Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • 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…

  • Limelight – Raphael Solli

    Penguin Random House ISBN 9780143793762 September , 2018 Imprint: Puffin RRP $16.99   Just in case you missed the utter sensation of the youngest winner of the Australian Poetry Slam last year, here is your introduction to amazing Raphael Solli. His performance was viewed on Facebook over 3.5 million times instantly rocketing him to well-deserved…

  • Wundersmith : The Calling of Morrigan Crow : Nevermoor 2– Jessica Townsend

    Hachette OCT 30, 2018 | 9780734418227 | RRP $16.99 Imprint: Lothian Books Morrigan is back! The eagerly anticipated second instalment of Nevermoor is no disappointment and the many readers who are bursting at the seams waiting to get their hands on a copy will be delighted. Now that Morrigan has passed her trials she becomes part of Unit 919…

  • Black Cockatoo – Carl Merrison and Hakea Hustler

    Magabala Books   Published: Jul 2018   ISBN: 9781925360707 RRP: $11.99 A beautiful novella that explores a coming-of-age experience for a young Aboriginal girl in the remote Kimberley region. Mia is distressed at the increasing distance her brother is putting between himself and family. The growing turbulence within her family is hard for a 13…

  • Crossing Ebenezer Creek – Tonya Bolden

    Bloomsbury Australia Published: 01-08-2018 Format: Paperback ISBN: 9781681196992 Imprint: Bloomsbury YA RRP $14.99   The wonderful thing about well-written, well-researched historical fiction is that you don’t just learn new information but that you can immerse yourself in the period and gain a far greater understanding than dry textbooks will offer. I openly admit that I…

  • For Tweens and Teens – a selection

    You Are Awesome: Find Your Confidence and Dare to be Brilliant at (Almost) Anything: The Number One Bestseller – Matthew Syed Hachette APR 24, 2018 | 9781526361158 | RRP $19.99   This positive and empowering guide, by bestselling mindset author Matthew Syed, will help boys and girls build resilience, fulfil their potential and become successful, happy, awesome adults. I…

  • Bonkers About Beetles – Owen Davey

    Walker Books ISBN: 9781911171485 Imprint: NB – Flying Eye Release Date: August 1, 2018 Australian RRP: $27.99 New Zealand RRP: $29.99 I love Flying Eye books (I may have mentioned that once or twice) I love Owen Davey’s wonderful non-fiction series which brings a world of nature, science and history to kids in a remarkably attractive way. My own girl,…

  • Collecting Sunshine – Rachel Flynn & Tamsin Ainslie

    Penguin Random House 9780143785187 September 3, 2018 Imprint: Viking   RRP: $22.99 Like all small children Mabel and Robert love to collect things on their walks (ahh yes, the days when I had to take snap lock bags with me for Small’s treasures) and they pick up all kinds of marvellous finds: beautiful stones, interesting…

  • Inheritance – Carole Wilkinson

    Walker Books ISBN: 9781760650360 Imprint: Black Dog Books Release Date: September 1, 2018 Australian RRP: $17.99 New Zealand RRP: $19.99 Carole Wilkinson has created a superbly plausible narrative which realistically weaves historic realism from Australia’s past from the perspective of both First Australians and early white settlers putting an ugly side to the beginnings of our modern nation in full…