Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • 2026 Father’s Day Special: Some Dads: 15th Anniversary Edition – Nick Bland

    Scholastic Australia July 2026 ISBN: 9781761723841 RRP: $19.99 First of all let me say, I love EVERY Nick Bland book without exception. They are both clever and always well-executed. And this long-time favourite must have been shared a gazillion times in libraries, classrooms and homes for the past 15 years. It is both fun and…

  • Edwina the Emu : 30th Anniversary Edition : Sheena Knowles/Rod Clement.

    Harper Collins Australia July 2026 ISBN: 9781460769591 ISBN-10: 1460769597 RRP: $24.99 Yes indeed, another anniversary edition that makes me think OH MY! it’s been that long I’ve been a librarian!! And another book that so many of us have read dozens of times, now coming to an entirely new audience and generation. With it’s absolutely perfect rhyme…

  • Animalia: 40th Anniversary – Graeme Base

    Penguin Australia September 2026 It’s a big year for anniversary editions – it seems so many have come along in 2026 – but I doubt there will be any bigger, bolder, bluer or shinier than this absolutely glorious foiled collector’s edition of Animalia. Forty years old!!! What the…?? I can hardly believe it and it…

  • Blossom Possum: 20th Anniversary Edition – Gina Newton. Kilmeny Niland.

    Well I wouldn’t mind a dollar for every time I’ve shared this delightful re-tell with an appreciative audience over the many years in the many libraries. And it’s never on the shelf unless you keep it in reserve for when you do want to share it. There is something about the familiarity, yet difference, of…

  • Leaf Litter 20th Anniversary Edition- Rachel Tonkin

    An extraordinary examination of the natural cycles of life and death in microcosm, as well as a fascinating introduction to environmental science for kids Harper Collins Australia May 2026 ISBN: 9781460768976 RRP: $34.99 Resources: River Connect NCACL Quite simply, it is every bit as mesmerising and stunning now as it was when we first saw it…

  • Rain Stones: 35th Anniversary Edition – Jackie French

    Harper Collins Australia March 2026 ISBN: 9781460768808 ISBN 10: 1460768809 Imprint: HarperCollins AU List Price: 17.99 AUD When I opened this package a couple of days ago, there was a sharp intake of breath and a gasp of ’35 years! that can’t be right surely!’ but, of course it’s right. And over the course of 25ish years in school…

  • Fremantle Press extravaganza!!

    Coming up for its 50th anniversary Fremantle Press may be small but it sure is mighty! SO many fabulous books across all genres have come from this outstanding independent publishing house. It has always been a pleasure to review their titles but I was super excited yesterday (11/02) to get several parcels from them, loaded…

  • Mutt Dog! 21st Anniversary Edition – Stephen Michael King

    Scholastic Australia November 2025 ISBN: 9781761723780 RRP: $19.99 I know I say this a lot – but these anniversary editions!! they remind me just how long I’ve been a teacher-librarian. Don’t get me wrong – that’s a good thing but sometimes it seems like only yesterday when a particular book first came my way. In…

  • Happy Anniversary Tashi!! Tashi 30th Anniversary Edition – Anna Fienberg, Barbara Fienberg, Kim Gamble

    Allen & Unwin July 2025 ISBN:9781761181450 Publisher: &U Children’s Imprint: A & U Children Thirty years and over 100 millions of sales on, Tashi is every bit as entertaining, clever, funny and brave as he ever was. I can still recall how enchanted I was on first meeting him, and knowing that the kiddos in…

  • Alexander’s Outing – Pamela Allen

    Penguin Australia Who hasn’t shared the love with Alexander at some point, (or many even!) over the past 30 – THIRTY!! – years? And for those of us who are Sydney girls, it has always had a special place in our reading canon. My last outing with Alexander was about a year ago with a…