Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe



  • Purinina – Christina Booth

    CSIRO Publishing  September 2024 | $ 24.99ISBN: 9781486317264  Taking its cue from the 2007 Notable picture book Purinina, a Devil’s Tale, this new devilish tale from Christina Booth follows Purinina’s life from her birth through the death of her mother to her producing her own offspring. It is written in simple yet very evocative terms Read more

  • Night Watch – Jodi Toering/Tannya Harricks

    Walker Books February 2024 ISBN13:9781760655310 Australia RRP:$26.99 New Zealand RRP:$28.99 With a task to completeand a journey ahead, Tawny Frogmouth calls a drumming call. Moon answers, rising gently over the stubble to meet her and light the way. What a beautiful lullaby of a book this is! as the reader glides across the night sky Read more

  • Happy Book Week 2024!

    Yesterday kids lit creators and purveyors around the country were either attending celebratory events, presenting at schools or waiting for the newsflash. At the time I was enjoying a massage after treating myself to a leisurely brunch. Am I missing the Book Week buzz? A little, but to be honest, I’m still so deeply entrenched Read more

  • Dragon Folding – Christopher Cheng. Illustrated by Lucia Masciullo.

    Penguin Australia September 2024 Grief is hard. And most of us know, in one way or another, some losses are harder to bear than others. I know that well, as does author Christopher Cheng. In a beautiful new book from this illustrious author, comes a narrative that explores the depths of grief, and how strength Read more

  • The Opal Dinosaur – Yvonne Mes. Illustrated by Sylvia Morris.

    CSIRO Publishing  August 2024 | $ 24.99ISBN: 9781486316793  Local Brisbane author Yvonne Mes has created a fascinating narrative non-fiction which kiddos will love, particularly that ever-present cohort of dino-philes. Turning the extraordinary discovery of opalised fossils in Lightning Ridge, by miner, Bob Foster, in 2019 into a drama-filled tale that outlines the fate of one Read more

  • Wedge-tailed Eagle- Claire Saxby/Christina Booth

    Walker Books Australia August 2024 ISBN13: 9781760655686 Australia RRP: $26.99 New Zealand RRP: $28.99 Another stunning book in the Nature Storybook series, combining a lyrical, almost poetic, narrative with fascinating facts, this time about Australia’s largest raptor – surely, one of our most magnificent winged creatures. For a bird nerd like myself, they are always Read more