Just So Stories

Penguin Australia

February 2026

• ISBN: 9781761355974
• Imprint: Penguin
• RRP: $14.99

Who doesn’t love a heart-warming dog story? And this start of a new series from Andrew Daddo ticks a lot of boxes with both content and accessibility for your newly independent readers.

When Jas finds Bitsa, alone and in need of a home, they form an immediate bond. Jasper knows she has found her dog, Bitsa knows he has found his girl. There’s just one teeny problem. Jas’ dad will NOT have a dog anywhere near their home. He HATES dogs, Jas tells Bitsa.

What to do? How can this seemingly insurmountable problem be solved? Especially when Dad insists on putting up LOST DOG posters all over the neighbourhood. He reckons Bitsa’s real family will be looking for him, while Jas knows that she and her dad are already Bitsa’s real family.

Of course, it’s obvious that Bitsa is fast becoming a fixture and that Dad is succumbing to his scruffy charms as well, but what happens when Bitsa’s official owner turns up? It’s entirely possible that Jas is going to lose her new best friend after all, or is she? Maybe it won’t be about losing her loved mutt, but gaining another addition to the family.

As told from Bitsa’s perspective, this is a lot of fun but also with a strong theme of love, coupled with the sweet interplay between Jas and her father. Scattered throughout are Stephen Michael King’s always instantly recognisable illustrations, which are just the perfect accompaniment for the tone of this narrative.

The next episode is bound to be just as exciting and full of warmth and humour as this one, so get ready for it now. This is very happily a 5 🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕for readers from around Year 2 up.