Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe


  • 2026 Australasian Sky Guide – Dr Nick Lomb

    New South Powerhouse ISBN: 9781761170546/ October 2025 RRP: AUD$24.99, NZD$29.99 I’m no astronomer but I was a bit miffed a few days ago when I saw a guy walking out of the op shop clutching a pretty decent looking telescope. I’ve always thought it would be great fun to have one just to take a…

  • Ming and Maria Explore the Universe: The Girls Who Changed the World #5 – Jackie French

    Harper Collins Australia Once again, I was delighted to be asked to write the notes for this last title in what has been an inspiring series for our young people. It was particularly special as Jackie and I had had some conversations about this particular ‘mighty girl’ of history, and how much Maria Mitchell contributed…

  • Hester Hitchins and the Falling Stars – Catherine Norton

    Harper Collins Australia July 2024 Don’t think it’s taken me all this time to read this one because it didn’t at all. After The Fortune Maker this was high up in the reading order. It’s just a sad fact that it’s taken me this long to get to writing the review. But it is another…

  • Helping Little Star – Sally Morgan and Blaze Kwaymullina. Illustrations by Sally Morgan.

    Walker Books Australia July 2024 ISBN13:9781760658700 Australia RRP:$16.99 New Zealand RRP:$18.99 August 4 is National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day so what a better to mark that than with some reviews of some wonderful new titles. What an absolutely charming story this is for Smalls! It is essentially quite simple but could easily develop into…

  • Information Overload!

    Every now and then it happens. There’s been a gradual build-up on the review shelves, which I doggedly work through but then there’s a sudden rush of many parcels arriving (my postie and I are such good friends after him delivering to my last two houses!), and things go completely catawampus. So despite all my…

  • The Sideways Orbit of Evie Hart – Samera Kamaleddine

    Harper Collins Australia May 2023 For many tweens the transition from child to teen is a tumultuous time, and Evie Hart is one such who is struggling to feel secure and grounded as so much impacts on her life. Her much-loved stepfather, Lee, is moving out and it’s not just the awful jolt of her…

  • Moon Sailors – Naomi Woodward. Illustrated by Rachel Gregg

    Ford St Publishing October 2022 ISBN: 9781922696182 RRP: $16.95 If you are exploring the depths of the ocean or the limitless skies or if you simply are looking for a beautiful lyrical book to share with our kiddos, this would be a wonderful choice. It offers so much for even very young readers with elegant…

  • The Emu Who Ran Through the Sky – Helen Milroy

    Magabala Books April 2021 ISBN: 9781925936018 RRP: $22.99 This is the second in Helen Milroy’s exciting series Tales from the Bush Mob and will be as equally welcome as the first, Willy-willy Wagtail. Either as a read-aloud for your younger students or an independent read for your older ones this is definitely one to put…

  • Meet the Planets – Caryl Hart. Illustrated by Bethan Woollvin

    Bloomsbury Australia March 2020 ISBN: 9781408892985 Imprint: Bloomsbury Children’s Books RRP: $14.99 Another terrific book to add to your ‘space/astronomy’ theme and this one is particularly well-suited to younger readers so if you are differentiating your study it would be perfect as a kick-start. Engaging rhyming text which each heavenly body accompanied by a salient…

  • Under the Milky Way – Frané Lessac

    Walker Books Australia January 2020 ISBN: 9781536200959 Imprint: Candlewick Australian RRP: $24.99 New Zealand RRP: $27.99   I had the very great pleasure of meeting Frané at the 2019 Voices on the Coast Literature Festival (thank you again for the lovely sketch of Duffy!) and she is such a wonderful and warm, not to mention talented creator. While…