Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe


  • On a Bushwalk – Andrea Rowe. Hannah Sommerville.

    Hardie Grant Publishing September 2026 ISBN:9781761216473 Price:AU$19.99, NZ$23.99 Series:Little Worlds Publisher:Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing Imprint: Little Hare Another cute addition to the Little World series with its emphasis on basic concepts for Smalls. This one, aside from being a beautifully illustrated jaunt in the bush, focuses on colour. With fonts coloured to match each spotlighted…

  • You Belong – Liv Downing.Illustrations by Mel Matthews.

    Allen & Unwin ISBN:9781761181702 Publisher:A&U Children’s Imprint:Albert Street Books RRP: $24.99 What a delightful and meaningful book this is for Smalls with the clever cut-out echoing a globe! This simple text with its colourful and expressive illustrations encourages Smalls to take notice of their world, and others around them in their immediate communities as well…

  • 2026 Fathers Day Special: Baby’s First Father’s Day – Cheryl Orsini

    Hardie Grant Australia June 2026 ISBN:9781761217876 Format:Board book Price:AU$19.99, NZ$22.99 Series:Baby’s First Imprint:Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing First pick for this year’s crop of Father’s Day books is another in Cheryl Orsini’s sublime ‘Baby’s First‘ series. Simple text, charming story line and those absolutely glorious illustrations. What’s not to love? It’s a Father’s Day special hike…

  • Emma Memma: Hide-and-Seek lift-the-flap

    Penguin Australia ISBN: 9781761355639 Imprint: Puffin Format: Board Book RRP: $14.99 I make no secret of how much I🧡 Emma Memma’s work – she was a fabulous Wiggle, even though we were long past Wiggle stage – but has continued to go from strength to strength with her outstanding contribution to both kids lit, children’s imaginations and, of course,…

  • Our Flowers/Our Marsupials – Bronywn Bancroft

    Hardie Grant Australia July 2026 Our Flowers ISBN:9781761216541 Price:AU$19.99, NZ$22.99 Our Marsupials ISBN:9781761216558 Price:AU$19.99, NZ$22.99 Two new extremely attractive board books from Bundjalung woman Bronwyn Bancroft in her series introducing Australian wildlife to Smalls. Each image is paired with a rhyming couplet making this both a visual and auditory experience for little humans and with…

  • 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…

  • Worl Barna / Sky Creatures: Noongar First Words – Jayden Boundry. Tyrown Waigana.

    Fremantle Press June 2026 ISBN: 9781760995607 RRP: $16.99 I’ve reviewed two others in this delightful series for Smallests: Land Creatures and Water Creatures which some of you may have already seen. If not, really this is a terrific series for introducing jarjums to language, even if it’s not the one from the Country on which they…

  • The Interactive Human Body:Explore the Human Body with Flaps, Wheels, Levers, Touch and Feel, and More! – – Ryan G. Van Cleave. Illustrated by Juliana Eigner.

    New South Books ISBN : 9781638190882 Publisher : Bushel & Peck Imprint : Bushel & Peck RRP: $39.99 This is big, bold and absolutely guaranteed to keep young curious minds absorbed for hours. There is not only plenty to read in easy-to-digest chunks but also so much with which to interact. It’s going to require some careful handling and supervision if…

  • Baby’s First Mother’s Day – Cheryl Orsini

    Hardie Grant Australia February 2026 ISBN:9781761217869 Price:AU$19.99, NZ$22.99 Series:Baby’s First Imprint:Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing Starting off a flurry of Mother’s Day titles is one of Cheryl Orsini’s always beautiful books – this one a board book in the Baby’s First series that will delight any first time mums of your acquaintance. One of The Kid’s…