Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Scout and the Rescue Dogs – Dianne Wolfer. With Illustrations by Tony Flowers.

    Walker Books June 2023 ISBN13: 9781760655860 Australia RRP: $15.99 New Zealand RRP: $17.99 Dianne Wolfer’s books are always so full of heart I find, there is a ‘feel good’ thread to them that is warming and reassuring. This new title is certainly no exception. Scout has been struggling to fit in at her new boarding…

  • Leeva at Last – Sara Pennypacker. Illustrated by Matthew Cordell

    Harper Collins Australia ISBN: 9780008606190 ISBN 10: 0008606196 Imprint: HarperCollins GB RRP: $16.99 This is another fabulous Sara Pennypacker MG novel, but straight up I’m going to say it’s nothing like Pax nor Here in the Real World, which thus far have been my favourites. It is however, a wonderfully absurdist look at values, relationships/friendships, risk, trust, responsibility,…

  • Willa and Woof 3: Grandparents for Hire – Jacqueline Harvey

    Penguin Australia January 2023 ISBN: 9781761043338 Imprint: Puffin RRP: $12.99 It makes me very happy that my first review for 2023 is for my lovely friend, and über-talented creator, Jacqueline Harvey for #3 in her latest sensational series. Jacqueline has a sublime knack for creating character with whom readers can immediately connect, empathise and love, and Willa –…

  • Christmas Goodies

    Zola and the Christmas Lights – Melina Marchetta/Deb Hudson Penguin Australia October 2022 ISBN: 9780143777649 Imprint: Puffin RRP: $19.99 For the entirety of the delightful What Zola did On… series, Melina Marchetta consistently delivered such beautiful and meaningful messages to young readers around diversity, community, empathy, friendship and family, all without once becoming preachy or tedious. It…

  • The Curiosities – Zana Fraillon/Phil Lesnie

    Hachette SEP 29, 2021 | 9780734417848 | RRP $26.99 Imprint: Lothian Books This is a sophisticated book in all senses so my inclination is that it is more suitable for sharing with older children, with whom one would be able to fully explore and unpack the subtleties both written and visual. Indeed, the teachers’ resources file is full of…

  • The What on Earth Institute of Wonder – Lisa Nichol

    You can read my review of the The What on Earth Institute of Wonder now at Kids Book Review!!

  • What Zola Did on Sunday – Melina Marchetta

    Penguin September 2021 ISBN: 9781760895228 Imprint: Puffin RRP: $12.99 This series has just been pure joy from the very first word with each new story building on the warmth, friendship and community of Zola’s neighbourhood. Now that we have finished the entire week with Zola I feel quite sad but I’m hopeful that Melina might take Zola and…

  • What Zola did on Wednesday – Melina Marchetta

    Penguin Australia September 2020 ISBN: 9781760895174 Imprint: Puffin RRP: $12.99 I don’t know about you but I am getting incredibly fond of Zola and her neighbourhood. This little series is just truly delightful and I know that little readers must love being able to make connections with their own family, friends, schools and communities. Boomerang St has been…

  • The Pony Question – Jackie Merchant

    Walker Books July 2020 ISBN: 9781760651640Imprint: Walker Books Australia Australian RRP: $16.99New Zealand RRP: $18.99 I’m not really a horse-y person and now that the Kid is no longer riding neither is she so horse-themed books are a little bit of uncharted territory for me. However many years ago Ruby Ferguson’s Jill’s Gymkana (#1 Jill’s Ponies) was a very…

  • What Zola did on Tuesday – Melina Marchetta

    Penguin Australia August 2020 ISBN: 9781760895167 Imprint: Puffin RRP: $12.99 I reviewed the first in this joyful series a little while back and now we have the delight of the second instalment which is just as gorgeous! Zola and her cousin over the back fence, Alessandro, would love to get to meet their new neighbours – more playmates!…