Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Father of the Lost Boys for Younger Readers: The Mecak Ajang Alaak Story – Yuot A. Alaak

    Fremantle Press June 2024 ISBN: 9781760993900 RRP: $17.99 When I was commissioned to write the teaching notes for this, I confess I only knew a smidgin about the Sudanese ‘lost boys’, and, in fact, the whole Sudan situation – despite the fact that we have many Sudanese immigrants here in SE Qld. Their story was certainly… Read more

  • Are We There Yet? 20th Anniversary edition – Alison Lester

    Penguin Australia October 2024 ISBN: 9781761620416 Imprint: Puffin RRP: $19.99 Hands up if you’ve also forgotten how many times in the past 20 years you’ve shared this one? I know it was a focal point of my literature-based unit with Year 3s often and on many occasions, aside from all the times I’ve just read it to… Read more

  • The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Extinct Animals – Sami Bayly

    Hachette Australia September 2024  9780734421395 | RRP $32.99 Watch this interview with Sami from The Morning Show to hear more about this latest book. It seems almost incredible to realise that Sami Bayly is not yet 30 ! [maybe that’s me because I’m so senior citizen now], given her amazing catalogue of titles thus far. This is… Read more

  • Brainy about Bears – Owen Davey

    Walker Books September 2024 Imprint: Flying Eye Books ISBN13:9781838741617 Australia RRP:$29.99 New Zealand RRP:$32.99 Oh how I LOVE Owen Davey’s books! Sadly, I don’t always get sent all of them 😦 and I wish I had , because my nerdy inner child just adores his retro style and his fascinating facts. There are now about… Read more

  • Hazel’s Treehouse – Zanni Louise. Illustrated by Judy Watson

    Walker Books November 2024 ISBN13:9781760657222 Australia RRP:$19.99 New Zealand RRP:$22.99 I have followed Zanni’s progress with this one for ages and have eagerly anticipated its arrival. When it was delivered yesterday, wrapped like the cutie it is in brown paper, tied up with string, I couldn’t wait to read it! And I can confirm, it… Read more

  • The One and Only Family – Katherine Applegate

    Harper Collins Australia ISBN: 9780008702465 ISBN 10: 0008702462 Imprint: HarperCollins GB RRP: $17.99 All good things must come to an end so they say [and of course, as a Buddhist, I do know that everything is impermanent], but I am, along with many others I have no doubt, sad to say goodbye to Ivan and his friends, and… Read more

Archived Reviews