Just So Stories

Fremantle Press

June 2026

ISBN: 9781760995607

RRP: $16.99

I’ve reviewed two others in this delightful series for Smallests: Land Creatures and Water Creatures which some of you may have already seen. If not, really this is a terrific series for introducing jarjums to language, even if it’s not the one from the Country on which they learn and live.

While there are around 250 First Nations languages/800ish dialects across Australia there are often similarities from nation to nation. For example, this book tells us that the Noongar for the willy-wagtail is djidi-djidi, in Wiradjuri this little bird is djirridjirri/djirri-djirri, a butterfly is bindi-bindi in Noongar and budyabudya (spelling varies a little) in Wiradjuri.

It would be a terrific session to compare the Noongar to the language in your own local Country. Obviously, a springboard opportunity into compiling your own local dictionary or finding out the alternative vocabulary for aspects of your current unit. For those who are uncertain, the QR code takes the reader to a spoken pronunciation guide.

I love the simplicity of these little books and honestly, Tyrown’s illustrations of all the various creatures are just gorgeous. Why not have your kiddos draw the image to go with their local vocabulary guide?

For a bird nerd like me, this one is particularly appealing – get your Smalls into twitching as well with some bird spotting and naming! It’s a 5 🦉🐦‍⬛🦜🦅🪶ratings for Tinies up to EC.