Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Ming & Hilde Lead a Revolution (The Girls Who Changed the World #3) – Jackie French

    Harper Collins Australia June 2023 Yesterday, I did a relief day with Preppies. I hadn’t intended to work as I was a bit ache-y, combination of arthritis with the colder weather and possibly, the covid booster but after knocking back four offers, I took the fifth because a) private school I’d never visited b) the…

  • How to Train Your Dragon 20th Anniversary Edition: Book 1 – Cressida Cowell

    Hachette When this first arrived, aside from the fact that I was totally blown away by the gorgeous, shiny gold dust jacket, I thought – what the…? 20 years?? surely not! But then I stopped and realised that The Kid was five years old when the movie came out, and she, along with her mum…

  • Some Shall Break – Ellie Marney

    Allen & Unwin June 2023 ISBN:9781761068010 Publisher:A&U Children’s Imprint:A & U Children RRP: $24.99 Of course, we know we are blessed in this country to have so many superlative creators of children’s literature, but how lucky are we when an internationally acclaimed author chooses our great nation as their home – and then continues with…

  • Willa and Woof #5: Let the Games Begin! – Jacqueline Harvey

    Penguin Australia July 2023 Adorable Willa is back in a new adventure which will again resonate with her young fans. Willa is very excited, though incredibly nervous, about her upcoming very first ‘real’ gymnastics competition. Her anxiety is not helped by her nemesis Evie’s constant jibes and taunts. Along with her team, she has been…

  • Running with Ivan – Suzanne Leal

    Harper Collins Australia February 2023 Leo is not in a good space. After his mother died, it seemed that his grief would never ease and now, two years later, his father has re-married, and he has a whole new family and home to which to adjust. Julia, his stepmother is just fine, and he really…

  • Hello Twigs series : Andrew McDonald/Ben Wood

    Hardie Grant Imprint: Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing August 2023 RRP: $9.99 If you have the littles constantly wanting to borrow graphics, then this series will be a godsend to you. From the dynamic creative team that brought us The Real Pigeons, these new books tick a lot of boxes: develop reading skills, encourage a love…

  • Leeva at Last – Sara Pennypacker. Illustrated by Matthew Cordell

    Harper Collins Australia RRP: $16.99 This is another fabulous Sara Pennypacker MG novel, but straight up I’m going to say it’s nothing like Pax nor Here in the Real World, which thus far have been my favourites. It is however, a wonderfully absurdist look at values, relationships/friendships, risk, trust, responsibility, but above – and how…

  • The Hats of Marvello – Amanda Graham. Illustrated by Lavanya Naidu.

    Harper Collins Australia March 2023 If I could only use one word for this book, it would be delightful! From start to finish (and I binge read it one sitting) it is charming, sweet and fun. Amanda Graham’s knack for creating endearing characters and plots remains true (who can ever forget Arthur?). In dusty, ravaged…

  • Custodians: Wylah the Koorie Warrior 2 -Jordan Gould and Richard Pritchard

    Allen & Unwin May 2023 ISBN: 9781761180040 Publisher: A&U Children’s RRP: $15.99 Wylah proved herself in her first adventure, and achieved the near-impossible in uniting the five Guardians, now firmly at her side but her mission continues. She must press on through the Valley of the Spirits, with all its risks and dangers in order…

  • My Little Barlaagany (Sunshine) – Melissa Greenwood

    Harper Collins Australia May 2023 Gumbaynggirr artist Melissa Greenwood has created another beautiful and stylish picture book to add to your collection of First Nations titles. This is a dreamy and gentle bedtime love story between mother and child, country and culture. With a text that is interspersed with words from her own traditional language,…