Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Is This a Plum? – Dan & Finn Ojari

    Penguin Australia  May 2026 ISBN: 9780241814055 Imprint: Puffin RRP: $19.99 The first word that springs to mind with this debut book is charming, followed quickly by hilarious! Father and son team but not in the usual sense [thinking of examples like Anthony and Joe Browne] because this father mostly works in theatrical creativity (Aardman Animations) and this son… Read more

  • Handbooks for Little Humans: Integrity and Inclusivity – Zanni Louise. Illustrated by Jingting Wang.

    Simon & Schuster Imprint: Affirm Press February 2026 Integrity ISBN13: 9781923293205 LIST PRICE: AU$ 19.99 / NZ$ 24.99 Inclusion ISBN13: 9781923293199 LIST PRICE: AU$ 19.99 / NZ$ 24.99 Following up on the earlier two in this series we have two more titles to add to your kitbag for inclusion in your circle time or social… Read more

  • Connected – R. A. Stephens. Illustrated by Tamlyn Teow.

    Wombat Books April 2026 9781761113178 $24.99 Any of us who have taught Smalls always appreciate a useful ‘maths’ themed picture book. This one doubles as a timely introduction to the concept that we are all connected as humans, in one way or another. The maths aspect is certainly a fact – nodes, networks, circuits, spanning… Read more

  • Lily Tripp: Diary of an Accidental Time Traveller – Amelia Tait

    Hachette Australia Imprint: Starboard May 5, 2026 | 9781444931983 | RRP $16.99 Well yes, it is another ‘diary’ of a tween title but at least this one really does have a point of difference. Lily Tripp, aged almost 13, has developed an unfortunate ability. Several times now she has spontaneously time-travelled on New Year’s Eve. She’s been in ancient… Read more

  • Drawing Nudes While Making Other Plans – Zoe Gaetjens

    Penguin Australia May 2026 ISBN: 9781761358012 Imprint: Penguin $19.99 Sometimes it’s just so refreshing to read something that’s different and this was one of those. It’s not that I don’t enjoy reading the YA cosy murder mysteries and so on, but when you get a book that gives you a slice of real life set in your… Read more

  • Shakespeare in the Orchard – Danielle Binks

    Hachette Australia Imprint: Lothian Children’s Books Jul 7, 2026 | 9780734421920 | RRP $17.99 It took me a while to get into this one as the first chapters seemed to move slowly but once it got going, I was thoroughly engaged with this fictionalised slice of history, hitherto unknown to me. That is to say, naturally I knew about… Read more

Archived Reviews