Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe



  • 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

  • A Song for the King – Katrina Nannestad. Freya Black.

    Harper Collins Australia September 2025 Honestly, would you expect anything less than marvellous from this pair of celebrated creators? This is a truly lovely and fresh take on the nativity that will appeal to your Smalls greatly. It will also pave the way for some interesting discussions on changing perspectives in narratives with your older Read more

  • This is an Elf – Beck & Matt Stanton

    Harper Collins Australia August 2025 Earlier this year I reviewed the 10th anniversary edition of This is a Ball and just as that one and many other Stanton bursts of hysterical humour have entertained kids (and adults) over the past decade, so too will this one. Kids LOVE proving you wrong. And they especially love Read more

  • The Thing About Christmas – Jo Dabrowski/Briony Stewart

    Little Book Press September 2025 Simon & Schuster ISBN13: 9781923141407 RRP: LIST PRICE: AU$ 24.99 / NZ$ 29.99 The thing about Christmas is that it is an intensely individual festival for each and every person and family. This book is a sublime insight into that concept. Once upon a time, in my family our Christmas Read more

  • Christmas Past: 1961 – Australian Women’s Weekly

    Some months ago I found, at our favourite op shop, a stash of vintage Women’s Weekly magazines [reminds me of Sister Poppy saying that LOL]and though they were not cheap, I bought this one so I could share it for this year’s countdown. What a revelation it has been to get a glimpse of the Read more