Just So Stories

Penguin Australia

•  May 2026
• ISBN: 9780241814055
• Imprint: Puffin
• RRP: $19.99

The first word that springs to mind with this debut book is charming, followed quickly by hilarious! Father and son team but not in the usual sense [thinking of examples like Anthony and Joe Browne] because this father mostly works in theatrical creativity (Aardman Animations) and this son is only 8 years old! It’s Dan and Finn Ojari. But, much like Anthony Browne, this pair found humour and stories in shapes while they were drawing one day.

As it happens when drawing a plum, they realised that the shape of that fruit rather resembles a hippo’s bum – and away they went. Combining cut-outs and call-and-response format each page asks a question e.g. Is this a spider? which it certainly looks like in the cut-out, but upon turning the page we find out that NO! it’s a tiger! I know right, hard to see the connection but you will.

Your Smalls particularly will love this one and what a fantastic shared read it will make whether at home for one or for a class or group. It is a glorious thing in its hardback format with a linen-like feel to its cover. I foresee this will be hugely popular from EC upwards to around Year 2. And what fun it would be to get the kiddos exploring their own versions of confusing shapes.

It’s a little bit Jon Klassen, a little bit Hervé Tullet and a little bit Beck and Matt Stanton but mostly completely of its own unique ideas. It has the sweetest little note from Finn in the back to explain the origin of the book. Love it! it’s a 5 🦛🦛🦛🦛🦛 rating for this clever and entertaining book.