Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Raised by Moths – Charlie Archbold. Michelle Conn

    ISBN: 9781922858184 | $29.99Picture Book | MidnightSun Publishing | October 2023Distributed by NewSouth Books I really can’t remember when I’ve read a picture book, with a central theme of adoption, quite as fanciful and positively playful as this one. When Willow shares a ferris-wheel car with a little boy, she does not expect the fantastical Read more

  • Good Night, Good Beach – Joy Cowley & Hilary Jean Tapper

    Walker Books AustraliaNovember 2023 Author: Joy Cowley Illustrator: Hilary Jean Tapper Imprint: Gecko Press RRP: $27.99 At almost 90 years of age, we might reasonably expect internationally acclaimed Queen of children’s stories and NZ national treasure, Joy Cowley, to be slowing down but no, her love of telling stories and writing for children remains undiminished. When I was small, Read more

  • Picture Book Month Bonus # 6: Kip of the Mountain – Emma Gourlay

    Harper Collins Australia October 2023 I really think the first adjective that comes to mind to describe this debut novel is ‘astonishing’, in all aspects. The setting is Cape Town, and, truthfully, I struggle to think of any kids’ books I’ve read with this location – although Nick Earls’ book New Boy certainly references South Read more

  • Butterfly Girl – Ashling Kwok and Arielle Li

    EK Books October 2023 9781922539564 RRP: $24.99 Butterflies have been very important to us since we lost our Jen. And we have lost count of the number of times they appear at significant moments. So it was little wonder that this lovely picture book had special appeal for me. Olivia is the butterfly girl and Read more

  • Sam the Snowman – Laura Mennecozzi. Illustrated by Noemi Cesanelli

    Busybird Publishing October 2023 ISBN: 9781922954466 RRP: $14.99 Those of us still working with children know all too well just how greatly they were impacted by the pandemic, both at the time, as well as with the continuing after-effects. So any book that we can share with Smalls to encourage some reflection on anxious times, Read more

  • Picture Book Month Bonus #5: Secret Sparrow – Jackie French

    November 2023 Yet again, Jackie brings her extraordinary talent for both unearthing hidden history, and weaving it into gripping narrative to readers. It seems that shedding light on the long-lost life stories of women in action of all kinds, is a particular passion. I have been waiting for almost two months to post this review Read more

Archived Reviews