Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Ash Flies High: Kimberley Kickers #3 – Carl Merrison & Hakea Hustler with Ash Johnson. Illustrated by Samantha Campbell.

    Harper Collins Australia I know many of you, along with kiddos, have enjoyed this series from Carl and Hakea, in conjunction with players from the ALF footy factory of the Kimberley, and I appreciate those of you who have commented on the reviews and the resources for the first one. It’s a great series on…

  • Tiny Good Things – Gabrielle Tozer/Sophie Beer

    Harper Collins Australia Imprint: Angus & Robertson March 2026 ISBN: 9781460764978 RRP: $24.99 Two talented creators teaming up with a result of this gorgeous book. It’s sweet and satisfying. I love – LOVE – that the rhyming text has such lovely cadence and, at no point, comes across as contrived or forced, but has a gentle…

  • A Light on the Rocks – Helen Edwards

    I’ve quickly come to realise that Helen’s historical novels are impeccably researched and completely engrossing, so much so that it is not just your young readers who will enjoy them, but also adults. As I have mentioned previously I, for one, didn’t know much about Adelaide’s or South Australia’s history, certainly not as a child,…

  • When the Mountain Wakes – Matt Shanks

    Affirm Press Simon & Schuster August 2025 Somewhere, towards the beginning of time, a mountain rose from the ocean and came to rest above the clouds.Life sang a lullaby, and the mountain slept for many millions of years.Until one day, when the world became too silent for sleep  If you have a Sophisticated Picture Books…

  • Between – Anna Walker

    Scribe Publications Imprint: Scribble September 2025 ISBN: 9781761381591AUD$27.99 (Hardback) Anna Walker has created a book that is a pure symphony of thoughts, that swirl around like gossamer on a breeze. I only wish I could give you some idea of how utterly beautiful and soothing it is. It is almost a meditation in print and…

  • A Little Bit of Positivity: Potatoes, Peppers an Pineapples to Make Your Day – Jason Cox

    Scholastic UK September 2025 ISBN 9781761725036 RRP: $19.99 What a dear little book this is! If you are looking for a cute little gift book for almost any age really, you won’t go wrong with this one. And it’s the perfect size to pop into a Xmas stocking or for a Secret Santa gift. It’s…

  • One Word and a Bird – Stephen Michael King

    Scholastic Australia April 2025 ISBN 9781761520860RRP $26.99 This one finishes off this week of Birdie Num Nums purely because of its title, because really it’s not all about birds. It’s about love and our own self-belief, the (sometimes lofty and impossible) standards we set for ourselves and how we navigate the world around us. Stephen…

  • Normal Women Making History for 900 years – Philippa Gregory

    Illustrations by Alexis Snell Red Shed March 2025ISBN: 9780008725075 I am quite familiar with Philippa Gregory’s writing. Those books I have read are marvellous examples of historical fiction with such elegant blending of fact and fiction. But the title of this intrigued me as soon as I saw it. I had, in fact, no idea…

  • A Different Kind of Power: a memoir – Jacinda Ardern

    Penguin Australia First up, I’m going to say a big thank you to Penguin, especially the indefatigable Dot Tonkin, for giving me the opportunity to read and review this. As someone who admired this young woman as a trailblazer, it has been interesting to see her in close-up, so to speak. I think for many…

  • Ming and Maria Explore the Universe: The Girls Who Changed the World #5 – Jackie French

    Harper Collins Australia Once again, I was delighted to be asked to write the notes for this last title in what has been an inspiring series for our young people. It was particularly special as Jackie and I had had some conversations about this particular ‘mighty girl’ of history, and how much Maria Mitchell contributed…