Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Ariki and the Giant Shark – Nicola Davies. Illustrated by Nicola Kinnear.

    Walker Books Australia July 2018 ISBN: 9781406369793 Imprint: Walker Australian RRP: $12.99 New Zealand RRP: $14.99 It can be difficult to find fiction that focuses on the Pacific/Polynesian cultures particularly for younger readers but this first book in a new series promises to be rich material for this aspect of HASS as well as being an entertaining mystery/adventure. Ariki…

  • Diary of a Wimpy Kid #13 : The Meltdown – Jeff Kinney

    Penguin Random House 9780143309352 October 30, 2018 Puffin RRP: $14.99   There is not much more embarrassing than being an adult of a certain age in public and snort laughing as you read the newest Wimpy Kid book, attracting strange looks from wary observers.  But it does seem to happen to me every time and…

  • The Funny Life of Pets – James Campbell and Rob Jones

    Bloomsbury Australia September 2018 ISBN 9781408889947 Imprint: Bloomsbury Children’s Books RRP: $12.99   This book answers all the big questions, like: do sausage dogs eat sausages? Why has my cat done a poo-poo behind my wardrobe? And, how can I persuade my parents to get me a pet? If you have some reluctant readers in…

  • The Secret of the Youngest Rebel (The Secret Histories #5) – Jackie French

    Harper Collins Available: 21st January 2019 ISBN: 9781460754801 RRP: $14.99   If you have not yet set about acquiring Jackie’s enthralling Secret Histories series it is definitely time to catch up to it. As this school year peters out and we limp towards the finish line, some are already thinking about 2019 and our support of our…

  • Playing Atari with Sadam Hussein –Jennifer Roy, Ali Fadhil

    Bloomsbury Australia November 2018 ISBN 9781786074669 Imprint: One World RRP: $14.99 Like most everyone in the Western World, of a certain age, I clearly remember the days of the early 90s watching the endless news updates about the raging conflict that was Desert Storm, the first Gulf War.  And I confess, though I was vaguely…

  • The City of Guardian Stones – Jacob Sager Weinstein

    Walker Books Australia ISBN: 9781406368864 Imprint: Walker Release Date: November 1, 2018 Australian RRP: $16.99 New Zealand RRP: $18.99 In the first of the trilogy The City of Secret Rivers Hyacinth Hayward managed to thwart the plot to control the magical powers of the underground waters of London and also gain some inkling about her family’s role as protectors of…

  • His Name was Walter – Emily Rodda

    Harper Collins ISBN: 9781460756188 ISBN 10: 1460756185 Imprint: HarperCollins – AU On Sale: 23/07/2018 List Price: 22.99 AUD Oh my gosh!   Yes, of course there will be more to say but really this book was so incredible it really did almost leave me speechless. Just when I think Emily Rodda cannot get any better (I mean, I just loved…

  • Total Quack Up- Edited by Sally Rippin and Adrian Beck. Illustrated by James Foley

    Penguin Random House 9780143794905 October 15, 2018 Puffin RRP $14.99   Here’s another super choice for the kid who loves humour – and again, very timely with Christmas rushing in upon us.   The cream of our Australian children’s writers have contributed a wealth of funny stories: Deborah Abela, Tristan Bancks, Adrian Beck, Jacqueline Harvey,…

  • Funny Stories: and Other Funny Stories – Morris Gleitzman

      Penguin Random House 9780143793380 October 29, 2018 Puffin RRP $24.99 So, you say, what could be better than a new Morris Gleitzman book? A bumper book with three books in one plus a bonus brand new story – that’s what! Give Peas a Chance, Pizza Cake and Snot Chocolate line up for what can…

  • The Tales of Mr Walker – Jess Black. Illustrated by Sara Acton

    Penguin Random House ISBN 9780143793076 October 29, 2018 Imprint: Puffin RRP $24.99   Some readers of this blog will have seen photos of my Pippin – a toy poodle of extraordinary personality but neurotic (apparently a poodle thing). I love him – truly I do! – but seriously if he could be more like Mr…