Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • My Deadly Boots – Carl Merrison & Hakea Hustler. Illustrated by Samantha Campbell.

    Hachette August 2022 ISBN 9780734421456 RRP: $24.99 Spikes on the bottom boots,my favourite colour boots,making me too deadly. Watch it being read here on ABC Education – a fantastic read-aloud with added insights from narrator Shelley Ware. No doubt about it – getting new footy boots is a big deal. When you’ve saved and bought…

  • Two Puggles – Michelle Guzel and Andrew Plant

    Ford St October 2022 ISBN 9781922696168 RRP $16.95 Over the years there have been numerous books about adoption or foster families which, of course, are terrific for both children to whom that applies as well as those who can gain an understanding of the differences in families. This is a really adorable ‘switched at birth’…

  • Jørn’s Magnificent Imagination – Coral Vass/Nicky Johnson

    Exisle Publishing EK Books October 2022 ISBN: 9781922539144 RRP: $24.99 Last week I was in a Year 1 classroom for the day and this was my choice to share with them. As our pre-reading chat I invited the kiddos to suggest what it might be about after showing them the cover and the [gorgeous] endpapers. Art,…

  • Back on Country – Adam Goodes/Ellie Laing. Illustrated by David Hardy

    Allen & Unwin November 2022 Imprint: A&U Children ISBN: 9781761065088 RRP: $24.99 Another stunning addition to the Welcome to Our Country series from this fabulous team of creators. This is, undoubtedly, one of the most highly acclaimed resources for inclusive teaching of cross-cultural perspectives in the classroom and I have yet to see or hear…

  • Our Dreaming – Kirli Saunders/Dub Leffler

    SCHOLASTIC AUSTRALIA PTY LTD August 2022 ISBN 9781742995113 RRP $24.99 Photo Credit: The Children’s Bookshop Goodjagah, little one, walk with me … I want to tell you our Dreaming as the Elders told it to me. Award-winning storytellers, Gunai woman Kirli Saunders and Bigambul man Dub Leffler, explore a deep love and respect for Country…

  • Tangki Tjuta Donkeys – Story and sculptures by Tjanpi Desert Weavers

    Allen & Unwin July 2022 Publisher/Imprint: A&U Children’s ISBN: 9781761180149 RRP: $24.99 I’ve been saving this one up for a while but I’ve already used it with several classes and, let me tell you, the kids have just loved it so much – both for the fun in the story and the fascination with the…

  • How We Came to Be: Surprising Sea Creatures – Sami Bayly

    Hachette September 2022 Imprint: Lothian Children’s Books ISBN 9780734421364  RRP $19.99 A delightful 1/2 class, at a local school which has a special focus on all things ‘ocean’, as it is located right on the very seafront, and I thoroughly enjoyed exploring the depths of the brine with Sami. Dive on in and find out…

  • Attack of the Giant Baby – David Lucas. Illustrated by Bruce Ingman

    Bloomsbury Australia August 2022 ISBN 9781408899878 Imprint Bloomsbury Children’s Books RRP: $14.99 This was absolutely great fun to share with a lovely little class of Preppies who sat completely engrossed until about 2/3 of the way when the penny started to drop. The look of delight on their little faces as they realised what was…

  • Be Careful, Xiao Xin! – Alice Pung/Sher Rill Ng

    Harper Collins September 2022 There will be many who will welcome this beautiful book as a fitting addition to their multi-lingual collection, and, in particular, if Mandarin is a taught language in the school. However, it will be equally well-received by those who are looking to empower their youngsters with self-confidence and resolve. It is…

  • Rodney Forgets It – Michael Gerard Bauer

    Scholastic Australia July 2022 ISBN : 9781761121388 RRP: $19.99 In 2018 my kiddos, in our usual countdown to Book Week reading all the short-listed PBs, voted Rodney Loses It our winner – oddly enough, the judges agreed with us (rarely happens, in my experience!). Now Rodney is back in another hilarious but heart-warming tail –…