Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Picture Book Month Bonus: Raising Hare (Young Readers edition) – Chloe Dalton. Illustrated by Denise Nester.

    Allen & Unwin Nov 2026 ISBN:9781837266951 Publisher:A&U Canongate Imprint:Canongate Trade RRP: $29.99 To be perfectly honest, I’d not heard of the adult book despite its bestseller status but when this arrived with this beautiful dustjacket and absolutely divine endpapers, I knew I would love it. And love it, I do! For those of us who… Read more

  • Going Home – Simon Howe

    Walker Books Australia ISBN13:9781760659110 Australia RRP:$25.99 New Zealand RRP:$27.99 Publication Date:1/2/2026 Imprint:Walker Books Australia Not so long ago I reviewed Simon’s Betsy & Bon the first of his I’ve seen as both author and illustrator, and fell in love with his little characters. Now this darling book has exactly that same kind of gentle and… Read more

  • Ginger & Fred – story by Seetha Dodd. Illustrations by Elizabeth Stewart.

    Wild Dog Books September 2026 ISBN: 978174203681 RRP: $26.99 There was a time in history of more than one country, including our own of course, when inter-racial marriage was an absolute no and, in many of those places, punishable by law. But in a lighter vein, we have had a number of fictional examples of… Read more

  • Agatha Goes to School – Anna Pignataro

    Walker Books Australia November 2026 ISBN13:9781922998330 Australia RRP:$29.99 New Zealand RRP:$34.99 Imprint:Windy Hollow Books It won’t be long before everyone will be reaching for those ‘new to school’ book and this gorgeous new Agatha book from Anna Pignataro just oozes the warmth, confidence and resilience we want our Smalls to have as they embark on… Read more

  • Picture Book Month Bonus Spirited Travels: The Girl and the Ghost #4 – Jacqueline Harvey

    Penguin Australia November 2026 ISBN: 9781761358913 Imprint: Penguin RRP: $16.99 To say all her fans are now completely invested in the ongoing developments with Jet, Gabriel and Louis, along with their friends and family would be somewhat of an understatement, so we are all excited at this week’s release of #4 in this new series… Read more

  • Peace and Me – Ali Winter. Mickael el Fathi.

    Publisher: Lantana (May 26, 2026) RRP: AU$ 26.99 / NZ$ 30.99 ISBN13: 9781911373285 It would seem to me quite appropriate that on Remembrance Day, despite illegal, unjust and terrible wars still raging across the world, that we should stop and reflect on peace, what it means to us as individuals and give some thought to… Read more

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