Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Bluey: The Sign

    Penguin Australia Close enough to include it in my picture books, this is the stand-out episode that many kids will have seen, and now they can read it as well. In the cutest graphic novel format, find out what happens when the For Sale goes up in the front yard of the Heelers’ place. Bluey,…

  • Catty Corner: #1 and #2 – Julie Murphy

    I’ve been a fan of Julie Murphy’s writing since I first read Dumplin’ [wow! ten years old now!] when she gave fat girls back the power (by the way, the movie was pretty good too, if you’ve not seen it yet!). This is a new series for younger readers to MG, and again, puts the…

  • My Dog – Olivia Wakeford

    the story of an extraordinary friendship Harper Collins Australia ISBN: 9780008658588 ISBN 10: 0008658587 Imprint: HarperCollins GB RRP: $17.99 This one I will say was at times, a bit too close to the bone for me. That being said, it is truly a special book that will touch the hearts of sophisticated primary readers and, I would suggest,…

  • Hannah Backwards – Kim Rackham

    I think this is very possibly the first verse novel for younger readers I’ve come across to review, and I think it will be very popular with many of them. Much of the action in this narrative is eminently relatable to many kiddos. The worries that beset them, the losses they meet with, making mistakes…

  • Dylan Alcott: Game On! – Dylan Alcott/Fiona Regan. Illustrated by Nahum Ziersch.

    Harper Collins November 2024 What an absolute honour it was for me to be asked to write the teaching notes for this book – the first in a series – from sporting legend, disability advocate, radio host, actor, founder of his self-named foundation, film-maker, motivational speaker, Australian of the Year and, dead-set larrikin, Dylan Alcott.…

  • Lani and the Universe – Victoria Carless

    Harper Collins Australia January 2024 I really enjoyed Victoria’s earlier book, Gus and the Starlight, so the invitation to write teaching notes for this new one was a great pleasure, and, of course, gave me a very early read of another fresh, funny and poignant MG novel. It’s been patiently awaiting review time for a…

  • Pink Santa – Tanya Hennessy. Illustrated by Ben Whitehouse.

    Allen & Unwin August 2023 ISBN:9781761180392 Publisher:A&U Children’s Imprint: Albert Street Books RRP: $19.99 Most folks know I/we don’t really do Xmas in a traditional kind of way. Ever since we lost The Kid’s mum, it really has lost more and more appeal each year, even when K was still quite Small. So now we…

  • Butterfly Girl – Ashling Kwok and Arielle Li

    EK Books October 2023 9781922539564 RRP: $24.99 Butterflies have been very important to us since we lost our Jen. And we have lost count of the number of times they appear at significant moments. So it was little wonder that this lovely picture book had special appeal for me. Olivia is the butterfly girl and…

  • Picture Book Month Bonus #3: Starberries and Kee- Cate Whittle

    Storytorch Press May 2023 ISBN: 9780645191554 RRP: $17.95 Audio Interview with Cate @ Living Arts Canberra More years ago than I care to remember, I was a subscriber to, and devotee of Grass Roots magazine. I pretty much daydreamed constantly about having the kind of life that Hannah finds herself in when she and her…

  • Ava’s Big Move – Surf Riders Club #1 – Mary Van Reyk

      Hachette Children’s Books Imprint: Lothian Children’s Books September 2017 9780734417909 RRP $12.99 First in a new series designed to encourage more girls into the sport of surfing this kicks off in a very promising manner. Ava’s parents have decided on a sea change which means that Ava is leaving behind her big city life,…