Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • The Long Shoe – Bob Mortimer

    Simon & Schuster Australia I have always loved Bob Mortimer on WILTY, which I admit is the only place I’ve seen his comedy. I didn’t realise he was also a writer until I spotted this one in a publicity email and immediately was keen to read it. I mean, anyone who can spin the outrageous…

  • Spud and Snowball and the Fancy Fish – Judith Rossell

    Harper Collins Australia September 2025 Continuing the impromptu ‘cat’ theme is this deliciously funny new title from Judith Rossell, which will be perfect for your newly independent readers. These are two cats that are the very epitome of their species. They are self-indulgent, wilful, cheeky, devious, greedy and utterly hilarious in their conniving antics. One…

  • Catty Corner: #1 and #2 – Julie Murphy

    I’ve been a fan of Julie Murphy’s writing since I first read Dumplin’ [wow! ten years old now!] when she gave fat girls back the power (by the way, the movie was pretty good too, if you’ve not seen it yet!). This is a new series for younger readers to MG, and again, puts the…

  • Giants – Jem Cresswell

    New South October 2025 9781761170461 AUD$49.99, NZD$59.99 The humpback whale season in Queensland is now heading towards its close for another year. Many of us have seen these marvellous creatures, with their young in tow, just off the beaches up and down the coast. My two surfers have seen them up quite close in fact.…

  • 2026 Australasian Sky Guide – Dr Nick Lomb

    New South Powerhouse ISBN: 9781761170546/ October 2025 RRP: AUD$24.99, NZD$29.99 I’m no astronomer but I was a bit miffed a few days ago when I saw a guy walking out of the op shop clutching a pretty decent looking telescope. I’ve always thought it would be great fun to have one just to take a…

  • A New World Rises: Tales of a LEGO® Future – Jackson Harvey & Alex Towler with Cristy Burne.

    Fremantle Press August 2025 ISBN: 9781760994167 RRP: AU $44.99/NZ$50.00/US$34.95 Like millions of others, I’ve had my fair share of LEGO® in my life, starting with my girls, then grandies and certainly, numerous times in my libraries with LEGO® free-range activities and clubs both construction and stop motion film. I have run competitions for Book Week (recreate…

  • Krstel Kicks to Win: Kimberley Kickers #2 – Carl Merrison & Hakea Hustler. Illustrated by Samantha Campbell

    Harper Collins Australia July 2025 Last year I had the pleasure of not just reviewing the first in this series – Jy Goes for Gold – but also writing teaching notes for it. Back then I predicted that this would prove a real winner with the kiddos and that’s true enough. Don’t think for one…

  • It’s a Scorcher!: Tales of the Australian Summer – William McInnes

    Hachette Australia Oct 14, 2025 | 9780733652912 | RRP $34.99 I thought I had missed out on a ticket to William McInnes’ event here in Redcliffe but then was lucky – someone dropped out so I was at the top of the waiting list and scored. And even luckier, when I requested this new title of his, Hachette generously…

  • Jo Weston’s Netball Besties – Double or Nothing. Foul Play – Jess Black. Sam Loman.

    Penguin Australia Jess Black has real skill in creating these sporty adventures based on the life and career of various notable players in their field. And all the netballers in your cohort will love these. The first one was released early this year but for whatever reason passed me by, but the next two did…

  • Murder on North Terrace:a Petticoat Police Mystery #2 – Lainie Anderson

    Hachette Australia Sep 30, 2025 | 9780733652097 | RRP $32.99 Around this time last year, I reviewed the first Petticoat Police mystery after thoroughly relishing it, so I was extra keen to get my hands on this one. And it is no disappointment. Equally engaging as the first, cleverly weaving in fact to the fictional aspects, with a little…