Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • No One is Home – Mikolaj Pa. Illustrated by Gosia Herbs.

    translated by Scotia Gilroy New South Books Publisher: Greystone Kids September 2025 9781778402180 AUD$29.99, NZD$34.99 Last year I reviewed No 5. Bubblegum St from this same pair of creators in a week of ‘happy-ness’ reviews. This one seemed a perfect fit for today’s slightly bonkers books, and I love it just as much as I…

  • The World of Maxime – Lucile de Pesloüan. Illustrations by Jacques Goldstyn, translated by Helen Mixter

    New South Books Greystone Books June 2025 ISBN: 9781778400544 RRP: AUD$29.99, NZD$34.99 To complete this trio of feline titles today, comes this charming book which I would describe as an extended picture book – or perhaps an illustrated novella. No need to be pedantic. It’s an illustrated story with elements of graphix/comics and pitched squarely…

  • Catty Corner: #1 and #2 – Julie Murphy

    I’ve been a fan of Julie Murphy’s writing since I first read Dumplin’ [wow! ten years old now!] when she gave fat girls back the power (by the way, the movie was pretty good too, if you’ve not seen it yet!). This is a new series for younger readers to MG, and again, puts the…

  • Jo Weston’s Netball Besties – Double or Nothing. Foul Play – Jess Black. Sam Loman.

    Penguin Australia Jess Black has real skill in creating these sporty adventures based on the life and career of various notable players in their field. And all the netballers in your cohort will love these. The first one was released early this year but for whatever reason passed me by, but the next two did…

  • Lost in a Book: The 113th Assistant Librarian #2 – Stuart Wilson

    Penguin Australia September 2025 RRP: $19.99 What super fun it was to re-visit the Blackmoor-upon-Wyvern Public Library, which is in the capable hands of the 113th librarian, Oliver Wormwood, ably assisted by his new friend, Agatha, sometimes girl/more often nine cats. After his initial reluctance at having the librarian’s role thrust upon him, Oliver has…

  • 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,…

  • Between – Anna Walker

    Scribe Publications Imprint: Scribble September 2025 ISBN: 9781761381591AUD$27.99 (Hardback) Anna Walker has created a book that is a pure symphony of thoughts, that swirl around like gossamer on a breeze. I only wish I could give you some idea of how utterly beautiful and soothing it is. It is almost a meditation in print and…

  • Keeper of the Octopus – Neridah McMullin

    Walker Books Australia ISBN13:9781760659479 Australia RRP:$17.99 New Zealand RRP:$19.99 As I’ve said before, I have a fascination with octopuses with their superior intelligence and facility for extraordinary physical feats. And when you combine that with Neridah McMullin’s ability to weave a narrative of magical realism that has echoes of traditional folktales and lore, you get…

  • Family Secrets: The Girl and the Ghost #2 – Jacqueline Harvey.

    Penguin Australia October 2025 Officially, my blog break doesn’t finish until the weekend but how can I resist posting this one immediately, after gobbling it up over two nights! I was very excited to be back in France with Jet, Louis and Gabriel in another adventure. There is an exciting opening event as the Mona…

  • The Terrakeet – Jo Van Der Borgh. Illustrated by Jo Beasley.

    Walker Books Australia April 2025 ISBN13:9781760657673 Australia RRP:$25.99 New Zealand RRP:$27.99 In the shade of the gobi trees on the edge of Pincer Sea,live a family of Finlocks as peaceful as can be.They lomf and fish and fish and eat and hope that they will never meet …the Frimbulitic Terrakeet! From narrative-nonfiction to classics to humour…