Just So Stories

An extraordinary examination of the natural cycles of life and death in microcosm, as well as a fascinating introduction to environmental science for kids

Harper Collins Australia

May 2026

ISBN: 9781460768976

RRP: $34.99

Resources: River Connect NCACL

Quite simply, it is every bit as mesmerising and stunning now as it was when we first saw it 20 years ago (!!!20 years!!!) and I have loved perusing it all over again. Readers from Smalls (who may need help to read the information) to upper primary will relish this journey into the decaying vegetation on the forest floor as it teems with new life while consuming and subsuming the old life.

The Kid and I often hike through bush, some sub-tropical and some sclerophyll, and we are always looking up, around and down to see what discoveries we can make. It’s something we are looking forward to for our trip to Vanuatu later in the year as well.

This is a book that will encourage young readers to more closely examine the forest floor and the wealth of nature underfoot. If you are lucky enough to have the right location, what an opportunity to take your kiddos out and do this very thing because (let’s be honest here) not all of them get the chance to do this with their families.

From the tiniest critters such as termites to the larger like owls and snakes, birds and butterflies, eggs and echidna and the vast gamut of life in the leaf litter, the reader will be completely absorbed lifting the flaps, then exploring the extensive ‘Things to Find’ list using their sharp nature detective eyes.

Rachel Tonkin has long been one of my favourite creators and her books a regular in my library planning and program, both the history and nature based. Several of them I bought for myself because, at times, I moved to a library which didn’t have them – but I was lucky enough to score them second-hand. Both her texts and art are superb and always inspire me.

It is just wonderful to see this valuable and extremely beautiful book back for a new generation of readers and I cannot recommend it highly enough. Quite simply a 5 🌿🌱🦎🍂🍄‍🟫rating and an absolute must-have for your collection whether to pair with your UoI or just for the pure pleasure of your curious nature enthusiasts.