Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe


  • Pretty Ugly – David Sedaris and Ian Falconer.

    Scholastic Australia November 2024ISBN: 9781761525032 RRP: $19.99 If you were going to go by David Sedaris‘ remarks, you would think that this book is not worth you spending your time on it. Don’t be fooled! Sedaris is, I think, one of America’s darlings, though arguably not so well-known here. He is a comedian, columnist, radio…

  • Bowerbird Brood – Aura Parker.

    Scholastic Australia November 2024 ISBN: 9781761521621 RRP: $19.99 I am a protector. Always watching, guarding … and shielding. Bowerbird’s nest is full. These fine eggs, whole and smooth … the perfect three! But will they hatch? We all fell in love with Bowerbird Blues, and now here is the mate, making a perfect pair. Aura…

  • Over or Under – Pip Harry & Hilary Jean Tapper

    Hachette Australia Oct 30, 2024 | 9780734421807 | RRP $24.99 Imprint: Lothian Books I’m jumping waves at the beach with Dad.If they’re small I can leap over their frothy peaks.Easy!But further out, when they’re big, you have to duck dive under. We are always looking for ways in which to encourage our Smalls to be brave and take risks…

  • The Boab Tree – Helen Milroy

    Fremantle Press October 2024 ISBN: 9781760994631 RRP: $24.99 Once again Helen Milroy brings together many threads into a modern fable that echoes traditional Dreaming stories. When it is time for baby Boab to drop down to earth and begin his own life and family, his plummet is interrupted by a passing eagle, who swoops by directly…

  • How Do I Know if my Body is Upside Down? (and other things my body knows) – Idan Ben-Barak and Zahra Zainal

    Scholastic Australia August 2024 ISBN: 9781761121371 ISBN-10: 1761121375 RRP: $19.99 For those endless questioners, Idan Ben-Barak is heaven sent. He is always able to zone in on exactly what kids want to know about from the small questions to the big ones. And this is another fun book with plenty of answers to those never-ending queries. Focusing…

  • Extinctopedia – Serenella Quarello. Illustrated by Alessio Alcini. Translated by Margaret Greenan.

    NMA March 2024ISBN: 9781636550725Publisher: Red Comet PressRRP: $40.00 I’ve seen some amazingly wonderful animal books this year, and this is another one. Admittedly, it has been waiting its turn in the PB tub for quite some time but it really is a stunning work of art. It’s one of those big books that kids will…

  • Like a Gannet – Kirsten Ealand. Illustrated by Deb Hudson.

    Windy Hollow Books 9781922081094 / October 2024 /AUD$29.95, NZD$34.99 Are you looking for a cute-as-pie book that will also help you encourage your Smalls – or singular Small – to overcome their fear so that they can try something new and achieve a goal they hold dear. Just like Francie who can swim like a little fish. In…

  • The Bug Book – Tania Ingram. Illustrated by Lucinda Gifford.

    Affirm Press Imprint: Little Book Press October 2024 ISBN 9781923141155 RRP: $24.99 If this isn’t the cutest introduction to the world of mini-beasts!!! When Tania had talked about this one during its inception, I knew it was going to be fun but I had no clue that it was going to be as adorable as…

  • Christie Williams’ Search and Find: G’Day Australia & Australian Birds

    Five Mile G’day Australia: Search and Find April 2024 9781923091368 RRP: $19.99 Australian Birds: Search and Find 9781923286238 RRP: $24.99 These are some of the prettiest books I’ve seen this year and kids who love some interactivity with their reading will thoroughly enjoy them. Primarily exactly what they say they are – search and find…

  • Yanga Mother – Cheryl Leavy. Illustrated by Christopher Bassi.

    UQP July 2024 9780702268311 RRP: $24.99 A story of love, language and culture which speaks to the very essence of loss, colonisation, connection and resilience. This is not only an asset to preschool, kindergarten and older readers, but to all who open the first page of this exquisite book.’ Dr Jackie Huggins Yesterday evening (7/11)…