Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Scare B’n’B – Catherine Doyle

    Bloomsbury June 2026 ISBN 9781526655141 Imprint Bloomsbury Children’s Books RRP: $16.99 Well this is a complete departure from the previous Catherine Doyle books I’ve reviewed which were all far more magic realism, echoing folk tales and legends and ‘serious’. But this is very different – hilarious fun whilst also taking a good look at family…

  • Old Bertie – Perrella & Osborn

    Fremantle Press August 2026 ISBN: 9781760996390 RRP: $24.99 This is 100% completely bonkers but I mean that in the most positive way possible. This is dystopia as you’ve never read it before. If you imagine – and forgive me for showing my age – humour such as that of Young Einstein or The Castle – that…

  • 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…

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

    Penguin Australia June 2026 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, educate – oh wait…

  • Eighty-Nine Questions for After – Ashleigh Barton

    Hachette Australia July 2026 ISBN: 9780733654596 RRP: $16.99 I first knew Ashleigh’s work as a picture book creator, one who could create wonderful texts that not only engaged young readers but gave them portals into the larger world. Then along came her middle-grade novel How to Sail to Somewhere which so skilfully demonstrated that her…

  • The Boy and the Shark – Cate James

    Affirm Kids Apri 2026 Distributed by Simon & Schuster LIST PRICE: AU$ 24.99 / NZ$ 26.99 Cate James makes the leap from talented illustrator to doubly talented author/illustrator with this absolutely adorable book. Let’s be honest here, you can utilise any book for teaching purposes if you are a capable and creative educator, but sometimes…

  • What’s That Splat? Johanna Bell & Amelia Luscombe

    Thames & Hudson June 2026 ISBN: 9781760764821 RRP: $24.99 From the talented creators of What is a Dot? comes some more great imaginative and creative read & play experiences and already I can see the paint splatting all over the place! While it may cause some to throw up their hands in horror (probably the…

  • Meooow! – Nicoletta Costa

    Thames & Hudson April 2026 RRP: $14.99 A Cat Book of Seasons ISBN: 9781760765866 A Cat Book of Colours ISBN: 9781760765842 $14.99 A Cat Book of Feelings ISBN: 9781760765859 Well if these aren’t just as cute as a bug’s ear! They are incredibly simple concept board books but those vibrant illustrations combined with the absolutely…

  • Costa’s Garden: Fruit – Costa Georgiadis & Brenna Quinlan

    Harper Collins Australia April 2026 Our favourite colourful garden gnome, Costa, is back in his second book in this series for Smalls and this time he brings a tutti-frutti cornucopia of delectable fruit. From the beginning of fruit (the flower) to the kitchen for creating delicious dishes to cultures celebrating fruit in classic signature ways…

  • Duck Look Who’s Talking! (Duck, #1) – Matt Stanton

    Harper Collins Australia April 2026 Matt Stanton is a king of comedic writing and don’t we know it! And I’m going to be very frank here [no, not Frank – just Los] I really do think the Funny Kid books are great but it was always Duck who was the stand-out for me. Nothing speaks…