Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • The Big Book of Australian Nursery Rhymes – Frané Lessac

    Walker Books Australia March 2024 ISBN13:9781760655099 Australia RRP:$26.99 New Zealand RRP:$28.99 Frané once again brings her extraordinary talent to a new picture book that epitomises joy in our Australian wildlife and landscapes, this time for the very smallest of Smalls. For those of us with long experience in literacy and teaching, we know that exposing…

  • Our Australian HeART anthology – Just Write for Kids and Friends

     Daisy Lane Publishing & Just Write For Kids Australia ISBN: 9780645842722 RRP: $32.99 Contributors include: Bridget Acreman . Suzanne Barton . Melanie Corrigan . Kim de Haan . Michèle Dodd . Alisha Dyer . Naomi Eccles-Smith . Hannah Friend . Daniela Glyntzos . Imogen Hartland . Jacqui Hewlett . Carla Hoffenberg . Jennifer Horn . Lorraine &…

  • Ancient Wonders – Mark Greenwood/Frané Lessac

    Walker Books August 2023 ISBN13:9781760658083 Australia RRP:$16.99 New Zealand RRP:$18.99 Now in paperback, this is the first in the Our Country Series by this very talented couple (both of whom I’ve had the pleasure of meeting). I have no doubt you would be well acquainted by the many outstanding collaborations Mark and Frané have produced, and…

  • 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…

  • We Are Australians – Duncan Smith & Nicole Godwin/Jandamarra Cadd

    My review of this truly superb new picture book is now live at Kids Book Review – please do yourself a favour and check it out, then rush out and buy it. It is truly amazeballs!

  • Mr. Men [Little Miss] in Australia – Roger Hargreaves

    Penguin Australia November 2021 ISBN: 9781761044342 Imprint: Mr Men RRP: $16.99 These characters are so enduring and still so well-loved fifty years after their creation, that this book will make a fun addition to your collection and, indeed, to your classroom unit on Australia, if you are building up a solid title list for that purpose. The gang…

  • Our Country: Ancient Wonders – Mark Greenwood/Frané Lessac

    Walker Books February 2022 ISBN: 9781760652241Imprint: Walker Books AustraliaAustralian RRP: $26.99New Zealand RRP: $28.99 What a talented partnership this couple is and how grateful am I that I’ve had the opportunity to meet and talk with them both, as well as see them present. Now this first in a new series from the always remarkable Walker house will be…

  • Aussie Kids series – Books #5 & #6

    Penguin Australia July 2020 Get your little newly independent readers excited when you add these two new volumes to the Aussie Kids books! This is just a truly charming series as children take a vicarious trip around our beautiful country, learning a little about kids from other spaces, cultures and backgrounds as well as information…

  • Alice-Miranda in the Outback – Jacqueline Harvey

      Penguin Australia June 2020 ISBN: 9781760891039 Imprint: Puffin RRP: $16.99 Once again Jacqueline Harvey has produced an adventure for Alice-Miranda which will both excite and fascinate her legion devoted fans. I love that each new book in this series continues to grab these readers some of whom might be considered to have ‘out-grown’ the diminutive main character!…

  • Aussie Kids series #3 & #4

    Penguin Random House March 2020 This new series for newly independent readers has already been a big hit in our junior library. Not only are the stories relatable to these young readers but they are able to explore Australia vicariously – and let’s face it, at present particularly this is a huge advantage.   Meet…