Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe


  • Harry Potter Christmas Bliss!

    Well didn’t I feel so special when the lovely Bloomsbury Australia folk sent me these – knowing full well my HP obsession! And they will make the most highly-sought after Christmas gifts for any PotterHead in your circle too!! Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone: MinaLima edition By J.K. RowlingIllustrator: MinaLima Published: 20-10-2020 Format: Hardback ISBN:…

  • Love from Giraffes Can’t Dance – Giles Andreae/Guy Parker-Rees

    Hachette JAN 12, 2021 | 9781408364833 | RRP $14.99 Giraffes Can’t Dance is surely one of the most well-loved and well-used picture books of recent years with its simple but effective message about being unafraid to be different – and of course, being tolerant. Now the littlest readers can experience the joy of Giraffe’s wisdom with this absolutely gorgeous…

  • The Witches – Roald Dahl

    Penguin Australia November 2020 ISBN: 9780241438817 Imprint: Puffin RRP: $14.99 Oh yes!! it’s arrived!! the scrumpdiddlyumptious new The Witches on the screen and in the book!!! Thank you so much to Penguin Australia for not only the opportunity to have the brand new edition of the original book with a whizzbanging new movie tie-in cover but the double…

  • The Angel of Waterloo – Jackie French

    Harper Collins Australia December 2020 ISBN: 9781460757918 ISBN 10: 1460757912 Imprint: HarperCollins – AU List Price: 29.99 AUD In actual fact, I read the proof copy of this at the start of the term – hungrily devouring each page with intensity – as I do with every single one of Jackie’s books, particularly her historical fiction. All those who…

  • Australia’s Wild Weird Wonderful Weather – Stephanie Owen Reeder and Tania McCartney

    Publisher:   National Library of AustraliaISBN: 978064229637 RRP: $24.99 What an amazing partnership these two creators make! Together they have made what is already an interesting topic for many children into one that is completely fascinating. The Kid’s home school unit on extreme weather and natural disasters last term was just as enjoyable for her as…

  • The Great Realisation: the post-pandemic poem that has captured the hearts of millions – Tomos Roberts [Tomfoolery]

    Harper Collins Australia September 2020 ISBN: 9781460759806 ISBN 10: 146075980X Imprint: HarperCollins – AU List Price: 24.99 AUD When Tomfoolery’s Facebook video of his spoken word poem was launched in April 2020 it resonated with thousands of people across the world and was shared and re-shared again and again. As the global population struggled to come to terms with…

  • Back…in time for Christmas

    It’s been a rather hectic time the past month or so. A new school, a new job always presents its challenges and a special kind of tiredness but in this – dare I say – year of unprecedented circumstances, perhaps even moreso. While I’ve done a fair bit of reading after crawling into bed exhausted…

  • Vale Sir Sean Connery

    My newest library display featured the great man whose loss is being mourned around the world….thank you Sir Sean for all you gave to us.

  • Happy Halloween!

    We are preparing for a teen ‘Ween party here but I’ve been saving these titles for today so here we go! Peppa Pig: Peppa’s Spooky Halloween Penguin Australia September 2020 ISBN: 9780241412268 Imprint: Ladybird RRP: $14.99 Peppa and her Pig famiy continue to be firm favourites with little ones and this one will delight them as the Pigs…

  • Mind the Gap, Dash & Lily – Rachel Cohn & David Levithan

    Allen & Unwin October 2020 ISBN:9781760526214 Publisher:A&U Children’s Imprint:A & U Children RRP: $19.99 This is my first encounter with Dash and Lily – and I’m in love with them! As it happens I had put this title on our orders list because I liked the sound of it so much – and as it…