Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe


  • You Choose… MEGA: Prehistoric Peril – George Ivanoff.

    Penguin Australia Last year was the 10th anniversary of the You Choose series and this year, the legion of fans has been treated to this MEGA new title [which was on that same slow camel train recently] and naturally, it was immediately top of the pile for me. And this time, my first attempt at…

  • The Disappearing Circus – Helen Edwards/Kate Gordon

    Riveted Press July 2025 Distributed by Simon & Schuster ISBN13: 9781763526099 RRP: AU$ 17.99 / NZ$ 19.99 I have taken my time with this, both the reading of it and the writing of the review. So much so, that I was strongly reminded of my Oddity review, four years ago, when I wrote: I read…

  • Neeka and the Storm: Wilder Zoo #2 – Tina Strachan

    Harper Collins Australia July 2025 I have no doubts whatsoever that many of you will have kids who loved the #1 in this series, Neeka and the Missing Key. Of course, the whole animals aspect is a huge drawcard, but the plot with all its drama, humour and sense of adventure mixed together makes for…

  • Cock-a-doodle-doo! – Pamela Allen

    Penguin Australia August 2025 Or as Penguin have titled it on their website: Cock-a-Doodle-Doooo! What a living treasure is Pamela Allen! Now in her 91st year and still giving children such enormous pleasure. This is another of Pamela’s deceptively simple but so cleverly done narratives that will have your Smalls in fits of the giggles…

  • Gregor the Overlander: #1 The Underland Chronicles – Suzanne Collins

    Scholastic Australia April 2025 ISBN: 9781761648335 RRP: $19.99 First published in 2003, well before the Hunger Games, this is a well-loved adventure/fantasy that will both intrigue, delight and, at times, freak your kiddos out. There are always rats in sewers, this we know, and there have been stories about creatures of all kinds living under cities…

  • Doom of the Darkwing: How to Train Your Dragon School #1- Cressida Cowell

    Hachette Australia May, 2025 | 9781444981926 | RRP $16.99 Imprint: Hodder Children’s Books If you read my review of the 20th anniversary edition of How to Train Your Dragon you will know how this series holds a special place in my heart, and will forever. So it’s super exciting that we get to enjoy a new series featuring our…

  • The Marvellous Submarine -Zane Clayton Comber (The Marvellous Submarine, #1) Clayton Zane Comber. Connor McCammon

    Harper Collins Australia April 2025 This hails the start of a new series, co-written and illustrated by this pair from Kiama [one of my favourite places in the country] which will completely hook your young readers, particularly those who have been languishing for more Treehouse-like books. It is completely absurd and crazy and all the…

  • Sink or Swim: Frog Squad #3 – Kate and Jol Temple. Shiloh Gordon.

    Harper Collins April 2025 Everybody’s favourite famous frogs are back – leaping into action with all the finesse of the fit and feisty ‘phibians that they are. This small, but dedicated, army of frogs – drawn from all over the world [and by Shiloh Gordon] are hopping with excitement to not only meet the famous…

  • How to Sail to Somewhere – Ashleigh Barton

    Hachette Australia Imprint: Lothian Books March 2025 9780734423627 | RRP $16.99 My recent enjoyment of the newest Katya Balen book has been serendipitously echoed in Ashleigh Barton’s gorgeous new MG novel which has similar themes but definitely more mystery. The two books written half a world apart (weirdly) have striking likenesses, though with a different take on…

  • Dragonkeeper – Carole Wilkinson

    Walker Books December 2024 ISBN13:9781761601446 Australia RRP:$17.99 New Zealand RRP:$19.99 What a series this is and how loved it has been by so many over the years! I loved Dragonkeeper the first time I read it over 20 years ago and have re-read it more than once. When I read and reviewed Bronze Bird Tower…