Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Australian Lullaby Treasury – Sally Odgers. Lisa Stewart

    Scholastic Australia December 2025 ISBN 9781761643088 RRP: $29.99 [Pre-order from your usual suppliers] Combining all four of the Lullaby stories into one exquisite hardcover this would make a truly beautiful gift for a Small in your circle or, of course, to share with your class of little humans. The gentle verses could easily be used…

  • Koala Fairies – Anna Pignataro

    Scholastic Australia September 2025 ISBN:9781761123849 RRP: $19.99 It really could be set right here at the end of our street – where bush meets the sea and there are native animals sheltering in quiet spots. Cute little friends, Cookie and Clover, are a pair of helpful koalas who do their best to care for their…

  • The Drought Kangaroo – Jackie French

    Harper Collins Australia October 2025 A new Jackie French is always a moment for celebration. When I’m invited to write supporting notes for one, I’m even more excited. This new one follows on from The Fire Wombat and The Turtle and the Flood in the sense that it continues to tell a story based on…

  • Aussie Native Plants A-Z – Joey Farrell. Jocelyn Gibson

    This gorgeous book was sent to me kindly from Boolarong Press some time ago – though not as long ago as its publishing date! It has been waiting patiently for Picture Book Month though and it’s timely to sit with some of these others on our rich nature in Australia. I love that this is…

  • Neighbourhood Nest – Sarah Jane Lightfoot

    It’s pretty apt I think that on the first day of this year’s Aussie Bird Count (time of writing 20/10) I should pick up this one to review. Mind you, I am a daily bird watcher. My walk especially in the afternoons is usually one punctuated by twitching and it’s always exciting to see some…

  • Save the Gum Trees, Bees and Big Blue Seas – Luke John Matthew Arnold.

    Scholastic Australia ISBN: 9781760264970 ISBN-10: 1760264970 June 2025 RRP: $26.99 It’s big and bold and beautiful and essentially, it’s a call to arms for even the Smalls to step up and be protective of our precious environment. I love that the artwork – and I’m not familiar with this visual artist’s work – is so striking and…

  • How Big is Love? – Carl Merrison and Hakea Hustler. Illustrated by Jade Goodwin.

    Hachette Australia Imprint: Lothian Children’s Books Aug 26, 2025 | 9780734420176 | RRP $24.99 Three of my favourite First Nations creators have produced this gorgeous picture book which would make a beautiful gift for a small person in your family or friendship circle especially. Of course, it would also be eminently suited to an EC setting or home. Small…

  • Another Year Around the Sun – Katrina Germein. Alice Lindstrom

    Meeting Katrina in person on our trip to Adelaide was such a delight for me, especially as I had reviewed some of her books, known more and written resources for One Little Duck. Now it’s an even greater pleasure to see her new work, and this one is destined to be shared widely and often…

  • When the Mountain Wakes – Matt Shanks

    Affirm Press Simon & Schuster August 2025 Somewhere, towards the beginning of time, a mountain rose from the ocean and came to rest above the clouds.Life sang a lullaby, and the mountain slept for many millions of years.Until one day, when the world became too silent for sleep  If you have a Sophisticated Picture Books…

  • Animals on Country: Let’s look after the animals with Uncle Kuu – Victor Steffensen. Illustrated by Sandra Steffensen.

    Allen & Unwin September 2025 ISBN:9781761181566 Publisher:A&U Children’s Imprint:A & U Children RRP: $24.99 Teaching notes available The continuing upswell in First Nations titles is so pleasing and, let’s face it, not before time. As a minority fringe continues to attempt to cause as much division as it can, and certainly global ugliness is on…