Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • 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

  • Giants – Jem Cresswell

    New South October 2025 9781761170461 AUD$49.99, NZD$59.99 The humpback whale season in Queensland is now heading towards its close for another year. Many of us have seen these marvellous creatures, with their young in tow, just off the beaches up and down the coast. My two surfers have seen them up quite close in fact. Read more

  • 2026 Australasian Sky Guide – Dr Nick Lomb

    New South Powerhouse ISBN: 9781761170546/ October 2025 RRP: AUD$24.99, NZD$29.99 I’m no astronomer but I was a bit miffed a few days ago when I saw a guy walking out of the op shop clutching a pretty decent looking telescope. I’ve always thought it would be great fun to have one just to take a Read more

  • A New World Rises: Tales of a LEGO® Future – Jackson Harvey & Alex Towler with Cristy Burne.

    Fremantle Press August 2025 ISBN: 9781760994167 RRP: AU $44.99/NZ$50.00/US$34.95 Like millions of others, I’ve had my fair share of LEGO® in my life, starting with my girls, then grandies and certainly, numerous times in my libraries with LEGO® free-range activities and clubs both construction and stop motion film. I have run competitions for Book Week (recreate Read more

  • Krstel Kicks to Win: Kimberley Kickers #2 – Carl Merrison & Hakea Hustler. Illustrated by Samantha Campbell

    Harper Collins Australia July 2025 Last year I had the pleasure of not just reviewing the first in this series – Jy Goes for Gold – but also writing teaching notes for it. Back then I predicted that this would prove a real winner with the kiddos and that’s true enough. Don’t think for one Read more

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