Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Catalpa: Escape to Freedom – Mike and Joy Lefroy

    Fremantle Press March 2026 ISBN: 9781760996673 $29.99 I love learning some history of which I’ve been unaware and when it’s told in such an engaging way as this, as well as similar books, from Fremantle Press, it’s even better. I knew about the Fenians, though admittedly not a lot, just that they were the revolutionaries determined…

  • Swallowed by a Whale: Writing Advice from Authors of Note – Edited by Huw Lewis-Jones.

    New South Books British Library December 2025 9780712355544 AUD$29.99, NZD$34.99 This was another of my delightful surprises over the Xmas break and it’s been on my bedside table since arriving, but it was not until this cloudy, cool Saturday afternoon that I had time to be leisurely and read it. And how very delightful it…

  • Robot Responders -Smitri Daniel

    CSIRO Publishing March 2026 | $ 34.99ISBN: 9781486318421 Another great title from CSIRO Publishing that many young readers will find it absorbing and exciting. While there is so much shrieking about AI – and yes, it is quite justified in many instances e.g. stealing the work of creators – yet, there is so much more…

  • My Country – Sally Morgan and Ezekiel Kwaymullina

    Fremantle Press January 2026 ISBN: 9781760996260 $19.99 GST This great favourite of many which has been in its original format and a board book, is now in a sweet-sized smaller hardback edition, just perfect for little hands who are beginning to enjoy their books. This is exactly the right size for toddlers especially to hold, turn the…

  • Blue: Dragon of the Sea – Aleesah Darlison. Tamlyn Teow

    Wombat Books February 2026 ISBN: 9781761112706 RRP: $26.99 Aleesah Darlison has a deft hand with writing books about wildlife and, as she is herself passionate about critters of all kinds, shapes and sizes, that comes as no surprise. Little Blue is a nudibranch and if you’ve never heard of them, or seen them or even…

  • Be The Change: Rob Greenfield’s Call to Kids – Rob Greenfiled and Antonia Banyard

    Making a Difference in a Messed-up World New South Books Publisher: Greystone Books APril 2025 AUD$24.99, NZD$29.99 This is a book completely on point especially for all the kids and schools taking action towards zero waste and climate change/environmental degradation. I love that it’s written jargon-free with an easy conversational tone that feels like author…

  • I Am Not a Fish – Patrick Guest. Katie Abey.

    Scholastic Australia April 2026 ISBN: 9781761647628 ISBN-10: 1761647628 RRP: $19,99 I have such fond memories of The Second Sky, do you? My kiddos, in our countdown to the Book of the Year awards and our sharing of all the short-listed picture books (Early Childhood category, voted it our readers’ choice winner. So… this is NOTHING like that…

  • The First Easter – Illustrated by Jess Racklyeft

    Penguin Australia January 2026 It does not matter if you don’t celebrate Easter in a religious sense, this is still a book that is most definitely worth sharing with Smalls as it does explain the ‘why’ of Easter, and it does it in a purely narrative manner. Retelling the Bible story in a very simple…

  • Pocket Potters-palooza: #4 and 5 – Professor Dumbledore & Luna Lovegood – J. K. Rowling

    Bloomsbury Australia Always excited when my ‘dealer’ comes good with more goodies to feed my addiction, which hasn’t waned one iota in over 25 years now. Thank you, Sonia! Professor Dumbledore Illustrated by Paula Escobar February 2026 $17.99 ISBN 9781526685186 Imprint Bloomsbury Children’s Books You will have already seen the first three titles in this…

  • Beach Buddies – Helen Milroy

    A First Nations picture book of Australian sea creatures Fremantle Press June 2026 ISBN: 9781760997052 RRP: AU$19.99/NZ$24.00/US$14.95 Pre-order now from your usual suppliers This is just the cutest introduction to marine animals ever – and your little readers will love it. Who could resist that puffed-up blowfish on the cover for a start? As I am…