Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • The Man From Snowy River: Australian Classics for Little Ones Banjo- Paterson/Cate James. llustrated by Cate James.

    Penguin Australia April 2026 I will be the first to say that at first sight I thought – ummm, how is this going to work? But you know what? Somehow it does. Taking lines from the poem as a cue on each page the text is combined with a background colour and a number, so:…

  • Small Wonder – Ross Montgomery

    Walker Books September 2025 ISBN13:9781529526127 Australia RRP:$18.99 New Zealand RRP:$21.99 I loved The Chime Seekers and I am Rebel, both of which cemented Ross as an exciting author of adventure/fantasy, so I was very pleased to get this one. What a rousing rollercoaster adventure this one is! Tick has been raised by Grandfather along with…

  • The Legend of Jessie Hickman – Mark Greenwood/Frané Lessac

    NLA 9781922507853/1 October 2025/AUD$24.99, NZD$29.99 If you believe in legends … I would venture to say that not many people know about Jessie Hickman. In fact, despite my long interest in Australian bushrangers, I probably wouldn’t either except for the fact of having spent a reasonable amount of time in the proximity of Jessie’s one-time…

  • 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…

  • The Foal in the Wire – Robbie Coburn

    Hachette Australia Imprint: Lothian Children’s books May 28, 2025 | 9780734423603 | RRP $19.99 Yes, I agree with you 100%. I have always said I’m not a fan of verse novels – but now, it seems I am. The slew of high standard verse novels over the past year especially has completely changed my thinking on this genre, I…

  • Honey and the Valley of Horses – Wendy Orr

    Allen & Unwin August 2023 ISBN:9781761068492 Publisher:A&U Children’s Imprint:A & U Children RRP: $17.99 In the ‘unprecedented times‘ of Covid, particularly in that first year or so, there was a seismic shift in the behaviours, attitudes and priorities of many people – and not solely for fear of infection. Undeniably there were folk who found…

  • Banjo Tully – Justin D’Ath

    Ford St Publishing September 2021 ISBN: 9781925804904 RRP: $17.95 It was a hair salon day and as usual, I took a book with me – one I’d only unpacked from its box this morning – although I have some others still half-read, because I always love Justin’s writing. And this was no exception – I…

  • The Forever Horse – Stacy Gregg

    Harper Collins Australia October 2020 ISBN: 9780008332358 ISBN 10: 0008332355 Imprint: HarperCollins – GB List Price: 24.99 AUD Stacy Gregg’s horse stories have constantly been some of the most popular loans in my libraries, mostly primary but I also have several lower secondary girls who just love these books. This new stand-alone novel introduces readers to talented young artist…

  • Bring on the Empty Horses, so the old saying goes…….

    …though these are far from ’empty………..   As my village knows Miss Small has now been riding for about 18 months and is about to compete in her second show tomorrow (last show she got a first in her class of Beginner Rider!) so despite a lifetime in almost total ignorance of riding, except for…

  • The Thunderbolt Pony –Stacey Gregg

    Harper Collins Australia ISBN:9780008257019 ISBN 10: 0008257019 Imprint: HarperCollins – GB September 2017 RRP $26.99   Stacey Gregg’s series of which this is the fifth has been a stellar hit with my ‘horsey girls’. And though I’m not particularly horsey myself (aside from paying for Miss Small’s passion) I have thoroughly enjoyed them as well as each…