Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • The Unfinished Business: Book #1 – Stephanie Campisi

    Fitzroy Books New South Books Stephanie Campisi 9781646036752/ July 2026/AUD$24.99, NZD$27.99 Of course I got it read before the stroke of midnight on All Hallows! and what a perfectly delicious ghostly read it is. It is absolutely hilarious throughout but with a gentle thread of grief and yearning underlying that. Dari’s mum, Celine, is frantically… Read more

  • The Other Side – Phillip Bunting

    Walker Books August 2026RRP: $26.99 ISBN 9781760659882 I couldn’t finish off my batch of Halloween titles with anything better than a Philip Bunting title and this one is a corker! At first glance, yep, having the Grim Reaper – or Grimster – as narrator might seem slightly macabre (well, come on it IS Philip Bunting!)… Read more

  • Who Said Boo? – Jeanne Willis/Brian Fitzgerald

    New South Books Scallywag Press October 2026 9781836300373 AUD$29.99, NZD$34.99 I love Jeanne Willis‘ books, though I haven’t read nearly enough of them and Dr Xargle’s Book of Earthlets has been a firm favourite for many years – I can’t even begin to count how many times I’ve shared it with cackling audiences of kiddos.… Read more

  • 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

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