Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Harry Potter – Creatures: a paper scene book

    Bloomsbury November 2018 ISBN: 9781526605849 Imprint: Bloomsbury Children’s Books RRP:  $45.00 It is quite difficult to describe this book – except of course to say I’m in love with it and being the dedicated Potterhead that I am it’s NOT leaving my shelves! However I will attempt to convey the sheer delight of it by…

  • Illustrated Ballet Stories: by Various, illustrated by Yvonne Gilbert Nanos

    Harper Collins Australia November 2018 ISBN: 9781474922050 ISBN 10: 1474922058 Imprint: Usborne – GB RRP: $29.99 When I was pretty small – probably around my 6th birthday I was given the very beautiful The Splendour Book of Ballet and loved it. I was a little dancer but it was more than that. It was the beautiful narratives and…

  • How to Raise Your Grown Ups (Hubert Horatio #1) – Lauren Child

    Harper Collins October 2018 ISBN: 9780008264086 ISBN 10: 0008264082 Imprint: HarperCollins – GB RRP:  $19.99   Sometimes I surprise myself. When I started reading this two nights ago I got halfway through and thought how enjoyable it is and that it reminds me so much of the marvellous Ronald Searle and his Nigel Molesworth books (albeit with far…

  • Something Rotten: A Fresh Look at Roadkill – Heather L. Montgomery

    Bloomsbury November 2018 ISBN 9781681199009 Imprint: Bloomsbury Children’s Books   RRP: $22.99 Yep, you did read that title correctly! It’s not for the ‘squeamish or faint-hearted) but it is completely and utterly engrossing (haha grossing!) and often rather humorous. Wildlife researcher Montgomery passes a tyre-treaded rattlesnake as she is jogging one day and on the…

  • Tuck Everlasting – Natalie Babbit

    Bloomsbury December 2018   9781408897676 Imprint: Bloomsbury Children’s Books RRP: $16.99 In 1975 Tuck Everlasting was first published to great acclaim garnering accolades and awards. It has since been twice adapted to film and once to stage, and been voted repeatedly as being amongst the top 100 children’s books. Particularly, I would say from my…

  • The Girl, the Dog and the Writer in Provence (The Girl, the Dog and the Writer, Book 2) – Katrina Nannestad

    Harper Collins Australia ISBN: 9780733338182 ISBN 10: 0733338186 Imprint: ABC Books – AU October 2018 RRP: 16.99 AUD Young Freja, sensitive and intelligent, along with the hairy hound Finnegan and eccentric crime writer Tobby have left Rome to go to the picturesque village of Claviers in Provence, where it just happens their beautiful friend Vivi has also moved to…

  • Mary Poppins –  P. L. Travers. Illustrated by Lauren Child

    Harper Collins Australia ISBN: 9780008289362 ISBN 10: 0008289360 November 2018 List Price: 39.99 AUD On a similar note to the previous post about re-invigorating classics for today’s children, what about this absolutely stunning edition of Mary Poppins which will tie in beautifully with the upcoming movie.   Lauren Child’s instantly recognisable style gives this glorious and magical story…

  • Just So Stories for Little Children: Rudyard Kipling’s stories retold. Illustrated by John Joven.

    Harper Collins Australia ISBN: 9781474938051 ISBN 10: 1474938051 Imprint: Usborne – GB October 2019 RRP $24.99 Astute readers of this blog may have suspected that I have affection for the writing of Rudyard Kipling – yes, very old-fashioned I know – but it is what it is. Therefore I was rather delighted to have this lovely new revamp…

  • Wakestone Hall (Stella Montgomery #3) – Judith Rossell

    Harper Collins Australia ISBN: 9780733338205 ISBN 10: 0733338208 Imprint: ABC Books – AU On Sale: 22/10/2018 List Price: 24.99 AUD   I’m so very sad – not because the book was disappointing you understand but because I am going to miss Stella a lot *sad face*. I suspect I won’t be the only one. I know many young, and not…

  • Clementine Rose and the Bake-Off Dilemma [#14] – Jacqueline Harvey

    Penguin Random House 9780143780595 December 3, 2018 Random House Australia Children’s RRP: $14.99 Clemmie is back with not only a new adventure but also some new and exciting family news! Penberthy House is busier than ever now that Lady Clarissa and Drew are married, which means that Clemmie has a new step-brother in Will. Also…