Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • The Turtle and the Flood – Jackie French/Danny Snell

    Harper Collins Australia I could be mistaken, but I do think many of us would be familiar with these little darlings, at least by sight, even if not from personal experience. I think that kiddos would also know these guys from pictures and/or real life. There would be some as well, particularly (I think in…

  • Happy Father’s Day

    I’ve been saving a few especially for today, so this is our nod to dads – those no longer with us, those who are great male models for our kiddos, and those who are doing double duty of both parents. What My Daddy Loves – Raissa Figueroa Harper Collins Australia August 2023 Dads, like everybody…

  • The Newshound[The Dog Squad #1]-Clara Vulliamy

    Harper Collins Australia August 2023 ISBN 9780008565336 RRP: $15.99 This is just pure fun, feel-good all the way, and made for an enjoyable read. Your confident independent readers who are already loving Dotty Detective and Marshmallow Pie, will go just as nuts for this new series – particularly, of course, if they are dog-lovers! Central…

  • Alias Anna: a true story of outwitting the Nazis – Susan Hood {with Greg Dawson}

    Harper Collins Australia August 2023  Sydney Taylor Book Award 2023 Middle Grade Notable  Jewish Book Council Award Middle Grade Finalist  Nerdy Book Club 2022 Best Novel-In-Verse Book  New York Public Library 2022 Best Book For Kids  Chicago Public Library Best Informational Books For Younger Readers Of 2022 I think it’s fair to say I’ve read…

  • Friendship Survival Guide[Book #0 Usborne Life Skills] – Caroline Young

    Harper Collins Australia August 2023 It is absolutely true that all kids, younger or older, will have some friendship issue/s at some point. And certainly we try to help them navigate this as best we can in our respective educational or other settings. Which makes books such as this tremendously important to have at hand.…

  • One Little Duck – Katrina Germein/Danny Snell

    Harper Collins Australia July 2023 This is a sweet picture book with a fun twist on an old rhyme and illustrated delectably, which will be an engaging read for your teenies and easily segue into some useful learning activities. Mother Duck is, as you would expect, a nurturer and is quite equable about every animal…

  • A Journey Under the Sea – Craig Foster & Ross Frylinck

    Harper Collins April 2023 Imprint: Clarion Press ISBN: 9780358677864 RRP: $34.99 This is visually one of the most fascinating books you will encounter this year, and even if you don’t have kiddos who live by the sea, as I do, your readers will be completely absorbed by these amazing photographs as well as the text…

  • The Hats of Marvello – Amanda Graham. Illustrated by Lavanya Naidu.

    Harper Collins Australia March 2023 If I could only use one word for this book, it would be delightful! From start to finish (and I binge read it one sitting) it is charming, sweet and fun. Amanda Graham’s knack for creating endearing characters and plots remains true (who can ever forget Arthur?). In dusty, ravaged…

  • The Sideways Orbit of Evie Hart – Samera Kamaleddine

    Harper Collins Australia May 2023 For many tweens the transition from child to teen is a tumultuous time, and Evie Hart is one such who is struggling to feel secure and grounded as so much impacts on her life. Her much-loved stepfather, Lee, is moving out and it’s not just the awful jolt of her…

  • Mulga Bill’s Bicycle – Illustrated by Kilmeny and Deborah Niland

    Harper Collins Australia Those of us of a certain vintage, who have been teacher-librarians for a considerable length of time know this book very well indeed – and, I would think, have used it countless times over the years. [Anyone else remember when Year 7s used to ‘do’ bush ballads?? and this was the first…