Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe


  • Maple the Brave – Chloe Jasmine Harris

      Walker Books May 2019 ISBN: 9781925381924 Imprint: Walker Books Australia Australian RRP: $24.99 I feel terrible for taking so long to get to this beautiful book on my vast review pile because it really is a joy (what can I say, it was the term from hell!) Chloe’s debut picture book as both author and illustrator clearly…

  • The Bookworm – Debi Gliori

    Bloomsbury   ISBN: 9781408893036 Imprint: Bloomsbury Children’s Books       What could delight a teacher-librarian’s heart more than a book about a bookworm? Little Max really really wants a pet of his own but his parents are not very keen. They reject his suggestion of a puppy or a kitten because they chew things…

  • Think Big! – Kes Gray/Nathan Reed

      JUN 25, 2019 | 9781444942132 | RRP $15.99 Hachette If you are looking to inspire your little readers to reach for the stars this will be a fun yet still thought-provoking read. Taking a new twist on the old nursery rhyme Humpty Dumpty and his nursery rhyme friends are discussing what they might like to be when they…

  • How to Save the Whole Stinkin’ Planet – Lee Constable

    Penguin June 2019 ISBN: 9781760890261 Imprint: Puffin RRP: $19.99 With the world’s attention on Mighty Girl Greta Thunberg and her activism for drawing attention to the critical state of the globe this book will be a timely addition to your collection whether for general borrowing or for your own environmental group (we have Champions for Change at our…

  • The Underhills: a Tooth Fairy Story – Bob Graham

    Walker Books Australia October 1st 2019 ISBN: 9781406387612 Imprint: Walker Australian RRP: $24.99 New Zealand RRP: $27.99 Always exciting to see a new Bob Graham story and this one which is a charming companion book to April Underhill, Tooth Fairy will similarly delight young readers of that much-loved title. Mum and Dad need to be away working so the…

  • Q&A with the AMAZING Mem Fox!

    Photo Credit: Penguin Books Welcome to Just So Stories Mem! What an absolute honour to be able to have this exchange with you – many thanks! I’ve had the great pleasure of attending various of your presentations and PD events over the years and every time have come away energised and re-enthused. Your passion is…

  • The National Archives: World War II The Story Behind the War that Divided the World – Nick Hunter

    Bloomsbury ISBN: 9781526605580 Imprint: Bloomsbury Children’s Books RRP: $17.99 Given the continued interest shown by young people in the history of the World Wars, not to mention those students who are studying this period of modern history, this book is a valuable addition to any shelves. Nick Hunter holds a degree in modern history and…

  • Australian Backyard Earth Scientist – Peter Macinnis

    NLA February 2019 ISBN:   9780642279347   RRP: $29.99 It’s taken a long time to get this beauty into my hands but at last I have been able to savour it’s wealth of information and there are two reasons why it’s most timely to be able to review it now. One is that the esteemed author has…

  • The Tiny Star – Mem Fox/Freya Blackwood

    Penguin 1st October 2019 ISBN: 9780670078127 Imprint: Puffin RRP: $24.99 Mem Fox has triumphed again with this simply beautiful new picture book inspired by the most personal of motivations – the bond between loving grandparent and grandchild. In their first collaboration Mem and Freya have produced a gentle and warming exploration of life and death that will resonate…

  • The Wizards of Once: Knock Three Times: #3 – Cressida Cowell

    Hachette SEP 24, 2019 | 9781444941470 | RRP $19.99 Not strange at all – looking up and seeing three children clutching a magical flying door high above a forest. Well ok, perhaps a magical door flying is a tiny bit odd but not in a Cressida Cowell fantasy/adventure! Xar, Wish and little Bodkin are escaping their Warrior and Wizard…