Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Christmas Days in the Sunshine – Byll & Beth Stephen. Illustrated by Simon Howe.

    Harper Collins Australia September 2023 Singing sisters Teeny Tiny Stevies, ARIA winners in 2020 for Best Children’s Album, are now on their 4th picture book for Littles. This simple but easily recognisable celebration of Christmas Aussie style, will resonant with even tiny kids who will make connections with their own families, and festive activities. Mozzies…

  • The Boy Who Slept Through Christmas – Matt Lucas. Illustrated by Forrest Burdett.

    Harper Collins Australia October 2023 To be completely honest, when I first got this one I thought – uggh, another “celebrity” book – so many, most disappointing IMO. But with Xmas coming up, I was determined to give it a go to add to my rather scanty list of new festive releases, and to be…

  • Juniper’s Christmas – Eoin Colfer.

    Harper Collins Australia November 2023 It’s been a while since we’ve heard from Eoin (well, me at least) but this one was definitely worth a wait. I absolutely think it’s one of the most original Christmas MG novels I’ve ever read, and I loved every word of it. It encapsulates so much about contemporary life,…

  • Picture Book Month 2023 is a wrap!

    November is Picture Book Month, a tribute to the enduring importance of the picture book form. Dianne de Las Casas (author & storyteller) and her team co-founded the month-long celebration to champion the power and beauty of picture books: In this digital age where people are predicting the coming death of print books, picture books (the print kind) need love. And…

  • Being a Cat: a tail of curiosity – Maria Gianferrari. Pictures by Pete Oswald

    Harper Collins Australia August 2023 It seems that for most people it’s either one or the other. Cats or Dogs (always one of my most popular weekly ‘This or That’ votes in my libraries!) For me, it’s cats. I’ve owned dogs and loved dogs but I find it hard to live without a cat. Although,…

  • How to Write a Poem – Kwame Alexander & Deanna Nikaido. Art by Melissa Sweet.

    Harper Collins Australia October 2023 I really think this is one of the ‘prettiest’ picture books I’ve seen this year. I actually received it months ago but it was far too early to post a review so I’ve had it sitting in drafts for yonks! So then I decided I should save it for Picture…

  • Say My Name – Joanna Ho. Illustratated by Khoa Le.

    Harper Collins Australia October 2023 Another one I’ve been saving with anticipation for this month! We have come to expect sheer lyrical text accompanied by stunning illustrations, along with the cross-cultural themes, from Joanna Ho’s picture books. This one continues with a wonderful exploration of rich traditions, language and customs. Beginning with herself, six children…

  • If Our World Were 100 Days – Jackie McCann/Aaron Cushley

    Harper Collins Australia September 2023 For the nerdy child in me, this is fabulous. For the boomer-brain in me, it was a little hard to wrap my head around. I’m guessing because as an older person, I’m quite OK with thinking about the concept of time, but I’m also perfectly sure that kiddos will be…

  • What’s in a Dumpling, Grandma: Linda Meeker. Illustrated by Sandra Eide.

    Harper Collins Australia November 2023 Earlier this year, I spent a day learning to make Tibetan momos – dumplings. And not only was it fun, but it made me think about dumplings in general, and how many different cultures have these delicious little parcels of yumminess in their culinary catalogue. Of course, they are not…

  • Picture Book Month Bonus # 6: Kip of the Mountain – Emma Gourlay

    Harper Collins Australia October 2023 I really think the first adjective that comes to mind to describe this debut novel is ‘astonishing’, in all aspects. The setting is Cape Town, and, truthfully, I struggle to think of any kids’ books I’ve read with this location – although Nick Earls’ book New Boy certainly references South…