Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • My Dream Holiday – Ash Barty. Jasmin McGaughey. Jade Goodwin.

    Harper Collins Australia You may or may not have heard the current furore instigated by The Society of Authors UK over ‘celebrity-authored’ books and that’s hardly surprising. I have seen many books that I know very well have not been written by the person named as author, with there is nary a mention of the…

  • We’re going on a Treasure Hunt – Martha Mumford. Laura Hughes.

    lift the flaps and find the treasure! Bloomsbury Australia June 2025 ISBN: 978152627384 Imprint: Bloomsbury Children’s Books Series: The Bunny Adventures RRP: $16.99 We’re going on a treasure hunt. Yo! Ho! Ho!Help us find the golden coins … Arrrrr! Off we go! Well, it’s rabbits so of course I’m in! But seriously, how cute are the Bunnies?…

  • Dear Santa: I Don’t Need Socks. Consuelo Fernandez Ortiz

    Five Mile September 2024 9781922943477 RRP: $24.99 This is a very cute story of Christmas from two very different perspectives. One Koala lives in Mallacoota, along with his best friend Too (a cockatoo, of course). Their tree is their home, They have ocean views and it is a quiet place to live. Cousin Olavi lives…

  • Over or Under – Pip Harry & Hilary Jean Tapper

    Hachette Australia Oct 30, 2024 | 9780734421807 | RRP $24.99 Imprint: Lothian Books I’m jumping waves at the beach with Dad.If they’re small I can leap over their frothy peaks.Easy!But further out, when they’re big, you have to duck dive under. We are always looking for ways in which to encourage our Smalls to be brave and take risks…

  • Salt Water Therapy

                              Here are four picture books all of which centre on the ocean but with very different purpose, style and execution, each of them truly lovely.   Beach Song – Ros Moriarty. Illustrated by Samantha Campbell Allen & Unwin January 2024 ISBN:9781761180248 Publisher:A&U Children’s Imprint:A & U Children RRP: $24.99 Ros Moriarty comments ‘my emotional wellbeing…

  • Good Night, Good Beach – Joy Cowley & Hilary Jean Tapper

    Walker Books AustraliaNovember 2023 Author: Joy Cowley Illustrator: Hilary Jean Tapper Imprint: Gecko Press RRP: $27.99 At almost 90 years of age, we might reasonably expect internationally acclaimed Queen of children’s stories and NZ national treasure, Joy Cowley, to be slowing down but no, her love of telling stories and writing for children remains undiminished. When I was small,…

  • Little Treasure – Chanelle Gosper. Illustrated by Jennifer Goldsmith.

    Hachette MAR 2023 | 9780734421494 | RRP $24.99 Imprint: Lothian Books Just because it has taken me so long to get to this, is no indication of its worth. It was one of the unfortunates that got caught up in the Great House Move, and when it recently came to light again, I thought I would keep it till…

  • A Friend for George – Gabriel Evans

    Penguin Australia May 2023 Anyone who has taught or worked with children will probably agree that we can never have enough books about friendship, and in particular, how to be a good friend. Once I probably would have said this is most true of the younger grades but realistically, more and more, I see kids…

  • The Lucky Shack – Apsara Baldovino/Jennifer Falkner

    Harper Collins July 2023 This is essentially a simple story but there is a depth to it that many will find both heart-warming and thought-provoking. Written from the PoV of the shack (being a great introduction to the idea of personification), this humble little dwelling goes through changes wrought by time and circumstances, and through…

  • Sea Dog – Claire Saxby/Tom Jellet

    June 1st 2013         Random House Australia                           ISBN13: 9781742756509 With impeccable timing this delightful picture book arrived in my review parcel just as Small and I were impatiently awaiting the arrival of one small black toy poodle (anything better than being with Gran? Yes, being with Gran AND a lively little pup!). We pounced on…