Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Do Penguins’ Feet Freeze? The Natural History Museum

    CSIRO Publishing August 2023 ISBN: 9781486317820 RRP: $27.99 Ok, so technically, this is not about penguins per se, following up my last two posts, but given the title it was the obvious choice as next cab off the rank – or penguin off the floe, as the case may be. This is actually one of…

  • The Black Cockatoo with One Feather Blue – Jodie McLeod/Eloise Short

    On KBR today Confidence can be a frail commodity for many of us, but, perhaps, particularly for little people. And, as a result, it is easy to imbue a particular object with special qualities that make us feel braver, stronger and smarter – whether professional golfer with a lucky tee or a toddler with a…

  • Downtown Sewertown – Tull Suwannakit

    Ford St Publishing March 2023 ISBN: 978192296250 RRP: $17.99 What to do when your home is destroyed? There is nothing, except to take what belongings you can,and try to find a new place to live. The woodland creatures are forced to flee when their homes and woods are flattened for new urban housing. They try…

  • Wildlife Compendium of the World – Tania McCartney

    Hardie Grant May 2023 ISBN9781741177473 Imprint: Hardie Grant Explore RRP: $32.99 I can safely say without hesitation that Tania’s gorgeous picture books are only surpassed by her utterly glorious non-fiction books. You may disagree – but you’d be wrong in my opinion! I have always loved informational books – yes, I was the nerdy kid…

  • The Rabbit’s Magician: Shae Millward/Andy Fackrell

    Ford St Publishing August 2022 ISBN: 9781922696083 RRP: $16.99 From firsthand experience, I can assure you that having a sensitively written, beautifully crafted book to help a child deal with loss is a very valuable commodity. I used several when we lost The Kid’s mum but this one is a very welcome addition to that…

  • You Can’t Let an Elephant Drive a Racing Car – Patricia Cleveland-Peck and DavidTazzyman

    Bloomsbury Publishing August 2022 ISBN 9781526635402 Imprint Bloomsbury Children’s Books RRP: $14.99 We all know that kiddos love absurd humour and this book fits that bill to a T. I shared this one with a Prep class who were all pretty much shrieking with laughter all the way through it. This is a hilarious look…

  • Amazing Animal Journeys- Jennifer Cossins

    Hachette Australia October 2022 ISBN 9780734421432 RRP $26.99 Another glorious information book sneakily posing as a picture book *grin*, in the most excellent style for which Jennifer Cossins has become well known and loved. The book explores the incredible migratory habits of 25 different species, quite a few from Australia, and when I shared it…

  • The Golden Swift – Lev Grossman

    Bloomsbury July 2022 ISBN 9781526647634 Imprint Bloomsbury Children’s Books RRP: $14.99 A couple of years back I enthusiastically endorsed The Silver Arrow and I am very pleased to say that this second instalment is equally as enchanting for your middle school readers. A year after they first encounter The Silver Arrow and begin their mission…

  • Pearly and Pig and the Great Hairy Beast – Sue Whiting

    Walker Books Australia March 2022 ISBN: 9781760653590Imprint: Walker Books AustraliaAustralian RRP: $15.99 This is quite simply, really good fun! For some reason, it put me very much in mind of the old Rocky & Bullwinkle cartoons (which those elderly people such as myself will recall) especially with the almost absurd characters and situations. Pearly Woe is the epitome…

  • The What on Earth Institute of Wonder – Lisa Nichol

    You can read my review of the The What on Earth Institute of Wonder now at Kids Book Review!!