Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe



  • Party Rhyme – Antonia Pesenti

    I had not seen the first two rhyme books from this talented creator, and now I’m sorry to have missed them because this is just fantastic. As a punster from way back I believe kiddos, even Smalls, are never too young for some word play and when it’s as tricky and absurd as this, all Read more

  • Q&A with Norman Jorgensen

    Greetings, Norman, and welcome to Just So Stories! Thanks so much for spending time with the readers here and giving us the lowdown on NJ’s life and times. Not everyone will have seen glimpses of your childhood via your social media, so let’s start there. What was little Norman like as a child? Tell us Read more

  • Djinang Bonar: Seeing Seasons – Ebony Froome. Illustrated by Leanne Zilm.

    Fremantle Press July 2024 ISBN: 9781760994211 RRP: $24.99 This is absolutely beautiful! The illustrations for this gorgeous bilingual book will knock your socks off. We are beginning to see and use many First Nations seasonal calendars e.g. from CSIRO as more and more are researched and developed. This one outlines the signs of the changing seasons Read more

  • Landovel – Emily Rodda

    Allen & Unwin October 2024 ISBN:9781761069758 Publisher:A&U Children’s Imprint:A & U Children RRP: $39.99 A new Emily Rodda title is always a reason to be excited. When it arrives as a stunning 3 part trilogy in a very handsome slipcase, it’s like an early Xmas. A hero fights against the tide,Companions battle by his side.Danger, Read more

  • Marion and the Forty Thieves – Sarah Luke

    NLA July 2024 I grew up in Sydney and I was a kid with a thirst for history, particularly of my home town. I loved my excursions to the Rocks and being taken into the city on outings with my father, also a history tragic. Yet I knew nothing of the reformatories set up for Read more

  • Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody – Patrick Ness. Illustrated by Tim Miller.

    Walker Books September 2024 ISBN13:9781529517958 Australia RRP:$16.99 New Zealand RRP:$18.99 I absolutely love Patrick Ness’ writing. The Chaos Walking trilogy is my all-time favourite YA read. And A Monster Calls is one of the most beautiful, powerful and poignant explorations of pain and grief ever, and breaks me every time I read it. In fact, Read more