Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Ayla’s Christmas Wish – Pamela Jones. Lucia Masciullo

    NLA November 2023 ISBN: 9781922507617 RRP: $24.99 What a lovely lead into Christmas in Australia this new book is! Inspired by the now well-known Tarrington Hay Bale Art Comp, initiated in 2009 by Lutheran pastor,  Colin Huf in his bid to promote the tiny township, this picture book juxtaposes traditional European style Christmas icons with our Read more

  • The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s Christmas Tree by Eric Carle

    Penguin Random House Whatever you do, don’t miss this one for a Smallest of All in your circle!! It is just the cutest thing ever!. With a super simple, rhyming text and big bold illustrations, and exciting lift-the-flap interactivity, little ones can have the fun and excitement of discovering which character is under each flap. Read more

  • Peppa Pig: Peppa’s 12 Days of Christmas

    Penguin Random House October 2023 We all know that Peppa’s popularity remains undiminished and that Littles just never get tired of the Pig family. Continue the fun with another lift-the-flap book that will delight your slightly older Smalls particularly. Starting on Christmas Day (of course) with opening presents and then all the excitement in the Read more

  • Peter Rabbit Tales: The Christmas Star

    Penguin Random House September 2023 When you open a book parcel and see the shimmering scarlet foiled binding of a board book, somehow you just know it’s almost Christmas! This is a dear little book that will make a perfect stocking stuffer for any Small of your acquaintance. It is a simple little story, but Read more

  • Here Comes a Merry Christmas – Justine Clarke with Arthur Baystin & Peter Dasent. Illustrated by Heath McKenzie

    Penguin Australia October 2023 Because I don’t have little kids personally, nor do I watch much TV, I was not at all familiar with this song, though naturally, very aware of Justine Clarkie’s enduring popularity with Smalls. Now that I hear it, I think it is quite lovely and a very special way to lead Read more

  • Picture Book Month 2023 is a wrap!

    November is Picture Book Month, a tribute to the enduring importance of the picture book form. Dianne de Las Casas (author & storyteller) and her team co-founded the month-long celebration to champion the power and beauty of picture books: In this digital age where people are predicting the coming death of print books, picture books (the print kind) need love. And Read more

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