Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Caring for Country First Knowledges for younger readers – Bruce Pascoe & Bill Gammage.

    Adapted by Jasmin McGaughy with illustrations by Savi Ross. 2026 CBCA NOTABLE BOOK FOR EVE POWNALL AWARD2026 NATIONAL TRUST HERITAGE AWARDS FINALIST Thames & Hudson September 2025 ISBN: 9781760763572 RRP: $26.99 I am quite sure you have already got this one in your collection, given its recent accolade in the annual CBCA awards, but it…

  • Belonging – Ambelin Kwaymullina

    Magabala Books July 2026 ISBN: 9781922864819 RRP: $27.99 This is absolutely stunning – there’s no other word for it. Both Ambelin’s striking contemporary Aboriginal artwork and her simple yet powerful text make this a must-have for any collection. I’m sure many of you will have already seen it but for those who haven’t, let me…

  • My Country – Ezekiel Kwaymullina & Sally Morgan

    The board book edition… Fremantle Press August 2026 9781925816075 RRP: $15.00 Just a heads up that My Country is now available in a board book edition – so even the smallest of Smalls can enjoy it’s vibrant colours and lovely text!

  • Possum Skin Cloak – Aunty Fay Muir & Sue Lawson. Illustrated by Leanne Jones.

    Wild Dog Books Simon & Schuster July 2026 Your readers will learn about the cultural tradition of possum skin cloaks with this gorgeous book but more than that, they will learn of the special lifelong connection. between new life and the Dreaming, clan and Country, ancestors and the recording of one’s own story, incised by…

  • Bapa’s Last Canoe – Maree McCarthy Yoelu, Samanta Campbell

    Publisher: Magabala Books Distributor: Hachette Oct 14, 2025 | 9781922777775 | RRP $27.99 For many of our kiddos, the very idea of going far away from home to go to school is a strange concept. But then, so is a journey by dug-out canoe taking months to say goodbye to family and friends, before going to the big smoke…

  • Brightest Wild – Tania Crampton-Larking

    Hachette Australia January 2025 9780734420657 | RRP $16.99 Imprint: Lothian Children’s Books This is a ‘bright’ start to a writing career for Tania Crampton-Larking, with a whole lot going on in this novel: loss/grief, moving/changes, mixed heritage families, family/changes to family, bullying, climate change, First Nations culture to mention a few. Alex and her mum move from…

  • Leaf-Light: a story about caring for each other – Trace Balla

    Allen & Unwin August 2023 ISBN:9781760526207 Publisher:A&U Children’s Imprint:A & U Children RRP: $27.99 We have come to know Trace’s books as eloquent and evocative explorations of important themes, with a deep connection to nature and to country. This new one is, I think, my favourite so far as it narrates the interconnections of a…

  • Magabala Magic

    As you know any books from Magabala make my heart sing because a) they are always so beautiful b) they enable me to promote the First Australian culture which is so important to my family. Here are three of the newest titles: Brother Moon – Maree McCarthy Yoelu & Samantha Fry March 2020 ISBN 9781925936827…