Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • In Plain Sight: Friday Barnes #13 – R. A. Spratt

    Penguin Australia It was quite synchronistic to get #13 Friday Barnes arriving on Friday 13th, I thought! And, needless to say, I promptly gobbled it up over two nights with much snickering and snort laughing [No R. A. Spratt is ever read without the snaughling!]. The Friday romp continues with our intrepid but ‘special’ detective, Read more

  • A Lemon for Safiya – Jemima Shafei-Ongu. Illustrated by Nisaluk Chantanakom.

    Hachette Australia May 2025 Imprint: Lothian Children’s Books | 9780734422224 | RRP $24.99 When Safiya spots an old lady sitting on the kerb, she feels worried for her. Her parents sense something is amiss as well. The family are quick to see that the old lady is confused, also that she has no English, and it is apparent by Read more

  • Hatch – Heidi Cooper Smith

    CSIRO Publishing Hardback | April 2025 | $ 26.99ISBN: 9781486318278 This gorgeous narrative non-fiction book makes me think of my Year 1s, 30 years ago as we had the fun of watching chickens hatch, and frogspawn develop, investigating how life begins for many creatures. I know there are many ELC and Prep classes that still Read more

  • R.I.P. Nanny Tobbins – Lucie Stevens

    Harper Collins Australia June 2025 ISBN: 9781460766521 ISBN 10: 1460766520 $16.99 It’s one thing having a strict but kind and fair Nanny who is alive – and quite another when that Nanny is dead. Nine-year-old Albertine is a sweet child, who is without a mother but with a very loving and protective father. He is, in fact, Read more

  • We’re going on a Treasure Hunt – Martha Mumford. Laura Hughes.

    lift the flaps and find the treasure! Bloomsbury Australia June 2025 ISBN: 978152627384 Imprint: Bloomsbury Children’s Books Series: The Bunny Adventures RRP: $16.99 We’re going on a treasure hunt. Yo! Ho! Ho!Help us find the golden coins … Arrrrr! Off we go! Well, it’s rabbits so of course I’m in! But seriously, how cute are the Bunnies? Read more

  • More School of Monsters – Sally Rippin. Art by Chris Kennett.

    Hardie Grant Australia April 2025 Price:AU$10.99, NZ$11.99 Series:School of Monsters Imprint:Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing ISBN:9781761213502 Bee makes a wish. The monsters stare.What’s that growing from her hair? ISBN:9781761213519 Bill and Ben both love to sing,but each one sings a different thing! It’s more rhyming fun and reading confidence with two new instalments in the hugely successful School of Monsters Read more

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