Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Save the Gum Trees, Bees and Big Blue Seas – Luke John Matthew Arnold.

    Scholastic Australia ISBN: 9781760264970 ISBN-10: 1760264970 June 2025 RRP: $26.99 It’s big and bold and beautiful and essentially, it’s a call to arms for even the Smalls to step up and be protective of our precious environment. I love that the artwork – and I’m not familiar with this visual artist’s work – is so striking and Read more

  • How Big is Love? – Carl Merrison and Hakea Hustler. Illustrated by Jade Goodwin.

    Hachette Australia Imprint: Lothian Children’s Books Aug 26, 2025 | 9780734420176 | RRP $24.99 Three of my favourite First Nations creators have produced this gorgeous picture book which would make a beautiful gift for a small person in your family or friendship circle especially. Of course, it would also be eminently suited to an EC setting or home. Small Read more

  • Another Year Around the Sun – Katrina Germein. Alice Lindstrom

    Meeting Katrina in person on our trip to Adelaide was such a delight for me, especially as I had reviewed some of her books, known more and written resources for One Little Duck. Now it’s an even greater pleasure to see her new work, and this one is destined to be shared widely and often Read more

  • When the Mountain Wakes – Matt Shanks

    Affirm Press Simon & Schuster August 2025 Somewhere, towards the beginning of time, a mountain rose from the ocean and came to rest above the clouds.Life sang a lullaby, and the mountain slept for many millions of years.Until one day, when the world became too silent for sleep  If you have a Sophisticated Picture Books Read more

  • Animals on Country: Let’s look after the animals with Uncle Kuu – Victor Steffensen. Illustrated by Sandra Steffensen.

    Allen & Unwin September 2025 ISBN:9781761181566 Publisher:A&U Children’s Imprint:A & U Children RRP: $24.99 Teaching notes available The continuing upswell in First Nations titles is so pleasing and, let’s face it, not before time. As a minority fringe continues to attempt to cause as much division as it can, and certainly global ugliness is on Read more

  • Where the River Runs Free – Vikki Conley. Jedda Robaard.

    Windy Hollow Books July 2025 ISBN: 9781922998217 AUD$29.95, NZD$34.99 This spring weather is just glorious and a perfect time for a family walk out in the beauty and calm of nature. Why not follow the example of this family as they take an adventurous walk along the local river.  What might they see? A frog? Read more

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