Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe



  • Always Never Always – Meg McKinlay/Leila Rudge

    Walker Books Australia October 2023 ISBN13:9781760655204 Australia RRP:$25.99 New Zealand RRP:$27.99 Always follow secret tracks –the paths that wind and wend through cracks.Never worry where they go.When you get there, then you’ll know. For everyone who could use some poetically pithy life-advice, this creative pairing has delivered a blueprint for quirky wanderings along the byways Read more

  • Our Family Dragon: a Lunar New Year story – Rebecca Lim/Cai Tse

    Allen & Unwin November 2023 ISBN:9781761180637 Publisher:A&U Children’s Imprint:Albert Street Books RRP: $24.99 Of course we have had a few wonderful picture books focusing on Lunar New Year over the years, many of them in constant rotation for this celebration. But how lovely is it to have an exciting new one that, to my mind, Read more

  • We Know a Place – Maxine Beneba Clarke

    Hachette AUG 30, 2023 | 9780734421579 | RRP $24.99 Imprint; Lothian Books To be fair, I probably should have reviewed this when it was Love Your Bookshop Day, but, of course, I have been hoarding picture books for this month. This is just a glorious expression of love for bookshops in general, and, specifically, Maxine’s own favourite bookshop. And, Read more

  • These Little Feet – Hayley Rowsthorne & Briony Stewart

    Allen & Unwin October 2023 ISBN:9781761069017 Publisher:A&U Children’s Imprint:Albert Street Books RRP: $19.99 For those of us who have had the joy of a new baby within snurfling distance, either our own or someone else’s – don’t you just love that poring over their tiny toes, their wee fingers, little ears, button mouths, and all Read more

  • Being a Cat: a tail of curiosity – Maria Gianferrari. Pictures by Pete Oswald

    Harper Collins Australia August 2023 It seems that for most people it’s either one or the other. Cats or Dogs (always one of my most popular weekly ‘This or That’ votes in my libraries!) For me, it’s cats. I’ve owned dogs and loved dogs but I find it hard to live without a cat. Although, Read more

  • How to Write a Poem – Kwame Alexander & Deanna Nikaido. Art by Melissa Sweet.

    Harper Collins Australia October 2023 I really think this is one of the ‘prettiest’ picture books I’ve seen this year. I actually received it months ago but it was far too early to post a review so I’ve had it sitting in drafts for yonks! So then I decided I should save it for Picture Read more