Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • The Rainbow Egg: The Tinysaurs #2 – Sally Odgers. Illustrated by Adele K. Thomas

    Scholastic Australia July 2026 ISBN: 9781761723858 ISBN-10: 1761723855 RRP: $14.99 The cutie-pie Tinysaurs are back for their second adventure and this one gets even cuter than the first. Much like Redcliffe for the past month, the Tinysaurs are quite fed up with the endless rain and are very happy to see a magnificent rainbow arching overheard. Surely…

  • Nanny Tobbins and the Midnight Plan – Lucie Stevens

    Harper Collins Australia May 2026 ISBN: 9781460766538 RRP; $18.99 Nanny Tobbins #1 was great fun and liberally laced with solid historical references. Now #2 continues the fantasy six months on with Bertie once again finding herself in the midst of misadventure. The Great Exhibition is over and as the remaining displays and exhibits are packed…

  • The Stolen Bairn – Katrina Macdonald Roe

    Riveted Press Distributed by Simon & Schuster May 2026 ISBN13: 9781764256773 LIST PRICE: AU$ 17.99 / NZ$ 19.99 The gorgeous cover and enticing title bespeak the thoroughly engaging nature of this fantasy faerie tale from newcomer Katrina Macdonald Roe [Fun Fact: while the Macdonald clans, in their variations, are now scattered all over the world,…

  • A Great Piratical Rumbustification

    Ok yes, we do know that pirates have been romanticised over the years and we also know that there are pirates in the modern world, including the ones in office politically but there is absolutely no denying that fictional pirates still hold a real fascination for readers both young and old. As it happens, three…

  • The Dream Keeper – Anna Walker

    Walker Books Australia May 2026 ISBN13:9781529520682 Australia RRP:$27.99 New Zealand RRP:$29.99 Anna’s books are always a symphony – the most recent I had seen was the beautiful Between last year – but a mere glimpse of the internals of this new one will re-affirm that notion. And this winsome, evocative and almost wordless new title…

  • Dangerous Days: Frances Bloom #2 – Katrina Nannestad. Illustrated by Marina Zlatanova.

    Harper Collins Australia April 2026 ISBN: 9781460718612 ISBN 10: 1460718615 Imprint: ABC Books AU List Price: 17.99 AUD Madcap Frances Bloom is back in her second adventure to delight your younger readers with some more nonsense and 8-year-old anarchy. Only a week or so after the dreadful Ms Thistle has been carted off to the Harsh Island for Unwanted…

  • Lily Tripp: Diary of an Accidental Time Traveller – Amelia Tait

    Hachette Australia Imprint: Starboard May 5, 2026 | 9781444931983 | RRP $16.99 Well yes, it is another ‘diary’ of a tween title but at least this one really does have a point of difference. Lily Tripp, aged almost 13, has developed an unfortunate ability. Several times now she has spontaneously time-travelled on New Year’s Eve. She’s been in ancient…

  • The Night Tiger – Sherryl Clark & Hannah Summerville

    Allen & Unwin March 2026 ISBN:9781760113421 Publisher:A&U Children’s Imprint:A & U Children When I was a kid I was one who was afraid of dark so I think a book that empowers Smalls to feel more comfortable with the nightime and embrace the magic of moonlight, stars and night creatures is a welcome addition to…

  • Pocket Potters-palooza: #4 and 5 – Professor Dumbledore & Luna Lovegood – J. K. Rowling

    Bloomsbury Australia Always excited when my ‘dealer’ comes good with more goodies to feed my addiction, which hasn’t waned one iota in over 25 years now. Thank you, Sonia! Professor Dumbledore Illustrated by Paula Escobar February 2026 $17.99 ISBN 9781526685186 Imprint Bloomsbury Children’s Books You will have already seen the first three titles in this…

  • Medieval Monsters and Other Creatures – Timothy Ide

    Midnight Sun November 2023 ISBN 9781922858177 RRP $34.99 (hbk), When a talented friend sends you a wonderful gift, especially at a time when your spirits are so low, you can’t just accept it and nod your thanks. This technically is not a review but an expression of my real gratitude – as well as my…