Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Taronga for the Tinies

    Penguin Australia The surge in zoo and animal books is not just for the older readers. Here are some adorable board books for the Smallests in your circle. Taronga: We’re Going to the Zoo: Taronga Conservation Society Australia Cate James March 2025 RRP: $16.99 An outing to the zoo is always exciting with so many animals Read more

  • Teeth: You Only Get Two Sets – Magda Gargulakova. Illustrated by Marie Urbankova.

    New South Books Albatros Media April 2025 9788000072470/ AUD$26.99, NZD$32.99 All of us who have taught Smalls know the whole gap-toothed, lisping stages very well indeed. I foresee this book is going to be a big hit in both classrooms and libraries for those Preps-3s especially. Certainly I’d be taking full advantage of it and still Read more

  • Grandmother from the East, Grandmother from the West – Jacinta Liu & Freda Chiu

    Hachette Australia Imprint: Lothian Children’s Books Mar 26, 2025 | 9780734421791 | RRP $24.99 I believe many of you will have experienced or know children with mixed cultural heritage, just as I have. Not just as an educator of many years, nor even the fact that I taught at many schools with vibrantly diverse communities. Even growing up in Read more

  • Sunrise on the Reaping: Hunger Games #5 – Suzanne Collins

    Scholastic Australia March 2025 ISBN:9781761641176 RRP: $29.99 So many of us have been waiting, not so patiently, and I was so excited when this arrived last Monday. Over the ensuing nights I have literally devoured it, with Haymitch every step of the way. Whether you are a Hunger Games “tribute” [IYKYK], or have a special Read more

  • Boodja Barna – Land Creatures: Noongar First Words – Jayden Boundry. Tyrown Waigana.

    Fremantle Press June 2024 ISBN: 9781760995317 RRP: $16.99 This is the first of a new series and it is absolutely adorable 💗. Whether this is the language of the traditional owners in your part of the country or not, this makes for a really sweet read for tiny Smalls. To my mind, it’s no matter if Read more

  • Parrot Palace – Susanne Gervay with Pooja Mathur. Illustrated by Sarah Tabassum.

    Big Sky Publishing Imprint: Little Big Sky March 2025 ISBN: 9781923300088 RRP: $12.99 When I had an email from the wonderful Susanne Gervay last year, asking if I would write teaching notes for a new book, quite naturally I was delighted. And when I first read Parrot Palace, I was even more delighted. This is Read more

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