Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe



  • Find Me in the Forest – Jess McGeachin

    Hachette Australia July 2026 Imprint: Lothian Children’s Books ISBN: 9780734423849 RRP $29.99 If you thought Jess’ Find Me on the Coast was beautiful, just wait till you see this one! Of course, The Kid and I love both the coast and the forests – we live beside the sea but spend time bushwalking through forest… Read more

  • Who knew where it would lead?

    A completely off-the-cuff comment to Pat while we were both at a conference (me in my corporate role at that time) and now, here we are…….reviewing has brought such a richness to my life, not just in a professional sense as I was already a voracious reader but adding depth to my knowledge, widening my… Read more

  • Fake News and How to Spot It – Holly Bathie & Alex Firth

    Harper Collins Australia June 2026 ISBN: 9781836040606 ISBN-10: 1836040601 Series: Usborne Life Skills Publisher: Usborne This is a terrific adjunct to any digital literacy program or unit as well as being both interesting and informative for digi-curious kiddos. Of course, I also think that there is a plethora of adults who could well benefit from reading it: from the… Read more

  • The Library That Made Me: 200 Years of The State Library of NSW: edited by Richard Neville and Phillipa McGuiness

    New South Publishing New South Books 9781761170713 / March 2026 / RRP $49.99 This magnificent volume has been on my shelf for a couple of months now and I have been glorying in dipping in and out of it. I’ve still not quite finished exploring every single page and detail but the time is right for the review to… Read more

  • Scare B’n’B – Catherine Doyle

    Bloomsbury June 2026 ISBN 9781526655141 Imprint Bloomsbury Children’s Books RRP: $16.99 Well this is a complete departure from the previous Catherine Doyle books I’ve reviewed which were all far more magic realism, echoing folk tales and legends and ‘serious’. But this is very different – hilarious fun whilst also taking a good look at family… Read more

  • Blossom Possum: 20th Anniversary Edition – Gina Newton. Kilmeny Niland.

    Well I wouldn’t mind a dollar for every time I’ve shared this delightful re-tell with an appreciative audience over the many years in the many libraries. And it’s never on the shelf unless you keep it in reserve for when you do want to share it. There is something about the familiarity, yet difference, of… Read more