Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Josephine Wants to Dance: 20th Anniversary – Jackie French & Bruce Whatley

    Harper Collins Australia June 2026 Imprint: HarperCollins AU ISBN: 9781460765036 RRP: $24.99 She’s been leaping and twirling in our hearts for 20 years – which like so many of this year’s ‘big’ anniversary editions, seems utterly incredible. The wombats have their legitimate legions of fans but there is no doubt that there are just as many who love…

  • The Dream Keeper – Anna Walker

    Walker Books Australia May 2026 ISBN13:9781529520682 Australia RRP:$27.99 New Zealand RRP:$29.99 Anna’s books are always a symphony – the most recent I had seen was the beautiful Between last year – but a mere glimpse of the internals of this new one will re-affirm that notion. And this winsome, evocative and almost wordless new title…

  • I’d Rather Be a Shark – Philip & Laura Bunting

    ISBN : 9781761528972 Publisher : SCHOLASTIC AUSTRALIA PTY LTD Imprint : Scholastic Australia March 2026 RRP: $19.99 The Buntings have done it again with an uproariously look at ‘what if…’ when a child is fed up with having to use their manners, or being kind to everyone and taking turns, smiling sweetly and, as for sharing – phooey! What if….one salty…

  • Comes the Night – Isobelle Carmody

    Allen & Unwin October 2024 ISBN:9781760294762 Awards: Shortlisted, Best Young Adult Fiction, Indie Book Awards, 2025, AU Imprint:A&U Children’s RRP: $24.99 In a future Canberra, the citizens are protected and insulated under domes, safe from extreme weather, solar radiation and all the after-effects caused by recklessness of previous generations. They are also guarded from civil…

  • The Dog who Danced on the Moon – John Boyne. Illustrated by Ashling Lindsay.

    Penguin Australia July 2024 ISBN: 9780241529515 Imprint: Puffin RRP: $16.99 This a rather charming rhyming story with a special leaning towards bedtime, exploring aspirations and determination in a warm and inspirational way. Jeremy’s dreams of space exploration are scoffed at by his peers, and even his teachers, but that doesn’t stop his absorbing as much information about…

  • Little Axel’s Axolotl – Juliette MacIver. Illustrated by Christopher Nielsen.

    Walker Books Australia July 2024 ISBN13:9781760656195 Australia RRP:$25.99 New Zealand RRP:$27.99 Anyone who has owned an axolotl, or indeed even just seen one, knows that they are such quirky little animals, they are begging to have stories written about them. I loved this picture book which is pure fun and kookiness. With it’s bouncing rhythm…

  • Wonka – Sibéal Pounder: Roald Dahl, Paul King and Simon Farnaby

    Penguin Australia  December 2023 ISBN: 9780241618134 RRP: $16.99 When I first found out about Wonka I was a little apprehensive, I admit. How could Dahl’s anarchic magic possibly be recreated? And then I saw that Timothée Chalamet  was cast as Wonka, and I relaxed quite a bit. Then I saw the first official trailer, and knew it…

  • The Dream Bird –  Aleesah Darlinson/Emma Middleton

    Wombat Books ISBN: 9781925563337 Release: 1 April 2018 Price: $19.99 Hardback   For a family of insomniacs no explanation is needed about the difficulties sometimes of going to sleep – no matter how busy the day, or the level of tiredness. Young and old in my crew this is something we deal with constantly. Over…