Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe


  • Square Me, Round World: stories of growing up in a world not built for you – Chelsea Luker. Illustrated by Eliza Fricker.

    Connect Us Pyschology March 2024 ISBN: 978-0-646-88697-8 (Hardcover) RRP: $29.99 When asked if I was interested in reviewing this book, I was very pleased to accept. As many know, The Kid is one of those ‘Square Me’ people for whom we have been trying to find the right fit, it seems, almost all her life.…

  • Fledgewitch: A Dragons of Hallows #2 – Lian Tanner. Illustrated by Martina Heiduczek.

    Allen & Unwin April 2024 ISBN:9781761067365 Publisher:A&U Children’s Imprint:A & U Children RRP: $17.99 I absolutely fell in love with all things Hallow when I read Spellhound last year, and have been impatiently waiting for this second instalment to arrive (as Lian knows), [while The Kid has resigned herself to being called a minch-wiggin as…

  • Losing the Plot – Annaleise Byrd

    Walker Books Australia March 2024 ISBN13:9781760656409 Australia RRP:$16.99 New Zealand RRP:$18.99 It certainly gives me great pleasure to review this debut middle-grade novel from local (and indeed, almost neighbour) Annaleise Byrd. Your readers of such titles as Pages & Co and Inkspell, in which literature and real life mix and meld, will love this new…

  • This Book Kills – Ravena Guron

    Harper Collins Australia March 2024 ISBN: 9781803705415 ISBN 10: 1803705418 Imprint: Usborne GB RRP: $19.99 I recently read someone ‘predicting’ that murder mystery for teens/YA was going to be a big new trend this year. I have news for them. It has been for quite a few years now as any of the devotees of Karen McManus, Holly…

  • Anzac Ted -(10th Anniversary edition): Belinda Landsberry

    EK Books March 2024 ISBN: 9781922539755 RRP: $29.99 Sometimes appearances are misleading, as adults we know that. So for some children who see a battered, raggedy and worn-out teddy bear with missing parts, it would be natural to be dismissive or even contemptuous. My own Tedward is, after 67 years, in a pretty sad and sorry…

  • Q&A with Belinda Murrell

    Q&A with Belinda Murrell

    Welcome to Just So Stories, Belinda! And how exciting to have you here at last (I have no idea why it’s taken so long really!). But with the debut of another brand-new series, it certainly is good timing. Let’s start off at the very beginning. Tell us about Belinda the little girl: family (of course,…

  • The Daredevil Princess and the Goblin King [#2] – Belinda Murrell. Illustrated by Rebecca Crane.

    Penguin Random House February 2024 ISBN: 9781761340451 Imprint: Puffin RRP: $14.99 After a slight hiccup in delivery, here is #2 in Belinda’s fun new series for your younger readers. Those kiddos who are now so proud of being able to read ‘chapter books’, all of whom will relish the humour and adventure in these stories. Princess Tillie,…

  • Little Matilda and the Lost Bunny – Caz Goodwin. Illustrated by Shaney Hyde.

    February 2024 ISBN-13: 9789815066777 Publisher: MARSHALL CAVENDISHImprint: MARSHALL CAVENDISH INTNL ASIA RRP: $14.99 It took Little Matilda a while to find friends so it is understandable that she isn’t always aware of how important it is to treat our friends (indeed, anyone) with kindness. And, as we know, for Smalls their emotions can run rampant, as they haven’t…

  • How to Avoid Being Eaten by Sharks… and Other Advice – John Larkin. Illustrated by Chrissie Krebs.

    Walker Books February 2024 ISBN13:9781760657451 Australia RRP:$16.99 New Zealand RRP:$18.99 Truth be told, I do already know how to avoid being eaten by sharks. That’s why it’s The Kid who surfs, not me! So the opening page of this hilarious book of wisdom completely resonates with me. There is one absolute sure-fire method to avoid being…

  • Ferris – Kate DiCamillo

    Walker Books Australia April 2024 ISBN13:9781760659240 Australia RRP:$19.99 New Zealand RRP:$24.99 I got the ARC of this a week or so ago (27/2 today) and, of course, binged it in one night because – well, it’s Kate and it’s just marvellous, as one would expect. I mean – have you ever read one of Kate’s…