Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Clementine’s Christmas- Annie White

    New South Books New Frontier October 2024 9781923145061 / AUD$26.99, NZD$32.99 Not so long ago I had the pleasure of seeing Annie’s skill with dogs in Julie Murphy’s Dog Beach and now she brings her popular canine character, Clementine, back for a humorous Christmas romp that your Smalls will enjoy greatly. The narrative is an easy and…

  • The Christmas Garden – Caroline Tuohey. Illustrated by Sandra Severgnini

    A Little Pink Dog Books Publication Exisle Publishing ISBN 9780648256342 2019 RRP; $24.99 For whatever reason, I had never seen this charmer until Sandra Severgnini brought it to my attention a week or so ago (so thank you Little Pink Dog for sending it to me). With echoes of the magic imbued in Samuel Clement…

  • The Brightest Christmas Star – Laura Motherway and Deb Hudson

    Hachette Australia Aug 2024 | 9780734423085 | RRP $19.99 Imprint: Lothian Children’s Books One thing we educators endeavour to instil in our Smalls is that, despite differences – whether race, colour, creed, culture etc – we all have commonalities. And for those little ones it is simple things that underline this concept. We all smile. We all play. We…

  • Cozy Christmas – Coco Wyo

    Penguin Australia If you’ve grabbed Warning! These Jokes Will Annoy Everyone You Know to keep a bigger one occupied, while everyone snoozes post Xmas-lunch Christmas, and you need something for a Small, this is really cute and would suit any age from around 3/4 upwards. Put some chunky crayons or some new pencils or –…

  • Jingle Belly – Jacinta Froud. Illustrated by Gabriella Petruso.

    Distributed by Simon & Schuster Imprint: Larrikin House 2021 I know it’s not ‘new’ but it’s new to me. I hadn’t seen it previously and, very kindly, author Jacinta Froud sent me this copy (as well as a couple of others which I’ll post after my Xmas/NY break). Pets are notorious for their creating a…

  • Socks: a Kid’s Christmas Lament – JD McPherson Anika Orrock

    Walker Books Australia Imprint: Walker Books US October 2024 ISBN13:9781536237023 Australia RRP:$19.99 New Zealand RRP:$24.99 Unsurprisingly, I’d not heard of this American singer/songwriter but apparently he’s a big hit in the world of blues/roots. His Christmas album, Socks, was highly praised by Rolling Stone magazine. Now the lyrics have been presented in a picture book…

  • Mr Santa – Jarvis

    Walker Books Australia October 2024 ISBN13:9781529511574 Australia RRP:$24.99 New Zealand RRP:$27.99 Yep, we’ve all known those kids who have a seemingly endless supply of questions and this little person has many for Santa, when she catches him delivering gifts. Mr Santa, want to hear me play? Do the reindeer talk? And can I ride your sleigh? When…

  • Merry Christmas, Little Wombat! Charles Fuge

    Walker Books Australia October 2024 ISBN13:9781760655105 Australia RRP:$19.99 New Zealand RRP:$24.99 This is a super-cute book from a well-established author/illustrator with great credentials. I am the first to say I don’t really know his work though I do recognise Little Wombat. I need to say this first and get it out of the way. A…

  • The Completely Chaotic Christmas of Lottie Brooks – Katie Kirby

    Penguin Books Australia Somehow or other, I have completely missed Lottie Brooks until now but I’m glad we have met. I found this quite hilarious and can easily see why this series has been so popular with tweens. It’s reminiscent of the likes of Wimpy Kid or Tom Weekly but more like an older Clarice…

  • Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Sleigh – Mo Willems

    Walker Books Australia September 2024 ISBN13:9781760659813 Australia RRP:$19.99 New Zealand RRP:$24.99 Santa leaves his sleigh to wrap presents and the reader is left in charge with the strict instruction of “Don’t let the Pigeon drive the sleigh!”. Well, we all know what sort of capers the Pigeon gets up to when he’s trying to get…