Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • August Wrap-up

    Whew! It’s been a busy month indeed and it’s close enough to call as I will finish off the last two tonight and tomorrow night. This only takes into account 2 of 7 ARCs I read for writing teaching notes and possibly a few others. Sometimes, I lose track!! haha!! Read more

  • What’s Next Shane? – Maree Coote

    Walker Books Australia Imprint: Melbourne Style Books ISBN13:9780645910605 Australia RRP:$29.99 New Zealand RRP:$34.99 You might remember that just a couple of weeks ago I shared reviews of two different cockatoo books [Sonia definitely remembers! she’s still battling her backyard vandal]. And just like the birds themselves being everywhere, seemingly at one time, along comes another Read more

  • Sidney of Sydney – Sue Whiting. Liz Anelli

    Walker Books Australia June 2025 ISBN13:9781760657703 Australia RRP:$24.99 New Zealand RRP:$27.99 From Queensland avian residents to those of NSW – and Sydney, my home town. My love of penguins is well documented and there have been many fabulous penguin moments (Bicheno!), reviews, news stories and chuckles. Recently, I commented to one of my author friends Read more

  • This Bird: noticing our urban birds – Astred Hicks. With Holly Parsons.

    CSIRO Publishing August 2025 ISBN: 9781486318452  RRP: $26.99 It’s another wonderful title from CSIRO and yes! more birds! I talked a little about our backyard birds in a previous post but we also have our birds along the shore within a minutes’ walk. The regulars are: Australian and Little Pied Cormorants, welcome swallows, pelicans, oyster Read more

  • We interrupt this programme..

    Nothing to do with birds at all but pretty pleased about two upcoming events – one happening sooner than the other……. On Saturday 6th September I’m presenting on Bibliotherapy at this year’s ALIA New Librarians Symposium – yayy! And my first book (the one I wrote last year) is still a long way off but Read more

  • The Great Dawn Choir – Sarah Speedie. Illustrated by Cindy Lane

    CSIRO Publishing August 2025 ISBN: 9781486318339 RRP: $26.99 We may not live in the ‘bush’ as I’ve heard some proudly describe their location [while at the same time moaning about the lack of facilities, phone signal and more] but that doesn’t mean in the slightest that we do not have our fair share of wildlife, Read more

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