Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Nanette’s Baguette – Mo Willems

    Walker Books Australia March 2017 ISBN13:9781406376210 Australia RRP:$16.99 New Zealand RRP:$18.99 Honestly, the kiddos go nuts for Mo’s books – which you probably already know. This one is my absolute favourite of all and I have used it several times. This past week I’ve been back in my happy place being teacher-librarian for a one…

  • This Spells Trouble – Paul Collins/Sean McMullen

    Ford St Publishing July 2023 ISBN:9781922696311 RRP: $17.95 This is just a riotous, joyful comic adventure from the very first page, and, I tell you now, your kids from middle school to upper will eat it up with relish! 14 year old Winton is apprenticed to a very dodgy wizard named Faramond – a lazy,…

  • One Little Duck – Katrina Germein/Danny Snell

    Harper Collins Australia July 2023 This is a sweet picture book with a fun twist on an old rhyme and illustrated delectably, which will be an engaging read for your teenies and easily segue into some useful learning activities. Mother Duck is, as you would expect, a nurturer and is quite equable about every animal…

  • Dogs: understanding your very best friend – Dr John Bradshaw. Illustrated by Clare Elsom

    Walker Books November 2021 ISBN13:9781839130878 Imprint; Andersen Press Australia RRP:$14.99 New Zealand RRP:$16.99 In every school library you will have those kids who will borrow every dog book you have – often, many times over. This is one that will be a great little resource for those who are getting their first doggo, who want…

  • Because of Winn-Dixie – Kate diCamillo

    Walker Books Australia February 2022 ISBN13:9781536214352 Imprint: Candlewick Press Australia RRP:$14.99 New Zealand RRP:$17.99 Awards Alabama Camellia Children’s Choice Book Award Arkansas Charlie May Simon Award Bank Street College Josette Frank Award for Fiction California Young Reader Medal Children’s Librarians of Dover, NH Cochecho Readers’ Award Delaware Library Association Blue Hen Award Florida Sunshine State…

  • Woof for Walker Books!

    When the lovely folks at Walker sent me Scout and the Rescue Dogs we had a little confab about dog books, and they very kindly sent me a parcel of these to share with you all. We all know how much kiddos love a good dog book! So stay posted over the next few days…

  • For the Tiny Humans

    Find Spot: an Australian Adventure Penguin Australia July 2023 Your littlest people will love this colourful new board book with a fresh Spot adventure, especially as it’s set in Australia. Mum, Dad and Spot are camping and as they explore billabong and surrounds, they encounter some lovely Australian wildlife like an echidna, thorny devil, bats…

  • Walking in Gagudju Country: exploring the monsoon forest – Diane Lucas, Ben Tyler and Emma Long

    Allen & Unwin June 2021 ISBN:9781760525958 Awards: Publisher:A&U Children’s Imprint:A & U Children RRP: $29.99 There would be few of us in school library land who have not used Walking with the Seasons in Kakadu as part of our teaching program with lower grades, as they learn about weather and seasonal calendars. Now we can…

  • Reaching Through Time – Shauna Bostock

    Allen & Unwin July 2023 ISBN: 9781761067983 RRP: $34.99 I’ve been reading this over the past week and I have to tell you, this book will just blow you away. As you might expect, I know a bit about the dispossession, the brutal treatment, the attempted eradication of language and culture, the eugenics that were…

  • NAIDOC Week 2023

    National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia in the first week of July each year (Sunday to Sunday), to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of…