Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Q&A with Lian Tanner…let’s visit beautiful Tassie a while

    Lian, I am so very happy to be able to welcome you to Just So Stories! I know you must be always so busy, so I really appreciate you taking time out for my readers. I want to start with your new series, The Dragons of Hallow and Spellhound, which I just absolutely loved. Can…

  • In My Garden – Kate Mayes. Tamsin Ainslie

    ….a children’s picture book about belonging Harper Collins Australia August 2023 It was easy to fall in love with this beautiful book when I only had the galley proofs to look at. Now that I see it in its final form, I find it even more enchanting. It really is a work of art, which…

  • Ruby and the Pen – David Lawrence. Illustrated by Cherie Dignam.

    EK Books August 2023 ISBN: 9781922539380 RRP: $16.99 I’m fairly sure that at one time or another, we’ve all wished we had a magic wand to just ‘swish and flick’ to remove any obstacles, problems or annoyances. Somehow, I’d never pictured it as a magic pen though! 12-year-old Ruby is an inveterate cartoon-sketching kid, who…

  • Who’s the Gang on Our Street? – Susanne Gervay. Illustrated by Nancy Bevington.

    Big Sky Publishing September 2023 ISBN: 9781922896803 RRP: $19.99 When the always gracious and warm Susanne emailed me some months ago, and asked me to write teaching notes for a new picture book she was writing, I was – quite naturally – absolutely thrilled and flattered,that she should consider me to do so. When she subsequently…

  • Josh Langley – Inspiring Kids

    Have you checked out Josh Langley’s great programs and books yet? They are making such a difference to so many kids, that I wanted to share is new Inspiring Kids @ Home program. Josh is such an inspiration himself, and his passion for empowering kiddos is just wonderful to behold, and I’m proud to support…

  • Country Town – Isolde Martyn and Robyn Ridgeway. Illustrated by Louise Hogan.

    Ford St Publishing September 2023 ISBN: 9781922696359 RRP: $19.99 I have always loved those English books that explored ‘Through Time’ e.g. A Street Through Time – the history nerd in me just revels in the minutiae from days gone by to the present. While this book doesn’t cover 12, 000 years as such, it does…

  • It’s Q&A Time with Tania Ingram

    Welcome Tania to Just So Stories – so excited to have you drop in! I’m as excited as a guinea pig with a corncob! Thanks for taking the time to chat. Let’s get into it! I think we should start at the start really ;-). Tell us about little Tania: growing up, family, pets, hobbies,…

  • Bookish Fun!

    What a lovely way to finish our day! Visiting Quick Brown Fox bookshop for the first time (Grange for those nearby) and hanging out with a few other t-l’s plus the always exuberant Deborah Abela Author Zewlan Moor Zanni Louise and Sophie Beer – with wine!! and snacky-snacks! and the award-winning Jenny Stubbs too!!! super…

  • Mr Chicken Goes to Mars – Leigh Hobbs

    Allen & Unwin October 2023 ISBN: 9781760878276 Publisher: A&U Children’s Imprint: A & U Children RRP: $24.99 Mr Chicken never gets tired. That is to say, the kiddos never get tired of Mr Chicken. I have been waiting for this one quite eagerly and only just yesterday, had read Mr Chicken All Over Australia on…

  • Follow the Rainbow – Juliet M. Sampson. Illustrated by Anne Ryan.

    Ford St Publishing August 2023 ISBN: 9781922696335 RRP: $17.99 This new picture book from Juliet and Ford St is a fun and colourful excursion in curiosity for your young readers. It has been inspired by both The Wizard of Oz and Juliet’s own adorable Westie, Bryce. Little Ruby is idly making shapes from the clouds…