Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Amazing Astro Animals: over 60 true stories of animals in space – James Foley

    Fremantle Press October 2026 ISBN: 9781760995577 RRP: $34.99 Some readers will recall that a while back I had the hilarious pleasure of meeting James F2F for the first time and it was on that occasion that we were privy to seeing the first glimpses of this absolutely amazing book. In fact, my copy arrived just…

  • Belonging – Ambelin Kwaymullina

    Magabala Books July 2026 ISBN: 9781922864819 RRP: $27.99 This is absolutely stunning – there’s no other word for it. Both Ambelin’s striking contemporary Aboriginal artwork and her simple yet powerful text make this a must-have for any collection. I’m sure many of you will have already seen it but for those who haven’t, let me…

  • Possum Skin Cloak – Aunty Fay Muir & Sue Lawson. Illustrated by Leanne Jones.

    Wild Dog Books Simon & Schuster July 2026 ISBN13: 9781742037226 RRP: LIST PRICE: AU$ 26.99 / NZ$ 29.99 Your readers will learn about the cultural tradition of possum skin cloaks with this gorgeous book but more than that, they will learn of the special lifelong connection. between new life and the Dreaming, clan and Country,…

  • Myths Meet Mayhem: Ludicrous Legends #2 – Jol Temple. David Conley.

    Harper Collins Australia July 2026 Imprint: HarperCollins AU ISBN: 9781460767726 $16.99 Why yes, I was excited to see #2 in this wacky series come in because the first was such a fun romp through mythology, told only as Jol Temple could twist it really. Hector, and his good friend Hylo, the centaur, are back and once again,…

  • Harry the Fifth – David Greagg

    Clan Destine Press Imprint: Ebook Alchemy Pty Ltd August 2026 ISBN: 9780645316735 ISBN-10: 0645316733t RRP: $39.99 So I admit that in all the years I’ve been reading the late, great Kerry Greenwood’s books and following her socials, with their many references to the Wizard, I had absolutely no idea that said wizard, David Greagg, is also a…

  • Bandoola: an elephant’s story – Beverley McWilliams

    UWA Publishing Simon & Schuster July 2026 ISBN13: 9781760803377 LIST PRICE: AU$ 17.99 / NZ$ 20.99 Your middle grade readers, particularly the animal lovers or indeed the historical fiction lovers, will lap this one up. Inspired by a true story of an amazing rescue during WWII in Burma, now Myanmar, this is an elephant story…

  • The Diamonds of Tilly Devine – Jackie French

    Harper Collins Australia June 2026 Imprint: HQ Fiction AU ISBN: 9781038903907 RRP: $34.99 No secret to any of you who are regular readers here, I am a Jackie French fan. Whether it’s her picture books, her middle grade novels, non-fiction, or adult fiction – you name it, it’s a given that I will love it. In particular…

  • Our History: Hill End Gold – Sue Whiting

    Walker Books Autralia June 2026 ISBN13:9781761601491 Australia RRP:$18.99 New Zealand RRP:$21.99 There’s absolutely no doubt that despite its long existence in the curriculum of every state [I mean to say, it was in the primary school syllabus when I went to school!] it is also always a popular topic with students. And one can never…

  • Freedom Braids – Monique Duncan. Oboh Moses.

    Lantana Distributed by Simon & Schuster May 2026 ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1915244803 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎  LIST PRICE: AU$ 24.99 / NZ$ 28.99 While I make a point of sharing own our Blak kids lit books and creators, it is always important to remember the struggles of PoC from other settings and cultures. This is…

  • The Epically Awesome Odyssey, as told by Nanny Piggins – R. A. Spratt

    Penguin Australia June 2026 ISBN: 9781761622472 Imprint: Penguin RRP: $16.99 If there is one sure thing to brighten up a bleak, chilly winter’s night (or day) it is the one, the only Nanny Piggins along with her family: Boris, her bear brother, and the children for whom she slaves day and night to feed, clothe, keep clean,…