Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe


  • The Thing About Christmas – Jo Dabrowski/Briony Stewart

    Little Book Press September 2025 Simon & Schuster ISBN13: 9781923141407 RRP: LIST PRICE: AU$ 24.99 / NZ$ 29.99 The thing about Christmas is that it is an intensely individual festival for each and every person and family. This book is a sublime insight into that concept. Once upon a time, in my family our Christmas…

  • Christmas Past: 1961 – Australian Women’s Weekly

    Some months ago I found, at our favourite op shop, a stash of vintage Women’s Weekly magazines [reminds me of Sister Poppy saying that LOL]and though they were not cheap, I bought this one so I could share it for this year’s countdown. What a revelation it has been to get a glimpse of the…

  • Slight interruption to Xmas programming…

    Just a tad excited to get proof layouts yesterday of the next four reader-style books I’ve written for the American publishing company. I know so much more about jet fighters than I ever did before!!! But the design team have done a great job. Actually all I’ve seen of their books for kids are excellent…

  • Holiday Helper – Kristin Haynes. Art by Anna Thompson

    Published by Kristin Haynes December 2025 It’s never any fun feeling left out and just as kiddos very often want to be part of the action and ‘help’, so does Hendrix want to be involved in the family Xmas preparations. But, nobody seems to want or need him. Mum is busy with lists and lights,…

  • The Flight of the Drakkonbarq- Sarah Giddy

    Riveted Press October 2025 Simon & Schuster ISBN13: 9781764007146 LIST PRICE: AU$ 18.99 / NZ$ 19.99 Here’s another gift suggestion for an astute reader from about 10 years upwards. You could get a small sense of this book from the blurb, which has probably been rehashed by at least one reviewer, but it truly needs…

  • Christmas Time! Aussie Baby’s First Words- Tom Jellett

    Allen & Unwin September 2025 ISBN:9781761181900 Publisher:A&U Children’s Imprint:A & U Children RRP: $12.99 There’s a whole series of these: Dinner Time! Bath Time! Bed Time!, just perfect for the Smallest in your circle and, of course, a perfect stocking stuffer for a newborn human. This cutie little board book has got some Xmas vocab…

  • Bluey Christmas Little Library

    Penguin Australia Christmas Eve. Christmas Day. Christmas Food. Hooray Presents!! I do love these little libraries because I think for little hands which love to hold and turn the pages these are perfect. They are all really super cute! I love the idea of Verandah Santa and it’s so fun to see the whole family…

  • Just a Dog (new edition): Michael Gerard Bauer

    Scholastic Australia November 2025 9781761127816 $15.99 Xmas gift for middle grade kiddos It’s been a while – 2011, we first met Mister Mosely and since then his award-winning fame has travelled the world, and it was a joy to re-visit his gentle nature, his quirky adventures, and his family. We know how much the kiddos…

  • Bluey: Big Pop-up Book

    Penguin Australia This one is another big and bold and very simple one. There are five pop-ups each telling its own little story. From fairies in the garden to playtime at the creek. Each pop-up scene is a double spread, as you can see with a couple of lift-the-flaps for extra fun. LOVE the pesky…

  • Bluey: Bartlebee’s First Christmas

    Penguin Australia So in the tiny board book Hooray Presents! we saw Bluey get a mini Heeler toy. Meet Bartlebee! Bluey is enchanted with this new friend and hurls him straight into all the family Christmas shenanigans including Classic Catches in the pool and being licked ‘hello’ by Socks. Bartlebee is baffled to say the…