Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe



  • Wombats are Pretty Weird: a [not so] serious guide – Abi Cushman

    Harper Collins Australia October 2023 Here in the land of Down Under, we are pretty relaxed about wombats. They are, for many of us, the most loveable buffoons of the marsupial clan. They have been immortalised in literally dozens of picture books, including, so notably, Jackie French’s wombat series, ensuring that our kiddos are pretty Read more

  • Picture Book Month Bonus #4: A Kind of Spark – Elle McNicoll

    Walker Books Australia October 2023 ISBN13:9781913311056 Imprint: Knights Of Australia RRP:$18.99 New Zealand RRP:$21.99 Today I had a train trip to the city which I knew would be tiresome as it was not from my usual station, and therefore longer. As I always do, I took a book with me and I can tell you, I Read more

  • Ancestory: [the mystery and majesty of ancient cave art] – Hannah Salyer

    Harper Collins Australia October 2023 The publisher describes this as a ‘winning combo of art and science’ and really, I can’t say better myself. To be honest, though of course I’m well aware that many other countries have examples of fine prehistoric cave art, I had always been more or less only interested in our Read more

  • The Billabong Bush Dance – Amy Dunjey. Illustrated by Tyrown Waigana.

    Five Mile March 2023 9781922857422 $24.99 Some of us could dance quite beautifully when we were children, and could still do a fair boogie as an adult, and even belly dance for quite a few years- until older age started creeping up and scuppered any more dance moves forever. So I, for one, can totally Read more

  • Picture Book Month Bonus #3: Starberries and Kee- Cate Whittle

    Storytorch Press May 2023 ISBN: 9780645191554 RRP: $17.95 Audio Interview with Cate @ Living Arts Canberra More years ago than I care to remember, I was a subscriber to, and devotee of Grass Roots magazine. I pretty much daydreamed constantly about having the kind of life that Hannah finds herself in when she and her Read more

  • Little Treasure – Chanelle Gosper. Illustrated by Jennifer Goldsmith.

    Hachette MAR 2023 | 9780734421494 | RRP $24.99 Imprint: Lothian Books Just because it has taken me so long to get to this, is no indication of its worth. It was one of the unfortunates that got caught up in the Great House Move, and when it recently came to light again, I thought I would keep it till Read more