Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • The Secret Lives of Dragons Prof Zoya Agnis. Alexander Ulkin.

    Walker Books December 2023 Imprint: Flying Eye Books ISBN13: 9781838741174 Australia RRP: $24.99 New Zealand RRP: $27.99 Who doesn’t love dragons? Am I right? You know I am. Young or old, so many of us are fascinated by them and whether they are straight out of Berk or Pottermore or ancient China, their stories, habits…

  • Easter Bunny’s Secret Diary – Adam Wallace/Shane McG

    Scholastic Australia February 2024 ISBN: 9781760266363 Rather like the contretemps that happen during EB’s lead-up to Easter, as read in this secret diary, I was unable to get a review copy of this newbie from Adam Wallace because there were NONE left at the warehouse. But this bunny is made of sterner stuff and managed to…

  • Our Shellharbour – Karen Hendriks/Emma Stuart

    Little Shell Books November 2023 ISBN: 9780645822410 RRP: $20.00 Available at Karen Hendriks Children love to explore their local area – especially when it’s very beautiful with much to see. And they also love to see their locale in a book and read about it. Somehow it makes their own neighbourhood take on a greater sense…

  • The Last Kids on Earth Survival Guide – Max Brallier/Illustrated by Douglas Holgate.

    Harper Collins Australia I have to be honest here. This entire series had completely bypassed me and, certainly, I wasn’t aware of a Netflix series either (but then it wouldn’t fall within my usual viewing range) but I can completely see the appeal of this immediately. This week my 2nd oldest grandson turned 25, and…

  • Super Sloth Episode #2: Revenge of the Chick-oats- Aleesah Darlison. Illustrated by Cheri Hughes.

    Big Sky Publishing March 2024 ISBN: 9781923004948 RRP: $14.99 Romeo Fortez, aka the Super Sloth, continues his wacky and wild adventures in New York in this new offering from Aleesah Darlison. Newly independent readers, gaining confidence in their first exploration of easy chapter books, will once again enjoy this one. The machinations of Weird-Warp to gain…

  • Jeff Giraffe – The Great Escape – Amelia McInerney. Illustrated by Alexandra Colombo.

    Larrikin House March 2024 ISBN: 9781922804655 (Hardcover) $24.99 One of our big pleasures during our Canberra visit late last year, was meeting up with Amelia for the first time F2F. She is just as vivacious and entertaining as her books, which I have always loved. For kiddos who love the concept of Madagascar,and the idea of zoo…

  • The Big Book of Australian Nursery Rhymes – Frané Lessac

    Walker Books Australia March 2024 ISBN13:9781760655099 Australia RRP:$26.99 New Zealand RRP:$28.99 Frané once again brings her extraordinary talent to a new picture book that epitomises joy in our Australian wildlife and landscapes, this time for the very smallest of Smalls. For those of us with long experience in literacy and teaching, we know that exposing…

  • I Love Grandma with the Very Hungry Caterpillar

    Penguin Australia Mrach 2024 These little books all follow the pattern set by the VHC and its creator, the late Eric Carle, combining the simple text with selected illustrations from across the vast gallery of Carle’s work. One assumes that additional material created in the same style is also added. This one will make a…

  • Those Girls -Pamela Rushby

    Walker Books Australia April 2024 ISBN13:9781760657840 Australia RRP:$19.99 New Zealand RRP:$22.99 Pamela Rushby’s books are always a treat. For me though, it’s a given that those historical fictions set in Brisbane are the most fascinating. Because I didn’t grow up here, I knew a bare minimum of the city’s history prior to moving here in…

  • Kevin the Sheep – Jacqueline Harvey. Illustrated by Kate Isobel Scott.

    Penguin Australia March 2024 It would be fair to say that I’ve been waiting for this one for some time. Since I knew it was on the way, I was keen to see it, but then (as can happen) delivery of the actual book was problematic but at last it is here. HUZZAH!! And, of…