Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • White Bird: a Wonder Story – R. J. Palacio

      Penguin Australia October 2019 ISBN: 9780241397244 Imprint: Puffin RRP: $39.99 Millions of readers have fallen in love with Wonder and its subsequent books and will most likely think of Julian as Auggie’s tormentor but in this first foray into graphic novels Palacio presents a completely different side to the erstwhile bully. Those who have also read Auggie Read more

  • Orphan Warriors: Children of the Otori #1 – Lian Hearn

    JAN 28, 2020 | 9780733641213 | RRP $32.99 Hachette It’s been quite some time since I first read the Tales of the Otori series  but Hearn’s skill as a storyteller has certainly not diminished – witness the fact that I read this over four nights because it is so utterly compelling, just as the original saga was. The long Read more

  • Total Quack Up Again! – Edited by Sally Rippin and Adrian Beck. Illustrated by Jules Faber.

    Penguin Australia October 2019 ISBN: 9781760893583 Imprint: Puffin RRP: $14.99 Get quacking if you haven’t already and grab this second edition of hilarious stories from some of our most celebrated authors as well as one young newcomer! The first TQU was a great success not only providing children with some super funny stories but raising funds for Dymocks Read more

  • The Secrets of Magnolia Moon – Edwina Wyatt. Illustrated by Katherine Quinn

      Walker Books November 1, 2019 ISBN: 9781760651541 Imprint: Walker Books Australia Australian RRP: $19.99 New Zealand RRP: $21.99 The first word that popped into my head whilst reading this was ‘whimsical’ so it was no surprise to read the publisher’s blurb to find that was their choice of descriptor as well. I found myself thinking I could sense Read more

  • The Peski Kids: Near Extinction #4 – R. A. Spratt

    Penguin Australia January 2020 ISBN: 9780143796367 Imprint: Puffin Format: Paperback RRP: $16.99 Readers may rest assured that this latest episode in The Peski Kids once again passes the snort-laugh test with flying colours. There is something truly inspired about these completely kooky characters. This new instalment opens with the reluctant wedding of Dad and the intimidating Ingrid but is Read more

  • The Besties – Felice Arena and Tom Jellett

      We all know how hungrily those newly independent readers gobble up their favourite series of easy chapter books and we also know that there are times when we struggle to find them the ‘next series’ on which to embark. This super new series from a highly talented pairing is going to tick a lot Read more

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