Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Indigenous Literacy Day

    It gives me such enormous pleasure to be able to showcase four new books from ILF to celebrate Indigenous Literacy Day – and if you’ve missed it on your calendar, don’t despair! Just schedule your own event when you can – I know only too well how hard it can be fitting everything into our…

  • Counting to Calm: my first self-regulation book – Pasha Sooful. Art by Betania Zacarias

    Soaring Kite Books Books on Tour PR & Marketing: Book Tour March 2024 ISBN: 9781958372319 RRP: $30.00 Self-regulation, and the development of it, are big in the schools I go to. I have no doubt it would be the same in yours. So how much better is it to start development and acquisition of this at…

  • One Hungry Spider: 35th Anniversary edition – Jeannie Baker

    Scholastic Australia November 2023 ISBN: 9781760267001 RRP: $26.99 My Garden Path : Gardening Australia Series 30/Episode 05 March 2019 I first fell in love with Jeannie Baker‘s work with her very first book, Polar. It was released long before I became a teacher, and teacher-librarian, and I had bought it for my eldest, who was…

  • Papa Mawal-mawalpa Tjuta – Johanna Bell-nga & Dion Beasley-nyu

    Allen & Unwin August 2021 ISBN:9781760526696 Edition No: Pitjantjatjara Publisher: A&U Children’s Imprint: A & U Children RRP: $24.99 This is the beginning of the  Pitjantjatjara version of 2016’s award-winning book Too Many Cheeky Dogs.  Pitjantjatjara is a First Nations language widely spoken in central and southern Australia, It is long overdue that our children’s…

  • Happy Birthday Tashi!

    Allen & Unwin July 2020 The very fact that over the past twenty-five years Tashi books have sold well over a million copies is testament to the love that so many have for this very special boy. While magic and fun abound the Tashi stories also have a lot for children to absorb and learn…

  • Ten Little Figs – Rhian Williams/Nathaniel Eckstrom

    Walker Books Australia April 2020 ISBN: 9781921977312 Imprint: Walker Books Australia Australian RRP: $24.99 New Zealand RRP: $27.99 Here’s another beautiful book which would make a super complement to that reviewed in my previous post, to add vigour and depth to your backyard holidays. Kiddos will just love this rollicking rhythmic countdown as the ten juicy figs disappear…

  • Counting Our Country – Jill Daniels

    Magabala Books 978-1-925768-65-7 February 28, 2020 RRP: $12.99 The preservation and sharing of First Australian languages and culture is of paramount importance as nations strive to not only keep their traditions intact but also to impart knowledge and understanding. Where better to start than with our youngest readers then? This delightful little board book has…

  • Learn with Ruby Red Shoes – Kate Knapp

    Harper Collins Australia   The delightful Ruby is back. The little white hare with the endearing personality has created quite the following in her previous books. Now even tiny people can enjoy her adventures while learning some basic concepts at the same time. Knapp’s delicate illustrations offer a wealth of exploration and cosy talk while…

  • Count with Little  Fish – Lucy Cousins

    Walker Books Australia ISBN: 9781406374193 Imprint: Walker April 1, 2018 Australian RRP: $11.99 New Zealand RRP: $13.99 This has to be one of the cutest board books I’ve seen in a long time! We all know Lucy Cousins vibrant and expressive illustrative style and this underwater journey with some very funky fish is just a delight. Babies and toddlers…

  • NAIDOC Week 2017

    “I would like to respectfully acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land surrounding Redcliffe and Elders both past and present. I also recognise those whose ongoing effort to protect and promote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures will leave a lasting legacy for future Elders and leaders.” I also acknowledge the Elders past and present of…