Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • When the Mountain Wakes – Matt Shanks

    Affirm Press Simon & Schuster August 2025 ISBN13: 9781923419056 RRP: $AU$ 29.99 / NZ$ 36.99 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…

  • Horror in Pleasantville: Stories from the Archives – Caleb Finn

    Penguin Australia August 2025 ISBN: 9781761345890 Imprint: Penguin RRP: $17.99 I’m guessing there would be some who have NOT heard of Caleb Finn – but that’s very likely not any of your readers or indeed anyone under the age of 25 at least. From his early days on TikTok his popularity has soared as an iconic purveyor of…

  • A Box Full of Murders – Janice Hallett

    Penguin Australia June 2025 ISBN: 9780241636183 Imprint: Puffin RRP: $16.99 It was actually quite serendipitous that as friend, Zanni Louise, mentioned she was enjoying a Janice Hallett murder-mystery – an author whose work I didn’t know – I replied by saying, I had just got a review copy of her first kids’ book, also a murder mystery. And…

  • Wednesday: A Novelisation of Season One

    Penguin Australia August 2025 ISBN: 9780241760741 Imprint: Ladybird RRP: $19.99 If you happen to be one of the handful of people in the civilized world who hasn’t watched Wednesday (1 & 2), you will definitely want to read this ahead of your kids. That way, at least you’ll be up to speed and be able to converse intelligently…

  • The World of Maxime – Lucile de Pesloüan. Illustrations by Jacques Goldstyn, translated by Helen Mixter

    New South Books Greystone Books June 2025 ISBN: 9781778400544 RRP: AUD$29.99, NZD$34.99 To complete this trio of feline titles today, comes this charming book which I would describe as an extended picture book – or perhaps an illustrated novella. No need to be pedantic. It’s an illustrated story with elements of graphix/comics and pitched squarely…

  • Catty Corner: #1 and #2 – Julie Murphy

    I’ve been a fan of Julie Murphy’s writing since I first read Dumplin’ [wow! ten years old now!] when she gave fat girls back the power (by the way, the movie was pretty good too, if you’ve not seen it yet!). This is a new series for younger readers to MG, and again, puts the…

  • A New World Rises: Tales of a LEGO® Future – Jackson Harvey & Alex Towler with Cristy Burne.

    Fremantle Press August 2025 ISBN: 9781760994167 RRP: AU $44.99/NZ$50.00/US$34.95 Like millions of others, I’ve had my fair share of LEGO® in my life, starting with my girls, then grandies and certainly, numerous times in my libraries with LEGO® free-range activities and clubs both construction and stop motion film. I have run competitions for Book Week (recreate…

  • Krstel Kicks to Win: Kimberley Kickers #2 – Carl Merrison & Hakea Hustler. Illustrated by Samantha Campbell

    Harper Collins Australia July 2025 ISBN: 9781460765081 ISBN 10: 1460765087 Imprint: HarperCollins AU RRP: $15.99 Last year I had the pleasure of not just reviewing the first in this series – Jy Goes for Gold – but also writing teaching notes for it. Back then I predicted that this would prove a real winner with the kiddos and…

  • Jo Weston’s Netball Besties – Double or Nothing. Foul Play – Jess Black. Sam Loman.

    Penguin Australia ISBN: 9781761348532 Imprint: Penguin RRP: $14.99 July 2025 ISBN: 9781761348556 Imprint: Penguin RRP: $14.99 October 2025 Jess Black has real skill in creating these sporty adventures based on the life and career of various notable players in their field. And all the netballers in your cohort will love these. The first one was released early this year but for…

  • Lost in a Book: The 113th Assistant Librarian #2 – Stuart Wilson

    Penguin Australia September 2025 ISBN: 9781761347016 Imprint: Penguin RRP: $19.99 What super fun it was to re-visit the Blackmoor-upon-Wyvern Public Library, which is in the capable hands of the 113th librarian, Oliver Wormwood, ably assisted by his new friend, Agatha, sometimes girl/more often nine cats. After his initial reluctance at having the librarian’s role thrust upon him,…