Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe


  • Pages & Co #3: Tilly and the Map of Stories – Anna James

    Harper Collins Australia October 2020 ISBN: 9780008229948 ISBN 10: 0008229945 Imprint: HarperCollins – GB List Price: 19.99 AUD This series is so utterly charming and original that it has been such pleasure to read and review each of them. Tilly and Oskar continue their adventures with the ongoing quest to thwart the horrible Underwoods who have usurped the British…

  • The Time-travelling Caveman – Terry Pratchett

    Penguin Australia September 2020 ISBN: 9780857536020 Imprint: Doubleday Childrens Format: Hardback Pages: 336 RRP: $32.99 Oh Sir Terry how much poorer are we for your departure! This is our final offering from the master and one which will set many young readers on a journey of discovery for more of his completely anarchic and often absurd writing. Previously unpublished this…

  • Bath Time: Kitty is Not a Cat – Bogan Entertainment Solutions/ Jess Black

    Hachette OCT 27, 2020 | 9780734419798 | RRP $9.99 5 Minutes with Jess Black The TV show that has enchanted young viewers continues to draw them in further with the books that are just perfect for newly independent readers. Kitty has a very bad cough so of course her cat family all try to help, with varying suggestions none…

  • Two for Tweens/Teens

    Well here we are a week out from Christmas 2020 and while you likely have most of your shopping sorted you may just still be tearing your hair out for the age group that always seems to be the hardest to please. These two titles have been thoroughly vetted by The Kid who approves of…

  • The Quokka’s Guide to Happiness – Alex Cearns

    Harper Collins Australia December 2020 ISBN: 9780733341090 ISBN 10: 0733341098 Imprint: ABC Books – AU List Price: 24.99 AUD If you are looking for a last-minute gift for someone – including yourself – this delightful gem will tick a lot of boxes for anyone you care to make smile. Quokkas really are one of the most easily anthropomorphised animals…

  • Serpentine: a short story from the world of His Dark Materials and The Book of Dust – Philip Pullman

    Penguin Australia November 2020 ISBN: 9780241475249 Imprint: Penguin Format: Hardback RRP: $16.99 Naturally I read it immediately! Pullman explains that following His Dark Materials ‘Lyra and her world wouldn’t leave [him] alone’ and he wrote this short story following a request for a contribution to a fund-raising even for the National Theatre. Given that the NT had staged a…

  • The Great Escape from Woodlands Nursing Home – Joanna Nell

    Hachette Trade Paperback: OCT 27, 2020 | 9780733642869 | RRP $32.99 While the wind howls wildly and the rain is falling constantly this is the perfect read to take a break from the busyness of Christmas preparations and just relax. Light-hearted and witty the antics of this group of senior citizens will entertain you and demonstrate that old age…

  • I’m a Hero Too – Jamila Rizvi/Peter Cheong

    Penguin Australia October 2020 ISBN: 9781761040115 Imprint: Puffin RRP: $19.99 While it goes without saying that all of us have had some difficulties, at the very least, in adjusting to the strange and sometimes scary year that we’ve had it is perhaps most hard for little folks who can often struggle to understand the reasons for some changes.…

  • The Tree – Graeme Base

    Penguin Australia November 2020 ISBN: 9781760897048 Imprint: Puffin RRP: $24.99 Yet again Graeme Base gives us the most beautiful picture book with a charming story that cloaks a hugely important message for all. This is the story of a cow, a duck and a very big tree. When two friends discover an enormous tree both are thrilled especially…

  • Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares [Netflix tie-in edition] – Rachel Cohn & David Levithan

    Allen & Unwin November 2020 ISBN 9780593309605 RRP: $19.99 You may recall that not long ago I reviewed Mind the Gap, Dash & Lily and totally fell in love with these characters, so I was super happy to receive this tie-in with the forthcoming Netflix series (woot! now that’s going to be fun!) and find…