Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • This Spells Trouble – Paul Collins/Sean McMullen

    Ford St Publishing July 2023 ISBN:9781922696311 RRP: $17.95 This is just a riotous, joyful comic adventure from the very first page, and, I tell you now, your kids from middle school to upper will eat it up with relish! 14 year old Winton is apprenticed to a very dodgy wizard named Faramond – a lazy,…

  • One Little Duck – Katrina Germein/Danny Snell

    Harper Collins Australia July 2023 ISBN: 9781460761649 ISBN 10: 1460761642 Imprint: HarperCollins AU RRP: $22.99 This is a sweet picture book with a fun twist on an old rhyme and illustrated delectably, which will be an engaging read for your teenies and easily segue into some useful learning activities. Mother Duck is, as you would expect, a nurturer…

  • The Bravest Word – Kate Foster

    Walker Books Australia May 2022 ISBN13:9781760654719 Australia RRP:$18.99 New Zealand RRP:$20.99 Message: Half of all the mental health conditions we experience at some point in our lives will have started by age 141  Message: Over 75% of mental health problems occur before the age of 25. 3 Message: One in seven young people aged 4 to 17…

  • Dogs: understanding your very best friend – Dr John Bradshaw. Illustrated by Clare Elsom

    Walker Books November 2021 ISBN13:9781839130878 Imprint; Andersen Press Australia RRP:$14.99 New Zealand RRP:$16.99 In every school library you will have those kids who will borrow every dog book you have – often, many times over. This is one that will be a great little resource for those who are getting their first doggo, who want…

  • Because of Winn-Dixie – Kate diCamillo

    Walker Books Australia February 2022 ISBN13:9781536214352 Imprint: Candlewick Press Australia RRP:$14.99 New Zealand RRP:$17.99 Awards Alabama Camellia Children’s Choice Book Award Arkansas Charlie May Simon Award Bank Street College Josette Frank Award for Fiction California Young Reader Medal Children’s Librarians of Dover, NH Cochecho Readers’ Award Delaware Library Association Blue Hen Award Florida Sunshine State…

  • Woof for Walker Books!

    When the lovely folks at Walker sent me Scout and the Rescue Dogs we had a little confab about dog books, and they very kindly sent me a parcel of these to share with you all. We all know how much kiddos love a good dog book! So stay posted over the next few days…

  • For the Tiny Humans

    Find Spot: an Australian Adventure Penguin Australia July 2023 ISBN: 9780241618127 Imprint: Puffin RRP: $14.99 Your littlest people will love this colourful new board book with a fresh Spot adventure, especially as it’s set in Australia. Mum, Dad and Spot are camping and as they explore billabong and surrounds, they encounter some lovely Australian wildlife like…

  • Our Best 2023 NAIDOC viewing

  • Scar Town – Tristan Bancks

    Penguin Australia August 2023 ISBN: 9780143791812 Imprint: Puffin RRP: $16.99 I’ve been a fan of Tristan’s work since back in the Mac Slater days, especially after attending one of his presentations on making book trailers (can’t even remember which event that was, it was so long ago!) and I’ve particularly loved his ‘crime/thriller’ books – like a…

  • The Welcome to Country Handbook: a guide to Indigenous Australia – Professor Marcia Langton

    Hardie Grant June 2023 ISBN: 9781741178227 Publisher: Hardie Grant Explore RRP: $32.99 Professor Langton’s Welcome to Country, now in its 2nd edition, was hailed as a major comprehensive work on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australia: culture, customs, history, etiquette, performance and more. Now we have this fantastic companion volume which draws on the information…