Just So Stories

Affirm Press/Simon & Schuster

2026 ongoing

It certainly has had a lot of hoopla in the lead-up, as you would expect from expert marketers but this new series, which to my mind, is a reincarnation of our old favourites Aussie Bites, Aussie Chomps will undoubtedly be popular with school libraries and classrooms across the country. Garnering top-notch kids lit creators as contributors is a coup that certainly promises some quality fiction for younger readers.

This is the first drop of six, though I only have the first four here. My picks of this crop are The Lonely Lunch Club, because I am happy to see the kind-hearted and ‘fixers’ in the mix who cooperate to help a lowly spider [so there! all you squeamish anti-spider friends!] and The Missing Pencil Case from two of my favourite First Nations creators, Jasmin McGaughey and Jade Goodwin. Although, realistically most kids would say they would look under their bed first, it makes a much more fun plot to look in all the odd places before that. I loved it because the mob vibe of Lea’s family rings so true. I’m extra happy to see a book that will not only appeal to First Nations jarjums but all kiddos who may get a little insight.

It really doesn’t need much selling on my part as there is a huge promotional effort going into this but I’m giving it a 4 📚📚📚📚📚rating for readers new to chapter books.