Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe


  • Words Matter – Anita Fitch Pazner & Sophie Casson

    The Story of Hans and Sophie Scholl, and the White Rose Resistance The Story of Hans and Sophie Scholl, and the White Rose Resistance New South Books Publisher: Groundwood Books 9781773069708 January 2026 AUD$29.99, NZD$34.99 While I have known of Hans and Sophie Scholl for many years, as would anyone who follows groups such as…

  • Celebrating Science Week…

  • Prayer for a River -Uncle Glenn Loughrey and Andrew Kelly. Illustrated by Uncle Glenn Loughrey.

    Wild Dog Books October 2025 ISBN: 9781742036915 RRP: $24.99 This book is truly special. Completely aside from the Wiradjuri close connection [from my own perspective], this is a book that you will use multiple times with classes for multiple reasons, aside from its innate beauty, both visually and textually. Wiradjuri writer, speaker and artist, Uncle…

  • Dianne Wolfer – Double Delight.

    Dianne’s talent as a writer is undeniable and her ability to write prose fiction, narrative non-fiction and picture books with equal ease sets her apart. Here are the two latest examples of her outstanding ability to capture the essence of a story as well as place and time, both of these reverbrating with a true…

  • Goose on Christmas Eve: poems for children – Marg Gibbs

    Marg Gibbs October 2024 ISBN 978 0 6451309 8 0 (pbk) RRP: $28.00 Bookish local and writer, Marg Gibbs [I say local because Mapleton is close enough for us to regard as part of our piece of SE Qld] has called upon family and friends to put together an anthology that reflects not only the…

  • The Riding Gallery – Sally Murphy. Illustrated by Martina Heiduczek

    Walker Books Australia July 2024 ISBN13:9781760657345 Australia RRP:$16.99 New Zealand RRP:$18.99 Yes, I said not so long ago that I’m not a huge fan of verse novels, and there are only a few exceptions. Sally Murphy’s are one of those rare anomalies. Each one is so utterly absorbing, with such beautiful narrative flow that I…

  • The Big Book of Australian Nursery Rhymes – Frané Lessac

    Walker Books Australia March 2024 ISBN13:9781760655099 Australia RRP:$26.99 New Zealand RRP:$28.99 Frané once again brings her extraordinary talent to a new picture book that epitomises joy in our Australian wildlife and landscapes, this time for the very smallest of Smalls. For those of us with long experience in literacy and teaching, we know that exposing…

  • I Think of You & Other Poems – Alexander McCall-Smith

    New South Books Nov 2023 | Polygon | 9781846976452 | 112pp | 198x129mm | GEN | AUD$29.99, NZD$34.99 I’ve been a AM-S fan for a long time, but this is the first time I’ve experienced his poetry. As he does throughout much of his prose writing, the author shares his deep love of both his…

  • A Child’s Christmas in Wales – Dylan Thomas. Illustrated by Peter Bailey.

    Orion Children’s Books 2014 Hachette I first fell in love with Dylan Thomas’ work when I heard Richard Burton recite Under Milkwood, in my English class at St George Girls’ High School circa early 1970s. (see the final video for some wonderful RB vocal deliciousness). So I was thrilled with this gift from my bestie…

  • What You Need to be Warm – Neil Gaiman

    Bloomsbury October 2023 ISBN 9781526660619 Imprint Bloomsbury Children’s Books RRP: $19.99 This morning (Sunday 10/12/23) The Kid and I went to the city by train to an event, and as we crossed over the Brisbane river and I looked back to the Coronation Drive/Riverside expressway I noticed something. In some places, there are gaps between…