Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Bush Turkey: Easter Hunt – Kate and Jol Temple. Illustrated by Ronojoy Gosh.

    Scholastic Australia February 2026 ISBN: 9781761640124 RRP: $19.99 Like a bush turkey manically constructing his nesting mound to lure all the single ladies, this is rather chaotic and crazy – but then, it is Kate and Jol Temple! When Bush Turkey starts on his nest he kicks up a shiny gold egg that he knows…

  • Medieval Monsters and Other Creatures – Timothy Ide

    Midnight Sun November 2023 ISBN 9781922858177 RRP $34.99 (hbk), When a talented friend sends you a wonderful gift, especially at a time when your spirits are so low, you can’t just accept it and nod your thanks. This technically is not a review but an expression of my real gratitude – as well as my…

  • You’ll Always Be My Baby – Jessica Urlichs. Illustrated by Jedda Robaard.

    Penguin Australia Since the new year, I’ve been busy on a regular basis planning The Kid’s 21st birthday celebration. Just like her mother, she didn’t want anything, but I persuaded her otherwise, so a smallish party at home for friends, followed by a dinner for family and friends-like-family at her favourite restaurant. As I go…

  • One Day Soon – Cristy Burne

    Fremantle Press May 2026 ISBN: 9781760995614 RRP: $17.99 Preorder now This is another verse novel that has given me cause to reconsider my initial lukewarm thoughts about this genre. In fact, so utterly absorbing is this one, that I binge read it in one evening. I don’t know anyone personally with MND but a friend did…

  • Daisy and Bug: Treehouse Troubles – Kim de Haan

    Perentie Press Kim de Haan 9781923543072 April 2026 AUD$15.99, NZD$16.99 To be honest, I said, I’m not a huge fan of graphics. I have reviewed some that were extraordinarily great but, in general, yeah nah – not for me, so I usually avoid them. ‘It’s just a little one for younger kids’. Well, it is…

  • Feathers of Farwood and the Gripps Curse – Jayne McIntyre

    Riveted Press Distributed by Simon & Schuster March 2026 ISBN13: 9781764256704 RRP: $AU22.99 / NZ$ 26.99 I could have actually written this review 3 months ago because I was lucky enough to be able to write teaching notes for this absolutely gorgeous book back in December. I was thrilled when Jayne contacted me and I…

  • The Odd Flamingo – Nina Bawden

     Introduction by Martin Edwards New South Books British Library Publishing December 2025 ISBN: 9780712355438 RRP: AUD$22.99, NZD$27.99 I 100% guarantee you that I had no idea whatsoever that Nina Bawden, the talented writer of Carrie’s War and The Peppermint Pig – two of my favourite classic children’s books – also wrote some adult novels. Not…

  • Freddie Jones: The Mystery of the Troublesome Trees – Kate Foster

    Walker Books Imprint: Walker Books Australia February 2026 ISBN13:9781760659936 Australia RRP:$17.99 New Zealand RRP:$19.99 Kate Foster has become such a leading light in middle grade novels featuring neuro-diverse characters. In this, she brings her own personal experience, so always there is such authenticity and such wonderful voice. With this new series she hooks into the…

  • Axel Scheffler’s Treasury of Fairy Tales

    Scholastic Australia Imprint: Alison Green Books May 2026 ISBN: 9780702333194 ISBN-10: 0702333190 There are some favourites that just get better with age, don’t you agree? And this new hardback edition, beautifully bound with its gorgeous dustjacket [like books of my long-ago youth!] is one of these. As if the charms of Axel’s illustrations are not enough, his…

  • Claris and the Easter Delight – Megan Hess

    Hardie Grant Australia January 2026 ISBN:9781761215360 Series:Claris Storybooks Imprint:Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing Price:AU$19.99, NZ$22. Adorable Claris is back as the flowers bloom in Paris and the joy of Easter is at hand. When Megan Hess expanded her repertoire of fashion, art and design to include little Claris, it was a genius stroke. Nearly a dozen…