Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Return of the Dinosaurs _- Bronwyn Houston Magabala Books November 2016 ISBN:9781925360370 RRP $17.99 Over the years as a teacher-librarian I’ve probably lost count of the number of dinosaur books, both factual and fictional, I’ve seen or read or bought or circulated. This is the first one I have ever seen which incorporates an awareness…

  • Happy Holidays for Everyone (especially parents!)

    Here in Queensland, the independent schools broke up over a week ago and the state schools finished up last Friday. I can guarantee that there are already kids complaining about being bored!  Any of these will stop them in their tracks.   The Arty Book – Nikalas Catlow, David Sinden Bloomsbury September 2016 ISBN: 9781408870662 Imprint:…

  • Series-ly Super Stocking Stuffers

    We all know that there are many of our children who absolutely eat up their favourite series. And what a way to keep them hooked on reading! I’ve had a stack of new episodes come in recently so thought I would run through them all for your stocking filling information. Not in any particular order…

  • Chronologica: the Incredible Years that Defined History – compiled by the Whitaker’s Almanack team

    Allen & Unwin Australia Imprint; Bloomsbury ISBN 9781472932945 December 2016 RRP $ 34.99 This is exactly the kind of book I would have loved as a rather nerdy child. I had quite the obsession with books of ‘general knowledge’ and random facts and perused them for hours.  Clearly, why I love trivia competitions so much…

  • Christmas is Coming…

    And it would always be incomplete without The Nutcracker. Two beautiful new books celebrate 200 years since the first publication of Hoffman’s story and the exquisite 1954 rendition of the ballet from George Balanchine for the New York City Ballet. The Nutcracker – Ernst Theodor Amadeus Hoffmann Illustrated by Robert Ingpen Walker Books ISBN: 9781922244550 Imprint: Walker Books…

  • Peggy and Me – Miranda Hart

    Hachette Australia ISBN: 9781444769135 Publication date: 11 Oct 2016 Page count: Imprint: Hodder & Stoughton   Many readers will be familiar with Miranda Hart’s work as a comedic actress; appearances in Absolutely Fabulous, Smack the Pony and of course, Call the Midwife and her own self-titled sitcom Miranda. She had long been more a cat person than a…

  • One Woman’s War and Peace: a nurse’s journey in the Royal Australian Air Force – Wing Commander Sharon Bown (Ret’d)

    Exisle Publishing Hourglass Imprint September 2016 ISBN 9781925335316 RRP $29.99   Many of you will already know that I’m an advocate for Mighty Girls, particularly now that I’m raising Miss Small after the untimely death of her mum, my Jennifer. This is the memoir of a true Australian Mighty Girl and is riveting reading. My…

  • Jinny & Cooper – Tania Ingram

    Penguin Random House 9780143308751 February 1, 2016   $14.99 This is my first taste of the Jinny & Cooper series but it certainly won’t be my last! And it’s already on my ‘read aloud’ list for Miss Small, my library and relief teaching days! When Tania’s young daughter first asked her to write about a…

  • Australia Illustrated – Tania McCartney

    Exisle Publishing November 2016 ISBN 9781925335217 RRP $29.99   Five years ago while the teacher-librarian at Red Hill Primary, Canberra, I invited a local author about whom I had heard good things to come on an author visit to talk about her popular ‘Riley’ picture books.  Elegant Tania McCartney walked into my library and we…

  • The Crayons’ Book of Numbers – Drew Daywalt/Oliver Jeffers Harper Collins

    Harper Collins ISBN:9780008212865 ISBN 10: 0008212864 Imprint: HarperCollins – GB On Sale: 24/10/2016 RRp $14.99   Since the first appearance of the ‘Crayons’ they have been very firm favourites with readers of all ages but of course, especially little people. This delightful board book is a great introduction to these colourful personalities particularly for the tiniest of book-lovers.…