Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Easter Cuddle – Kate Mayes. Sara Acton

    Harper Collins Australia Imprint: ABC Books January 2026 ISBN: 9780733343711 ISBN 10: 0733343716 RRP: $24.99 Two talented creators team up again for this one which will delight tiny readers, and would make a superb Easter gift for a newly arrived little human.  The Easter Bunny at our house always delivered a new book each as well as…

  • Yes, No, Maybe – Ursula Dubosarsky. Pictures by Andrew Joyner.

    Simon & Schuster A new book from this pair of creators is always something I enjoy, not only because they are such a good fit for each other’s work but I have fond memories of Ursula being a patron when I was Central/Branches team leader at Marrickville Library years ago and would often have her…

  • Living in the Past – Ancient History with a Twist of Fun

    I’ve had a passion for ancient history since I was a nerdy kid. I still have my Ancient Civilisations book my darling mum bought me when I was around 10 years old. I snaffled all my seven-years-older brother’s ancient history textbooks when he was done with them. I aced my project in 6th class on…

  • Board Book Bonanza!

    Mr McGee – Pamela Allen Penguin Australia February 2026 Some top-shelf board book editions with a much-loved character plus some fresh new titles for the Smallest Smalls in your circle. First up is that popular chap, Mr McGee whose last book I reviewed in 2024, the year in which Pamela Allen turned 90. How lovely…

  • Cats and Us: A Ten-Thousand-Year Fascination – Marta Pantaleo, translated by Debbie Bibo, Yvette Ghione

    New South Books Publisher: Groundwood Books 9781779460394 January 2026 AUD$29.99, NZD$34.99 They say there are two types of people – dog people and cat people. While I have happily owned both, if I can only have one it’s a cat. Whiskers aka the Demon Spawn thoroughly agrees with this stance as do thousands of others.…

  • Small Wonder – Ross Montgomery

    Walker Books September 2025 ISBN13:9781529526127 Australia RRP:$18.99 New Zealand RRP:$21.99 I loved The Chime Seekers and I am Rebel, both of which cemented Ross as an exciting author of adventure/fantasy, so I was very pleased to get this one. What a rousing rollercoaster adventure this one is! Tick has been raised by Grandfather along with…

  • Neeka and the Great Search: #3 Wilder Zoo – Tina Strachan. Illustrated by Max Hamilton.

    Harper Collins Australia Imprint: Angus & Robertson I would be seriously surprised if anyone had missed the charming trilogy now at its conclusion. What a credit it is to this debut author, Tina Strachan, to start off with such a crackerjack set of books! For me, there’s the added bonus of meeting Tina and adding…

  • The Tinysaurs – Sally Odgers. Adele K. Thomas

    Scholastic Australia February 2026 9781761528576 RRP: $16.99 Cute poster for your library or just for fun All your Smalls who have adored Pearl and friends, are going to lap this up like a cat with a saucer of cream. It’s cute and it’s colourful and it’s really cleverly engaging with a twist on many ideas.…

  • Going Fishing with Nana – Frances and Lindsay Haji-Ali. Karen Briggs.

    Publisher: Magabala Books Distributor: Hachette Oct 14, 2025 | 9781922864048 | RRP $27.99 We’re staying with the sea, long trips and grandparents for this one with the setting switched to the far north of the Kimberley region, and a little place called Wyndham. When the authors lived in Broome, there were regular visits to Wyndham with their children, to…

  • Turbo Turtle: Scales and Tails #4- Gregg Dreise

    Magabala Books Hachette Australia November 2025 | 9781922864109 | RRP $27.99 A new Gregg Dreise book is always a delight- just like the man himself and this one, in the Scales and Tails sequence, is not only a significant story handed down to Gregg from his uncle, but references the Stolen Generation, providing an opportunity to introduce this topic…