Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe


  • Mad Magpie – Gregg Dreise

      Magabala Books May 2016 ISBN 9781925360066 RRP $24.99 Once again Sunshine Coast author and illustrator Gregg Dreise has produced a sumptuous and vibrant take on traditional Aboriginal morality tales. Continuing with his series featuring birdlife Mad Magpie follows a theme of bullying and resilience. Drawing on inspiration from his Elders Gregg relates the story…

  • Calling out -Aspiring Indigenous Writers/Storytellers/Illustrators

    Magabala Books 1 hr · Are you an aspiring Indigenous writer, storyteller and or illustrator who wants to progress your professional development? Our Australian Indigenous Creator Scholarships might just be what you’re looking for. Get your application in for 2016 now. Submissions close 15th July. Apply for our Australian Indigenous Creator Scholarships | Magabala Books…

  • My Life & Other Exploding Chickens – Tristan Bancks. Illustrations by Gus Gordon.

    ISBN: 9780857985316 Published: 01/03/2016 Imprint: Random House Australia Children’s RRP $15.99 Ok so Tristan’s My Life.. books should come with a warning about snorting aloud. Tom Weeks is back with his brand of bizarre daily life to make readers laugh out loud. Tom’s invitation to go to the circus with the love of his life Sasha is exhilarating…

  • The Other Side of Summer – Emily Gale

    ISBN: 9780143780113 Published: 30/05/2016 Imprint: Random House Australia Children’s – RRP $16.99 Sometimes a book strikes such a personal chord with you that you are almost mesmerised by it from the first. My own family’s grief over the loss of my youngest daughter last year has wrought such changes in our dynamic that at times it feels hard…

  • How to Stop an Alien Invasion Using Shakespeare – Nick Falk & Tony Flowers

    ISBN: 9780143780328 Published: 28/03/2016 Imprint: Random House Australia Children’s   RRP $14.99 Hast thou ever feared the imminent arrival of strange googly-eyed alien monsters? Dost thou fret over total destruction of the known world by hideous extra-terrestrials of extraordinary ugliness? You may rest assured that the solution is at hand. Join Sid, his little sister Wendy and evil-genius…

  • The Lost Sapphire – Belinda Murrell

    ISBN: 9781925324112 Published: 16/05/2016 Imprint: Random House Australia Children’s RRP $17.99 Once again Belinda Murrell has set her readers’ feet upon a path to the past with an ease that is breathtaking. When Marli’s mother has to go overseas for work for several months, the teenager is sent to stay with her estranged father in Melbourne, doing so…

  • Captain Pug: The Dog Who Sailed the Seas – Laura James/Eglantine Ceulemans

    Allen & Unwin Australia Published: 01-06-2016 Format: Paperback Edition: 1st Extent: 128 ISBN: 9781408866368 Imprint: Bloomsbury Childrens   RRP $12.99 I told you didn’t I – pugs are the rage! And this pug is every bit as cute as the real thing! Pug is the jam-tart eating companion of Lady Miranda who is a freckled…

  • Marmaduke the Very Popular Dragon – Rachel Valentine/Ed Eaves

      Marmaduke the Very Popular Dragon – Rachel Valentine/Ed Eaves ISBN:9781408862667 Publisher:Bloomsbury Imprint:Bloomsbury Child Pub Date:June 2016   There would be very few children – or indeed adults – who have not been in the same position as Marmaduke at some time. Marmaduke and Meg are the very best of friends and the envy of…

  • Behind and running to catch up……..

    Have got several reviews to write – but have a family crisis happening – which involves a small person whose mummy is in hospital so Gran is being a working mum and juggling a whole heap of *stuff*!!! Maybe on the weekend…………Thank you to new followers – I promise I will catch up asap!!

  • Sea Dog – Claire Saxby/Tom Jellet

    June 1st 2013         Random House Australia                           ISBN13: 9781742756509 With impeccable timing this delightful picture book arrived in my review parcel just as Small and I were impatiently awaiting the arrival of one small black toy poodle (anything better than being with Gran? Yes, being with Gran AND a lively little pup!). We pounced on…