Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Running in Circles – Shivaun Plozza

    UQP April 2026 ISBN 9780702271045 RRP: $17.99 It’s quite amazing, even after fourteen years of doing this reviewing thing, how there will be batches of books all with really similar themes for similar ages. It’s like some pervasive mist in the air inspired so many authors to independently come up with quite similar storylines. And…

  • Little Lunch for Littles

    Walker Books Australia August 2026 Australia RRP:$15.99 New Zealand RRP:$17.99 When The Kid was a little ‘un, and honestly – whether she was around or not – the Little Lunch series on ABC was always entertaining. I defy anyone who has taught primary kids to not identify repeatedly with the crew of diverse children as…

  • Review from School Library Journal – April 2026

  • The Boy Who Drew Cats- Lafcadio Hearn: a Japanese folktale. Illustratedby Anita Kreituse.

    New South Books Publisher: Tuttle 9780804859561/May 2026/AUD$29.99 I had never heard of Lafcadio Hearn but now that I’ve gone down some wormholes finding out more about him [here’s one article but many more to be found], surely this is a man with an extraordinary life story. And while I have both studied and taught Japanese…

  • A little excitement……

    Seeing my new books up and flying on the publisher’s website for their autumn release….along with last year’s release of The Roulettes

  • You, Me, Community – Zanni Louise. Tony Flowers.

    Walker Books Australia August 2026 ISBN13:9781760658076 Australia RRP:$25.99 New Zealand RRP:$27.99 Isn’t it a joy when you pick up a picture book in which the text and illustrations are exactly right? From the adorable endpapers and right throughout, this gentle and very pertinent rhyming text, both Smalls and Not-So-Smalls will love both the book and…

  • Football: Horrible Histories – Terry Deary. Illustrated by Martin Brown.

    All about the gruesome game – this book is a real keeper! Scholastic Australia ISBN: 9780702344800 ISBN-10: 070234480X Series: Horrible Histories May 2026 RRP: $21.99 It’s not called the World Game for nothing and while I’m not a fan myself, I not only have friends who are but have seen the enthusiasm of the kiddos I’ve taught, particularly…

  • Find Me in the Forest – Jess McGeachin

    Hachette Australia July 2026 Imprint: Lothian Children’s Books ISBN: 9780734423849 RRP $29.99 If you thought Jess’ Find Me on the Coast was beautiful, just wait till you see this one! Of course, The Kid and I love both the coast and the forests – we live beside the sea but spend time bushwalking through forest…

  • Who knew where it would lead?

    A completely off-the-cuff comment to Pat while we were both at a conference (me in my corporate role at that time) and now, here we are…….reviewing has brought such a richness to my life, not just in a professional sense as I was already a voracious reader but adding depth to my knowledge, widening my…

  • Fake News and How to Spot It – Holly Bathie & Alex Firth

    Harper Collins Australia June 2026 ISBN: 9781836040606 ISBN-10: 1836040601 Series: Usborne Life Skills Publisher: Usborne This is a terrific adjunct to any digital literacy program or unit as well as being both interesting and informative for digi-curious kiddos. Of course, I also think that there is a plethora of adults who could well benefit from reading it: from the…