Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe


  • Washpool – Lisa Fuller

    Hachette Australia Feb 26, 2025 | 9780734420756 | RRP $16.99 Let’s see. Take a little of Alice down the rabbit hole, and mix that with a smidgin of Oz. Then add in some snippets of lands reached using the Subtle Knife plus some of the strangeness of Nevermoor. After that, throw in some Upside Down and sprinkle it all…

  • The Chronicles of Wetherwhy: the Age of Enchantment – Anna James

    Harper Collins September 2024 After the roaring success of her Pages & Co series, Anna James has kicked off an engaging new series with which I am already wholly engaged, as I’m sure will be your readers. Everyone in Whetherwhy has magic, to a greater or lesser extent. And each person’s magic is connected to…

  • The Colour of Revenge – Cornelia Funke

    October 2024 ISBN: 9781915947611 Scholastic Australia Publisher:THE CHICKEN HOUSE RRP: $20.00 For the past four nights I’ve been happily immersed once again in the world of Inkheart. I really find it hard to believe it’s been 20 years since the publication of Inkheart, and our introduction to Mo, Meggie, Dustfinger and all the glittering and…

  • Lexie Moon & the Word Burgling Bungle – Melissa Garside and Lauren Mullinder

    Riveted Press January 2025 ISBN 9781763526037RRP $12.99 This is not just a fun read, especially for readers growing in their confidence to tackle chapter books, but has so much to offer with regard to topics such as AI, robotics, STEM and Mighty Girls not to mention ethics and intellectual property. Lexie Moon is a dedicated…

  • Dragonkeeper – Carole Wilkinson

    Walker Books December 2024 ISBN13:9781761601446 Australia RRP:$17.99 New Zealand RRP:$19.99 What a series this is and how loved it has been by so many over the years! I loved Dragonkeeper the first time I read it over 20 years ago and have re-read it more than once. When I read and reviewed Bronze Bird Tower…

  • Q & A with Rachel Jackson

    Welcome to Just So Stories, Rachel!! It’s such a pleasure to have you pop in and share with us. Let’s jump right in! Thankyou to you and your readership for having me 😊 It’s always a pleasure to share Escape from Cuttlefish Cove with adventurous readers. First of all, let’s find out a little more…

  • Escape from Cuttlefish Cove- Rachel Jackson

    Riveted Press Dist: Simon & Schuster September 2024 ISBN13: 9780645869392 LIST PRICE: AU$ 17.99 / NZ$ 19.99 I don’t recall ‘choose your own adventure’ books when I was reading as a child but I certainly remember those my girls enjoyed in the 80s. My Kim’s especial favourites were the Enid Blyton adventure game series. She…

  • The Frog Squad #2: Bungle in the Jungle – Kate and Jol Temple. Illustrated by Shiloh Gordon.

    Harper Collins Australia December 2024 The Temple two have such a fabulous skill in creating hugely humorous reads for kids, without degenerating into crassness. It is one of the reasons I love reviewing their books. And the Frog Squad is certainly proving to be a hilarious delight with this second instalment. The punster in me…

  • I Am Rebel – Ross Montgomery

    Walker Books Australia June 2024 ISBN13:9781529502909 Australia RRP:$17.99 New Zealand RRP:$19.99 Dog stories are ever popular. We have seen this time and again over the years and this newest one from Ross Montgomery will both move and inspire readers as it narrates the unbreakable bond between young master and loyal doggo. In an imagined dystopian…

  • Picture Book Month Extra! : Tigg and the Bandicoot Bushranger – Jackie French

    Harper Collins Australia December 2024 Regular readers here know what a fan I am of Jackie’s work, particularly her historical fiction. She so deftly weaves fact and fiction creating a portal back in time for young readers to become bystanders and witnesses to some of the most significant events, especially in Australian history. And because…