Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • For 60 000 Years- Maree Silva. Illustrator Rhys Paddick

    Scholastic Australia January 2024 ISBN: 9781760265274 RRP: $26.99 I am the first to say we are privileged to live in Australia, and I am grateful to have been born here. There is so much for which to be grateful, but there are also times I am ashamed of our national behaviour and attitudes (there will…

  • The Case of the Fishy Detective (Einstein the Penguin, Book 2) – Iona Rangeley

    Harper Collins Australia October 2023 I thoroughly enjoyed Einstein’s first outing, and enjoyed this second one just as much, particularly as it is often a challenge finding that next book for readers moving on from the easy chapter books to something with a little more substance and length. Ever since Imogen’s and Arthur’s first adventure…

  • New Home :Millie the Cutest Puppy in the World #1 – Cate Whittle. Illustrated by Nicky Johnston.

    Not only the cutest puppy but possibly the cutest book. Everything about this sweet new book from Cate Whittle and Nicky Johnston is just absolutely delightful, from the cover with it’s glossy accents to the endpapers, and everything between. Millie was a tiny puppy when she was left on the doorstep of St Bernard’s Home for…

  • Back to School!

    Well it is for our Qlder kiddos, and, naturally, for some there will be nervousness, trepidation, curiosity and surprises. I can’t think of any teacher I’ve ever known who has not done their utmost to make first days, and first weeks, as smooth and welcoming as possible. For little ones, as first-timers, it can be…

  • Finding My Bella Vita: A story of family, food, fame and working out who you are – Pia Miranda

    Hachette SEP 27, 2023 | 9780733649837 | RRP $34.99 I only quite recently re-watched Looking for Alibrandi, thoroughly enjoying it all over again, so was keen to read and review this memoir, simply on the strength of Pia’s amazing presence as Josie Alibrandi. And I was not disappointed, because her memoir is every bit as fresh, quirky and memorable as…

  • Like a Charm – Elle McNicoll

    Walker Books Australia January 2024 ISBN13:9781913311278 Australia RRP:$17.99 New Zealand RRP:$19.99 Imprint: Knights of The first Elle McNicoll book I read was A Kind of Spark which I enthusiastically reviewed back in November. I was super happy to get this one fall into my lap, so to speak, and gobbled it up just as quickly.…

  • Feather [The Twitchers series] – M. G. Leonard

    Walker Australia February 2024 Imprint:Walker Books ISBN13:9781529506112 Australia RRP:$18.99 New Zealand RRP:$21.99 I have loved this series – I guess, firstly, because I’m a bird nerd – but also because the whole friendship aspect, and the teamwork of this bunch of kids working together, each to their own strengths, has been a joy. Although I…

  • A Footy Tail – Alex Johnston & Gregg Dreise

    Allen & Unwin October 2023 ISBN: 9781761180316 Publisher: A&U Children’s Imprint: A & U Children RRP: $19.99 When footy season is over, my TV viewing drops dramatically I have to say. And the accompanying stream of texts and posts to fellow fans likewise. I’m a Sydney girl, even though I’ve been in Queensland, on and…

  • Bowerbird Blues – Aura Parker

    Publisher:SCHOLASTIC AUSTRALIA PTY LTD December 2023 ISBN : 9781760269609RRP: $19.99 Oh, how I love the sky….And moving throughThe marvellous BLUE What a sensational choice this is for this year’s NSS title!  Aura has created a book that is a magnificent combination of her talents as writer, illustrator and designer, and one which speaks volumes on…

  • Louder! – Kate Asquith

    A Guide to Finding Your Voice and Changing the World Harper Collins Australia August 2023 Young activists have made news often in recent years whether they are agitating for climate change, gun reform, LGBQTI+ rights, equality, immigrants/refugees rights, water, ending poverty, and more. And I know that when I talk with children as young as…