Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • The Mystery of Colour: and how we solved it – David Coles. Illustrator – Margaux Samson-Abadie

    Thames & Hudson Publisher: Thames and Hudson (Australia) Pty Ltd August 2026 ISBN13: 9781760765422 RRP: $34.99 When you have a young adult who is keenly interested in colour theory living in your house, your world really is full of colour. And this exciting book from David Coles brought great joy and interest to us both.…

  • The Most Interesting People You’ve Never Heard Of – Riley Knight

    A Half-arsed History Book Allen & Unwin September 2026 ISBN:9781761472596 RRP: $34.99 I’m not particularly a podcast person but I’m certainly going to be seeking out Riley Knight’s Half-arsed History offering from now on. Not only because he’s a Sunshine Coast creator but also because this book was just a joy to read. Veering wildly…

  • 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…