Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe


  • One Wise Sheep – Ulrich Hub. Illustrated by Jörg Mühle

    Walker Books Australia Imprint: Gecko Press ISBN13:9781776575961 Australia RRP:$17.99 New Zealand RRP:$19.99 I read this last night, cosy in bed, and was absolutely giggling all the way through. This is the most hilarious take on the biblical Christmas Story ever, with the entire episode from ‘winged creatures’ appearing with blazing lights to finding an empty…

  • When Santa Got Stuck in a Gum Tree – Jackie Hosking. Nathaniel Eckstrom.

    Walker Books Australia September 2024 ISBN13:9781760657406 Australia RRP:$24.99 New Zealand RRP:$27.99 What if? always such a good provocation for writing … Plenty of children have wondered what if Santa got stuck in a chimney, but what if he got stuck in a gum tree? Well, how could he be rescued? This could be the start…

  • On the Hunt for Santa – Lesley Gibbes and Stephen Michael King

    Penguin Australia September 2024 Here’s a completely fun one to share with your Smalls, especially those who love Scary Night. Once upon a snowy day, three friends set out on a journey. Hare with a honey pot, Cat with a candy cane, Pig with a plum pudding. But where were they going that snowy day,…

  • Dear Santa: I Don’t Need Socks. Consuelo Fernandez Ortiz

    Five Mile September 2024 9781922943477 RRP: $24.99 This is a very cute story of Christmas from two very different perspectives. One Koala lives in Mallacoota, along with his best friend Too (a cockatoo, of course). Their tree is their home, They have ocean views and it is a quiet place to live. Cousin Olavi lives…

  • Warning! These Jokes Will Annoy Everyone You Know at Christmas

    Penguin Australia September 2024 You’ll definitely have at least one kiddo who will be delighted with this new fun-filled cracker. I know a boy who I’m pretty sure will relish it. Over the many years in libraries, the jokes and riddles section has always had the heaviest traffic in the non-fiction shelves. I’m pretty sure…

  • Meerkat Mayhem – Mem Fox and Judy Horacek

    Penguin Australia You will find numerous posts here referencing Mem Fox, going back almost the entire decade of the blog’s existence, including an insightful Q&A posted back in 2019. My joy in Mem’s work and her presence goes back many years. Possum Magic was a book I bought to share with The Kid’s mum as…

  • Pretty Ugly – David Sedaris and Ian Falconer.

    Scholastic Australia November 2024ISBN: 9781761525032 RRP: $19.99 If you were going to go by David Sedaris‘ remarks, you would think that this book is not worth you spending your time on it. Don’t be fooled! Sedaris is, I think, one of America’s darlings, though arguably not so well-known here. He is a comedian, columnist, radio…

  • Thunderhead – Sophie Beer

    Allen & Unwin October 20249781761180958 RRP: $19.99 I do know I’m repeating myself but truly, 2024 has been a bumper year for Australian MG novels – they just keep on coming. This is another one that I ate up in two swift sessions. Thunderhead is not your usual protagonist. They are definitely in the unusual…

  • Good Gnus – Phil Cummings & Daron Parton

    Scholastic 9781761203206 RRP: $18.99 I’m pretty confident when I say that anyone who knows me – even a little – will tell you I’m a pun person. I love punning. Some might call it a low form of humour. Personally I think fart jokes are lower. This is so much fun – and punny! As…

  • Picture Book Month extra: The Death of Dora Black: a Petticoat Police Mystery – Lainie Anderson

    Hachette Australia Aug 28, 2024 | 9780733652066 | RRP $32.99 What a thoroughly enjoyable read this has been over the past few nights! I’m a tragic when it comes to cosy crime and murder mystery books and over the past couple of years I’ve had quite a number of YA titles to review, and also listened to a few…