Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Wombat Waiting – Katherine Applegate

    Harper Collins Australia Imprint: Harper Collins UK May 2026 ISBN: 9780008814144 RRP: $17.99 I’ve been following this book’s journey via Katherine’s socials with great interest, knowing full well that it would be another of her totally captivating and heart-warming animal-centric narratives. And that it is. Wombat is a street dog and always has been. She’s…

  • Freddie Jones: The Mystery of the Ghostly Garden – Kate Foster

    Walker Books Australia May 2026 ISBN13:9781760659943 Australia RRP:$17.99 New Zealand RRP:$19.99 I am really loving this new series from Kate Foster, who writes not only entertaining narratives but ones that give us all a much clearer insight into neuro-diversity. Freddie is such a likeable character and his self-awareness, especially using the literary device of first-person…

  • Gimme Some Space (Book #2 Marvellous Submarine) – Clayton Zane Comber & Conor McCammon

    Harper Collins Australia Imprint: Angus & Robertson February 2026 ISBN: 9781460766811 RRP: $17.99 Clayton and Conor continue with their new insanely bonkers series, this time blasting off into space in the retro-fitted submarine now doubling as a spaceship. Twins, Billy and Poppy, plus their assorted menagerie (using the term loosely) of helpers determine to track down…

  • Gross Things Animals Eat – Dr Claire Stevens. Adele K. Thomas

    Yucky, icky and utterly hilarious, take a deep dive into the bizarre and disgusting world of animal facts with vet Dr Claire and her cute dog Frankie! Harper Collins Australia March 2026 Although I didn’t know her name, I’m sure many others will know of or have seen Dr Claire Stevens, vet/presenter/author who has turned…

  • Feathers of Farwood and the Gripps Curse – Jayne McIntyre

    Riveted Press Distributed by Simon & Schuster March 2026 ISBN13: 9781764256704 RRP: $AU22.99 / NZ$ 26.99 I could have actually written this review 3 months ago because I was lucky enough to be able to write teaching notes for this absolutely gorgeous book back in December. I was thrilled when Jayne contacted me and I…

  • Neeka and the Great Search: #3 Wilder Zoo – Tina Strachan. Illustrated by Max Hamilton.

    Harper Collins Australia Imprint: Angus & Robertson I would be seriously surprised if anyone had missed the charming trilogy now at its conclusion. What a credit it is to this debut author, Tina Strachan, to start off with such a crackerjack set of books! For me, there’s the added bonus of meeting Tina and adding…

  • A Song for the King – Katrina Nannestad. Freya Black.

    Harper Collins Australia September 2025 Honestly, would you expect anything less than marvellous from this pair of celebrated creators? This is a truly lovely and fresh take on the nativity that will appeal to your Smalls greatly. It will also pave the way for some interesting discussions on changing perspectives in narratives with your older…

  • giwang: Weather & Wildlife on Wiradjuri Country – Belinda Bridge. Illustrated by Peta-Joy Williams.

    New South Books Publisher: Aboriginal Studies Press November 2025 9781922752031 AUD $24.95, NZD $29.99 I acknowledge the Gubbi Gubbi, the traditional custodians of the land on which I live and write, and pay my respects to elders past and present – Redcliffe, Australia. I also acknowledge and pay my respects to all the First Nations…

  • Dazzling Diamond Egg: Claris the Chicest Mouse in Paris – Megan Hess

    Hardie Grant Australia September 2025 ISBN:9781761215193 Price:AU$26.99, NZ$29.99 Series:Claris Publisher:Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing I absolutely adore Megan Hess’ books! Though I’ve only had two for review, I’ve bought every one of her fashion titles I could get my hands on for my libraries. I can assure you that my fashionista and arty girls went mad…

  • We Are All Amazing – P. Crumble and Jonathan Bentley.

    Scholastic Australia December 2025 ISBN: 9781761725333 RRP: $19.99 This is, I believe, the newest in a series pitched at younger children to encourage them to develop some positive attributes and attitudes. Anything with Jonathan Bentley‘s name attached is a drawcard for me. Not only is his artwork sublime but he’s a thoroughly nice human…amusing and…