Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe



  • 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

  • Bin Chicken Goes for Gold – Kate and Jol Temple. Illustrated by Ronojoy Ghosh

    Scholastic Australia March 2025 ISBN: 9781760268275 RRP: $19.99 To follow up on the first of this week of birdie books, it’s another Queenslander. Yes, I know ibis are found elsewhere but these are so iconically Queensland that there is a strong push for them to be the Brisbane Olympics official mascot. We generally have at least Read more

  • Cassowary Dad – Beverley McWilliams. Illustrated by Julian Teh.

    CSIRO Publishing February 2025 ISBN: 9781486317578  $26.99 To kick off the week of birds [yes intentional!], and so close to Fathers Day, what better choice than our own Queenslander and largest of the cassowary species – the Southern Cassowary, daddy extraordinaire! You know it’s top shelf when it comes from the CSIRO, and Beverley McWilliams Read more

  • Birdie Num Nums…

    Peter Sellers may have coined it but I’ve used it for a gazillion years to mean anything from edible goodies to just special things in general. Seems appropriate in this context as I have a stash of bird books to share over the next week or so. It’s still a way off for this year’s Read more

  • My Dog – Olivia Wakeford

    the story of an extraordinary friendship Harper Collins Australia ISBN: 9780008658588 ISBN 10: 0008658587 Imprint: HarperCollins GB RRP: $17.99 This one I will say was at times, a bit too close to the bone for me. That being said, it is truly a special book that will touch the hearts of sophisticated primary readers and, I would suggest, Read more