Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe



  • Indigenous Literacy Day

    Indigenous Literacy Day 2025 Indigenous Literacy Day is a celebration of First Nations stories, cultures and languages.  Indigenous Literacy Day 2025 will be held on Wednesday 3 September and will celebrate the theme Strength In Our Stories: For Now & Future Generations.  More information to come shortly. Organise your own event – book swaps have been my go-to, Read more

  • Beyond the Shore – Kirli Saunders. Illustrated by Mark Chester Harding.

    I had the great pleasure of listening to Kirli Saunders speak about her work, back in May so had special interest in seeing this new title. I was also particularly interested to see the illustrations from debut picture book illustrator, Mark Chester Harding. There is an elegant simplicity about both text and illos that has Read more

  • Prayer for a River -Uncle Glenn Loughrey and Andrew Kelly. Illustrated by Uncle Glenn Loughrey.

    Wild Dog Books October 2025 ISBN: 9781742036915 RRP: $24.99 This book is truly special. Completely aside from the Wiradjuri close connection [from my own perspective], this is a book that you will use multiple times with classes for multiple reasons, aside from its innate beauty, both visually and textually. Wiradjuri writer, speaker and artist, Uncle Read more

  • Baabinje’s Backyard – Ella Noah Bancroft & Bronwyn Bancroft

    Hardie Grant Australia Little Hare July 2025 ISBN:9781761214325 Price:AU$24.99, NZ$27.99 Imprint:Hardie Grant Children’s Publish My baabinje always had dirt under her fingernails. She would take me out to the backyard and say, ‘Sit, Marli. Observe and connect with the day.’ While I do miss the days when The Kid and I would garden, at least, Read more

  • I wrote a book! and taking a little blog break to write more…

    Last year I was lucky enough to be asked to write a little book about The Roulettes for an American publisher [The Creative Company] of educational and children’s titles. This is to be part of a series called High Flyers, featuring aerobatic teams from around the world. It was quite challenging due to aspects like Read more

  • Yildaan: Our Dreaming Track – Uncle Bud Marshall with Yandaarra. Artwork by Hannah Smith and Elaine Carmady.

    Allen & Unwin April 2025 ISBN:9781761181382 Imprint:A & U Children RRP: $29.99 From Gumbaynggirr Country comes this stunning book featuring art, photographs, memories, anecdotes and Dreaming stories of the beautiful Nambucca Heads in northern NSW. Giinagay, welcome, I’m Uncle Bud. I’m a Gumbaynggirr man, an Aboriginal Elder from Nambucca Heads. This is my Country.I want Read more