Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • The Silverback’s Song – Dannika Patterson and Nick Kohler.

    Morningstar Books August 2024 Iona College presents…. ISBN: 978-0-6485778-2-9 RRP: $25.00 April seems such a long time ago now, when I was thrilled to hear from local author, Dannika Patterson, to ask if I might write some teaching notes for a very special new book. This picture book has been a project like no other…

  • Puppet – David Almond. Illustrated by Lizzy Stewart.

    Walker Books Australia ISBN13:9781406391619 Australia RRP:$24.99 New Zealand RRP:$27.99 David Almond‘s Skellig is a book that has always stood out among the thousands I’ve read over the past 60 odd years. The magical realism, the sheer beauty of the characters and their actions, and the undeniable urgency to turn the page all make for just…

  • Like a Curse – Elle McNicoll

    Walker Books Australia August 2024 Imprint: Knights Of ISBN13:9781913311377 Australia RRP:$17.99 New Zealand RRP:$19.99 I absolutely loved Like a Charm and so, I naturally started to gobble this one up as soon as it arrived two days ago and now as I start to write the review, realise it’s not released till August 🤦 (started…

  • It’s Boba Time for Pearl Li! – Nicole Chen

    Harper Collins Australia ISBN: 9780063228634 ISBN 10: 0063228637 Imprint: Quill Tree Books RRP: $14.99 This was a delightful read and has lots of layers to explore for any astute reader. I have to say I’m not personally a fan of boba[bubble] tea but was willing to try it when The Kid was keen to. As it turned out,…

  • Three Dresses – Wanda Gibson

    UQP April 2024 ISBN: 9780702266355 RRP: $26.99 As soon as I saw this book, I wanted to review it as I knew it would be both beautiful and poignant. I’ve not been to Hopevale or Woorabinda, only as far as Cairns, but I know people who have both been and worked there. I have though,…

  • Clarice Bean Smile – Lauren Child

    Harper Collins Australia April 2024 ISBN: 9780008623098 ISBN 10: 0008623090 Imprint: HarperCollins GB RRP: $17.99 Yesterday was a very grumpy day. Although there was lots of good stuff in it, I was extremely annoyed to find out that someone has literally passed my own words off as their own, and, not for the first time, used my work…

  • The House at the End of the World – Victoria M. Adams

    Walkers Books Australia July 2024 Imprint: Andersen Press ISBN13:9781839134234 Australia RRP:$17.99 New Zealand RRP:$19.99 Isn’t it exciting when you read an author’s debut novel and are just blown away? You know you can look forward to more and that’s always a thrill. Victoria M. Adams has woven a story of Fey and family, grief and…

  • Pirates of Darksea – Catherine Doyle

    Bloomsbury Australia June 2024 ISBN 9781526655103 Imprint Bloomsbury Children’s Books RRP: $16.99 I fell in love with Catherine Doyle’s writing with The Stormkeeper trilogy and when the ARC arrived for this – many months ago- I devoured it with just as much enthusiasm – and this review has been scheduled since then!! This is an…

  • The Miraculous Sweetmakers #1: The Frost Fair- Natasha Hastings. Illustrated by Alex T. Smith

    Harper Collins Australia April 2024 ISBN: 9780008496067 ISBN 10: 0008496064 Imprint: HarperCollinsChildren’sBooks RRP: $16.99 I had read about the Frost Fairs in London some time ago, after a mention of these in another book and they really must have been quite a spectacle. An authentic Frost Fair will never happen again – read here to find out why…

  • Mim and the Vicious Vendetta:#5 The Travelling Bookshop- Katrina Nannestad. Illustrated by Cheryl Orsini.

    Harper Collins Australia March 2024 ISBN: 9780733343117 ISBN 10: 0733343112 Imprint: ABC Books AU RRP: $16.99 To be honest, Katrina’s books sell themselves, they really don’t need any help from me. In particular, her series like this one which have engaged readers from the outset. Take a horse-drawn ‘bookshop’, a somewhat eccentric bookseller father, an excitable [and possibly…