Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe



  • Meerkat Christmas – Aura Parker

    Penguin Australia October 2022 Seriously, I’m always so in awe of creators who can do both the text and the illustrations – for someone who yearns to have even a smidgin of creativity it seems a little unfair -haha! This is another title I shared with numerous classes over the closing weeks of Term 4 Read more

  • Christmas Goodies

    Zola and the Christmas Lights – Melina Marchetta/Deb Hudson Penguin Australia October 2022 For the entirety of the delightful What Zola did On… series, Melina Marchetta consistently delivered such beautiful and meaningful messages to young readers around diversity, community, empathy, friendship and family, all without once becoming preachy or tedious. It truly was joyful to Read more

  • Peace on Earth, good will toward all

    Whatever, and however you celebrate I wish you all safe and happy holidays, from me and The Kid. Many thanks to all who follow and bother to read my reviews – which are haphazardly posted at best – and I’m thrilled to see that this year the blog has had well over 10 000 views!!!! Read more

  • The Heartstopper Yearbook – Alice Oseman

    Hachette OCT 13, 2022 | 9781444968392 | RRP $32.99 When I saw the little piece today that Netflix has announced that Heartstopper Season 2 has wrapped up, I just knew it was the day to share this one! The graphic series that started as a slow burn 2 years ago or soon, with many of us recommending i,t has Read more

  • The Amazing Maurice and his Educated Rodents[ film tie-in edition] – Terry Pratchett

    Penguin Australia November 2022 ISBN: 9780552578929 Imprint: Corgi Childrens RRP: $16.99 Twenty years ago the late, great Sir Terry Pratchett won the Carnegie Medal for his 28th book in the Discworld series, the first written for children, so it is utterly fitting that finally this extraordinary, absurd fantasy should be brought to life – and brought to a Read more

  • So long Picture Book Month 2022

    Well it was a bit of a mammoth effort and one I haven’t undertaken for a few years but a new PB review posted each day of the month – whew!! Thanks for anyone who played along with me :-). Hope you discovered some treasures for your collections!! and of course, thanks to the publishers Read more