Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • How Not to be a Pirate: The Trouble with Curses- Jenny Pearson

    Harper Collins Australia September 2026 Imprint: Usborne GB ISBN: 9781835400968 RRP: $17.99 It certainly was pretty apt that I would be reading this at exactly the right time for Talk Like a Pirate Day – and what fun it was [given my penchant for pirates in general –after all, there was the pirate wedding at…

  • Down the Bush Track, Little Bee – Sarah Jane Lightfoot

    Affirm Press April 2026 Affirm Kids ISBN13: 9781923293526 RRP: AU$ 24.99 / NZ$ 27.99 Sarah Jane Lightfoot’s books are always a treat and this one is certainly that. I knew we had different types of native bees but I’m pretty sure I didn’t know all of those described in this lovely flit around the country.…

  • The Thing About Giants – Christopher Galvin

    Walker Books September 2026 ISBN13:9781529538472 Australia RRP:$17.99 New Zealand RRP:$19.99 It’s always wonderful when you get to read a debut novel, especially MG, that takes a trope (or two) in a completely different and refreshing direction. And this one is so spot on for matching with classroom discussions on big issues confronting the world at…

  • My Tiny Universe – Maryam Master

    Pan Macmillan September 2026 ISBN: 9781761776670 RRP: $16.99 If I’m strictly honest about it – and you should know by now that I am – I’m a little ‘over’ the post-apocalyptic style narratives but there are exceptions. Believe me, this is one of them. From the first page to the last I was utterly invested…

  • Bowerbird Brave: Bowerbird Blues #4- Aura Parker

    Scholastic Australia September 2026 ISBN: 9781761727252 ISBN-10: 1761727257 RRP: $19.99 It’s not just that Aura’s books are so gorgeously pretty although, truthfully, they are top of the tree in that respect. But this beautiful Bowerbird series has so much to offer our Smalls in the way of thinking more deeply about certain aspects of life.…

  • What’s the Time Mighty Wolf? – Katrina Germein & Kooky Chooky

    Scholastic Australia September 2026 ISBN 9781761641947 RRP: $19.99 Once again the talented Katrina Germein has switched up a traditional rhyme to create an outrageously fun read for Smalls. It’s full of surprises and especially the ending! The animals are on their way to Wolf’s house for dinner. Wait a minute! Is that REALLY a good…

  • Nothing to Lose: Friday Barnes #14 – R. A. Spratt

    Penguin Australia September 2026 ISBN: 9781761349737 Imprint: Puffin RRP: $16.99 My delight in R. A. Spratt’s books is well known and no matter if it’s Friday, Nanny Piggins, the Peskis or any others of her wide-ranging titles, I am always eager to pick them up and never fail to be both entertained and to snort…

  • When Nature Calls: Duck #2 – Matt Stanton

    Harper Collins Australia September 2026 Imprint: ABC Books AU ISBN: 9780733342073 RRP: $16.99 Why yes I sure did love Duck #1 and now #2 certainly hasn’t diminished that. The humour that Matt inserts into all his work, along with his perfectly pithy and often pointed cartoons throughout is just exactly what kids want to see.…

  • Two New Pocket Potters Ahoy!!

    ….and two of my favourite characters!! Bloomsbury Publishing August 2026 ISBN 9781526688675 Imprint Bloomsbury Children’s Books RRP $16.99 Series Pocket Potters – Little Guides to the HARRY POTTER Stories Dobby We all know the mayhem that accompanies Dobby but he really is the most endearing character and such a favourite with so many. Whenever I…

  • Tiki and Jill and the Great Camel Race – Kate Simpson and Dr Jill Colwell. Illustrated by Craig Smith.

    ISBN:9781761182334 Publisher:A&U Children’s Imprint:A & U Children June 2026 RRP: $24.99 This one took a long time to get to me – even longer than an actual camel race across the wide open interior really – and then it’s had to sit waiting its turn patiently after it arrived but it’s such a great book.…