Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Possum Skin Cloak – Aunty Fay Muir & Sue Lawson. Illustrated by Leanne Jones.

    Wild Dog Books Simon & Schuster July 2026 Your readers will learn about the cultural tradition of possum skin cloaks with this gorgeous book but more than that, they will learn of the special lifelong connection. between new life and the Dreaming, clan and Country, ancestors and the recording of one’s own story, incised by…

  • Ayaiga: Neighbour and Hero – Thomas Higgs with Colin Hall. Illustrated by Wally Wilfred.

    New South Books Publisher: NLA 9781922507785 February 2026 AUD$24.99, NZD$29.99 What an amazing episode from history this is and certainly one I’ve not heard of previously. It makes me wonder how many other little-known Aboriginal heroes are in our history. And how wonderful it is that this book brings this particular story to the attention…

  • Young Dark Emu: a Truer History – Bruce Pascoe

    Imprint: Magabala Books Hachette Books February 2025 ISBN: 9781922777508 RRP: $29.99 Eleven years ago this month, I had the great pleasure of reading and reviewing Dark Emu – Blackseeds: Accident or Agriculture? for Magabala and in that review, I commented on how much new information I gleaned from this detailed and knowledge-based account from a…

  • Our Mob – Jacinta Daniher & Taylor Hampton/Seantelle Walsh

    Ford St Publishing May 2023 ISBN: 9781922696236 RRP: $17.99 This is a stunning new picture book for your younger readers that will take them around Australia to visit various mobs on Country and find out a little more about each. Authors, Jacinta and Taylor, are the co-founders of Birrang Cultural Connections, based in Victoria [check…

  • Today’s Sun – Gregg Dreise

    Penguin Australia Published: 31 August 2021 ISBN: 9781760898335 Imprint: Picture Puffin RRP: $14.99 Gregg‘s name has been bandied around quite a bit in the past week in our library after I suggested engaging him for next year’s Book Week visiting author for our younger students. He is the most marvellously warm and engaging speaker who elicits such a fabulous…

  • Top End Girl – Miranda Tapsell

    Hachette Australia APR 28, 2020 | 9780733642432 | RRP $32.99 A deadly memoir about being bold, black and brave in work, life and love As Reconciliation Week closes for another year how timely is it that I can share this impressive and inspirational memoir from the pint-sized dynamo Miranda Tapsell. Many will know her from The Sapphires and more…

  • #In This Together Reconciliation Week 2020 & Rocky and Louie

    Rocky & Louie – Phil Walleystack, Raewyn Caisley and Dub Leffler Penguin Australia Published: 28 April 2020 ISBN: 9780143786528 Imprint: Puffin RRP: $24.99 I’ve saved this one for this week to time with Reconciliation Week 2020 as we take up this year’s theme, which as it turns out has proven apt in even more ways than originally intended. Despite…