Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe


  • It’s a Twin Thing – Kristin Darell. Illustrated by A. Yi.4

    Penguin Australia I think it is hard to imagine what it would be like being a twin, especially an identical one, if you’re not one- or perhaps that’s just me. I have taught twins so identical that only one little freckle was the distinguishing feature between the two and they were very alike in personality…

  • 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,…

  • Which Way to the Future – Cressida Cowell

    Hachette Australia Oct 2025 | 9781444982398 | RRP $22.99 Preorder the P/B: Apr 7, 2026 | 9781444979435 | RRP $17.99 SO much fun to be back with the most famous starwalker, bounty hunter and Story Maker, Horizabel the Grimm, along with O’Hero-Smith children for another intergalactic, totally bonkers adventure. Cressida Cowell’s Which Way series is every bit as exciting, dramatic, crazy and fun…

  • Just a Dog (new edition): Michael Gerard Bauer

    Scholastic Australia November 2025 9781761127816 $15.99 Xmas gift for middle grade kiddos It’s been a while – 2011, we first met Mister Mosely and since then his award-winning fame has travelled the world, and it was a joy to re-visit his gentle nature, his quirky adventures, and his family. We know how much the kiddos…

  • Lost Evangeline – Kate DiCamillo. Illustrated by Sophie Blackall.

    Walker Books Australia November 2025 ISBN13:9781529525892 Australia RRP:$24.99 New Zealand RRP:$27.99 As it arrives hard on the heels of the 25th anniversary of Because of Winn-Dixie [one of my all time favourite books!] it is a special treat to review a new Kate book. It arrived yesterday, much to my delight, and, of course, I…

  • Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire – J. K. Rowling. Illustrated by Karl James Mountford

    A sumptuously illustrated gift book with magical interactive surprises Bloomsbury Australia October 2025 ISBN: 9781526691262 Imprint: Bloomsbury Children’s Publishing RRP: $69.99 Is it a Christmas book you might ask? NO, not exactly but remember the Yule Ball !! but of course it would make an insanely exciting Xmas gift for any Potterhead of your acquaintance.…

  • Picture Book Month Bonus: Howzat Pat! #3 & #4 – Pat Cummins & Dave Hartley and Serena Geddes.

    HOWZAT indeed!!!!! With splendiferous timing after yesterday’s absolutely spectacular knock by Travis Head, it’s lucky I’ve just read the next two in this cracking series. I was delighted to write the supporting resources for the first two and loved the whole vibe of this series, and these continue in that same vein. With less than…

  • Picture Book Month Bonus: Congratulations Riveted Press on such a successful year!

    I’ve been able to review a number of Riveted Press books this year (and possibly still at least a couple to squeeze in before blog break – including Flight of the Drakkonbarq) and all have been a pleasure. As regular readers of this blog know, I actually do read cover-to-cover everything I review [one or…

  • Heading for the ocean today with a watery cast starting with:

    So perhaps you’ve noticed (or not) that during this Picture Book Month, I’ve been attempting to group together like titles in one day’s posting. I’m determined to reduce the piles of dozens of PBs that have been growing like Topsy all year into nothing to start with a clean slate in the new year. So…

  • How Big is the Sky? -Kimberly Brown

    Simon & Schuster Publisher: Affirm Press July 2025 ISBN13: 9781923046368 RRP: LIST PRICE: AU$ 24.99 / NZ$ 29.99 While this one fits perfectly into today’s theme in a titular way, it is not about the sky at all. It is, in fact, about a whole lot of different concepts and it is a book which…