Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

Detective Galileo- Peter Helliar. Illustrated by Andrew Joyner.

Harper Collins Australia June 2025 While I’m not a big fan of ‘celebrity’ authored books in general, and always ready to be unimpressed, I have to say that this isn’t dreadful at all. And, in particular, if you have some kiddos who are reluctant or struggling readers who should be moving upwards in their reading…

June 28, 2025
The Whisperer’s War – Jackie French

Harper Collins Australia As always, Jackie’s historical fiction is perfection. I was aware of this one in progress and, in fact, had had some (email) conversation with the author about this period, and in particular Edward known as David, the Duke of Windsor. My anecdote was that my Father Bear had met him en route…

June 25, 2025
R.I.P. Nanny Tobbins – Lucie Stevens

Harper Collins Australia June 2025 ISBN: 9781460766521 ISBN 10: 1460766520 $16.99 It’s one thing having a strict but kind and fair Nanny who is alive – and quite another when that Nanny is dead. Nine-year-old Albertine is a sweet child, who is without a mother but with a very loving and protective father. He is, in fact,…

June 13, 2025
Learning Country: a First Nations Journey Around Australia’s Traditional Place Names – Ryhia Dank

Harper Collins Australia Ryhia Dank is a Gudanji/Wakaja woman who grew up in a remote community in the Gulf of Carpentaria. She got to know her Country though the stories her family told, and through walking in the places and footprints her family has travelled since the beginning. Her painting is storywork, and tells stories…

June 3, 2025
This is a Ball 10th Anniversary Edition #1 Books that Drive Kids Crazy – Beck & Matt Stanton

Harper Collins Australia April 2025 Doesn’t really seem possible that it’s 10 years since the extraordinary humour of the Stantons burst onto the scene, sending hordes of kids into absolute fits of laughter. Yet, here we are, the laughs kept on coming too, which was a great thing and there’s been a few I’ve reviewed…

May 16, 2025
Ming and Maria Explore the Universe: The Girls Who Changed the World #5 – Jackie French

Harper Collins Australia Once again, I was delighted to be asked to write the notes for this last title in what has been an inspiring series for our young people. It was particularly special as Jackie and I had had some conversations about this particular ‘mighty girl’ of history, and how much Maria Mitchell contributed…

May 5, 2025
Mim and the Mother Muddle: The Travelling Bookshop # 6 – Katrina Nannestad

Harper Collins Australia March 2025 Young fans of this delightful series will be excited for this new one, in which we finally get to meet Mim’s mother. The travelling bookshop has arrived in Salzburg, which was not their intended destination, but as usual Flossy, the Clydesdale, knows exactly where they ought to be. And, indeed,…

May 4, 2025
The Marvellous Submarine -Zane Clayton Comber (The Marvellous Submarine, #1) Clayton Zane Comber. Connor McCammon

Harper Collins Australia April 2025 This hails the start of a new series, co-written and illustrated by this pair from Kiama [one of my favourite places in the country] which will completely hook your young readers, particularly those who have been languishing for more Treehouse-like books. It is completely absurd and crazy and all the…

May 3, 2025
Manslaughter Park -Tirzah Price

Harper Collins Australia January 2025 I very much enjoyed #2 in this series which I reviewed last year and did also like this one very much. Not quite as much, but that was merely a personal preference. It is just as well-written and engaging but I think tried a little too hard with the whole…

May 2, 2025
Sink or Swim: Frog Squad #3 – Kate and Jol Temple. Shiloh Gordon.

Harper Collins April 2025 Everybody’s favourite famous frogs are back – leaping into action with all the finesse of the fit and feisty ‘phibians that they are. This small, but dedicated, army of frogs – drawn from all over the world [and by Shiloh Gordon] are hopping with excitement to not only meet the famous…

April 28, 2025