Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe



  • Dingoes: Up Close series – Jane Forge

    Wild Dog Books Dist: Simon & Schuster June 2026 In a word – stunning! This is exactly the sort of non-fiction book on Australian animals that we all want to complement our UoI on our fauna but, at the same time, is also perfect for those children who are keen to learn more about animals.… Read more

  • Worl Barna / Sky Creatures: Noongar First Words – Jayden Boundry. Tyrown Waigana.

    Fremantle Press June 2026 ISBN: 9781760995607 RRP: $16.99 I’ve reviewed two others in this delightful series for Smallests: Land Creatures and Water Creatures which some of you may have already seen. If not, really this is a terrific series for introducing jarjums to language, even if it’s not the one from the Country on which they… Read more

  • I Call the Ocean Wardan – Ebony Froome. Illustrated by Dellas Bennel and Korrine Bennel-Yarran.

    Fremantle Press September 2026 ISBN: 9781760996307 RRP: $26.99 Pre-order now from your usual suppliers! Celebrate NAIDOC Week 2026 with Fremantle Press • Beach Buddies (Helen Milroy)• Milly Meelyu (Holly Bradley, Darryl Fogarty, illus Corinne Fogarty)• Worl Barna: Sky Creatures (Jayden Boundry, illus Tyrown Waigana)• Kep Barna: Water Creatures (Jayden Boundry, illus Tyrown Waigana)• Little Blue Where… Read more

  • Narm-Jaap: A Flinders Street Station History – Melissa-Jane Fogarty/Dylan Finney

    Hachette Australia Imprint: Lothian Children’s Books Mar 31, 2026 | 9780734423399 | RRP $24.99 Next in this fantastic series tracing the history of a significant landmark comes this absolutely fabulous book. It is every bit as engaging, informative and stylishly composed as Tubowgule…and moves from Sydney to Melbourne. Once again creators Melissa and Dylan have combined their talents into… Read more

  • 2026 Reconciliation Week and National Sorry Day

    Stand by for a slew of new First Nations titles. Search the blog for older reviews using: First Nations, Indigenous, Aboriginal and related terms. There will also be some to find in the archives (work in progress!!) using similar searches. The System Keeps Failing. Aboriginal Children Keep Dying. And the Answer Is Always More Removal. Read more

  • Tiny Good Things – Gabrielle Tozer/Sophie Beer

    Harper Collins Australia Imprint: Angus & Robertson March 2026 ISBN: 9781460764978 RRP: $24.99 Two talented creators teaming up with a result of this gorgeous book. It’s sweet and satisfying. I love – LOVE – that the rhyming text has such lovely cadence and, at no point, comes across as contrived or forced, but has a gentle… Read more