Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Come on in 2024

    Here we go again! 2024 – wowzers! for those of my vintage, it’s the stuff of science fiction really, and yet, here we are living it. This has been a significant year for us. It marked my 30 years of teaching (late starter after raising kids), over 25 as a teacher-librarian, and, essentially, the beginning Read more

  • Bad Martha – Wendy Orr. With illustrations by Carol McLean-Carr

    Angus & Robertson 1991 A chance remark from Wendy Orr prompted me to say, I’d never seen this one, and I said I would look out for it. Being an extremely generous and kind person, Wendy posted me one of the few remaining copies she has (signed and all!) and what an absolute little treasure Read more

  • Wonka – Sibéal Pounder: Roald Dahl, Paul King and Simon Farnaby

    Penguin Australia When I first found out about Wonka I was a little apprehensive, I admit. How could Dahl’s anarchic magic possibly be recreated? And then I saw that Timothée Chalamet  was cast as Wonka, and I relaxed quite a bit. Then I saw the first official trailer, and knew it would be alright. We haven’t Read more

  • Happy Xmas from Los and The Kid

    I thank you, one and all, for playing along this year. I hope my reviews have given you some insight into some of the wonderful Kids Lit titles that have come this way. It’s been a big year for us, for sure, and now for a little hiatus while we enjoy some (rare) family time. Read more

  • The Wind in the Willows -‘Dolce Domum’ – Kenneth Grahame

    First published in 1908, my copy came to me on my 5th birthday [illustrated by Ernest Shephard], and I was at once completely and utterly besotted with life on the riverbank, Toad Hall and in the Wild Wood. This was a book on regular rotation in my reading roundabout. I adored every word of it. Read more

  • Harry Christmas!

    Bloomsbury ‘Hogsmeade looked like a Christmas card; the little thatched cottages and shops were all covered in a layer of crisp snow; there were holly wreaths on the doors and strings of enchanted candles hanging in the trees.’ Ron came back five minutes later, carrying three foaming tankards of hot Butterbeer. ‘Happy Christmas!’ he said Read more

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