Just So Stories

Allen & Unwin

March 2026

ISBN:9781760113421

Publisher:A&U Children’s

Imprint:A & U Children

When I was a kid I was one who was afraid of dark so a book that empowers Smalls to feel more comfortable with the nightime and embrace the magic of moonlight, stars and night creatures is a welcome addition to any bookshelf.

Combining that intent with such evocative and poetic writing plus completely amazing illustrations [and oh! the endpapers!!!] is a stroke of genius.

I love Sherryl’s backstory to the publishing of this book as well. She tells how she first conceived of this book and it was accepted for publishing in 2015 (!!) and with a very able illustrator fixed with some early images that were wonderful.

But sometimes – and it would seem particularly in the publishing world – things just don’t work out. And the illustrator was out of the picture, the whole project stalled and it seemed this would be the book that never was.

Eventually, an undeterred Sherryl took charge and offered to have the contract voided but instead, a new illustrator was found and the book found it’s true home – thankfully for us all! Better late than never!

It is truly a gorgeous adventure in imagination – somewhat akin to the flavor of Where the Wild Things Are – but with a great deal more subtlety.

stop!

wait!

listen!

bug whirrs past

tree branch creaks

late cricket chirrups

I pad across the grass

along the path

around the tree

black cat and night tiger

bump noses

purr greetings

gaze into each other’s

unblinking eyes.

The text gives me goosebumps it is just so delicately yet vividly haunting. And, yes, it even has a black cat so what’s not to love here?

As educators, parents or guardians, we are all striving to bulwark our children against the terrors of the world at large, to give them resilience and strength – and all of that, starts close to home with overcoming those immediate anxieties, be it the dark or shadows or whatever is lurking between the side of the mattress and the tucked in bedlinens [just me?]. Look out for this one on forthcoming awards list because I have no doubt it will be there.

Congratulations to Sherryl for her patience and persistence and to both creators for this gem. Obviously it’s a 5 🐈‍⬛🐅🐈‍⬛🐅🐈‍⬛rating for Smalls from around 3/4 years upwards.