Just So Stories

UQP

September 2026

ISBN: 9780702268953

RRP: $26.99

Here’s a little book that will absolutely delight younger readers (and very likely, older ones as well) because it is as sweet as the title suggests. It is delightfully pretty with the cutest of cute characters and the problems faced by these little critters are certainly very real but also solved – one way or another – without any traumatic complications.

Betsy & Bon are, very obviously, little bees who in their first story build themselves a very cosy and quite spacious hive. They make it from cardboard boxes and other found items which in itself is an excellent example of upcycling – and one I foresee will be replicated in many EC centres, classrooms and libraries once this hits the shelves.

Their hive is not very ‘busy’ though – so they try to find some other bees to come share it but instead find a whole bunch of their friends, all other little critters such as Frogly (frog), Harrington Mouse (mouse), Penny Spots (ladybug), Butter Benjamin (butterfly) and Spencer Snail – all of whom get a little miffed because their offer to come live in the lovely hive is firmly rebuffed because they are not bees. Exclusion much?!

Naturally this first chapter concludes with the realisation that the hive will be both busy and happy with all their friends living in it. [I’m thinking this would be an excellent story to send to some politicians who are loudly complaining about the wonderful diversity of our country]. I can guarantee that little ones will absolutely grasp the underlying intent of this one – we are all different but we are all welcome.

In the second story the two friends have, as many friends often do, trouble deciding just what to play with each having very different ideas. After many fruitless attempts, they end up doing something they both love (me also!) sitting in the sun doing absolutely nothing, but together.

And in the final story, the friends all decide on a picnic but when they find the perfect sunny spot, it’s on the other side of the creek. So now a problem – how to cross over the water? The answer naturally is to build a bridge. After much cooperation and many materials, some not as useful as others, the bridge is built, the crossing is attempted and the little band of chums find they have not so much built a bridge as made a raft. Happy boating picnic!

It is a little book (and I mean that in every sense because it is the right size for small hands) that harks back to gentler times and vintage favourites such as Cicely Mary Barker’s flower fairies, Ida Rentoul Outhwaite, Jan Wade and May Gibbs with their darling little inhabitants, and their common themes of nature and its beauty, companionship, gentle pleasures and kindness.

The book itself is a gorgeous package: impeccable hardback binding (even with a page marker ribbon!), size (as mentioned), and Simon Howe’s feel-good narratives with extraordinarily beautiful illustrations.

This would not only make a terrific addition to any collection but would be a perfect gift for a special Small person in your circle. In fact it is an exquisite little gem of a book and without hesitation is has 🐝🐝 a 5🐭🐞🐸🦋🐌rating from around 3/4 years easily up to Year 3s .