Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • The Everywhere Train- Deborah Frenkel. Danny Snell

    Hardie Grant Publishing September 2026 9781761213953 $24.99 Unless you were under a rock or incapacitated in some way, you could not have missed the sensation that was The Truck Cat. What a hugely popular choice it was for NSS as well. Now from that same great pairing is this absolutely beautiful book that allows children… Read more

  • The Magic School Bus Inside the Human Body – Joanna Cole and Bruce Degen

    Celebrating 40 years of The Magic School Bus Scholastic Australia ISBN: 9781761818592 ISBN-10: 1761818597 Series: Magic School Bus November 2026 RRP: $19.99 Kicking off today’s batch of PBs featuring ‘things that go’ it’s another anniversary edition to make us all go – oh wow! 40 years?! And has there ever been a more iconic, well-loved… Read more

  • There’s a Chicken in the House – Sonya Hartnett. Lucia Masciullo.

    Penguin Australia August 2026 ISBN: 9781761344497 Imprint: Puffin RRP: $24.99 For those of us with fluffbutts – and I am currently in my 4th round of keeping the beaky little beggars [Henny & Penny, d’uccle Belgian bantams – reputedly docile breed – hah!] this sweet and gentle book has special resonance. But even kiddos who… Read more

  • Cockadoodle Moo?! – Tanya Hennessy. Illustrated by Shiloh Gordon.

    Allen & Unwin August 2026 RRP: $19.99 ISBN:9781761181603 Publisher:A&U Children’s Imprint:Albert Street Books This past week I’ve rewatched the Shrek movies and realised again just how fun they are with loads of intercontextuality for adults as well as the plentiful humour for kiddos. And this terrific book echoes that premise exactly. In fact, I’d liken… Read more

  • Tākapu the Lone Hunter – Ned Barraud

    Allen & Unwin August 2026 ISBN:9781991142511 Publisher:A&U Children’s NZ Imprint:A&U Children’s NZ RRP: $22.99 This is exactly the sort of narrative non-fiction that we as educators love and that readers love equally. Ned Barraud’s work is new to me but given this extraordinary example I would love to see more. Filled with action, high drama,… Read more

  • Wolf Baby – Aura Parker

    Scholastic Australia November 2026 ISBN: 9781761720925 ISBN-10: 1761720929 RRP: $26.99 As you would expect from Aura Parker, this is just beautiful. As you might not expect, it’s a complete departure from Bowerbird Blues. I am already seeing how many rich conversations and juicy questions will spring from sharing this with kiddos as it explores themes… Read more

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