Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Christmas Days in the Sunshine – Byll & Beth Stephen. Illustrated by Simon Howe.

    Harper Collins Australia September 2023 Singing sisters Teeny Tiny Stevies, ARIA winners in 2020 for Best Children’s Album, are now on their 4th picture book for Littles. This simple but easily recognisable celebration of Christmas Aussie style, will resonant with even tiny kids who will make connections with their own families, and festive activities. Mozzies Read more

  • The First  Nöel – a Christmas pop-up – Jan Pienkowski

    ISBN: 9781406383317ISBN-10: 1406383317 November 2018Walker Books Australia RRP: $14.99 Winner of the Kate Greenaway Medal for illustration (twice), Jan is best known for Haunted House, his pop-ups and the MEG & MOG series, created with Helen Nicoll. His other work includes wonderfully evocative silhouette books such as Christmas and Easter, in the incomparable King James version. For the very young, he has written Read more

  • The Worst Kids in the World – Barbara Robinson

    ISBN 10: 0099427400  ISBN 13: 9780099427407 Publisher: Random House UK, 1996 I’ve just finished my 30th year of teaching (yes, late starter) and in that very first year with a rather interesting Year 5 class in rural Qld, I read them this at the end of the year. I didn’t know the book at that stage but it was recommended for Read more

  • A Child’s Christmas in Wales – Dylan Thomas. Illustrated by Peter Bailey.

    Orion Children’s Books 2014 Hachette I first fell in love with Dylan Thomas’ work when I heard Richard Burton recite Under Milkwood, in my English class at St George Girls’ High School circa early 1970s. (see the final video for some wonderful RB vocal deliciousness). So I was thrilled with this gift from my bestie Read more

  • What You Need to be Warm – Neil Gaiman

    Bloomsbury October 2023 ISBN 9781526660619 Imprint Bloomsbury Children’s Books RRP: $19.99 This morning (Sunday 10/12/23) The Kid and I went to the city by train to an event, and as we crossed over the Brisbane river and I looked back to the Coronation Drive/Riverside expressway I noticed something. In some places, there are gaps between Read more

  • The Boy Who Slept Through Christmas – Matt Lucas. Illustrated by Forrest Burdett.

    Harper Collins Australia October 2023 To be completely honest, when I first got this one I thought – uggh, another “celebrity” book – so many, most disappointing IMO. But with Xmas coming up, I was determined to give it a go to add to my rather scanty list of new festive releases, and to be Read more

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