Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Extraordinary Stories – Katherine Owens

    ISBN: 9781764398640 ISBN-10: 1764398645 May 2026 Contempo Publishing/Katherine Owens It was an exciting challenge to be contacted by Katherine and asked to create some supporting resources for this book, as it is something completely out of my usual repertoire. But this collection of micro-memoirs is such a worthy addition to a library, a counsellor/guidance officer’s shelves or… Read more

  • Freddie Jones: The Mystery of the Ghostly Garden – Kate Foster

    Walker Books Australia May 2026 ISBN13:9781760659943 Australia RRP:$17.99 New Zealand RRP:$19.99 I am really loving this new series from Kate Foster, who writes not only entertaining narratives but ones that give us all a much clearer insight into neuro-diversity. Freddie is such a likeable character and his self-awareness, especially using the literary device of first-person… Read more

  • Is This a Plum? – Dan & Finn Ojari

    Penguin Australia The first word that springs to mind with this debut book is charming, followed quickly by hilarious! Father and son team but not in the usual sense [thinking of examples like Anthony and Joe Browne] because this father mostly works in theatrical creativity (Aardman Animations) and this son is only 8 years old!… Read more

  • Handbooks for Little Humans: Integrity and Inclusivity – Zanni Louise. Illustrated by Jingting Wang.

    Simon & Schuster Imprint: Affirm Press February 2026 Integrity ISBN13: 9781923293205 LIST PRICE: AU$ 19.99 / NZ$ 24.99 Inclusion ISBN13: 9781923293199 LIST PRICE: AU$ 19.99 / NZ$ 24.99 Following up on the earlier two in this series we have two more titles to add to your kitbag for inclusion in your circle time or social… Read more

  • Connected – R. A. Stephens. Illustrated by Tamlyn Teow.

    Wombat Books April 2026 9781761113178 $24.99 Any of us who have taught Smalls always appreciate a useful ‘maths’ themed picture book. This one doubles as a timely introduction to the concept that we are all connected as humans, in one way or another. The maths aspect is certainly a fact – nodes, networks, circuits, spanning… Read more

  • Lily Tripp: Diary of an Accidental Time Traveller – Amelia Tait

    Hachette Australia Imprint: Starboard May 5, 2026 | 9781444931983 | RRP $16.99 Well yes, it is another ‘diary’ of a tween title but at least this one really does have a point of difference. Lily Tripp, aged almost 13, has developed an unfortunate ability. Several times now she has spontaneously time-travelled on New Year’s Eve. She’s been in ancient… Read more

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