Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • A little break in transmission…

    Just need a little reset time this week. I have paid work to do and I need to get some reviews scheduled, as well as help The Kid with her first assessments, being her critique/proofreader chum. I’ve read some great books recently – and even weeks ago – that I need to write up, so Read more

  • Jack’s Island – Norman Jorgensen

    Fremantle Press January 2024 ISBN: 9781760992958 RRP: $17.99 Since its initial publication in 2008, Norman Jorgensen’s award-winning historical novel has proven not only an enduring popular choice for many class novel studies, but as a first-rate adventure constantly in circulation among readers from around Year 5 to Year 8. Based on stories from his own father, Read more

  • Song of the Golden Hare – Jackie Morris

    Unbound May 2024 ISBN: 9781783528851 RRP: AUD$29.99, NZD$34.99 Distributed by New South Books This is probably one of the most difficult books to categorise I’ve ever read. Is it a picture book? Well,it’s very heavily and beautifully illustrated but I would need to call it an ‘extended’ picture book because it is quite a lengthy Read more

  • The Cubbies: the battle for Australia’s first adventure playground – Joan Healey

    Monash University Publishing Publication Date: Aug 2024 RRP: $36.99 ISBN: 9781922979698 Sometimes it is really marvellous how things come your way. Just over a week ago I was writing some teaching notes for a forthcoming JF in which a cubby is featured, and, as is my wont, I was rootling around for info or inspo Read more

  • Hitler’s Daughter 25th Anniversary – Jackie French

    Harper Collins Australia July 2024 When I took this out of the parcel I was aghast – at the fact of it being 25 years since I first read this, one of Jackie’s most loved MG books. I sent her a message saying so and she replied that she found it hard to believe as Read more

  • Herd- Stephen Hogtun

    Bloomsbury Australia July 2024 ISBN 9781526610737 Imprint Bloomsbury Children’s Books RRP: $22.99 Home is where your family is… From start to finish this is just a beautiful book in all respects. With absolutely exquisite illustrations, this exploration of what ‘home’ means will give rise to many bountiful conversations with both Smalls and Not-so-Smalls about the Read more

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