Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Nanny Piggins and the Origin Story – R. A. Spratt

    Penguin Australia October 2024 My deep admiration for Nanny Piggins has never been a secret but, like so many, what did I really know about her? Of course, I know she’s the epitome of glamour, [forget Miss Piggy, who really was such a try-hard], NP is the real deal when it comes to glitz and…

  • The Space Between – Jess McGeachin

    Penguin Australia July 2024 Jess’ books are always a delight [I still love Business Chickens so much especially] and this one has all the warmth of a cosy blanket and a mug of hot chocolate, with a lovely look at both imagination and enduring friendship. Max and Milo are neighbours and they spend lots of…

  • Jonty Gentoo: The Adventures of a Penguin- Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler

    Scholastic Australia September 2024 Pesto is the biggest penguin the Melbourne aquarium has ever had — and he’s just a chick As the news about Pesto, the ‘chunky monkey’ penguin chick hits our news reports [first shared with me by The Kid] it’s perfect timing to write up my review for this new collaboration between…

  • Junkyard Fairies:#1 Dig Deep – Edwina Wyatt. Illustrated by Lauren O’Hara

    Walker Books Australia October 2024 ISBN13:9781760657048 Australia RRP:$19.99 New Zealand RRP:$24.99 Even without the addition of the adorable little fairy house [thank you so much Walker Books!🍄] , I would have loved this delightful new take on fairies for a contemporary audience. It’s rather like a mash-up of Enid Blyton with Bottersnikes & Gumbles and…

  • Landovel – Emily Rodda

    Allen & Unwin October 2024 ISBN:9781761069758 Publisher:A&U Children’s Imprint:A & U Children RRP: $39.99 A new Emily Rodda title is always a reason to be excited. When it arrives as a stunning 3 part trilogy in a very handsome slipcase, it’s like an early Xmas. A hero fights against the tide,Companions battle by his side.Danger,…

  • Marion and the Forty Thieves – Sarah Luke

    NLA July 2024 I grew up in Sydney and I was a kid with a thirst for history, particularly of my home town. I loved my excursions to the Rocks and being taken into the city on outings with my father, also a history tragic. Yet I knew nothing of the reformatories set up for…

  • Best Idea Yet: Willa and Woof # 8 – Jacqueline Harvey

    Penguin Australia October 2024 Jacqueline Harvey continues to smash this series for younger readers with another exciting adventure from the ever-intrepid and resourceful Willa. Along with Tae and Woof, Willa has been officially helping at the Sunset Views retirement village next door. And the elderly residents are now also even more involved with Willa’s school…

  • The 113th Assistant Librarian – Stuart Wilson

    Penguin Australia When you get an ARC all wrapped up pretty just like a birthday present, you can be pretty sure it’s going to be an exciting surprise inside and so it was. I mean to say, how could they possibly go wrong sending me something called this with a stern warning about the magic…

  • Yarn Quest series – Brooke Scobie. Illustrated by Jade Goodwin

    Penguin July 2024 RRP: $12.99 Yarn Quest 1: The Search for the Story Realm ISBN: 9781761345227 So This is an exciting new series that has evolved from a highly-successful First Nations led children’s podcast, incorporating stories written by the Awesome Black team. Author Brooke Scobie is, herself, a queer, auDHD, First Nations author, and this has…

  • Bravepaw and the Heartstone of Alluria:#1 Bravepaw – L. M. Wilkinson. Art by Lavanya Naidu.

    Allen & Unwin September 2024 ISBN: 9781761180552 Publisher: A&U Children’s Imprint: Albert Street Books RRP: $16.99 I can never resist a good mouse hero – Matthias of Redwall, Mrs Frisby, Desperaux, Hermelin the Detective Mouse, William Brambleberry, Stuart Little, Hermux Tantamoqor [Time Stops for No Mouse] or Herbert from The Book of Wondrous Possibilities. All…