Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • I Know What You’re Hiding – Jack Heath

    Scholastic Australia May 2026 ISBN: 9781761526794 RRP: $17.99 My first introduction to Jack Heath and his amazing capacity for inventive and thrilling narrative was at the ASLA Conference Canberra [circa 2005 if I recall?]. I am quite sure his presentation was at The Shine Dome, which was great fun in itself but it’s been a… Read more

  • Dangerous Days: Frances Bloom #2 – Katrina Nannestad. Illustrated by Marina Zlatanova.

    Harper Collins Australia April 2026 ISBN: 9781460718612 ISBN 10: 1460718615 Imprint: ABC Books AU List Price: 17.99 AUD Madcap Frances Bloom is back in her second adventure to delight your younger readers with some more nonsense and 8-year-old anarchy. Only a week or so after the dreadful Ms Thistle has been carted off to the Harsh Island for Unwanted… Read more

  • Mim and the Frazzled Fruit Farmer: The Travelling Bookshop #7 – Katrina Nannestad. Illustrated by Cheryl Orsini

    Harper Collins Australia February 202 No doubt there will be many young readers who will be sad to know that this is the final chapter in this entertaining series but, dare I say, knowing Katrina’s fertile imagination and creativity there is sure to be something new in the offing. Mim, Zeddy and Nat plus the… Read more

  • The Very Fine Clock – Muriel Spark. Drawings by Edward Gorey.

    Transit Children’s Editions New South Books Illustrated by Edward Gorey, author Muriel Spark 9798893380262/ February 2026/AUD$29.99, NZD$34.99 From the archives: Illustrator Edward Gorey Collection of Macabre Author and Illustrator Edward Gorey Item Well I knew Muriel Spark wrote The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie and I certainly knew the name of Edward Gorey, – the… Read more

  • The Witch Who Couldn’t Spell – Jess Galatola & Lu Baker

    June 2026 I can’t tell you how excited I am to finally see this book a finished product as I have been privileged to see Lu Baker‘s ideas for it unfold over time, watching with great interest and such admiration of her talent. And given my penchant for all things witchy, this was always going… Read more

  • My Brother Otto – Ingrid Laguna

    Text Publishing February 2026 ISBN: 9781923058729 AU Price: $14.99 Teaching Notes This one took a while to come to me but it was sure worth the wait. What an utterly beautiful and heart-rending narrative Ingrid Laguna has created, and one which will sadly resonate with children and families who have lost a baby. Indeed, as… Read more

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