Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Leaf Litter 20th Anniversary Edition- Rachel Tonkin

    An extraordinary examination of the natural cycles of life and death in microcosm, as well as a fascinating introduction to environmental science for kids Harper Collins Australia May 2026 ISBN: 9781460768976 RRP: $34.99 Resources: River Connect NCACL Quite simply, it is every bit as mesmerising and stunning now as it was when we first saw it…

  • The Boy and the Shark – Cate James

    Affirm Kids Apri 2026 Distributed by Simon & Schuster ISBN13: 9781923419162 LIST PRICE: AU$ 24.99 / NZ$ 26.99 Cate James makes the leap from talented illustrator to doubly talented author/illustrator with this absolutely adorable book. Let’s be honest here, you can utilise any book for teaching purposes if you are a capable and creative educator,…

  • My First Aussie Dinosaurs – Sarah Jane Lightfoot

    Affirm Press Dist: Simon & Schuster December 2025 Affirm Kids ISBN13: 978192329351 RRP; $16.99 I think I’m officially in love with Sarah Jane Lightfoot’s books . After reviewing my first couple last year, I have no hesitation in asking for more when I see them. This one has been out for a while but only…

  • Meooow! – Nicoletta Costa

    Thames & Hudson April 2026 RRP: $14.99 A Cat Book of Seasons ISBN: 9781760765866 A Cat Book of Colours ISBN: 9781760765842 $14.99 A Cat Book of Feelings ISBN: 9781760765859 Well if these aren’t just as cute as a bug’s ear! They are incredibly simple concept board books but those vibrant illustrations combined with the absolutely…

  • Costa’s Garden: Fruit – Costa Georgiadis & Brenna Quinlan

    Harper Collins Australia April 2026 Imprint: ABC Books AU ISBN: 9780733343391 Series: Costa’s Garden RRP: $24.99 Our favourite colourful garden gnome, Costa, is back in his second book in this series for Smalls and this time he brings a tutti-frutti cornucopia of delectable fruit. From the beginning of fruit (the flower) to the kitchen for creating delicious dishes…

  • Duck Look Who’s Talking! (Duck, #1) – Matt Stanton

    Harper Collins Australia April 2026 Imprint: ABC Books AU ISBN: 9780733342059 RRP: $16.99 Matt Stanton is a king of comedic writing and don’t we know it! And I’m going to be very frank here [no, not Frank – just Los] I really do think the Funny Kid books are great but it was always Duck who was…

  • The Wild Unknown – Emily Gale

    Text Publishing April 2026 ISBN: 9781923058835 AU Price$16.99 NZ Price$21.00 In 2045 life is familiar but also not. If we think technology and AI is pervasive now, in the near-future that Emily Gale has conceived it’s inescapable, compulsory and deeply rooted within society. Eddie’s world is one filled with ‘smart’ technology from the smart windows…

  • Oh No! – James Foley

    Penguin Australia May 2026 ISBN: 9781761355073 Imprint: Penguin RRP: $19.99 Thursday night last I had just the best time at Quick Brown Fox’ Term 2 Reading Between the Wines and quite honestly, I’ve never laughed so much at any of the other RBtW evenings I’ve attended because not only is James Foley as hilarious in real life as…

  • Through the Darkening Sea – Claire Saxby. Peter Cheong.

    Harper Collins Australia April 2026 Imprint: HarperCollins AU ISBN: 9781460766743 RRP: $24.99 As the winter draws in, it’s getting closer to whale season in Queensland which will be particularly exciting this year as one of The Kid’s 21st birthday presents from me is a voucher to swim with the whales, and I think it will be quite…

  • Dingoes: Up Close series – Jane Forge

    Wild Dog Books Dist: Simon & Schuster June 2026 ISBN13: 9781742037240 AU$ 24.99 / NZ$ 28.99 In a word – stunning! This is exactly the sort of non-fiction book on Australian animals that we all want to complement our UoI on our fauna but, at the same time, is also perfect for those children who…