Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Rain Stones: 35th Anniversary Edition – Jackie French

    Harper Collins Australia March 2026 ISBN: 9781460768808 ISBN 10: 1460768809 Imprint: HarperCollins AU List Price: 17.99 AUD When I opened this package a couple of days ago, there was a sharp intake of breath and a gasp of ’35 years! that can’t be right surely!’ but, of course it’s right. And over the course of 25ish years in school…

  • What Do You Call Your Mum? – Ashleigh Barton. Martina Heiduczek.

    Harper Collins Australia February 2026 The winning combo of Ashleigh and Martina continue their fab collab with another What Do You Call Your… title, this one for all the mums. I love these easy introductions to exploring other cultures and countries, combining geography and social traditions into one engaging expo. In this one Ashleigh includes…

  • Ella and the Mystery of the Missing Frogs – Cassy Polimeni. Illustrated by Hykie Breeze.

    UWA Publishing Distributed by Simon & Schuster March 2026 #3 in the Ella’s froggy series is another engaging read for those early chapter books readers in your circle – the ones who are growing more confident with their sustained reading. Each of these charmers has presented a narrative to which kids will relate and make…

  • I’d Rather Be a Shark – Philip & Laura Bunting

    The Buntings have done it again with an uproariously look at ‘what if…’ when a child is fed up with having to use their manners, or being kind to everyone and taking turns, smiling sweetly and, as for sharing – phooey! What if….one salty kid could transform into a salty, snapping toothy SHARK! That would…

  • The Prime Minister Problem – Brenton Cullen

    Riveted Press April 2026 Dist: Simon & Schuster ISBN13: 9781764256728 RRP: AU$ 17.99 / NZ$ 19.99 Brenton Cullen’s debut novel is a terrific read for middle-grade. This young man has been a keen writer since childhood and is now making his dream of writing professionally come true. And what a great start this is! It’s…

  • What’s That? Australian Sharks, Rays and Skates – Myke Mollard

    Woodslane Press March 2026 ISBN: 9781923350151 RRP: $24.99 Once again Myke Mollard brings his passion for the natural world and, especially, our own Australian animals to young readers in an informative, engaging and entertaining format. Sharks have been very much in the news again over summer and I, for one, have been well-pleased at the number…

  • The Man From Snowy River: Australian Classics for Little Ones Banjo- Paterson/Cate James. llustrated by Cate James.

    Penguin Australia April 2026 I will be the first to say that at first sight I thought – ummm, how is this going to work? But you know what? Somehow it does. Taking lines from the poem as a cue on each page the text is combined with a background colour and a number, so:…

  • Books in Homes

    Yesterday I did my first gig for Books in Homes, which is just such a fantastic initiative to promote a love of books and reading to kiddos. I went to Carole Park SS and while it was a mission to get there, what a delightful little school it is. Their student leaders were fabulous and…

  • More School of Monsters – Sally Rippin. Chris Kennett.

    Hardie Grant February 2026 Price:AU$11.99, NZ$13.99 Series:School of Monsters Publisher:Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing Drake’s Silly Sneezes ISBN:9781761213557 Snell’s Show and Tell ISBN:9781761213540 Huzzah! School of Monsters has two more fun titles to add to your collection for those Smalls who are so excitedly embarking on their independent reading journeys. This series is so far removed…

  • The 21st party is over…

    Three months in the actual planning, the guest of honour rolling her eyes throughout the entire process but it happened on Saturday 21st March – everyone enjoyed themselves greatly, even The Kid. 24th is the actual big day. I’m so proud of this girl and I know her mother would be as well. Highlights: her…