Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • You Belong – Liv Downing.Illustrations by Mel Matthews.

    Allen & Unwin ISBN:9781761181702 Publisher:A&U Children’s Imprint:Albert Street Books RRP: $24.99 What a delightful and meaningful book this is for Smalls with the clever cut-out echoing a globe! This simple text with its colourful and expressive illustrations encourages Smalls to take notice of their world, and others around them in their immediate communities as well…

  • Why We Love Footy: an Aussie Rules History in 50 Great Moments – Martin Blake

    Allen & Unwin August 2026 ISBN:9781761472930 Publisher:Allen & Unwin Imprint:Allen & Unwin RRP: $34.99 I freely admit as always that I’m a league girl, always have been and always will be, but that’s not to say I’m entirely ignorant nor uninterested in the aerial ping-pong version [ok, so I had to get that in somewhere!].…

  • Reckless: the Saga of Australian Crawl – Jeff Apter

    Allen & Unwin August 2026ISBN: 9781760879792 RRP: $34.99 I will openly admit I was not particularly a fan of Aussie Crawl back in the day. For one thing, I was more absorbed raising small children but my musical tastes, though eclectic as they still are, veered in other directions. But let’s face it, it’s basically…

  • How the Fish got Their Bones – Sam Thaiday. Illustrated by Tori-Jay Mordey.

    Allen & Unwin August 2026 ISBN:978176118271 Imprint:A & U Children RRP: $19.99 Around here Sam Thaiday is pretty much a legend. His stellar NRL career aside, Sam has a close association with the Dolphins, our local team, but also his great commitment to promoting the game, and healthy lifestyles for First Nations peoples, as well…

  • The Not So Quiet Life of Marcel Marceau – Jenn Bailey & Sherry Bushue. Illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski.

    Allen & Unwin June 2026 ISBN:9781761182945 Imprint:A & U Children RRP: $22.99 Mime is an art beyond words. It is the art of the essential. And you cannot lie. You have to show the truth. Marcel Marceau As a kid, aeons ago, I was completely entranced by Marcel Marceau whenever I saw him perform on…

  • Treeshape – Trace Balla

    Allen & Unwin March 2026 ISBN:9781761181252 Publisher:A&U Children’s Imprint:A & U Children Trace Balla’s work always fills me with both admiration and emotion, and I think really, this one is the best yet as it is the most intensely personal as well, outlining the journey of Trace from child to present. Leaf-light (2023) and Rivertime…

  • Somewhere You Can Dream – Janeen Brian. Hilary Jean Tapper.

    Allen & Unwin March 2026 ISBN:9781761181764 Publisher:A&U Children’s Imprint:A & U Children The incomparable Janeen Brian never fails to provide us with utter joy and here is the latest example of her lyrical talent. As I’ve previously mentioned, Janeen’s was one of the first author names to make me take note wayyyyyy back when I…

  • Good Young Men – Gary Lonesborough

    Allen & Unwin March 2026 ISBN:9781761182174 Publisher:A&U Children’s Imprint:A & U Children RRP: $22.99 Once again Gary brings his own upbringing as a young gay Koori in a regional setting [from the same part of the country as my family] as well as his professional experience working with Aboriginal youth in a skewed justice system,…

  • Valerie: Australia’s Bravest Sausage Dog – Lucinda Gifford

    Allen & Unwin Imprint: Albert St Books February 2026 ISBN:9781761182594 RRP: $19.99 Valerie the dachshund reunited with owners after Kangaroo Island rescue There can’t be many people who didn’t hear Valerie’s story – not just in Australia … this little weiner became world-famous. Not many pampered pooches could survive in the wild for almost two…

  • The Night Tiger – Sherryl Clark & Hannah Summerville

    Allen & Unwin March 2026 ISBN:9781760113421 Publisher:A&U Children’s Imprint:A & U Children When I was a kid I was one who was afraid of dark so I think a book that empowers Smalls to feel more comfortable with the nightime and embrace the magic of moonlight, stars and night creatures is a welcome addition to…