Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Let’s Talk January 26

    Please find some thoughts, resources and potential growth ideas sourced from some of my go-to First Nations educational providers. Firstly from Deb Hoger @Riley Callie Resources  Every year, we like to remind people what this date actually marks. Let’s get the facts: Learn more about January 26 and the history via Common Ground. Meanwhile check out…

  • 12 Days of Bush Christmas – Megan Van Den Berg & Emma Bamblett

    Hardie Grant Australia September 2024 Imprint: Hardie Grant Explore ISBN 9781741179088 $24.99 As I started on the Xmas countdown, going through the books I’d been saving, and having shared a pic of a Blak Santa somewhere else, I was thinking we need more First Nations themed Xmas books. And we have one for this year!…

  • The Boab Tree – Helen Milroy

    Fremantle Press October 2024 ISBN: 9781760994631 RRP: $24.99 Once again Helen Milroy brings together many threads into a modern fable that echoes traditional Dreaming stories. When it is time for baby Boab to drop down to earth and begin his own life and family, his plummet is interrupted by a passing eagle, who swoops by directly…

  • Yanga Mother – Cheryl Leavy. Illustrated by Christopher Bassi.

    UQP July 2024 9780702268311 RRP: $24.99 A story of love, language and culture which speaks to the very essence of loss, colonisation, connection and resilience. This is not only an asset to preschool, kindergarten and older readers, but to all who open the first page of this exquisite book.’ Dr Jackie Huggins Yesterday evening (7/11)…

  • Q&A Alison Page and Dr Paul Memmott

    Welcome to Just So Stories, Alison and Paul, and thank you for sharing some time with my blog readers. Congratulations on the new book, Design and Building on Country! I know the series began with Songlines, which I have not yet seen personally, though it looks terrific and is on my list. How did your…

  • Afloat – Kirli Saunders/Freya Blackwood

    Hardie Grant October 2024 Imprint: Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing/Little Hare ISBN:9781760505899 Price:AU$24.99, NZ$27.99Page When two award-winning creators join forces we can expect astonishing results, and here is the proof of that. Roam the water with me. We are here to learn.Here to spin wisdom, to grow … Gunai woman, Kirli Saunders, uses the traditional practice…

  • Design & Building on Country – Alison Page & Paul Memmott. Illustrations by Blak Douglas.

    Thames & Hudson September 2024 ISBN: 9781760763565 RRPP: $26.99 Back when I was teaching in my PYP school in Canberra, over ten years ago now, my Year 4s were doing a unit of inquiry focused on Technology and, of course, I was to partner their unit in the library. To me it was an obvious choice…

  • Stand Proud – Nicho Hynes with Marlee Silva. Illustrated by Blak Douglas.

    Penguin Australia October 2024 So as someone said recently ‘I know you’re an NRL girl…’. Yes I am, I grew up in Hurstville and went to St George Girls High School and I’ve been a Dragons supporter since I first went to a footy game, aged around 7. But you know, it’s right next door…

  • Yarn Quest series – Brooke Scobie. Illustrated by Jade Goodwin

    Penguin July 2024 RRP: $12.99 Yarn Quest 1: The Search for the Story Realm ISBN: 9781761345227 So This is an exciting new series that has evolved from a highly-successful First Nations led children’s podcast, incorporating stories written by the Awesome Black team. Author Brooke Scobie is, herself, a queer, auDHD, First Nations author, and this has…

  • Days of Warmth – Gregg Dreise

    Penguin Australia August 2024 Anything from Gregg is always a guaranteed delight and this new board book is just the sweetest thing, full of warmth and comfort. It is both a tender story of family love and security, and an introduction to learning the days of the week, names for family members and various emotions.…