Just So Stories

New Frontier Publishing

Distributed by New South Books

May 2026

9781923145979/AUD$26.99, NZD$32.99

What an utterly beautiful and poignant book this is and what a book to share with all young readers!

Coming hard on the heels of that odious red-head’s Press Club twaddle yesterday and the heinous implications of her deriding those of other cultures, to reflect on what life is like for children in countries such as Somalia, many of whom are now safe and whole here in Australia is more important than other.

For our ‘monoculture’ children to grasp some understanding of the terrible dangers and conditions for children in places of war or famine, is key to us preventing them from growing up in the same way as the narrow-minded, hate-fuelling adults trying to tear down our marvellously multicultural melting pot nation.

Vikki Conley has drawn on her two decades of experience as a photographer, writer and ten years working with World Vision to share her experiences of story-telling.

In Somalia where Lalee’s story is set, there are no schools, no teachers and, in fact, no standing whole buildings at all but there is still learning to be had. Every day Hani shares memories and stories from a time when she was at school and draws pictures to illustrate on a broken blackboard.

Lalee’s imagination soars with these and, most of all, she tries to picture what a book is actually like. Going about her daily chores, Lalee picks up what she thinks might help to create a book such as Hani has described and despite the continued disruptions and danger outside, she uses sticks and bark, flowers and leaves to replicate the stories she’s been told to make a book to share with Hani.

What a joyful ending to this story! And how sobering to think that Vikki dedicates this to the children in Somalia who had never seen a book until she delivered some to them.

Jennifer Falkner’s illustrations are exquisite and your Smalls will have much to comment upon as you share them.

The power of story. The power of books. The power of learning. The power of compassion. We cannot underestimate these and it is part of our own mission as educators to empower our children with such values as well.

A heartfelt 5 📖📖📖📖📖rating for children from Prep upwards – even your upper primary kids will get much from this one.