Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe



  • Howl-O-Ween-Emma Bowd. Lara Porter.

    Penguin Australia August 2026 ISBN: 9781761359248 Imprint: Penguin RRP: $17.99 We do love Halloween in our family but sadly, we are living in a neighbourhood with very few kids or even teens having fun. That doesn’t stop me decorating and being prepared – just in case. But in some places we’ve lived we see not… Read more

  • Roll up! Roll up! Roll up!

    Same Kids Book Review you know and love – just a slightly different URL. Please edit your bookmarks accordingly and let the wonderful reviews roll out! Thanks for your patience over our past few days of a big tech glitch now sorted. Read more

  • Tilly’s First Spell – Mary Anastasiou. Giorgia Clerico.

    Five Mile Press August 2026 9781923551220$26.99 Whether your kiddos have seen Tilly’s New Broom or not, this will be a hit and has a strong message for Smalls who may not always get new things right the first time. We are forever talking about growth mindset and sometimes I think the kids just think it… Read more

  • Monsters – Jackie Hosking. Katrin Dreiling

    Walker Books Australia September 2026 ISBN13:9781760657918 Australia RRP:$24.99 New Zealand RRP:$26.99 There’ll be a lot of fun to be had from this one, particularly from Katrin Dreiling’s terrific illustrations which will have kiddos in fits of laughter, I guarantee. The urge to start drawing their own monsters will soon follow any reading as well. It’s… Read more

  • 2026 Halloween coming up!

    Over the next few days enjoy the crop of spooky books I saved for this year’s festivities. I also got one just today from New South Books but won’t have time to read it just yet- however, it has gone straight to my bedside table and looks terrific. So here’s a taster for it and… Read more

  • Follow the Dream: the Polly Farmer Story – Steve Hawke with Kim Farmer

    Magabala Books 9781922864642|Sept 8, 2026|RRP $17.99 We have already established that I am not an AFL aficionado and it has been a very slow (and relatively minimal) learning curve. That being said, it’s hard to believe that I don’t recollect that I have ever heard this name before and that sort of surprises me but… Read more