Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Magabala Magic

    As you know any books from Magabala make my heart sing because a) they are always so beautiful b) they enable me to promote the First Australian culture which is so important to my family. Here are three of the newest titles: Brother Moon – Maree McCarthy Yoelu & Samantha Fry March 2020 ISBN 9781925936827…

  • Big Hug Little Mouse – Lisa Kerr

    Walker Books Australia March 2020 ISBN: 9781760651107 Imprint: Walker Books Australia Australian RRP: $24.99 New Zealand RRP: $26.99 It is certainly not an ideal time to launch new books but it is the perfect time to share a book about hugs especially for little people who are missing out on those special cuddles from grandparents, other family and friends.…

  • What Stars Are Made Of – Sarah Allen

    Penguin Random House April 2020 ISBN: 9780241427965 Imprint: Puffin RRP: $14.99 This is just a wonderful heart-warming book on many levels and has introduced me to not only a new author but new information. Libby Malone is 12 years old and passionate about science so much so that she wants to be a scientist when she grows up.…

  • Ruby Red Shoes: My Wonderful Grandmother– Kate Knapp

    Harper Collins Australia March 2020 ISBN: 9781460758885 ISBN 10: 1460758889 Imprint: HarperCollins – AU List Price: 19.99 AUD What’s wonderful about my grandmother is she is not only my grandmother but also my friend. On the day before my Jen slipped away from us as I held her hand and stroked her hair and promised I would take care…

  • James Gong The Big Hit – Paul Collins

    Hybrid Publishers June 2020 ISBN 9781925736441 RRP: $16.99 Fourteen year old James Gong is pretty much a fairly average teenage boy living in suburbia with a family who are also pretty average – well in most respects. His mother rescues dogs and keeps them out the back of their house, to the frequent annoyance of…

  • Orphan Warriors: Children of the Otori #1 – Lian Hearn

    JAN 28, 2020 | 9780733641213 | RRP $32.99 Hachette It’s been quite some time since I first read the Tales of the Otori series  but Hearn’s skill as a storyteller has certainly not diminished – witness the fact that I read this over four nights because it is so utterly compelling, just as the original saga was. The long…

  • The Secrets of Magnolia Moon – Edwina Wyatt. Illustrated by Katherine Quinn

      Walker Books November 1, 2019 ISBN: 9781760651541 Imprint: Walker Books Australia Australian RRP: $19.99 New Zealand RRP: $21.99 The first word that popped into my head whilst reading this was ‘whimsical’ so it was no surprise to read the publisher’s blurb to find that was their choice of descriptor as well. I found myself thinking I could sense…

  • Christmas fun for littlies

      As the weeks go rushing past and in no time it will be time to hang the stockings we all seem to go into a kind of frenzy of ‘what to get for..?’. There are some very cute new books for little people which would make great stocking stuffers: Peppa’s Christmas Jumper Day Penguin…

  • The Tiny Star – Mem Fox/Freya Blackwood

    Penguin 1st October 2019 ISBN: 9780670078127 Imprint: Puffin RRP: $24.99 Mem Fox has triumphed again with this simply beautiful new picture book inspired by the most personal of motivations – the bond between loving grandparent and grandchild. In their first collaboration Mem and Freya have produced a gentle and warming exploration of life and death that will resonate…

  • Kensy and Max #4: Out of Sight – Jacqueline Harvey

    Penguin September 2019 ISBN: 9780143791928 Imprint: Puffin RRP: $16.99 Just as life for the intrepid and resilient twins seems to be settling with both their parents and their grandparents restored to the family, the London house habitable again and being back at school with their friends, things start hotting up.  Their upcoming first Pharos review is doubtless a…