Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • City of Clouds – Kiah Thomas

    Harper Collins Australia September 2026 ISBN: 9781460769645 RRP: $16.99 This new stand-alone fantasy from Kiah Thomas will have middle-grade readers completely absorbed. With a truly evil villain, a mysterious and seemingly contradictory imp, a long-standing curse and two young people from very different social stations, there is plenty with which to engage. With a lust…

  • Kids Book Review problem

    As many of you know I am also Senior Editor for Kids Book Review – please note a slight hiccup with our platform currently being sorted – one way or another. It would be so helpful if you could share this information with relevant people. I’m crushed to report that our Kids’ Book Review website…

  • Meb Ata: Grandfather Moon – Merwez Whaleboat. Illustrated by Sharon Phineasa

    Aboriginal Studies Press New South Books Merwez Whaleboat, illustrated by Sharon Phineasa 9781922752239 October 2026 AUD$27.95, NZD$32.99 Just absolutely wow! I knew this looked like it would be beautiful and it’s another Torres Strait book so was always going to be on my request list but truly, seeing it for real, is just the most…

  • Forbidden Pages: The 113th Assistant Librarian #3 – Stuart Wilson.

    Penguin Australia October 2026 ISBN: 9781761356612 Imprint: Penguin RRP: $19.99 Oh, how I love this series – because, you know, libraries! On that note I’m going to digress a bit before I get to review of this terrific new instalment. But you’ll need to go my substack to read it because this wasn’t the place…

  • Happy 70th in Vanuatu

    If you’re interested to read about our trip last week, you can check out a summary on my substack.

  • More Claris …ᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷ!! – Megan Hess

    Hachette Australia I’ve often commented on my love of a great ‘mouse’ book and they don’t get much better or prettier than Claris. These books are such a reflection of Megan Hess’ exquisite sense of fashion and her excellent eye for elegant aesthetics and the stories so enjoyable for your Smalls. What a gorgeous gift…

  • The Mystery of Colour: and how we solved it – David Coles. Illustrator – Margaux Samson-Abadie

    Thames & Hudson Publisher: Thames and Hudson (Australia) Pty Ltd August 2026 ISBN13: 9781760765422 RRP: $34.99 When you have a young adult who is keenly interested in colour theory living in your house, your world really is full of colour. And this exciting book from David Coles brought great joy and interest to us both.…

  • Quokka Finds a Friend – Katie Stewart

    Fremantle Press August 2026 ISBN: 9781760997793 RRP: $24.99 There is absolutely no doubt that quokkas are pretty much top of our list of Australian native animals most likely to entice tourists from around the world to visit. Yes, the koalas, the wallabies, the echidnas and platypuses, the elusive rakalis and the shy sugar gliders and…

  • The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane: Deluxe Collector’s Edition – Kate diCamillo. Illustrator: Bagram Ibatoulline

    Walker Books Australia Imprint: Candlewick October 2026 ISBN13:9781536253108 Australia RRP:$27.99 New Zealand RRP:$29.99 When I first read that this was on its way on Kate’s social media, I was thrilled. When I found out that a copy was coming my way, I was even more excited and when it arrived yesterday (28/9) I was absolutely…

  • The Garden of Lost Girls- A. L. Tait

    Scholastic Australia September 2026 ISBN: 9781761729485 RRP: $18.99 Anyone who knows me also knows my obsession with cosy murder/mystery stories. This new one caters to a younger readership of middle grade – think Year 6 upwards – straddling a gap often in this genre. Sam and his cousins, Archie and Grace, have grown up with…