Just So Stories

• SCHOLASTIC AUSTRALIA PTY LTD
• ISBN : 9781761727962
• Imprint : Scholastic Press
• August 2026
• RRP: $19.99

Well I wouldn’t mind a dollar for every time I’ve shared this delightful re-tell with an appreciative audience over the many years in the many libraries. And it’s never on the shelf unless you keep it in reserve for when you do want to share it.

There is something about the familiarity, yet difference, of our own Aussie version of the famous folktale that delights Smalls endlessly. After all, they can feel both comfortable with their predictions while at the same time anticipating the next revelation. Then there’s the lucky escape for Blossom and her posse of friends as they make their way to tell the prime minister about the imminent danger – the sky is falling!! And the kiddos just love the come-uppance served to By-Jingo Dingo who almost snares a very fulsome dinner for his family – not to mention the huge relief to know that the sky is not actually falling.

Kilmeny Niland’s text is superb with its clever twists for the names of Blossom Possum and her merry crew and the unravelling of the usual cumulative procession while Gina Newton’s illustrations are just absolutely sublime – there is no other word for them.

I love the updated look of this cover with Blossom rendered in gloss and the pastel shades which just suit Blossom down to the ground – or should that be up to the sky? Sadly there is no possum emoji so I have to make do with a suitably appropriate 5 💜🩷💛💚🧡 to match the palette of colours used throughout. How could anybody resist this one? It’s a must have for either collection or as a gift for a Small in your circle.