Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • The Missing: the True Story of my Family in World War II – Michael Rosen

    Walker Books March 2020 ISBN: 9781406386752 Imprint: Walker Australian RRP: $22.99 New Zealand RRP: $24.99 First of all I have to say that I have the greatest admiration for Laureate Michael Rosen, both as a writer, a champion of children’s reading and school libraries and as a human. His writing over the years has always resonated with readers both…

  • Easter Goodies – hopping your way!

    This is a swag of lovely titles for little people just in time for Easter gifts. When my girls were little – and then with my grandies – their Easter gift was always heavier on the book gifts than the chocolate. (Of course a little bit of chocolate is always necessary at any age!). So…

  • Archicards: Build a Castle [64 slot-together cards for creative fun] – Paul Farrell

    Harper Collins Australia March 2020 ISBN: 9781843654469 ISBN 10: 1843654466 Imprint: Pavilion Childrens – GB List Price: 24.99 AUD   So not exactly what I would normally expect to be reviewing but how super timely at this point in time! And while I’m sort of thinking that I could gift them either as a library prize or to a…

  • Derek Dool Supercool #1: Bust a Move– Adrian Beck. Illustrated by Scott Edgar

    Penguin Australia March 2020 ISBN: 9781760892951 Imprint: Puffin RRP: $14.99 Yep, we’ve all known a Derek – and indeed, some of us have taught one! Derek Dool thinks he is the ant’s pants really and doesn’t miss a chance to let everyone know. It’s just a shame that no one else seems to appreciate his supercool-ness. Mind you,…

  • The Ghost of Howler’s Beach (The Butter O’Bryan Mysteries #1)  – Jackie French

    Harper Collins Australia February 2020 ISBN: 9781460757727 ISBN 10: 1460757726 List Price: 16.99 AUD   To most folks Butter O’Bryan would seem a lucky boy.  In a time when many people are destitute and homeless he lives in a large and comfortable house, known as the Very Small Castle, he has three eccentric but loving aunts –  known…

  • How To Make Friends with the Dark – Kathleen Glasgow

    Harper Collins Australia April 2020 ISBN: 9781460751060 ISBN 10: 146075106X Imprint: HarperCollins – AU List Price: 19.99 AUD   Here is what happens when your mother dies. My timing for reading this could have been better really. It was the 5th anniversary of losing my girl this past week, a scant fortnight before  Miss K’s 10th birthday. So at…

  • 7 Steps to Get Your Child Reading – Louise Park

      Allen & Unwin February 2020 ISBN 9781760524678 RRP $24.99 Au Louise Park is not only a highly regarded writer of over 250 books including popular series, with a career spanning 30 years, but also a recognised literacy expert and educational consultant with a passion for supporting Indigenous children, ESL students and at-risk learners. Now…

  • Harmony Week 2020

    Harmony Week celebrates Australia’s cultural diversity. It’s about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone. Our new display in the Senior Library offers many books which would provide insight into both cultural diversity and the need for refuge for some people. Our selections covers fiction, faction and biography. What are your plans for…

  • Dippy and the Dinosaurs (Dippy the Diprotodon, #2) – Jackie French & Bruce Whatley. Concept by Ben Smith Whatley.

    Harper Collins Australia February 2020 ISBN: 9781460754092 ISBN 10: 1460754093 RRP 24.99 AUD We’ve all been in love with Jackie’s wombats for years and now she and Bruce Whatley have provided us with another fabulous ‘wombat’ character to cherish.  Dippy made his first appearance last year and thoroughly delighted all his young readers. This BIG boisterous and…

  • Morphing Murphy – Robert Favretto/Tull Suwannakit

    Ford St Publishing February 2020 ISBN 9781925804324 RRP: $16.99 Whether you’re looking for a twisted fairy tale, a fictional take on the metamorphosis of frogs or perhaps simply a story that illustrates changes and adaptation, this will be a fabulous addition to your collection. Murphy doesn’t quite understand the changes that are happening to him…