Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Bluey: The Sign

    Penguin Australia Close enough to include it in my picture books, this is the stand-out episode that many kids will have seen, and now they can read it as well. In the cutest graphic novel format, find out what happens when the For Sale goes up in the front yard of the Heelers’ place. Bluey,…

  • A Hatful of Dreams – Bob Graham

    Walker Books Australia September 2025 ISBN13:9781529525861 Australia RRP:$27.99 New Zealand RRP:$29.99 When, I ask you, have you ever been disappointed by a Bob Graham book? Never is my answer and this new one is every bit as charming, heartfelt and warm as so many of his others. In a street full of tired, empty houses…

  • Sundays Under the Lemon Tree – Julia Busuttil Nishimura. Myo Yim.

    Scribble Books November 2025 9781761381485 RRP: $24.99 I readily put up my hand to admit I didn’t know of the author as either a writer or a cook, despite – it would seem – several published cookbooks, and a great success with them. This first picture book outing is such a delightful combination of family…

  • Mooshy Crackerjack’s Big Day – Suzanne Patterson. Maia Batumashvill

    New South Books Publisher: Starfish Bay Children’s Books September 2025 9781760362690 AUD$26.99 This is a load of fun that kids will thoroughly enjoy and cackle over, as they recognise what it’s like to be super-excited about their birthday but not quite sure everyone else is! Mooshy bounces up on the morning of his birthday just…

  • How Big is Love? – Carl Merrison and Hakea Hustler. Illustrated by Jade Goodwin.

    Hachette Australia Imprint: Lothian Children’s Books Aug 26, 2025 | 9780734420176 | RRP $24.99 Three of my favourite First Nations creators have produced this gorgeous picture book which would make a beautiful gift for a small person in your family or friendship circle especially. Of course, it would also be eminently suited to an EC setting or home. Small…

  • Another Year Around the Sun – Katrina Germein. Alice Lindstrom

    Meeting Katrina in person on our trip to Adelaide was such a delight for me, especially as I had reviewed some of her books, known more and written resources for One Little Duck. Now it’s an even greater pleasure to see her new work, and this one is destined to be shared widely and often…

  • Where the River Runs Free – Vikki Conley. Jedda Robaard.

    Windy Hollow Books July 2025 ISBN: 9781922998217 AUD$29.95, NZD$34.99 This spring weather is just glorious and a perfect time for a family walk out in the beauty and calm of nature. Why not follow the example of this family as they take an adventurous walk along the local river.  What might they see? A frog?…

  • A Box Full of Murders – Janice Hallett

    Penguin Australia June 2025 ISBN: 9780241636183 Imprint: Puffin RRP: $16.99 It was actually quite serendipitous that as friend, Zanni Louise, mentioned she was enjoying a Janice Hallett murder-mystery – an author whose work I didn’t know – I replied by saying, I had just got a review copy of her first kids’ book, also a murder mystery. And…

  • What Have They Done to Liza McClean? – Amy Doak

    Penguin Australia October 2025 No doubt about it, Amy Doak has rocketed into ‘force to be reckoned with’ status since Eleanor Jones first burst onto our YA shelves. After three hugely successful titles in that series, we now have a new aspect of Amy’s talent. Your kiddos who are into the whole Dark Academia vibe…

  • Mega Rich Guinea Pigs – Kate and Jol Temple

    Harper Collins Australia August 2025 ISBN : 9781460767207 RRP: $16.99 Why yes, when it comes to The Kid and I, of course our fondness for rodentia extends to guinea pigs . Although, we only had the one, and that one only for a short time. Only The Kid, then at the height of her home zoo phase,…