Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • It’s a Twin Thing – Kristin Darell. Illustrated by A. Yi.4

    Penguin Australia I think it is hard to imagine what it would be like being a twin, especially an identical one, if you’re not one- or perhaps that’s just me. I have taught twins so identical that only one little freckle was the distinguishing feature between the two and they were very alike in personality…

  • The Tinysaurs – Sally Odgers. Adele K. Thomas

    Scholastic Australia February 2026 9781761528576 RRP: $16.99 Cute poster for your library or just for fun All your Smalls who have adored Pearl and friends, are going to lap this up like a cat with a saucer of cream. It’s cute and it’s colourful and it’s really cleverly engaging with a twist on many ideas.…

  • A Light on the Rocks – Helen Edwards

    I’ve quickly come to realise that Helen’s historical novels are impeccably researched and completely engrossing, so much so that it is not just your young readers who will enjoy them, but also adults. As I have mentioned previously I, for one, didn’t know much about Adelaide’s or South Australia’s history, certainly not as a child,…

  • Which Way to the Future – Cressida Cowell

    Hachette Australia Oct 2025 | 9781444982398 | RRP $22.99 Preorder the P/B: Apr 7, 2026 | 9781444979435 | RRP $17.99 SO much fun to be back with the most famous starwalker, bounty hunter and Story Maker, Horizabel the Grimm, along with O’Hero-Smith children for another intergalactic, totally bonkers adventure. Cressida Cowell’s Which Way series is every bit as exciting, dramatic, crazy and fun…

  • Going for Pippies – Wilaaran Laurie. Illustrated by Tori-Jay Mordey.

    Publisher: Magabala Books Distributor: Hachette Australia Sep 2025 | 9781922864147 | RRP $27.99 And last, but not least, in this round of beautiful First Nations titles is yet again a family story, including grandparent, by the sea although wayyyyy over this side of the country, in northern NSW. This family is having a mob day out to collect and…

  • Going Fishing with Nana – Frances and Lindsay Haji-Ali. Karen Briggs.

    Publisher: Magabala Books Distributor: Hachette Oct 14, 2025 | 9781922864048 | RRP $27.99 We’re staying with the sea, long trips and grandparents for this one with the setting switched to the far north of the Kimberley region, and a little place called Wyndham. When the authors lived in Broome, there were regular visits to Wyndham with their children, to…

  • Bapa’s Last Canoe – Maree McCarthy Yoelu, Samanta Campbell

    Publisher: Magabala Books Distributor: Hachette Oct 14, 2025 | 9781922777775 | RRP $27.99 For many of our kiddos, the very idea of going far away from home to go to school is a strange concept. But then, so is a journey by dug-out canoe taking months to say goodbye to family and friends, before going to the big smoke…

  • Turbo Turtle: Scales and Tails #4- Gregg Dreise

    Magabala Books Hachette Australia November 2025 | 9781922864109 | RRP $27.99 A new Gregg Dreise book is always a delight- just like the man himself and this one, in the Scales and Tails sequence, is not only a significant story handed down to Gregg from his uncle, but references the Stolen Generation, providing an opportunity to introduce this topic…

  • An unplanned blog break…

    The collective reeling of shock over the past few days has brought out many comments. I’ve shared mine, at times with force, especially at the ignorant or disingenous people bleating ‘innocent till proven guilty’ and ‘art is separate to artist’ and ‘maybe the police got it wrong’ and ‘I’ve edited my collection policy’ (that one!!…

  • So long 2025 – that’s a wrap

    It certainly flew by! But what a great year it’s been. Of course, there were a few bumps but overall, for both The Kid and I, it’s been a very happy, productive and busy year filled with much love and laughter. The Kid has been finding her feet as an employed adult and, after a…