Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Eighty-Nine Questions for After – Ashleigh Barton

    Hachette Australia July 2026 ISBN: 9780733654596 RRP: $16.99 I first knew Ashleigh’s work as a picture book creator, one who could create wonderful texts that not only engaged young readers but gave them portals into the larger world. Then along came her middle-grade novel How to Sail to Somewhere which so skilfully demonstrated that her…

  • The Stolen Bairn – Katrina Macdonald Roe

    Riveted Press Distributed by Simon & Schuster May 2026 ISBN13: 9781764256773 LIST PRICE: AU$ 17.99 / NZ$ 19.99 The gorgeous cover and enticing title bespeak the thoroughly engaging nature of this fantasy faerie tale from newcomer Katrina Macdonald Roe [Fun Fact: while the Macdonald clans, in their variations, are now scattered all over the world,…

  • Time to Go to the Park – Emma Bowd/Leila Rudge

    Harper Collins Australia What a perfectly sweet and happy book this is to share with your favourite Smalls! It brings back many happy memories for me of parks and picnics with my own girls and then later The Kid [we still enjoy parks and picnics now she’s an adult -just in a different way!]. I…

  • The Framing: a memoir – Fernanda Dahlstrom

    Melbourne University Publishing Distributed by Simon & Schuster April 2026 ISBN: 9780522881882 RRP: $32.99 I have to thank Isobelle Carmody for drawing my attention to this outstanding book, and also, of course, to MUP for graciously allowing me to review it. It came to my attention that Isobelle and Fernanda will be in conversation at…

  • The Wild Unknown – Emily Gale

    Text Publishing April 2026 ISBN: 9781923058835 AU Price$16.99 NZ Price$21.00 In 2045 life is familiar but also not. If we think technology and AI is pervasive now, in the near-future that Emily Gale has conceived it’s inescapable, compulsory and deeply rooted within society. Eddie’s world is one filled with ‘smart’ technology from the smart windows…

  • The Midlands – Kate Gordon

    Kate Gordon has certainly forged a following since her first foray into publication. Some of her titles I have reviewed, others I have read but not reviewed but I definitely know which ones have received the positives and enthusiasms. I particularly enjoyed Whalesong. There is a lot to like about this newest one as well.…

  • I Know What You’re Hiding – Jack Heath

    Scholastic Australia May 2026 ISBN: 9781761526794 RRP: $17.99 My first introduction to Jack Heath and his amazing capacity for inventive and thrilling narrative was at the ASLA Conference Canberra [circa 2005 if I recall?]. I am quite sure his presentation was at The Shine Dome, which was great fun in itself but it’s been a…

  • Dangerous Days: Frances Bloom #2 – Katrina Nannestad. Illustrated by Marina Zlatanova.

    Harper Collins Australia April 2026 ISBN: 9781460718612 ISBN 10: 1460718615 Imprint: ABC Books AU List Price: 17.99 AUD Madcap Frances Bloom is back in her second adventure to delight your younger readers with some more nonsense and 8-year-old anarchy. Only a week or so after the dreadful Ms Thistle has been carted off to the Harsh Island for Unwanted…

  • Mim and the Frazzled Fruit Farmer: The Travelling Bookshop #7 – Katrina Nannestad. Illustrated by Cheryl Orsini

    Harper Collins Australia February 202 No doubt there will be many young readers who will be sad to know that this is the final chapter in this entertaining series but, dare I say, knowing Katrina’s fertile imagination and creativity there is sure to be something new in the offing. Mim, Zeddy and Nat plus the…

  • My Brother Otto – Ingrid Laguna

    Text Publishing February 2026 ISBN: 9781923058729 AU Price: $14.99 Teaching Notes This one took a while to come to me but it was sure worth the wait. What an utterly beautiful and heart-rending narrative Ingrid Laguna has created, and one which will sadly resonate with children and families who have lost a baby. Indeed, as…