Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Six Weeks – Matt Goodfellow

    Hachette Australia Imprint: Starboard June 2026 9781444982886 RRP $16.99 It never ceases to amaze me when I happen to read two books within a week and they both have a similar central theme, in this case a young person’s grief. This is yet another verse novel that has continued to grow this genre as one…

  • Eighty-Nine Questions for After – Ashleigh Barton

    Hachette Australia July 2026 ISBN: 9780733654596 RRP: $16.99 I first knew Ashleigh’s work as a picture book creator, one who could create wonderful texts that not only engaged young readers but gave them portals into the larger world. Then along came her middle-grade novel How to Sail to Somewhere which so skilfully demonstrated that her…

  • Spare Kisses – Pip Harry. Illustrated by Yiscah Marcatili.

    Hachette Australia Imprint: Lothian Children’s Books 9780734423511|Mar 31, 2026|RRP $24.99 I know there are grandparents in the unfortunate position of not seeing their grandies often, or indeed at all. And admittedly, now half of mine are adult and live at a distance that’s the case for me as well most of the time. But I…

  • My Dreamtime Match – Jacinta Daniher/Taylor Hampton. Illustrated by Janelle Burger.

    Hachette Imprint: Lothian Children’s Books Apr 28, 2026 | 9780734423443 | RRP $24.99 So great to see another book from this talented pair of First Nations creators with more for your kiddos to learn and share about Indigenous culture. With the footy season well and truly underway, we know that many kids – mob or not – are keenly…

  • Which Way to the Future – Cressida Cowell

    Hachette Australia Oct 2025 | 9781444982398 | RRP $22.99 Preorder the P/B: Apr 7, 2026 | 9781444979435 | RRP $17.99 SO much fun to be back with the most famous starwalker, bounty hunter and Story Maker, Horizabel the Grimm, along with O’Hero-Smith children for another intergalactic, totally bonkers adventure. Cressida Cowell’s Which Way series is every bit as exciting, dramatic, crazy and fun…

  • The Peach King – Inga Simpson. Illustrated by Tannya Harricks.

    Hachette Australia September 2025 Imprint: Lothian Children’s Books 9780734418517 | RRP $24.99 This is a striking book by all standards. Whether we were personally involved with the tragic infernos of 2019/2020 Black Summer, or not, it was still a disaster that concerned us all. I was on high alert at my cousin’s place in the Blue Mountains…

  • Murder on North Terrace:a Petticoat Police Mystery #2 – Lainie Anderson

    Hachette Australia Sep 30, 2025 | 9780733652097 | RRP $32.99 Around this time last year, I reviewed the first Petticoat Police mystery after thoroughly relishing it, so I was extra keen to get my hands on this one. And it is no disappointment. Equally engaging as the first, cleverly weaving in fact to the fictional aspects, with a little…

  • Maggie the Dragon : Chase your Dreams! – Tony Armstrong. Illustrated by Emma Sjaan Beukers.

    Hachette Australia May 2025 ISBN: 9780734422187 | RRP $24.99 Of course, this one is included in this week’s Reconciliation Week titles because, let’s face it, Tony Armstrong has become one of the most recognisable First Nations faces in the country over the past few years. George the Wizard, Tony’s first picture book was pretty commercial but I…

  • Silverborn arrives!

    Ok, so that whole global gasp when the latest in the Empyrean series arrived a while back has got nothing on the collective excitement of both young ‘uns and adults as this long-awaited #4 in the Nevermoor series makes its grand entrance. And last night I was lucky enough to meet and chat with Jessica…

  • Q&A with Ashleigh Barton

    Hello Ashleigh! So good of you to visit Just So Stories! It was such a pleasure to meet you last year and enjoy a little chat. But it’s really good to have you pop in and share a little more about yourself. Especially after the release of your sensational new book, How to Sail to…