Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Binge Reading Jackie French

    The upside of injuring both your legs badly at the same time is that you have a very legitimate excuse to stay in bed reading a lot. And fortunately my lovely friends at Harper Collins must have had some kind of premonition because the day before my accident I had received a plethora amazing books…

  • Mr Bambuckle’s Remarkables – Tim Harris….and Mr Bambuckle himself!!!

    Tim Harris, illus by James Hart Random House Released September 2017 Paperback ISBN 9780143785859 RRP $14.99 Tim Harris exploded onto the children’s literature scene quite literally with his Exploding Endings books. Now he brings us a true hero of the classroom, Mr Bambuckle. The children of Room 12 B are wary of their expected new…

  • The Getaway : Diary of a Wimpy Kid #12 – Jeff Kinney

    Penguin Australia 9780143782797 November 7, 2017 Puffin 224 pages RRP $14.99   Well as if there isn’t always enough going on for the Heffleys on a regular day-to-day basis their holiday plans go completely awry and full on pandemonium ensues!   The Heffley parentals have decided that they are going to completely avoid the stress…

  • La Belle Sauvage : The Book of Dust #1 – Phillip Pullman

    Penguin Random House 9780857561084 October 19, 2017 David Fickling Books   RRP $32.99   Dear Philip Pullman It is magnificent! How long must I wait for volume 2? Yours Sincerely Me   I don’t think I would have been alone when, upon finding out earlier this year that Philip Pullman was publishing a new ‘prequel’…

  • The Explorer – Katherine Rundell

    Bloomsbury September 2017 ISBN 9781408885284 RRP $16.99 We all know some young explorers; the ones who love adventure, the ones who watch Bear Grylls for the survival tips, the ones who pore over atlases and illustrated books of exotic places.  These are the ones who will adore this new book from Katherine Rundell with its…

  • To Siri, with Love – Judith Newman

    Hachette AUG 29, 2017 | 9781784298319 | RRP $32.99 Subtitled: A mother, her autistic son and the kindness of machines, when I first looked at this I felt confronted because of the subject matter. For those who know, my Small has various issues some of which closely align to children on the spectrum. This was hilarious and poignant, lively…

  • The City of Secret Rivers – Jacob Sager Weinstein

    Walker Books Australia August 2017 ISBN: 9781406368857 RRP $19.99 For children who are keen on fantastical adventures this first volume in a new trilogy will provide a thrilling subterranean ride through the underbelly of London. Hyacinth Hayward and her mother have just arrived to live in the country of their forebears and Hyacinth hates it already.…

  • he – John Connolly

    Hachette AUG 29, 2017 | 9781473663633 | RRP $29.99 Growing up the brilliant comic pairing of Laurel and Hardy were among my very favourites for viewing. Their completely in-sync timing was impeccable always and it was apparent that they shared a genuine bond. I find it strange that I don’t recall hearing about Stan Laurel’s death. Although I was…

  • The House of Unexpected Sisters – The No 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series – Alexander McCall-Smith

    Hachette Imprint: littlebrown.co.uk September 2017 ISBN 9781408708156 RRP: $29.99 When you’ve spent the first week of your holidays sick, trying to do much-needed spring-cleaning in short bursts between resting you tend to feel pretty dreary. So to sit in my comfy  bed with fresh clean sheets, a lovely new doona cover in soothing colours, and…

  • The Girl, the Dog and the Writer in Rome – Katrina Nannestad

    Harper Collins Imprint: ABC Books October 2017 ISBN: 9780733338175 RRP: $16.99 Maybe it’s because spring is here (my favourite season) or maybe it is just the stars aligning but I have been so blessed to be sent so many absolutely delightful books to review lately. This is just gorgeous and I love it. Young Freja is…