Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe


  • 11 Ruby Road: 1900 – Charlotte Barkla

    Walker Books Australia March 2024 ISBN13:9781760657949 Australia RRP:$16.99 New Zealand RRP:$18.99 Big shout out to my Queensland colleagues especially for this wonderful new middle-grade historical novel set right in our own South Brisbane. In my experience, novels for this age bracket in this genre and in our own locale are rare, so this one fully…

  • For the Tiny Humans

    Find Spot: an Australian Adventure Penguin Australia July 2023 Your littlest people will love this colourful new board book with a fresh Spot adventure, especially as it’s set in Australia. Mum, Dad and Spot are camping and as they explore billabong and surrounds, they encounter some lovely Australian wildlife like an echidna, thorny devil, bats…

  • The Lorikeet Tree – Paul Jennings

    Allen & Unwin January 2023 ISBN:9781761180095 Publisher:A&U Children’s Imprint:A & U Children The Master returns, proving yet again that he can still enthral readers of all ages with the most marvellous narratives. It would seem that being almost an octogenarian is no bar whatsoever to remaining a writer as brilliant as the titular birds in…

  • Willa and Woof 1: Mimi is Missing – Jacqueline Harvey

    Penguin Random House  5 July 2022 ISBN: 9781761043314 Imprint: Puffin RRP: $12.99 Question: What’s more exciting than a brand spanking new Jacqueline Harvey book? Answer: A brand-new Jacqueline Harvey series!! That’s right folks! In case you’ve missed the excitement of last week’s release AND – can you believe it? – television ads to promote it! – Jacqueline’s…

  • Einstein the Penguin – Iona Rangeley. Illustrated y David Tazzyman.

    Harper Collins Australia December 2021 ISBN: 9780008475963 ISBN 10: 0008475962 Imprint: HarperCollins GB List Price: 19.99 AUD This is a fun new read for your kiddos who are moving on from those first easy chapter books to something a little more challenging. Imagine stirring up Paddington stories with Mr Popper’s Penguins with a good dash of Finding Nemo and…

  • Clarice Bean: Think Like an Elf – Lauren Child

    Harper Collins Australia November 2021 ISBN: 9780008470845 ISBN 10: 0008470847 Imprint: HarperCollins GB List Price: 24.99 AUD I am just sorry this one didn’t arrive in time for me to get it read and reviewed before Christmas because it really is a perfect gift to share with a young reader. In her own inimitable manner, Lauren Child, takes us…

  • Clementine Rose: Collection Five – Jacqueline Harvey

    Penguin Australia August 2020 ISBN: 9781760897437 Imprint: Puffin RRP: $19.99 Don’t wait around to get your hands on this fifth and final bind-up of stories about this delightful little girl! This collection contains Clementine Rose and the Wedding Wobbles, Clementine Rose and the Bake-Off Dilemma and Clementine Rose and the Best News Yet. In case you have been in iso for longer…

  • The Unadoptables

    Hana Tooke Penguin Australia July 2020 ISBN: 9780241453612 Imprint: Puffin RRP $16.99 There is something about stories set in Holland that I find particularly appealing. Perhaps it is just the vicarious sight-seeing but for some reason they are always engaging and often quirky. This one is no exception. Combining adventure and mystery, family life, loyalty and very…

  • The One and Only Bob – Katherine Applegate

    Harper Collins Australia For all of us who fell in love with the story of Ivan and his friends, this is such an exciting new release – and all I can say is if you haven’t read The One and Only Ivan – what are you thinking?! Get to it now before the long-awaited movie…

  • Aussie Kids series #3 & #4

    Penguin Random House March 2020 This new series for newly independent readers has already been a big hit in our junior library. Not only are the stories relatable to these young readers but they are able to explore Australia vicariously – and let’s face it, at present particularly this is a huge advantage.   Meet…