Just So Stories

UQP

June 2026 – Pre-order now

9780702269257

RRP: $22.99

Peter Carnavas the Master [and yes, I did promise him I would use that epithet but I would in any case] of the gentle narrative that is packed with winsome subtleties. This one is just a delight from the first page to the last and your young readers will find it entirely satisfactory and, very likely, the kind of book that they will return to again and again.

Kid is an orphaned baby goat, so Kid by name and by birth actually. His motherly companion is Audrey, a redoubtable hen [I picture her as an ISA Brown] who has taken care of him and been his comfort since his parents disappeared over the fence in pursuit of a fox. His best friend is a happy piggy called Harriet. Kid is well-loved by the other farm animals, although Ma – the boss dog- is always critical of him.

Audrey has always told Kid the tale of his brave parents who chased away the fox and disappeared up the mountain, never to return. And this little bundle of fur longs to be as courageous and as much a ‘real’ goat as his parents. He longs for his parents. He wants to be part of his own family. And for that reason, he conceives of a plan to break free from the farm and search the mountain for Buck and Bess, his mum and dad who must be, he conjectures, living as wild goats.

So begins an audacious plan to escape the farm’s fences and take off on a wild (goat) adventure. After much training re jumping, Kid is ready to go but he wasn’t quite prepared for Audrey and Harriet to say that they would go with him. He’s a kind Kid and worries that in leaving the safety of the farm, not only will they be in danger but they will never again be allowed to return – because of Farm Law. This peculiar ‘rule’ claims any animal who runs away from the farm is never allowed back as they may bring danger with them.

Kid determines to go by himself so as not to put his loved friends in danger. But what ensues is not how he pictured the adventure happening at all. A mysterious hairy beast that seems to be following him, a close encounter with a hawk, wild goats who are quite nasty and a slithery moment with a tiger snake are all part of this Kid’s epic journey of self-discovery.

Of course, at the heart of the matter, is the heart of Kid’s life – what is family? Who is family? Is family a blood kinship or a found relationship? In our little family we know the answer to this question very well but we’ve had many years of training. For a little Kid, this is a huge epiphany that will resonate with many kiddos, some of whom will be in similar family circumstances.

It’s a beautiful hardback binding that is one of those books that just feels ‘right’ in one’s hands and it’s probably just as well for that sturdy format, as this one will be read and re-read over and over. I foresee you will need more than one copy because there will be a definite domino effect as one after another of your kiddos discover its joy. It would also make a fabulous serial read for any class from around Year 2/3 upwards.

All hail the Master, in fact, a GOAT [do I get extra brownie points now Pete?] for another title that will be a definite on coming awards lists. It’s a goatish 5 🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐 from this Nanny for readers from around 7 years.