Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • The Odd Flamingo – Nina Bawden

     Introduction by Martin Edwards New South Books British Library Publishing December 2025 ISBN: 9780712355438 RRP: AUD$22.99, NZD$27.99 I 100% guarantee you that I had no idea whatsoever that Nina Bawden, the talented writer of Carrie’s War and The Peppermint Pig – two of my favourite classic children’s books – also wrote some adult novels. Not… Read more

  • Freddie Jones: The Mystery of the Troublesome Trees – Kate Foster

    Walker Books Imprint: Walker Books Australia February 2026 ISBN13:9781760659936 Australia RRP:$17.99 New Zealand RRP:$19.99 Kate Foster has become such a leading light in middle grade novels featuring neuro-diverse characters. In this, she brings her own personal experience, so always there is such authenticity and such wonderful voice. With this new series she hooks into the… Read more

  • Axel Scheffler’s Treasury of Fairy Tales

    Scholastic Australia Imprint: Alison Green Books May 2026 ISBN: 9780702333194 ISBN-10: 0702333190 There are some favourites that just get better with age, don’t you agree? And this new hardback edition, beautifully bound with its gorgeous dustjacket [like books of my long-ago youth!] is one of these. As if the charms of Axel’s illustrations are not enough, his… Read more

  • Claris and the Easter Delight – Megan Hess

    Hardie Grant Australia January 2026 ISBN:9781761215360 Series:Claris Storybooks Imprint:Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing Price:AU$19.99, NZ$22. Adorable Claris is back as the flowers bloom in Paris and the joy of Easter is at hand. When Megan Hess expanded her repertoire of fashion, art and design to include little Claris, it was a genius stroke. Nearly a dozen… Read more

  • Stanley – Louise Zirbel. Rachel Salmon. Illustrator: Barry Patenaude.

    Boolarong Press October 2025 Imprint: Watson Ferguson Publishing ISBN: 9780645504644 RRP: $24.99 The ubiquitous and much-maligned brush turkey – bush turkey, scrub turkey, whatever your preferred terminology is certainly a character. We have plenty around here, including my regular I see on my morning walk, who has built a glorious mound in the scrub down… Read more

  • If I Could Eat the Stars and Other Poems – Chosen by Rebecca. M. Newman & Sally Murphy. Illustrated by Briony Stewart.

    Publisher: Fremantle Press April 2026 ISBN: 9781760996482 RRP: $17.99 It is no secret that I love a great poetry book and, remarkably, after not having had one for review for quite some time, suddenly I have two stunning ones! The first is this absolute little cracker from Fremantle Press and a stellar cast of contributors. Here’s just… Read more

Archived Reviews