Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe


  • Where the River Runs Free – Vikki Conley. Jedda Robaard.

    Windy Hollow Books July 2025 ISBN: 9781922998217 AUD$29.95, NZD$34.99 This spring weather is just glorious and a perfect time for a family walk out in the beauty and calm of nature. Why not follow the example of this family as they take an adventurous walk along the local river.  What might they see? A frog?…

  • Curious Kai Asks Why? – Sarah Pye. Sandra Severgnini.

    September 2025ISBN: 978-1-7640657-0-2 (paperback)ISBN: 978-1-7640657-1-9 (ebook) Last year I had the great pleasure of meeting and making friends with both these Sunshine Coast based creators. A more dynamic and engaging pair of personalities you would find hard to meet. Since then I’ve reviewed books from them, followed their adventures (most recently, Sarah’s trip to Galapagos…

  • Sidney of Sydney – Sue Whiting. Liz Anelli

    Walker Books Australia June 2025 ISBN13:9781760657703 Australia RRP:$24.99 New Zealand RRP:$27.99 From Queensland avian residents to those of NSW – and Sydney, my home town. My love of penguins is well documented and there have been many fabulous penguin moments (Bicheno!), reviews, news stories and chuckles. Recently, I commented to one of my author friends…

  • The Garden of Broken Things – Freya Blackwood

    Harper Collins May 2024 We always know, when we hear there is a new Freya Blackwood on the horizon that it will be both beautiful and insightful. Freya’s incalculable talent for creating atmospheric narratives and illustrations has become a standard of excellence. Her numerous awards, including the coveted Kate Greenaway Medal in 2010 (for Harry…

  • Always Never Always – Meg McKinlay/Leila Rudge

    Walker Books Australia October 2023 ISBN13:9781760655204 Australia RRP:$25.99 New Zealand RRP:$27.99 Always follow secret tracks –the paths that wind and wend through cracks.Never worry where they go.When you get there, then you’ll know. For everyone who could use some poetically pithy life-advice, this creative pairing has delivered a blueprint for quirky wanderings along the byways…

  • Being a Cat: a tail of curiosity – Maria Gianferrari. Pictures by Pete Oswald

    Harper Collins Australia August 2023 It seems that for most people it’s either one or the other. Cats or Dogs (always one of my most popular weekly ‘This or That’ votes in my libraries!) For me, it’s cats. I’ve owned dogs and loved dogs but I find it hard to live without a cat. Although,…

  • An A to Z of Dreaming Differently – Tracey Dembo. Illustrated by Lucia Masciullo

    Penguin Books Australia This is an alphabet book with a difference. It is actually an extended affirmation for your kiddos, and will give them much to think about, as well as opening up lots of conversations. Just flick through the slideshow to see some of the positive text and Lucia’s (as always) exquisite illustrations. With…

  • Follow the Rainbow – Juliet M. Sampson. Illustrated by Anne Ryan.

    Ford St Publishing August 2023 ISBN: 9781922696335 RRP: $17.99 This new picture book from Juliet and Ford St is a fun and colourful excursion in curiosity for your young readers. It has been inspired by both The Wizard of Oz and Juliet’s own adorable Westie, Bryce. Little Ruby is idly making shapes from the clouds…

  • The Amazing Case of Dr Ward – Jackie Kerin/Tull Suwannakit

    March 2021 Ford St Publishing RRP: $16.99 ISBN: 9781925804706 Dr Ward’s curiosity and innovation enabled the transport of many of the plants – both decorative and useful – to other shores and while, with hindsight, we have come to understand that some of those introduced to Australia have been a disaster for our native habitats,…

  • Dippy and the Dinosaurs (Dippy the Diprotodon, #2) – Jackie French & Bruce Whatley. Concept by Ben Smith Whatley.

    Harper Collins Australia February 2020 ISBN: 9781460754092 ISBN 10: 1460754093 RRP 24.99 AUD We’ve all been in love with Jackie’s wombats for years and now she and Bruce Whatley have provided us with another fabulous ‘wombat’ character to cherish.  Dippy made his first appearance last year and thoroughly delighted all his young readers. This BIG boisterous and…