Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Over or Under – Pip Harry & Hilary Jean Tapper

    Hachette Australia Oct 30, 2024 | 9780734421807 | RRP $24.99 Imprint: Lothian Books I’m jumping waves at the beach with Dad.If they’re small I can leap over their frothy peaks.Easy!But further out, when they’re big, you have to duck dive under. We are always looking for ways in which to encourage our Smalls to be brave and take risks…

  • The Boab Tree – Helen Milroy

    Fremantle Press October 2024 ISBN: 9781760994631 RRP: $24.99 Once again Helen Milroy brings together many threads into a modern fable that echoes traditional Dreaming stories. When it is time for baby Boab to drop down to earth and begin his own life and family, his plummet is interrupted by a passing eagle, who swoops by directly…

  • Good Gnus – Phil Cummings & Daron Parton

    Scholastic 9781761203206 RRP: $18.99 I’m pretty confident when I say that anyone who knows me – even a little – will tell you I’m a pun person. I love punning. Some might call it a low form of humour. Personally I think fart jokes are lower. This is so much fun – and punny! As…

  • How Do I Know if my Body is Upside Down? (and other things my body knows) – Idan Ben-Barak and Zahra Zainal

    Scholastic Australia August 2024 ISBN: 9781761121371 ISBN-10: 1761121375 RRP: $19.99 For those endless questioners, Idan Ben-Barak is heaven sent. He is always able to zone in on exactly what kids want to know about from the small questions to the big ones. And this is another fun book with plenty of answers to those never-ending queries. Focusing…

  • Extinctopedia – Serenella Quarello. Illustrated by Alessio Alcini. Translated by Margaret Greenan.

    NMA March 2024ISBN: 9781636550725Publisher: Red Comet PressRRP: $40.00 I’ve seen some amazingly wonderful animal books this year, and this is another one. Admittedly, it has been waiting its turn in the PB tub for quite some time but it really is a stunning work of art. It’s one of those big books that kids will…

  • Like a Gannet – Kirsten Ealand. Illustrated by Deb Hudson.

    Windy Hollow Books 9781922081094 / October 2024 /AUD$29.95, NZD$34.99 Are you looking for a cute-as-pie book that will also help you encourage your Smalls – or singular Small – to overcome their fear so that they can try something new and achieve a goal they hold dear. Just like Francie who can swim like a little fish. In…

  • Bugs in the Spotlight

    Given the recent bug books I thought perhaps you might like to know about Minibeast Wildlife. This is where we used to buy The Kid’s mini-zoo creatures. We first discovered them not long after K came to live with me and I took her to Cairns for a few days, about a month after her…

  • The Bug Book – Tania Ingram. Illustrated by Lucinda Gifford.

    Affirm Press Imprint: Little Book Press October 2024 ISBN 9781923141155 RRP: $24.99 If this isn’t the cutest introduction to the world of mini-beasts!!! When Tania had talked about this one during its inception, I knew it was going to be fun but I had no clue that it was going to be as adorable as…

  • Slug Life- Moesha Kellaway

    Harper Collins Australia ‘Bug’ books, that is books about mini-beasts seem to be very on trend this year and I, for one, am greatly enjoying that. Having had The Kid raising tiny critters such as stick insects in her zoo days, we are pretty chill about our small wildlife. In fact, we both get very…

  • Pollinators Week 2024

    Just in time for Pollinators Week, I have two smashing picture books about the critters who, realistically, feed us. If it wasn’t for their pollination what would grow? Why not see how you can help out our hard workers by visiting the Australian Pollinators Week website? You’ll find heaps of events along with resources like…