Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Searching for Charlotte: The Fascinating Story of Australia’s First Children’s Author/s-Kate Forsyth, Belinda Murrell

    Paperback | Nov 2020 | National Library of Australia | 9780642279699 AUD$34.95, NZD$39.99 I had hoped to review this when it was released – sadly, the publicists did not get the memo and I missed out. But it was always going to find its place in our collection given both its subject matter and the…

  • Tiger Daughter – Rebecca Lim

    Allen & Unwin February 2021 ISBN: 9781760877644 Imprint: A & U Children Rebecca Lim has created a powerful and highly engaging #OwnVoices novel that captures the circumstances for some children, growing up Asian in Australia. Wen Zhou is the only child of Chinese immigrants who came to Australia for a better life, only to find…

  • Tell Me Why for Young Adults – Archie Roach

    Simon & Schuster Australia (March 3, 2021) ISBN13: 9781760858865 I can say unreservedly that this is one of the most powerful memoirs I have read in recent years and for young adults this is a book worth promoting heavily. Archie’s life story is at times harrowing and confronting but also uplifting and inspirational. Taken away…

  • Took the Children Away – Archie Roach/Ruby Hunter

    Simon & Schuster Australia October 2020 ISBN13: 9781760857219 RRP: $24.99 What a privilege to be asked to provide a review for this fabulous 30th anniversary edition of Archie’s book. This great man, 2020 Victorian Australian of the Year, member of the Order of Australia and recipient of countless other awards for his music, is one…

  • The Thing that goes Ping! – Mark Carthew. Illustrated by Shane McG

    Ford St Publishing February 2021 ISBN: 9781925804669 RRP: $16.95 If you are looking for a really great rhyming book for your littlies that will also engage them in a guessing game, this is going to be a real hit!! In the faraway town of Figgy-tra-ling, you may hear the faint ring of a thing that…

  • Main Abija My Grandad – Karen Rogers

    Allen & Unwin 16 March 2021 ISBN:9781760526030 Publisher: A&U Children’s Imprint: A & U Children RRP: $24.99 ‘Dijan buk gada ola memri ai bin abum gada main abija from wen ai bin lilgel til imin libu wi. Imin titjim mi loda tings bla koltja en bla kantri. Mi hepi ba pasim det stori la main…

  • Hello and Welcome – Gregg Dreise

    Penguin Australia March 2021 ISBN: 9781760898328 Imprint: Puffin RRP: $24.99 With absolutely spot-on timing for Harmony Day 2021, multi-talented Gregg Dreise’s new book – which is a stunning companion to My Culture and Me – once again celebrates our First Australian people. In joyful celebration, as all are welcomed to corroboree, this gorgeous book provides insight and understanding…

  • Early One Morning – Mem Fox. Illustrated by Christine Davenier

    Penguin Australia March 2021 ISBN: 9781761040030 Imprint: Puffin RRP: $19.99 It’s always a delight to see a new Mem Fox book and this one for very little people is no exception. Your littlest humans will thoroughly enjoy this little boy’s mission to collect his breakfast, as he walks around the farm in search of the source. There is…

  • Cuckoo’s Flight – Wendy Orr

    Allen & Unwin March 2021 ISBN: 9781760524913 RRP: $16.99 Wendy Orr continues her stunning and intriguing sequence of books set in ancient Crete, now focused on Leira’s granddaughter, Clio. In this companion book to Swallow’s Dance and Dragonfly Song, daily life is in turmoil as the ever-increasing threat of invaders pervades the village and its…

  • Bad Habits – Flynn Meaney

    Penguin Australia February 2021 ISBN: 9780241407196 Imprint: Penguin Format: Paperback RRP: $16.99 Hands down, this is the funniest and most enjoyable YA novel I’ve read in ages! Naturally, the super stunning cover is a real drawcard but when I tell you that I’ve ripped through it over just the last couple of nights, you can guess it was just…