Just So Stories

Penguin Australia

• May 2026
• ISBN: 9781761355073
• Imprint: Penguin
• RRP: $19.99

Thursday night last I had just the best time at Quick Brown Fox’ Term 2 Reading Between the Wines and quite honestly, I’ve never laughed so much at any of the other RBtW evenings I’ve attended because not only is James Foley as hilarious in real life as his books but paired with Peter Carnavas, they make a fantastic double act.

I have always loved teaching onomatapoeia whether to the Smalls who just LOVE being able to roll their tongue around such a great word, or older students. Beerburrum SS, 100 kids all up: Year 1/2 ‘but do NOT go out in the playground and tell the Year 7s because they don’t know that word and they’ll get all snarky and embarassed‘ and off they’d all scamper shouting it gleefully to bewildered seniors. At least they didn’t forget it! And certainly in recent years it’s been a great stand-by for relief teaching (the kind with nil or little planning) – a quick micro-lesson and writing poems.

What’s that noise?
CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP.
It’s for elephant. He has a special cake.

What’s that noise?
OINK! BUMP! YEURGH!
Oh no! That’s the sound of a dizzy pig in speedos bumping into an elephant holding a cake 

And having James read it to us was tremendously fun as, just like big kids, everyone joined in. Elephants and whales, pigs and piranha, crashing and bashing, splishing and splashing not to mention chomping, gulping and burping. It’s absurdist humour to the hilt and your kiddos would absolutely love it. From the Smallest of Smalls to the bigger ones who pretend they’re too cool for school now.

Whether you are introducing the literary device to your class or just reading it for the sheer hilarity of it, this will be a huge hit. It’s definitely an ENORMOUS 5 🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊rating – and thanks James for the pleasure of meeting you and all the laughs!