Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Detective Galileo- Peter Helliar. Illustrated by Andrew Joyner.

    Harper Collins Australia June 2025 While I’m not a big fan of ‘celebrity’ authored books in general, and always ready to be unimpressed, I have to say that this isn’t dreadful at all. And, in particular, if you have some kiddos who are reluctant or struggling readers who should be moving upwards in their reading…

  • Roobee Roo x Two

    Hachette Australia Imprint; Lothian Children’s Books Roobee Roo: My Big Bedtime Book Jul 1, 2025 | 9780734422354 | RRP $14.99 Roobee Roo: My Magic ABC Pouch Jul 1, 2025 | 9780734422323 | RRP $14.99 It’s two more cuties in this adorable series from Nico and Candy Robertson [aren’t we lucky they decided to come live in the best country in the world?]. With…

  • Dianne Wolfer – Double Delight.

    Dianne’s talent as a writer is undeniable and her ability to write prose fiction, narrative non-fiction and picture books with equal ease sets her apart. Here are the two latest examples of her outstanding ability to capture the essence of a story as well as place and time, both of these reverbrating with a true…

  • Hatch – Heidi Cooper Smith

    CSIRO Publishing Hardback | April 2025 | $ 26.99ISBN: 9781486318278 This gorgeous narrative non-fiction book makes me think of my Year 1s, 30 years ago as we had the fun of watching chickens hatch, and frogspawn develop, investigating how life begins for many creatures. I know there are many ELC and Prep classes that still…

  • We’re going on a Treasure Hunt – Martha Mumford. Laura Hughes.

    lift the flaps and find the treasure! Bloomsbury Australia June 2025 ISBN: 978152627384 Imprint: Bloomsbury Children’s Books Series: The Bunny Adventures RRP: $16.99 We’re going on a treasure hunt. Yo! Ho! Ho!Help us find the golden coins … Arrrrr! Off we go! Well, it’s rabbits so of course I’m in! But seriously, how cute are the Bunnies?…

  • Gone – Michel Streich

    Thames & Hudson Australia Pty Ltd  3rd June 2025 ISBN: 9781760764920 ISBN-10: 1760764922 RRP: $26.00 As you might expect, if you are familiar with our story, grief after the loss of her mother was an enormous obstacle for The Kid and I both ten years ago. At least I had, at my fingertips, a range of titles…

  • Rakali of the Riverbank – Stephanie Owen-Reeder. Illustrated by Rachel Gregg.

    CSIRO PublishingJuly 2025 ISBN: 9781486317547 RRP: $26.99 I’m well aware there are some people who are not fans of any kind of rodentia [inconceivable!] – honestly, I’m not sure why because not only do The Kid and I love them, but we find them absolutely fascinating creatures. I am yet to see a rakali for…

  • The Foal in the Wire – Robbie Coburn

    Hachette Australia Imprint: Lothian Children’s books May 28, 2025 | 9780734423603 | RRP $19.99 Yes, I agree with you 100%. I have always said I’m not a fan of verse novels – but now, it seems I am. The slew of high standard verse novels over the past year especially has completely changed my thinking on this genre, I…

  • Spectacular Snakes – Emma Flannery and Professor Tim Flannery. Illustrated by Katie Melrose.

    Hardie Grant Australia December 2024 ISBN:9781761211737 Price:AU$26.99, NZ$29.99 Imprint:Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing This is big, bold and beautiful ,and younger K would have adored this book as she has been an ophiophilist from the time she was toddling after our garden skinks and geckos. Your readers from Smalls to Not-so-smalls will love it too. Katie…

  • Wombat Dreaming- Caz Goodwin. Illustrations by Zoë Bennett.

    Affirm Press May 2025 Dist: Simon & Schuster Imprint: Affirm Kids ISBN13: 9781923046603 As it happens just yesterday, [as I write this 24/05] at my twice-weekly Senior Sisters exercise class we finished off our hour with 15 minutes of yoga. I hasten to point that it was only standing yoga, as we all have made…