Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Kevin the Sheep – Jacqueline Harvey. Illustrated by Kate Isobel Scott.

    Penguin Australia March 2024 It would be fair to say that I’ve been waiting for this one for some time. Since I knew it was on the way, I was keen to see it, but then (as can happen) delivery of the actual book was problematic but at last it is here. HUZZAH!! And, of…

  • Shower Land #1: Break the Curse – Nat Amoore/James Hart

    Penguin Australia February 2024 Well, I’ve read a lot of ‘portal’ books. Portals that were books. Portals that were a piece of jewelry. Portals that were doorways…or mirrors…a wardrobe…a grandfather clock.. a railway platform or a board game – so many different types of portals. But, I have to say, I’ve never thought of a…

  • Aggie Flea Steals the Show – Tania Ingram. Illustrated by A. Yi

    When Tania told me that she thinks #2 Aggie is even funnier than the first, I said that’s a tough act to follow (and clearly, since it’s now a CBCA Notable, I’m not the only one to have a high opinion of #1) but I do think she could be right. Aggie is back and…

  • Fledgewitch: A Dragons of Hallows #2 – Lian Tanner. Illustrated by Martina Heiduczek.

    Allen & Unwin April 2024 ISBN:9781761067365 Publisher:A&U Children’s Imprint:A & U Children RRP: $17.99 I absolutely fell in love with all things Hallow when I read Spellhound last year, and have been impatiently waiting for this second instalment to arrive (as Lian knows), [while The Kid has resigned herself to being called a minch-wiggin as…

  • Losing the Plot – Annaleise Byrd

    Walker Books Australia March 2024 ISBN13:9781760656409 Australia RRP:$16.99 New Zealand RRP:$18.99 It certainly gives me great pleasure to review this debut middle-grade novel from local (and indeed, almost neighbour) Annaleise Byrd. Your readers of such titles as Pages & Co and Inkspell, in which literature and real life mix and meld, will love this new…

  • How to Avoid Being Eaten by Sharks… and Other Advice – John Larkin. Illustrated by Chrissie Krebs.

    Walker Books February 2024 ISBN13:9781760657451 Australia RRP:$16.99 New Zealand RRP:$18.99 Truth be told, I do already know how to avoid being eaten by sharks. That’s why it’s The Kid who surfs, not me! So the opening page of this hilarious book of wisdom completely resonates with me. There is one absolute sure-fire method to avoid being…

  • Swimming on the Moon – Brian Conaghan

    Bloomsbury May 2023 ISBN 9781526653925 Imprint Bloomsbury Children’s Books RRP: $16.99 I had missed release info on this one, but as soon as I found out about it, I especially requested it (thank you Bloomsbury!) because I have been in love with Brian Conaghan’s writing since Cardboard Cowboys (do yourself a favour and read it!).…

  • Time Travelling with a Tortoise – Ross Welford

    Harper Collins Australia January 2024 I have thoroughly enjoyed every single one of Ross Welford’s books that I have read. These adventures are chockful of adventure, humour, heart and a sense of the absurd, and every time I’ve pushed one into a reader’s hands they have come back for more. That, for me, says it…

  • The Case of the Fishy Detective (Einstein the Penguin, Book 2) – Iona Rangeley

    Harper Collins Australia October 2023 I thoroughly enjoyed Einstein’s first outing, and enjoyed this second one just as much, particularly as it is often a challenge finding that next book for readers moving on from the easy chapter books to something with a little more substance and length. Ever since Imogen’s and Arthur’s first adventure…

  • Mermedusa – Thomas Taylor

    Walker Books Book 5 of An Eerie-on-Sea Mystery Series September 2023 ISBN13: 9781529502138 Australia RRP: $17.99 New Zealand RRP: $19.99 When you’ve loved every minute of a series, it’s hard to say goodbye to it. So it is that in reading this fifth and final in the wonderful Eerie-on-Sea sequence, I tried hard to make it…