Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • The Skin I’m In – Steph Tisdell

    Pan Macmillan July 2024 ISBN: 9781760984977 RRP: $26.99 It took me a while to get to this one on the review shelf, but when I did, it didn’t take me long to read it – I chomped it up over 3 nights and loved every vibrant word of it. Then of course it was Picture Book…

  • At School I’ll Grow – Carly Gardiner. Illustrated by Caroline Keys.

    Little Steps Publishing Boolarong Press October 2024 ISBN : 978-1-922678-35-5 RRP: $16.99 This is a pretty simple picture book aimed squarely at those Smalls beginning their school journey. It offers a rhyming description of what might be expected to happen in an average classroom [except for the fact of just 11 children in front of the…

  • Little Love List – Bethany Clark. Illustrated by Summer Macon.

    Affirm Press January 2025 AUD RRP $22.99 ISBN 9781922806758 If you were to write a list of all the reasons you love someone – that is, someone you love deeply – how long would it be? Do you love them when they’re tired and grumpy? Do you love them when they make mistakes? Of course,…

  • Writing Classes for Kids

    If you are an educator – either in a school or at home – and have been looking for a quality creative writing program for your students, look no further. Award-winning author Dee White, with her co-creator (and son) Nick White have created a wonderful self-paced course for young writers which is richly engaging, encouraging…

  • Croc Candy – Claire Thompson. Illustrated by Deborah Brown.

    The True Story of a Rising Star, Angus Copelin-Walters Woodslane Press January 2025 9781922800817/$27.99 Claire Thompson and I connected when she asked if I could help her to develop some professional resources to partner both her forthcoming book and also a writing with kids gig she was undertaking. It has been an all-round pleasure I…

  • Let’s Talk January 26

    Please find some thoughts, resources and potential growth ideas sourced from some of my go-to First Nations educational providers. Firstly from Deb Hoger @Riley Callie Resources  Every year, we like to remind people what this date actually marks. Let’s get the facts: January 26 1788 is the day Sir Arthur Phillip raised the British flag…

  • Happy 2025!

    This might amuse you all: New Year, new you, new books too! We can all pretend that we will go to the gym more, do our laundry before the basket is overflowing, learn French, find a job that involves napping, or pilot a helicopter. But at some point, reality will set in and those resolutions…

  • And that’s a wrap 2024!

    First of all, I want to thank everyone who’s paid a visit to Just So Stories in 2024, which has had the most gangbuster result in all its eleven years! Quite an increase in several areas and for a blog that has grown organically, with very little ‘promotion’ other than my own SM, but basically…

  • It’s Christmas Time in Brisbane – Wendy Kelly. Illustrated by Magdalena Almevo Nocea.

    Boolarong Press 2017 ISBN 9781925236590 RRP: $19.99 Yes, I thought I had finished! But this is a late arrival. It’s not a newly published title, but I only just discovered its existence recently (thanks to Quick Brown Fox! for the heads up and Boolarong Press for the speedy sending!) and with perfect timing it was…

  • Wishing everyone a safe and happy festive season…

    It’s been a big busy year. I’ve posted almost every day and now it’s time for another short break. I have a NY post scheduled with a round-up of the 2024 blog year, but aside from that, normal transmission will resume towards the end of January. I already have some reviews to write up, some…