Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe



  • Huzzah! Special guest Q&A with the amazing Tania McCartney

    At the very first moment we met, around 11 years ago, the lovely Tan and I just hit it off and I, for one, have treasured this friendship and her astounding talent since. Tania McCartney, welcome to Just So Stories- I have no idea why it’s taken this long to do a Q&A with you Read more

  • End of the holidays

    Well funsters, normally round about now, at the tail end of the second week of spring break, I’d be gnashing my teeth about the holidays coming to an end. But – oh my lordy! – the complete and utter bliss of NOT being fully employed (without the usual stress of that situation). The Kid and Read more

  • Plume [#2]: Global Nibbler – Tania McCartney

    May 2022 Hardie Grant, Hardie Grant Explore, RRP $26.99 ISBN: 9781741177671 My friends are all very aware of my penchant for penguins. Surely, they are one of the cutest creatures in the world? Although, if you have ever participated in the penguin spotting research via live stream, you will appreciate that the little darlings are Read more

  • The Colourful World of Poppy Starr Olsen: A novel inspired by the life of the Australian Olympic skateboarder – Poppy Starr Olsen & Jess Black

    Penguin Australia From the opening pages this is just a joyful experience and one that I binged in just two sessions. I’ll be honest here. I didn’t know of Poppy (I don’t watch or follow the Olympics) and I know – well knew – zilch about skateboarding so I didn’t really know what to expect. Read more

  • Guardians: Wylah the Koorie Warrior 1- Jordan Gould/Richard Pritchard

    Allen & Unwin May 2022 ISBN:9781761180033 Imprint: Albert Street Books RRP: $15.99 This is definitely something different and a series to be watched. These two creators have drawn their narrative from all quarters: speculative fiction in its broadest sense – fantasy, sci fi, larger than life events, incorporating adventure, humour, and drawing on First Australians Read more

  • Astonishingly Good Stories – R. A. Spratt

    Penguin Australia August 2022 Now with a day off at my disposal, due to having no voice left with which to teach, I am trying to catch up with reviews, and really it is dead lucky I had already read this latest volume, because there is no doubt that strenuous laughing of the Spratt-induced kind Read more