossary, resources, sources, index and acknowledgements. It is lavishly illustrated with photographs and there are plentiful fact boxes scattered throughout. Most of all, it is so easy for readers to connect to Rob’s own personal mission to ‘do’ rather than just speak out.

He lived for the whole of 2020 with just 44 possessions in his backpack as he travelled and equally pared down his regular belongings and living space to achieve the smallest possible environmental footprint. He demonstrates how to simply grow, recycle and rescue food. [The Kid has already adopted recycling edible plants and her lettuces, shallots, potatoes, sweet potatoes and tomatoes are thriving].

In our house we are certainly water and electricity wise, partly due to costs of course but mostly because of concerns about squandering valuable resources. We do buy some new items but we are both avid op shoppers and keen to recycle whenever possible. Both of us are paring down possessions – not quite minimalist but certainly the more I move house and downsize into smaller rental places, it has become practical as well as desirable to shed ‘stuff’ I’ve carted around for years.

I really enjoyed reading this so much. I admit I don’t have Rob’s dedication and commitment to this movement but then he is younger and fitter as well! But it’s certainly a book that both children and adults can enjoy, and from which they can learn and adopt new practices. As Rob points out, even small changes can make a big difference. In a world fraught with so much ill-will and disregard for what is essentially important and, indeed, necessary for our own survival, it’s a timely addition to encourage and empower readers to take charge, take action and take care.

I’m giving it a hopeful 5 🌏🌏🌏🌏🌏for readers from around 9 or 10 years upwards.