Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Eleanor Jones is Not Drowning – Amy Doak

    Penguin Australia June 2026 Amy Doak’s thrillers, especially the Eleanor Jones series, have been smash hits from the start and you could bet that when this one arrived on Thursday 18th, it wasn’t going to languish on the shelf for long unread. In fact, I took it away with us up the coast for the…

  • World’s Most … Extreme, Deadly, Freaky – Australian Geographic

    Hardie Grant Australia April 2026 Series: Australian Geographic World’s Most Publisher: Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing Price:AU$19.99, NZ$22.99 You already know, just by looking at them, that your kiddos are going to go nuts for them. And they are exactly the sort of books that I would keep close to hand for break time browsing –…

  • The Epically Awesome Odyssey, as told by Nanny Piggins – R. A. Spratt

    Penguin Australia June 2026 If there is one sure thing to brighten up a bleak, chilly winter’s night (or day) it is the one, the only Nanny Piggins along with her family: Boris, her bear brother, and the children for whom she slaves day and night to feed, clothe, keep clean, educate – oh wait…

  • The Not So Quiet Life of Marcel Marceau – Jenn Bailey & Sherry Bushue. Illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski.

    Allen & Unwin June 2026 ISBN:9781761182945 Imprint:A & U Children RRP: $22.99 Mime is an art beyond words. It is the art of the essential. And you cannot lie. You have to show the truth. Marcel Marceau As a kid, aeons ago, I was completely entranced by Marcel Marceau whenever I saw him perform on…

  • Eighty-Nine Questions for After – Ashleigh Barton

    Hachette Australia July 2026 ISBN: 9780733654596 RRP: $16.99 I first knew Ashleigh’s work as a picture book creator, one who could create wonderful texts that not only engaged young readers but gave them portals into the larger world. Then along came her middle-grade novel How to Sail to Somewhere which so skilfully demonstrated that her…

  • Leaf Litter 20th Anniversary Edition- Rachel Tonkin

    An extraordinary examination of the natural cycles of life and death in microcosm, as well as a fascinating introduction to environmental science for kids Harper Collins Australia May 2026 ISBN: 9781460768976 RRP: $34.99 Resources: River Connect NCACL Quite simply, it is every bit as mesmerising and stunning now as it was when we first saw it…

  • The Stolen Bairn – Katrina Macdonald Roe

    Riveted Press Distributed by Simon & Schuster May 2026 ISBN13: 9781764256773 LIST PRICE: AU$ 17.99 / NZ$ 19.99 The gorgeous cover and enticing title bespeak the thoroughly engaging nature of this fantasy faerie tale from newcomer Katrina Macdonald Roe [Fun Fact: while the Macdonald clans, in their variations, are now scattered all over the world,…

  • Your Feelings Matter – Jess Sanders. Illustrated by Alice Buckingham.

    Affirm Press Distributed by Simon & Schuster May 2026 ISBN13: 9781923419391 LIST PRICE: AU$ 24.99 / NZ$ 27.99 I’ve only reviewed a couple of Jess Sanders‘ books but do know more because they have proved so valuable in the Personal and Social capability strand and for moments like circle time that they are on many…

  • The Boy and the Shark – Cate James

    Affirm Kids Apri 2026 Distributed by Simon & Schuster LIST PRICE: AU$ 24.99 / NZ$ 26.99 Cate James makes the leap from talented illustrator to doubly talented author/illustrator with this absolutely adorable book. Let’s be honest here, you can utilise any book for teaching purposes if you are a capable and creative educator, but sometimes…

  • Spare Kisses – Pip Harry. Illustrated by Yiscah Marcatili.

    Hachette Australia Imprint: Lothian Children’s Books 9780734423511|Mar 31, 2026|RRP $24.99 I know there are grandparents in the unfortunate position of not seeing their grandies often, or indeed at all. And admittedly, now half of mine are adult and live at a distance that’s the case for me as well most of the time. But I…