Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • The Bug Book – Tania Ingram. Illustrated by Lucinda Gifford.

    Affirm Press Imprint: Little Book Press October 2024 ISBN 9781923141155 RRP: $24.99 If this isn’t the cutest introduction to the world of mini-beasts!!! When Tania had talked about this one during its inception, I knew it was going to be fun but I had no clue that it was going to be as adorable as…

  • Slug Life- Moesha Kellaway

    Harper Collins Australia ‘Bug’ books, that is books about mini-beasts seem to be very on trend this year and I, for one, am greatly enjoying that. Having had The Kid raising tiny critters such as stick insects in her zoo days, we are pretty chill about our small wildlife. In fact, we both get very…

  • Pollinators Week 2024

    Just in time for Pollinators Week, I have two smashing picture books about the critters who, realistically, feed us. If it wasn’t for their pollination what would grow? Why not see how you can help out our hard workers by visiting the Australian Pollinators Week website? You’ll find heaps of events along with resources like…

  • Christie Williams’ Search and Find: G’Day Australia & Australian Birds

    Five Mile G’day Australia: Search and Find April 2024 9781923091368 RRP: $19.99 Australian Birds: Search and Find 9781923286238 RRP: $24.99 These are some of the prettiest books I’ve seen this year and kids who love some interactivity with their reading will thoroughly enjoy them. Primarily exactly what they say they are – search and find…

  • Into the Ice: Reflections on Antarctica – Alison Lester & Coral Tulloch.

    Allen & Unwin October 2024 ISBN:9781760526061 Publisher:A&U Children’s Imprint:A & U Children RRP: $35.00 Honestly, it is a little hard for me to define this sumptuous book, but I am putting in here as a picture book – although, it is patently so much more than that. Really, it is an illustrated journal with these…

  • A Flock of Beautiful Bird Books

    Woodslane Publishing So this parcel of absolutely stunning bird books arrived just as I’d finished this years Bird Count, but that certainly doesn’t mean that they are any less appreciated. These are all not only sensationally and vibrantly beautiful but packed with pithy facts and information about our most iconic birds. Your kiddos who are…

  • Yanga Mother – Cheryl Leavy. Illustrated by Christopher Bassi.

    UQP July 2024 9780702268311 RRP: $24.99 A story of love, language and culture which speaks to the very essence of loss, colonisation, connection and resilience. This is not only an asset to preschool, kindergarten and older readers, but to all who open the first page of this exquisite book.’ Dr Jackie Huggins Yesterday evening (7/11)…

  • My Dad’s Gone Away – Andrew Krakouer & Jacqueline Dinan. Illustrated by Paul Seden.

    Magabala Books October 2024 9781922777249 AUD$27.99, NZD$32.99 It’s not just the fact that over 30 years of teaching I’ve encountered and taught many children who had a parent incarcerated, or that The Kid had a best friend who also lived with her grandmother, because Mum was dead and Dad was in jail. But I can…

  • Goodnight, Joeys- Renée Treml

    Penguin Australia December 2024 All infant marsupials are called joeys and this sweet little board book takes your own little joey on a soothing bedtime visit to a whole range of different little Aussie bubs. From koalas to numbats, and from tree kangaroos to wombats – each little group has its own double spread, with…

  • Nobody Likes Monday – Kelly Lee & Amy Calautti

    EK Books August 2024 9781922539847 $24.99 So I’ll admit there are not many truly positive songs about Mondays: Imagine Dragons‘ offering [such a great band!] has terrific upbeat lyrics but the whole premise of their video clip is a tad unsettling, The Mamas and the Papas had a very dreary break-up song, then there’s Manic…