Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe



  • Plume: Christmas Elf – Tania McCartney

    Hardie Grant Australia October 2023 ISBN: 9781741177923 RRP: $24.99 You would be hard-pressed to find a more sparkling author/illustrator than the ever-elegant, super-stylish, tremendously-talented Tania McCartney, and, therefore, how utterly appropriate that this beautiful new Plume story is just as sparkly as its creator. I have been in love with Plume since first meeting, having Read more

  • Our Country: Where History Happened – Mark Greenwood/Frane Lessac

    Walker Books Australia September 2023 ISBN13:9781760653576 Australia RRP:$26.99 New Zealand RRP:$28.99 This is the second in this stunning series from talented couple Mark Greenwood & Frane Lessac. I have previously reviewed the first (twice! hardback and paperback!) Ancient Wonders and I know that many people took that first title to their hearts. In this new Read more

  • Not Here to Make You Comfortable: 50 women who stand up, speak out, inspire change.

    Penguin Australia Septemer 2023 It’s time to stop saying yes all the time.It’s time to stop apologising all the time.It’s time to stop avoiding conflict all the time.It’s time to be true to our emotions, whatever they are. I’m starting this off with just this. Don’t delay. Order it now, put it on your list Read more

  • Alight: a story of fire and nature- Sam Lloyd. Illustrated by Samantha Metcalfe.

    CSIRO Publishing | June 2023 | $ 24.99ISBN: 9781486315444 What a terrific book, and the timing is just perfect! Already, we have seen fires threatening homes, wildlife and people and it’s still so early in the season. This is a super way to explain to children, that non-Indigenous people can learn from the First Nations Read more

  • Alex Rider: Nightshade Revenge #14 – Anthony Horowitz

    Walker Books September 2023 ISBN13:9781529517422 Australia RRP:$17.99 New Zealand RRP:$19.99 My fondness for Alex’ adventures is pretty well-known, and some people may remember my huge excitement with an exchange I had with the boy spy’s creator, Anthony himself, when I did my promo for Alex’ 20th anniversary. Well I remember our collective sadness when we Read more

  • Where Will the Sleepy Sheep Sleep? – David Metzenthen. Illustrated by Jonathan Bentley.

    Allen & Unwin August 2023 ISBN:9781761066160 Publisher:A&U Children’s Imprint:A & U Children RRP: $19.99 We know that little kids love wordplay (who doesn’t?), and this will be an ideal book to showcase the fun we can have with language. It will be a riotous read-aloud romp but also a completely comprehensive classroom curriculum companion….*grin*. Take Read more