Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Ruby Red Shoes: My Wonderful Grandmother– Kate Knapp

    Harper Collins Australia March 2020 ISBN: 9781460758885 ISBN 10: 1460758889 Imprint: HarperCollins – AU List Price: 19.99 AUD What’s wonderful about my grandmother is she is not only my grandmother but also my friend. On the day before my Jen slipped away from us as I held her hand and stroked her hair and promised I would take care…

  • Fabio the World’s Greatest Detective: Peril at Lizard Lake – Laura James. Illustrated by Emily Fox

      Bloomsbury Australia March 2020 ISBN: 9781408889374 Imprint: Bloomsbury Children’s Books RRP: $12.99   I do love Fabio – the Hercule Poirot of the flamingo species – and though the kids who read it may not really get that connection these books are still really good fun.  Together with his rather dopey offsider the rather…

  • BumbleBunnies #4: The Balloon – Graeme Base

    Harper Collins Australia February 2020 ISBN: 9781460754030 ISBN 10: 1460754034 Imprint: HarperCollins – AU List Price: 16.99 AUD Graeme Base’s whimsical illustrations are always a joy and combined, as they in this series for very small humans, with a simple plot and engaging text are a total winning package. There’s a bit of a panic in the garden when…

  • 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…