Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Something Rotten: A Fresh Look at Roadkill – Heather L. Montgomery

    Bloomsbury November 2018 ISBN 9781681199009 Imprint: Bloomsbury Children’s Books   RRP: $22.99 Yep, you did read that title correctly! It’s not for the ‘squeamish or faint-hearted) but it is completely and utterly engrossing (haha grossing!) and often rather humorous. Wildlife researcher Montgomery passes a tyre-treaded rattlesnake as she is jogging one day and on the…

  • Fiona the Hippo – Richard Cowdrey

    Harper Collins Australia ISBN: 9780310766360 ISBN 10: 0310766362 Imprint: HarperCollins – US List Price: 13.99 AUD When a tiny hippo was born prematurely at Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden in January 2017 she became an internet sensation. Weighing only 29 pounds this little fighter survived and thrived and has become an inspiration to many for her plucky personality and…

  • The Funny Life of Pets – James Campbell and Rob Jones

    Bloomsbury Australia September 2018 ISBN 9781408889947 Imprint: Bloomsbury Children’s Books RRP: $12.99   This book answers all the big questions, like: do sausage dogs eat sausages? Why has my cat done a poo-poo behind my wardrobe? And, how can I persuade my parents to get me a pet? If you have some reluctant readers in…

  • Begone the Raggedy Witches (The Wild Magic Trilogy: Book 1) – Celine Kiernan

    Walker Australia ISBN: 9781406366020 Imprint: Walker Release Date: April 1, 2018 Australian RRP: $16.99 New Zealand RRP: $18.99   Just wow!! If you have readers who love HP or other magical worlds they are going to love this new series. Set in Ireland with a close family of three generations but one that has secrets. Mup lives with her mum,…

  • A First Book of Animals – Nicole Davies

    Walker Books ISBN: 9781406359633 Imprint: Walker October , 2016 Australian RRP: $29.99 New Zealand RRP: $32.99 Divided into five sections: Big and Small, Colours and Shapes, Animal Homes, Animal Babies and Animals in Action, over fifty animals are presented in poems and simply glorious illustrations in this beautiful book. The author is both a biologist and a children’s writer…

  • Lexi & Lottie #1: Trusty Twin Detectives – Melanie Alexander

    Penguin Random House 9780143784135 May 29, 2017 Random House Australia Children’s RRP $12.99   If you’re looking for something new for your early independent readers this might be just the thing. Ignorant as I am of TV shows in the main, apparently this is based on a kids’ show of the same name.  The author…

  • Vet Cadets : Bks 3 & 4 – Rebecca Johnson

    Penguin Random House 31 July 2017 Imprint : Puffin (AU YR) RRP $14.99 This new series from Rebecca Johnson is perfect for those who have graduated from Juliet Nearly a Vet with girls who are just a little older and perhaps with a slightly more exciting setting. The three main characters – Abbey, Talika and…

  • Truly Tan: Trapped! (Truly Tan, Book #6) – Jen Storer

    Harper Collins         ISBN: 9780733334122       ISBN 10: 0733334121       Imprint: ABC Books – AU 01/05/2017      RRP 16.99 AUD   Confession time: Truly Tan is up to number 6 and I’ve not read any. In my defence, they are never on the library shelves long enough to snaffle one and since I taught my students how to…

  • Animasaurus – Tracey Turner, illustrated by Harriet Russell

    Bloomsbury UK Imprint: Bloomsbury Child ISBN 9781408884850 RRP:  $26.99 Did you know: A shark as long as a bus roamed the oceans? Hamsters with horns once burrowed the Earth? Giant armadillos grew to the size of a family car?  Oh yes, this very much satisfies my love of engaging information books for children!  Explore the…

  • Fright Club – Ethan Long

    Bloomsbury Publishing Australia Published: 01-09-2016 ISBN: 9781681190433 Imprint: Bloomsbury USA Childrens RRP: $9.99   – This is one of the cutest board books I’ve seen for ages. Forget about sweet and pretty – this one is just in time for Halloween and a fun story for little people. The local Fright Club led by Vladimir…