Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • I am Out with Lanterns – Emily Gale

    Penguin Random House 9780143782766 July 30, 2018 Random House Australia Children’s RRP $17.99 One of us is in the dark.  One of us is a bully. One of us wants to be understood. One of us loves a girl who loves another. One of us remembers the past as if it just happened. One of…

  • House of Dreams: The Life of L. M. Montgomery –  Liz Rosenberg. Illustrated by Julie Morstad

    Walker Books Australia ISBN: 9780763660574 Imprint: Candlewick Release Date: August 1, 2018 Australian RRP: $19.99 New Zealand RRP: $22.99 This year marks the 110th anniversary of the publication of Anne of Green Gables and what more fitting way to celebrate the author who brought so many thousands of readers such a memorable cast of characters than a brand new biography.…

  • The Girls’ Guide to Growing Up Great: Changing Bodies, Periods, Relationships, Life Online

    –  Sophie Elkan with Laura Chaisty & Dr Maddy Podichetty. Illustrated by Flo Perry Bloomsbury Australia June 2018 Imprint: Green Tree ISBN 978147294374 RRP $22.99 Navigating through puberty is no easy ask and often it seems tweens heading into teens can be quite overwhelmed despite all intentions to help them be informed and comfortable. For…

  • The Peski Kids #1: The Mystery of the Squashed Cockroach – R. A. Spratt

    Penguin Random House 9780143788812 July 30, 2018 Puffin   $16.99   There were many sad faces in my library when I reported that the Friday Barnes series had come to an end (including mine) but there was the consolation that R. A. Spratt was working on a new series. And here it is! And it’s…

  • Mr Bambuckle’s Remarkables #4: Go Wild – Tim Harris

    Penguin Random House 9780143789024 September 3, 2018 Random House Australia Children’s RRP : $14.99   Being curled up and cosy with a steaming cup of Himalayan tea – what could be better? If you have the new adventure of Mr B and 12B to make you laugh, of course. The class camp is going to…

  • At the End of Holyrood Lane – Dimity Powell/Nicky Johnson

    Harper Collins Australia ISBN: 9781925335767 ISBN 10: 1925335763 Imprint: Exisle Kids Publishing – NZ On Sale: 20/08/2018 List Price: 24.99 AUD   Just before Miss Small (who really is no longer small!) came to live with me, she was absolutely petrified of storms. She would watch the sky anxiously and literally quiver with fear. While I guessed that this was…

  • Kensy and Max #2: Disappearing Act – Jacqueline Harvey

    Penguin Random House 9780143780632 September 3, 2018 Random House Australia Children’s RRP: $16.99   Twins Kensy and Max are back in another absolutely cracking adventure, which will delight the readers of this new series. The pair has had some time to adjust themselves to their new life as part of the important Pharos organisation, headed…

  • Backyard – Ananda Braxton-Smith & Lizzy Newcomb

    Walker Books Australia ISBN: 9781925381177 Imprint: Black Dog Books Release Date: August 1, 2018 Australian RRP: $24.99 New Zealand RRP: $27.99 As educators we are always seeking new ways to switch on our youngsters to awareness and a responsibility towards the environment and we sometimes overlook the smaller picture for the larger. This book with its focus on the amazing…

  • Maya & Cat – Caroline Magerl

    Walker Books Australia ISBN: 9781921977282 Release Date: August 1, 2018 Australian RRP: $24.99 New Zealand RRP: $27.99 Throughout our college and certainly in my library at present we are having a great focus on kindness and empathy. With my little people I am using a range of picture books which offer this theme that also feature animals as this…

  • Other Worlds #3 & #4 – George Ivanoff

      Penguin Random House RRP $14.99 #3 Game World 9780143786238 May 28, 2018 Random House Australia Children’s   George’s new series will be just as popular as his previous offerings I predict and this one particularly is clearly going to have huge appeal to the ‘gamers’ in your reading audience. Hall is not very special…