Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Sam the Snowman – Laura Mennecozzi. Illustrated by Noemi Cesanelli

    Busybird Publishing October 2023 ISBN: 9781922954466 RRP: $14.99 Those of us still working with children know all too well just how greatly they were impacted by the pandemic, both at the time, as well as with the continuing after-effects. So any book that we can share with Smalls to encourage some reflection on anxious times,…

  • Picasso and the Greatest Show on Earth – Anna Feinberg

    Allen & Unwin July 2023 ISBN:9781760296988 Publisher:A&U Children’s Imprint:A & U Children RRP: $17.99 It’s been quite some time since I’ve read a book from Anna, so I was well pleased to receive this one to review (thank you lovely A&U peeps!) and it is absolutely beautiful. There is a lot going on in this…

  • Tarni’s Chance – Paul Collins & Jules Ober

    Ford St July 2022 ISBN: 9781922696052 RRP: $24.99 This is a stunning collaboration between these two fine creators. Paul’s ease and expertise in handling sensitive issues is well established and coupled with Jules’ fantastic mini-sculptures brings this beautiful and poignant story to life with an elegance that will entrance your readers. Tarni withdraws from the…

  • Worst. Holiday. Ever. – Charlie Higson

    Penguin AustraliaISBN: 9780241414781 May 2021 ISBN: 9780241414781 Imprint: Puffin RRP: $14.99 See, I associate Charlie Higson’s name with Young Bond, thrilling spy adventures, evil villains – you know the sort of thing so this absolutely hilarious book took me completely by surprise. Stan is the only child of pretty ordinary parents and lives in a pretty ordinary suburban house…

  • Eliza Vanda’s Button Box – Emily Rodda

    Harper Collins Australia May 2021 ISBN: 9781460759608 ISBN 10: 1460759605 Imprint: HarperCollins AU List Price: 22.99 AUD Buttons three, attend to me! Take me where I want to be! Emily Rodda returns with her own special brand of sparkling magic inthis delightful new fantasy adventure. Milly Dynes has been a bit down in the dumps of late. She still…

  • Two For One

      Let’s look at some feelings…… Scaredy Book : it’s not always easy to be brave! Devon Sillett & Cara King Harper Collins ISBN: 9781925335682 ISBN 10: 1925335682 Exisle Kids Publishing – NZ On Sale: 23/04/2018 List Price: 24.99 AUD Often it’s difficult to step out of our comfort zones – hard enough for adults and regularly even more…

  • Glitch – Michelle Worthington/Andrew Spark

    Ford St Publishing July 2017 Author: Michelle Worthington Illustrator: Andrew Plant   ISBN 978192527271   RRP $16.99   Here is a really lovely picture book about friendship, self confidence, and persistence, upcycling, overcoming anxiety and being positive.   Glitch is a twitchy little bug who lives in the dump and just loves recycling junk into useful things…

  • Willy and the Cloud – Anthony Browne

    Walker Books Australia ISBN: 9781406366969 Imprint: WALKER HARDBACK Release Date: October 1, 2016 Australian RRP: $24.99 Once again, one of my very favourite author/illustrators the immensely talented Anthony Browne takes a serious topic and transforms it into a sophisticated picture book that will be a perfect springboard for discussion with young readers. Willy the chimp has taken us all…