Just So Stories

Hardie Grant

February 2026

Price:AU$11.99, NZ$13.99

Series:School of Monsters

Publisher:Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing

Drake’s Silly Sneezes

ISBN:9781761213557

Snell’s Show and Tell

ISBN:9781761213540

Huzzah! School of Monsters has two more fun titles to add to your collection for those Smalls who are so excitedly embarking on their independent reading journeys. This series is so far removed from the basal readers and other tedious ‘instructional’ reading material that it is a celebration of literacy all by itself. Every single time Sally’s rhyming is so absolutely perfect in its cadence that it simply zings. They will make your little people chortle as they read and increase their vocabulary and fluency and that’s never a bad thing.

First up is Drake’s Silly Sneezes. We can all imagine the difficulties when a dragon starts sneezing but when Drake is given some remedies for his cold his difficulties increase. First, it’s the brew that is too hot and suddenly Drake’s explosive sneezes are literally setting things ablaze.

The next batch of medicine cools him down way too much – below zero, really – and his sneezes start turning everyone and everything into icicles. Luckily, his friend Mary realises the problem and blends the two potions to make one that is simply warming. The sneezes stop – thankfully but there is an hilarious after-effect that children will shriek about.

Next up, it’s Snell’s Show and Tell. Oh yes, some very varied memories of this old classroom tradition from my early years in the classroom that ranged from the utterly hysterical to the concerning. But in this class of monsters there is a nice variety of the usual topics such as toys or pets, but little Snell, who really needs to ‘come out of her shell’ more often is much too timid to share.

Right up to the last squeak as it’s time to go home but her kind teacher, Kim, makes time for that one last sharing, and what a delightful surprise it is for the whole class. Little Snell is a shining star for her effort.

Once again, the books conclude with a double spread of new words learned and the ‘how to draw’ activity that has become so highly anticipated with this series. Chris Kennett’s lively illustrations are always a high point, with each of the monsters clearly having their own personalities and such expression. These little books are just perfect for your lower classrooms and not only for their literacy value but for pure joy. It’s another 5 👹👺😈🧌👾rating from me for little learners around Prep upwards.