Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Ella and the Mystery of the Missing Frogs – Cassy Polimeni. Illustrated by Hykie Breeze.

    UWA Publishing Distributed by Simon & Schuster March 2026 #3 in the Ella’s froggy series is another engaging read for those early chapter books readers in your circle – the ones who are growing more confident with their sustained reading. Each of these charmers has presented a narrative to which kids will relate and make…

  • The Prime Minister Problem – Brenton Cullen

    Riveted Press April 2026 Dist: Simon & Schuster ISBN13: 9781764256728 RRP: AU$ 17.99 / NZ$ 19.99 Brenton Cullen’s debut novel is a terrific read for middle-grade. This young man has been a keen writer since childhood and is now making his dream of writing professionally come true. And what a great start this is! It’s…

  • One Day Soon – Cristy Burne

    Fremantle Press May 2026 ISBN: 9781760995614 RRP: $17.99 Preorder now This is another verse novel that has given me cause to reconsider my initial lukewarm thoughts about this genre. In fact, so utterly absorbing is this one, that I binge read it in one evening. I don’t know anyone personally with MND but a friend did…

  • Which Way to the Future – Cressida Cowell

    Hachette Australia Oct 2025 | 9781444982398 | RRP $22.99 Preorder the P/B: Apr 7, 2026 | 9781444979435 | RRP $17.99 SO much fun to be back with the most famous starwalker, bounty hunter and Story Maker, Horizabel the Grimm, along with O’Hero-Smith children for another intergalactic, totally bonkers adventure. Cressida Cowell’s Which Way series is every bit as exciting, dramatic, crazy and fun…

  • Going for Pippies – Wilaaran Laurie. Illustrated by Tori-Jay Mordey.

    Publisher: Magabala Books Distributor: Hachette Australia Sep 2025 | 9781922864147 | RRP $27.99 And last, but not least, in this round of beautiful First Nations titles is yet again a family story, including grandparent, by the sea although wayyyyy over this side of the country, in northern NSW. This family is having a mob day out to collect and…

  • Going Fishing with Nana – Frances and Lindsay Haji-Ali. Karen Briggs.

    Publisher: Magabala Books Distributor: Hachette Oct 14, 2025 | 9781922864048 | RRP $27.99 We’re staying with the sea, long trips and grandparents for this one with the setting switched to the far north of the Kimberley region, and a little place called Wyndham. When the authors lived in Broome, there were regular visits to Wyndham with their children, to…

  • 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…

  • The Flight of the Drakkonbarq- Sarah Giddy

    Riveted Press October 2025 Simon & Schuster ISBN13: 9781764007146 LIST PRICE: AU$ 18.99 / NZ$ 19.99 Here’s another gift suggestion for an astute reader from about 10 years upwards. You could get a small sense of this book from the blurb, which has probably been rehashed by at least one reviewer, but it truly needs…

  • Bluey Christmas Little Library

    Penguin Australia Christmas Eve. Christmas Day. Christmas Food. Hooray Presents!! I do love these little libraries because I think for little hands which love to hold and turn the pages these are perfect. They are all really super cute! I love the idea of Verandah Santa and it’s so fun to see the whole family…

  • Just a Dog (new edition): Michael Gerard Bauer

    Scholastic Australia November 2025 9781761127816 $15.99 Xmas gift for middle grade kiddos It’s been a while – 2011, we first met Mister Mosely and since then his award-winning fame has travelled the world, and it was a joy to re-visit his gentle nature, his quirky adventures, and his family. We know how much the kiddos…