Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe



  • Turbo Turtle: Scales and Tails #4- Gregg Dreise

    Magabala Books Hachette Australia November 2025 | 9781922864109 | RRP $27.99 A new Gregg Dreise book is always a delight- just like the man himself and this one, in the Scales and Tails sequence, is not only a significant story handed down to Gregg from his uncle, but references the Stolen Generation, providing an opportunity to introduce this topic Read more

  • Good Morning, Mr Sarra:My life working for a stronger, smarter future for our children (new edition): 10th Anniversary edition – Chris Sarra

    In mid-1998 I was in my last year at Nanango State School, then teacher-librarian and six years into my teaching career. That was also the year that Chris Sarra arrived at Cherbourg State School as Queensland’s first Aboriginal school principal. It was a game-changer not only for Cherbourg and the little fullas at that school Read more

  • Change the Date

    It’s obviously disturbing to me, as the mother and grandmother of First Nations offspring, that for many the continued ‘celebration’ of 26th January as Australia Day is insensitive at best, offensive at worst. Each year the momentum for changing the date grows, although the upswell of racism we have seen of late can impact this. Read more

  • An unplanned blog break…

    The collective reeling of shock over the past few days has brought out many comments. I’ve shared mine, at times with force, especially at the ignorant or disingenous people bleating ‘innocent till proven guilty’ and ‘art is separate to artist’ and ‘maybe the police got it wrong’ and ‘I’ve edited my collection policy’ (that one!! Read more

  • So long 2025 – that’s a wrap

    It certainly flew by! But what a great year it’s been. Of course, there were a few bumps but overall, for both The Kid and I, it’s been a very happy, productive and busy year filled with much love and laughter. The Kid has been finding her feet as an employed adult and, after a Read more

  • Happy Christmas!

    Wishing you a fabulous Christmas filled with good things from The Kid, the Demon Spawn aka Whiskers and myself. Aside from a New Year’s Eve year wrap-up post, I’m taking a break during January (which actually means I will be still be reading and reviewing but not posting until towards the end of the month). Read more