Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Picture Book Month Bonus: Frances Bloom – Katrina Nannestad. Illustrated by Marina Zlatanova.

    Harper Collins October 2025 Earlier this year I was not only excited to find out that Katrina had a new series on the way but was invited to write notes to support this first Frances Bloom and what fun it was! Anyone, young or old, who has loved Pippi Longstocking will fall in love with…

  • My Friend May – Julie Flett

    New South Books Greystone Kids June 2025 ISBN 9781778401718 RRP: 29.99 How can I not absolutely love this one? Based on a true story and about a little girl and her friend, her black cat May, my first thought was of The Kid and Whiskers aka The Demon Spawn. This pair has been together for…

  • My Dream Holiday – Ash Barty. Jasmin McGaughey. Jade Goodwin.

    Harper Collins Australia You may or may not have heard the current furore instigated by The Society of Authors UK over ‘celebrity-authored’ books and that’s hardly surprising. I have seen many books that I know very well have not been written by the person named as author, with there is nary a mention of the…

  • 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?…