Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • My Skin, Your Skin – Laura Henry-Allain MBE. Illustrated by Onyinye Iwe.

    Penguin Australia A ongoing discussion amongst my circle of family and friends is how the pandemic has brought out both the best and the worst in people. Of course, racism has been a worrying problem for many years but in some sectors it appears to be a growing hate factor, and one which we, as…

  • Take Me With You When You Go – David Levithan/Jennifer Niven

    My review of this terrific YA novel is now live on Kids Book Review. I highly recommend this to you – it’s fabulous read!

  • Our Country: Ancient Wonders – Mark Greenwood/Frané Lessac

    Walker Books February 2022 ISBN: 9781760652241Imprint: Walker Books AustraliaAustralian RRP: $26.99New Zealand RRP: $28.99 What a talented partnership this couple is and how grateful am I that I’ve had the opportunity to meet and talk with them both, as well as see them present. Now this first in a new series from the always remarkable Walker house will be…

  • Born to Run (picture book edition) – Cathy Freeman. Illustrated by Charmaine Ledden-Lewis.

    Penguin Australia November 2021 ISBN: 9781761043802 Imprint: Puffin RRP: $24.99 There are some moments in Australia’s sporting history that are just complete standouts: Bradman’s first international century or, indeed, his final ‘duck’, Australia II crossing the finish line in the America’s Cup, Adam Scott’s US Masters playoff win or Cadel Evans’ triumph in the Tour de France, and…

  • Christmas Always Comes – Jackie French/Bruce Whatley

    Harper Collins Australia October 2021 ISBN: 9781460757895 ISBN 10: 1460757890 Imprint: HarperCollins AU List Price: 24.99 AUD Jackie and Bruce are always a formidable team, and their picture books are always memorable and en pointe despite the setting, theme or plot. In this instance, while the narrative reflects a period past – one of many tough times in Australian…

  • Wishyouwas: The Tiny Guardian of Lost Letters – Alexandra Page. Illustrated by Penny Neville-Lee.

    Bloomsbury Published 02 Nov 2021 Format Paperback Edition 1st Extent 288 ISBN 9781526641915 Imprint Bloomsbury Children’s Books Dimensions 198 x 129 mm Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing RRP $14.99 Every now and then a book comes along that is just so utterly charming that it nestles straight into your heart immediately. It doesn’t happen very often but…

  • The Curiosities – Zana Fraillon/Phil Lesnie

    Hachette SEP 29, 2021 | 9780734417848 | RRP $26.99 Imprint: Lothian Books This is a sophisticated book in all senses so my inclination is that it is more suitable for sharing with older children, with whom one would be able to fully explore and unpack the subtleties both written and visual. Indeed, the teachers’ resources file is full of…

  • Toy Mountain – Stef Gemmill and Katharine Hall

    Exisle Publishing  9781925820966 EK Books RRP: $24.99 With Christmas literally around the corner this is a timely reminder about promoting sustainability, moderating our consumerism and caring for both our belongings and our earth. Sam has much-loved toys with which to play and share with baby Max, some of them being handed down from his grandma…

  • 2021 in the SRC

    This was my second year as Head of Library Services and so time to really start making my mark. I introduced a number of groups last year: ChocLit (our book group), PotterHeads (for all the HP nutters like me) and this year added a Lego Builders which has had a small but very dedicated group…

  • Shadowghast – Thomas Taylor

    Walker Books Australia September 2021 ISBN: 9781406386301Imprint: WalkerAustralian RRP: $17.99New Zealand RRP: $19.99 It’s back to Eerie-on-Sea for another cracking and creepy mystery. In this new adventure a seriously spooky magician arrives in town, accompanied by henchmen, and purports to be Herbie’s long-lost aunt. She seems to enthrall the boy but his friend and ally, Violet, is far from…