Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • The Dingle Dangle Jungle – Mark Carthew and David Atze

    Ford St Publishing February 2020 ISBN: 9781925804936 RRP: $16.99 This is just a delightful picture book not only for its lively and rhythmic text and glorious illustrations but also for the potential to begin an investigation into the richness of the Amazon wildlife and habitat. Certainly my first thought was how this would make a…

  • Aussie Kids series #3 & #4

    Penguin Random House March 2020 This new series for newly independent readers has already been a big hit in our junior library. Not only are the stories relatable to these young readers but they are able to explore Australia vicariously – and let’s face it, at present particularly this is a huge advantage.   Meet…

  • The Tell – Martin Chatterton

    Penguin Australia April 2020 ISBN: 9781760895945 Imprint: Puffin RRP: $16.99 OMG whoahhhh! If you struggle at times to get some of those middle school reluctant readers engaged with a great book (who doesn’t?) this is definitely a ‘must have’! Pure adrenalin pumping action from start to finish, this a narrative that is tense, at times grim but with…

  • Elmer – David McKee

    Walker Books Australia March 2020 ISBN: 9781783449910 Imprint: Andersen Press Australian RRP: $14.99 New Zealand RRP: $16.99 Celebrating 30 magical years of Elmer is this gorgeous board book with a special gold-embossed cover. This is the original Elmer story that started it all for all of us who love this adorable, wise and colourful elephant. This much-loved patchwork elephant…

  • Stormbreaker – Anthony Horowitz

    Walker Books Australia March 2020 ISBN: 9781406388589 Imprint: Walker Australian RRP: $16.99 By chance, when I found out that the new 20th anniversary edition of Stormbreaker was being released I was ‘re-reading’ it on audio during my commute and relishing the pure adrenalin rush that is the hallmark of the series. Frankly I’d be happy to read Anthony’s…

  • Lilies, Lies and Love (Book #4 Miss Lily) – Jackie French

    Harper Collins Australia March 2020 ISBN: 9781460754986 ISBN 10: 1460754980 Imprint: HarperCollins – AU List Price: 29.99 AUD When this arrived (and after all, I’d only been waiting for it impatiently since the moment of finishing book #3) I told myself I would not gobble it up like a kid eating lollies. *Laughs hysterically* As if! Three nights later…..…

  • Beyond Belief (Heroes of the Holocaust) – Dee White

    Scholastic March 2020 Publisher: Scholastic/Omnibus Books ISBN: 9781760662516 RRP $17.99 It may be the holidays and I don’t need to be up at the crack of dawn to get to school but even so for me to read a book cover to cover in one night when I go to bed is pretty much indicative of a…

  • Lottie Luna and the Twilight Party (Lottie Luna #2) – Vivian French. Illustrated by Nathan Reed.

    Harper Collins Australia March 2020 ISBN: 9780008343019 ISBN 10: 0008343012 Imprint: HarperCollins – GB List Price: 12.99 AUD We all know two things for certain. Young readers love to see a reflection of their own lives: school, friendship, family and so on and that Vivian French excels in creating engaging and whimsical adventures for her audience. This is Lottie’s…

  • Harry Potter Knitting Magic: The Official Harry Potter Knitting Pattern Book – Tanis Gray

    Harper Collins Australia January 2020 ISBN: 9781911641926 ISBN 10: 1911641921 Imprint: Pavilion – GB List Price: 39.99 AUD I hadn’t done any knitting for about eight years but these holidays (of stay-at-home instead of the planned week in Thailand) I have been knitting some ANZAC Day poppies as a little project. This sumptuous book is inspiring me further. I’d…

  • The Good Hawk: (Shadow Skye – Book 1) – Joseph Elliott

    Walker Books Australia February 2020 ISBN: 9781406385854 Imprint: Walker Australian RRP: $16.99 New Zealand RRP: $18.99   Enter a fabulous new adventure-fantasy series that will not just enthral readers with its ‘difference’ being set in a fictional parallel landscape but with its wonderful celebration of another type of difference. Agatha and Jamie are of the Clann-a-Tuath, one of the…