Just So Stories

Walker Books Australia

May 2026

ISBN13:9781760659943

Australia RRP:$17.99

New Zealand RRP:$19.99

I am really loving this new series from Kate Foster, who writes not only entertaining narratives but ones that give us all a much clearer insight into neuro-diversity.

Freddie is such a likeable character and his self-awareness, especially using the literary device of first-person active gives us all a real sense of how difficult and challenging but also super-charged and aware being autistic can be. Once again, Freddie, his assistance dog Hobnob and Grandma Lily have accompanied the parents on a job to solve a hotel’s problem. Rather remarkably this has come with an all-expenses paid trip to the hotel which is in England!

While it’s tremendously exciting but also anxiety-making for Freddie with the long flight, the unknowns but the anticipated wildlife and scenery, it is also quite emotional for Grandma who is returning to her home country sans Grandpa. Freddie is even more worried with Grandma’s lethargy and sleeping for three days, though really the jetlag isn’t doing him any favours either.

But he’s definitely agitated when he sees a ghostly girl in the hotel gardens, and then further agitated by the horrid hotel manager. As the days go on, and his parents are busy ferreting for more information around the hotel thefts that is the purpose of the visit, finally Freddie and Grandma plus Hobnob are investigating of their own accord. Exactly why have so many of the original staff left with young, inexperienced but highly paid newcomers installed? And what is the secrecy around the garden renovations? That’s without the supposedly stolen silver and other treasures.

But the FGH detectives are onto it – and so are Mum and Dad. Freddie’s new friend who turns out to be a living girl not a ghostly one and her lovely grandfather, groundsman/gardener Jack, are also part of the solution to this mystery. It’s another fun adventure filled with humour, animals and kindnesses as well as the nasty villain. and is sure to get young readers in.

At a time when intolerance is constantly raising its ugliness and with so much ill-will, wilful ignorance and misunderstanding about disabilities in general and neuro-diversity particularly, this is another important offering from Kate Foster.

We must raise children who are more compassionate and supportive than the many adults we are constantly facing in our everyday lives. Books such as this series are a valuable starting point. It’s a 5 👻👻👻👻👻rating from me and I’m looking forward to the next adventure for Freddie & Co.