Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • The Cats of Australia – Jodie Stewart

    Harper Collins Australia May 2026 This is one I’ve dipped in and out of, which was easy to do with distinctly different chapters like a mini-essay, and I have to say it’s been just a delight over the past few weeks to do so. Although I’ve happily owned both dogs and cats (not to mention…

  • Joey and the Junjardy – Allison Rocca. Illustrated by Brenton E. McKenna

    UQP June 2026 ISBN: 9780702271137 RRP: $17.99 I was already keen to read this one and when I started in and realised it is set in Wakka Wakka country, immediately felt a connection. My first teaching post in 1994 was Nanango SS – yes, on Wakka Wakka lands – so for several years I taught…

  • How the Fish got Their Bones – Sam Thaiday. Illustrated by Tori-Jay Mordey.

    Allen & Unwin August 2026 ISBN:978176118271 Imprint:A & U Children RRP: $19.99 Around here Sam Thaiday is pretty much a legend. His stellar NRL career aside, Sam has a close association with the Dolphins, our local team, but also his great commitment to promoting the game, and healthy lifestyles for First Nations peoples, as well…

  • Finding My Culture – Scott Bromley Johnson & Suzie Johnson and Thomas Readett.

    Little Book Press Distributed by Simon & Schuster June 2026 Reading the preface of this poignant and impactful book, the reader realises the enormity of the past wrongs, as is the case with so very many First Nations families. The loss of family connection, the erasure of family history and the absence of the knowledge…

  • I Call the Ocean Wardan – Ebony Froome. Illustrated by Dellas Bennel and Korrine Bennel-Yarran.

    Fremantle Press September 2026 ISBN: 9781760996307 RRP: $26.99 Re-posting this now that NAIDOC is here on the blog! Celebrate NAIDOC Week 2026 with Fremantle Press • Beach Buddies (Helen Milroy)• Milly Meelyu (Holly Bradley, Darryl Fogarty, illus Corinne Fogarty)• Worl Barna: Sky Creatures (Jayden Boundry, illus Tyrown Waigana)• Kep Barna: Water Creatures (Jayden Boundry, illus Tyrown…

  • Our Flowers/Our Marsupials – Bronywn Bancroft

    Hardie Grant Australia July 2026 Our Flowers ISBN:9781761216541 Price:AU$19.99, NZ$22.99 Our Marsupials ISBN:9781761216558 Price:AU$19.99, NZ$22.99 Two new extremely attractive board books from Bundjalung woman Bronwyn Bancroft in her series introducing Australian wildlife to Smalls. Each image is paired with a rhyming couplet making this both a visual and auditory experience for little humans and with…

  • One Word – Melissa-Jane Fogarty

    : a girl’s quest to learn her grandfather’s hidden first language. Hachette Australia Imprint: Lothian Children’s Books July 2026 ISBN: 9780734423337 RRP: $26.99 This brilliantly simple but deeply meaningful new book from Melissa-Jane Fogarty as both author and illustrator, underlines one of the multiplicity of injustices and losses suffered by our Australian First Nations peoples,…

  • The Drover’s Son – Leah Purcell. Dub Leffler.

    Penguin Australia March 2026 This one may have waited a while but it is all the more timely for having done so as I can share it to mark 2026 NAIDOC Week on this 50th anniversary of the event. This is particularly so because of this being a collaboration between two such incredibly talented First…

  • 2026 NAIDOC 50 Years of Deadly

    I’m well aware that this is the last official day of NAIDOC but many people will be holding off their marking of this until after school holidays so here are a few free resources to help you and there are other available with a quick search. Also some reviews of terrific new titles to add…

  • Treeshape – Trace Balla

    Allen & Unwin March 2026 ISBN:9781761181252 Publisher:A&U Children’s Imprint:A & U Children Trace Balla’s work always fills me with both admiration and emotion, and I think really, this one is the best yet as it is the most intensely personal as well, outlining the journey of Trace from child to present. Leaf-light (2023) and Rivertime…