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…

  • The Hats of Marvello – Amanda Graham. Illustrated by Lavanya Naidu.

    Harper Collins Australia March 2023 If I could only use one word for this book, it would be delightful! From start to finish (and I binge read it one sitting) it is charming, sweet and fun. Amanda Graham’s knack for creating endearing characters and plots remains true (who can ever forget Arthur?). In dusty, ravaged…

  • Downtown Sewertown – Tull Suwannakit

    Ford St Publishing March 2023 ISBN: 978192296250 RRP: $17.99 What to do when your home is destroyed? There is nothing, except to take what belongings you can,and try to find a new place to live. The woodland creatures are forced to flee when their homes and woods are flattened for new urban housing. They try…

  • Being You is Enough series- Josh Langley

    Big Sky Publishing RRP: $14.99 It was such a joy to become connected with the uber-talented Josh Langley online earlier this year and to discover his own magical brand of positivity, particularly as it applies to children. It’s taken a while but this week I received the four books in his amazingly successful series and…

  • The Constant Rabbit – Jasper Fforde

    Hachette JUN 30, 2020 | 9781444763638 | RRP $32.99 In my opinion there are simply not enough books with rabbits as main characters (as she looks down at her rabbit-patterned PJs and rabbit-y slippers – well, what did you expect with my surname?). Jasper Fforde has brought his amazing brand of satirical humour to this new stand-alone novel and…

  • The Year the Maps Changed – Danielle Binks

    Hachette Australia APR 28, 2020 | 9780734419712 | RRP $17.99 What a glorious book with so much richness as it reveals not only a tragic episode in recent history but explores the pain but beautiful bonding in a family and community. 1999 in Sorrento is a difficult time for Fred (Winifred). Her mother died when she was very little…

  • His Name was Walter – Emily Rodda

    Harper Collins Australia March 2020 ISBN: 9781460756195 ISBN 10: 1460756193 Imprint: HarperCollins – AU List Price: 17.99 AUD Back in October 2018 I had the immense privilege of reviewing Emily Rodda’s new book His Name was Walter and immediately fell in love with it. I promoted it heavily with my kiddos and was very excited to be one of…

  • Eight Princesses and a Magic Mirror – Natasha Farrant/Lydia Corry

    Harper Collins November 2019 ISBN: 9781788541152 ISBN 10: 1788541154 Imprint: Head Of Zeus – Zehpyr – GB List Price: 29.99 AUD Whether you are looking for alternative princesses or fairy tales or just looking for a beautiful book for the Mighty Girls in your readership this stunning gift book ticks all the boxes. When an enchantress prepares for a…

  • Boy Giant: Son of Gulliver – Michael Morpurgo

    Harper Collins September 2019 ISBN: 9780008347925 ISBN 10: 0008347921 Imprint: HarperCollins – GB List Price: 19.99 AUD And the master has done it again! Morpurgo has drawn on Jonathon Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels as his inspiration for this latest exploration of human nature, political unrest and compassion. Omar has fled war-torn Afghanistan with his mother in a race for survival.…

  • Alice-Miranda Keeps the Beat (#18) – Jacqueline Harvey

    Penguin Random House 9780143786030 June 4, 2019 Puffin   RRP $16.99 Jacqueline Harvey knows exactly how to reach those high notes with her readers and the overwhelming popularity of her series, and certainly Alice-Miranda, is proof of that. The tiny girl with the big heart always plays her part in helping others, redressing injustices and…