Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Lexie Moon & the Remote Control Disaster – Melissa Garside and Lauren Mullinder

    Riveted Press Distributed by Simon & Schuster June 2026 ISBN13: 9781764256766 LIST PRICE: AU$ 12.99 / NZ$ 14.99 Hooray for #3 in the Lexie Moon series with this young inventor extraordinaire. In this new adventure, Lexie is constructing a ‘sauce bottle’ remote control car for an upcoming competition but is really having difficulties. Finding the…

  • Ruby’s Fire Safety Plan – Wendy Rudge. Tom Jellett.

    Wild Dog Books Distributed by Simon & Schuster January 2026 ISBN: 9781742037110 RRP: $26.99 Given that I was teaching little people home safety last year, I can say authentically that this book would be perfect to fit with that little slice of curriculum but more than that [having had The Firie in my life] this…

  • Oh No! – James Foley

    Penguin Australia Thursday night last I had just the best time at Quick Brown Fox’ Term 2 Reading Between the Wines and quite honestly, I’ve never laughed so much at any of the other RBtW evenings I’ve attended because not only is James Foley as hilarious in real life as his books but paired with…

  • Zac Power to the max!

    Hardie Grant April 2026 Mission Files #4 Mission Files #5 Mission Files #6 I am quite certain I’m not the only one who can say there were times in my libraries when I feared that the Zac Power books would end up in shreds when, as one or more was being returned, there would be…

  • The Midlands – Kate Gordon

    Kate Gordon has certainly forged a following since her first foray into publication. Some of her titles I have reviewed, others I have read but not reviewed but I definitely know which ones have received the positives and enthusiasms. I particularly enjoyed Whalesong. There is a lot to like about this newest one as well.…

  • Term 2 Between the Wines at Quick Brown Fox

    I haven’t been ‘going’ far from home given the uncertainty of petrol for a while and I have certainly missed my bookish events but absolutely couldn’t pass up the chance for last night’s BtW with Peter Carnavas, James Foley, Jayne McIntyre and the added bonus of Katrina Nannestad popping in. As usual, it was a…

  • Treeshape – Trace Balla

    Allen & Unwin March 2026 ISBN:9781761181252 Publisher:A&U Children’s Imprint:A & U Children Trace Balla’s work always fills me with both admiration and emotion, and I think really, this one is the best yet as it is the most intensely personal as well, outlining the journey of Trace from child to present. Leaf-light (2023) and Rivertime…

  • The Clueless Guide to Solving a Mystery: Clueless #1 – Samera Kamaleddine. Illustrations by Hykie Breeze.

    Harper Collins Australia May 2026 ISBN: 9781460767443 RRP: $17.99 MG readers will thoroughly enjoy meeting Claudia as she has an extended stay with her grandparents in their retirement village. The residents make for hilarious friends with their various quirks but it is when ‘the cousins’, Yasmin and Zayn, come to visit their own grandmother that her…

  • Somewhere You Can Dream – Janeen Brian. Hilary Jean Tapper.

    Allen & Unwin March 2026 ISBN:9781761181764 Publisher:A&U Children’s Imprint:A & U Children The incomparable Janeen Brian never fails to provide us with utter joy and here is the latest example of her lyrical talent. As I’ve previously mentioned, Janeen’s was one of the first author names to make me take note wayyyyyy back when I…

  • Through the Darkening Sea – Claire Saxby. Peter Cheong.

    Harper Collins Australia April 2026 As the winter draws in, it’s getting closer to whale season in Queensland which will be particularly exciting this year as one of The Kid’s 21st birthday presents from me is a voucher to swim with the whales, and I think it will be quite the memorable experience for her.…