Stuff Happens is an important new series for boys about everyday challenges. Created by Susannah McFarlane (of the Go Girl and Zac Power series), the series is published by Penguin Australia. Each book features a different character and follows them as they overcome a particular everyday challenge.

Aimed at boys aged between 7 and 11, the Stuff Happens series explores those everyday struggles in life that boys can sometimes be reluctant to express: quarrels with mates, a bad day at school, fear of disappointing mum and dad, rejection and not fitting in. Each book tells the story of an incident of emotional importance to one of the boys in a fictional primary-school class. The stories make great reads and an important contribution to the emotional literacy of Australian boys.

The books are recognised as useful tools for teaching emotional awareness and intelligence to boys:

The awareness of the emotional life of boys is slowly being recognised as a critical factor into the development of boys to be strong and courageous sensitive men. Stuff Happens explores feelings and emotions in an entertaining and humorous way, allowing boys to understand that it is OK to express emotion. This can only be positive! I highly recommend and love the books!
–Deborah Jepsen, Educational and Developmental Psychologist – Melbourne Child Psychology / School Psychology Services

But more importantly, the books are fun and excitingly told stories–they just happen to sneak the life lessons in along the way.

It’s all being done by stealth, with a really fun story!
–Tony Wilson, author of Stuff Happens Jack

The stories are written by established authors including many of Booked Out’s personal favourites! Follow the links at left to see which of our pals have written for the series so far.

More information on the series can be found on Susannah McFarlane’s site here, and on the Penguin Books site here. Listen to an interview with Tony Wilson and Andrew Daddo on Radio National’s Books and Arts with Michael Cathcart here.