Just So Stories

Harper Collins Australia

July 2026

• Imprint: HarperCollins AU
• ISBN: 9781460767726
• $16.99

Why yes, I was excited to see #2 in this wacky series come in because the first was such a fun romp through mythology, told only as Jol Temple could twist it really.

Hector, and his good friend Hylo, the centaur, are back and once again, Hector is struggling with his homework – having your rescue dog, Cerberus, eat it will do that!

And first up, it’s his assignment on the legend of Icarus. Well, everybody knows that you NEVER fly Air Icarus because frankly nobody waxes lyrical about the service. Truly, what would you expect from a flying contraption of wax and feathers held together dodgily with string basically? Sheesh!! Wouldn’t your parent strongly advise you against attempting flight with such second-rate materials? Oh, wait a minute – yeah, Daedalus was not exactly your most diligent dad going. At least you get to scope out a bit of cool scenery like Pegasus flying past and Knossus before the horrible harpies decide to cut in.

Maybe Hector should have chosen Pandora’s box as his assignment, as Hyro did. You know, a lovely big present that you are not supposed to peek at is a very tempting thing. Seriously, though, if the gods were giving you such a thing, wouldn’t you be just a teensy bit sceptical as to its safety? We all know how well that worked out – just look around you, sunshine. Pandora’s curiosity didn’t just let the cat out of the bag, that’s for certain.

To finish off this batch of mad myths are the low-down on three-headed rescue dog, Cerberus, as well as that man with the golden touch, Midas. Perhaps Hector really should have chosen that one?

Of course, Mr Socrates, that stern but fair teacher, has exactly the right answers for Hector – even if it doesn’t involve detention. Woven into the absolute nonsense readers will learn about several new Greek myths, thank their lucky stars they didn’t live in Ancient Greece and snort-laugh all the way to next one in the series.

I don’t take coals to Newcastle so there’s no need for me to tell how neatly this fits into curriculum topics but it’s a hoot of a book just for sheer good fun as well. I’m hoping that next one up will feature, my ‘patron saint’, Athena. Are you listening Jol?? Once again, astonishingly amazing cartoons from David Conley complete this terrific little package.

Get your kiddos onto it. It’s another 5 🏺𓅓🏛️ꡙ🪉rating for readers from around 7 or 8 upwards.