Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • The World of Maxime – Lucile de Pesloüan. Illustrations by Jacques Goldstyn, translated by Helen Mixter

    New South Books Greystone Books June 2025 ISBN: 9781778400544 RRP: AUD$29.99, NZD$34.99 To complete this trio of feline titles today, comes this charming book which I would describe as an extended picture book – or perhaps an illustrated novella. No need to be pedantic. It’s an illustrated story with elements of graphix/comics and pitched squarely Read more

  • Why You Should Read Children’s Books, Even Though You are So Old and Wise – Katherine Rundell

    Bloomsbury First published 2019 ISBN 9781526610072 Imprint Bloomsbury Publishing RRP: $16.99‘Rundell’s pen is gold-tipped’ – Sunday Times As much as I love Katherine Rundell’s writing, I was completely unaware of this little gem, until I saw this new edition in Quick Brown Fox a couple of weeks ago and HAD to have it – of course! Read more

  • The Book of Dust : Phillip Pullman – a recap

    While I await #3 in this extraordinary trilogy, I have been revisiting the first two on audio. The brilliant Michael Sheen is the narrator and absolutely perfect. So I thought it would be timely to re-post my reviews of the first two. Are you excited as I am for #3??? I CANNOT WAIT to get Read more

  • The Long Shoe – Bob Mortimer

    Simon & Schuster Australia I have always loved Bob Mortimer on WILTY, which I admit is the only place I’ve seen his comedy. I didn’t realise he was also a writer until I spotted this one in a publicity email and immediately was keen to read it. I mean, anyone who can spin the outrageous Read more

  • Spud and Snowball and the Fancy Fish – Judith Rossell

    Harper Collins Australia September 2025 Continuing the impromptu ‘cat’ theme is this deliciously funny new title from Judith Rossell, which will be perfect for your newly independent readers. These are two cats that are the very epitome of their species. They are self-indulgent, wilful, cheeky, devious, greedy and utterly hilarious in their conniving antics. One Read more

  • Catty Corner: #1 and #2 – Julie Murphy

    I’ve been a fan of Julie Murphy’s writing since I first read Dumplin’ [wow! ten years old now!] when she gave fat girls back the power (by the way, the movie was pretty good too, if you’ve not seen it yet!). This is a new series for younger readers to MG, and again, puts the Read more

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