Just So Stories

Harper Collins Australia

January 2026

• ISBN: 9780062671288
• ISBN 10: 0062671286
• Imprint: HarperCollins US
• RRP: $29.99

When an adventurous kitten spies a scurrying mouse, he is off and away on the chase, leaping right into the Metropolitan Museum of Art via a convenient poster on the wall – just like Alice stepping through the Looking Glass. The feline adventure starts with small kitten (based on Brian Lies‘ own little furball called Dylan) asleep on the couch – as is the wont of cats all over the world [looks across the room to where the Demon Spawn is curled up asleep on the new lounge chair] –when his feline senses are alerted by a scritching sound. Could that be a mouse? YES!! It’s a mouse! and off he goes in hot pursuit.

What ensues is adventure after adventure as Kitten continues his hunt first through Ancient Egypt complete with rats which he scares off, also knocking over a set of scales [I think!], on through an illuminated Book of Hours, ignoring the invitation of the ancient ceramic dog and past the portrait of a tiny girl circa 18thC and much more. I particularly love the stained glass panel and the beautiful portrait of St Anthony of Padua, which is absolutely iconic and familiar to most of us who have taught in Catholic schools I should think. Kitten’s adventure only comes to a halt when he suddenly realises he’s quite lost. What a dilemma! How to find the way back home? Ahhhh, follow the sound of the tin being opened – that’s always the way to get a cat moving swiftly in a direct line!

What is even more astonishing about this work of art cunningly disguised as a book is that Brian Lies has actually recreated all of these famous works of art to create the illustrations within. In the back matter two pages are devoted to the process he undertook and this, in itself, is fascinating and will enthrall not only your primary students but give your secondary art students some fabulous inspiration for adventures in art themselves. Particularly so as he actively encourages the reader to ‘have a go’.

The whole is just the most delightful romp through imagination and art Jumanji-style and makes me think immediately of the fun my Year 7s had re-creating ancient artefacts for our library ‘museum’. What incredible activities one could have as follow-ups to this one! I could not love this any more and it is undoubtedly in my top five of picture books reviewed this year. Not a minute’s hesitation to pounce on a 5 🐈‍⬛🖼️🐁🎨🐈‍⬛rating for this sumptuous art adventure led by a fearless feline.