Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • The Adventures of Squidape – John Stanton

    Riveted Press Simon & Schuster July 2026 ISBN13: 9781923676046 LIST PRICE: AU$ 17.99 / NZ$ 19.99 When you read a debut novel that is not only hugely enjoyable but written by a fellow school librarian – it’s YAYYY!! This one is (strange as it may seem still) one of the several read in the past…

  • The Lost Island – Samantha Wheeler. Illustrated by Anke Noack.

    UQP August 2026 ISBN: 9780702271182 RRP: $17.99 We can always depend on Samantha Wheeler, on of our local authors, to deliver an engaging and thoughtful middle grade novel. Her ability to create characters to whom readers gravitate and put them into situations that enable those readers to explore emotions, attitudes and problem-solving has been amply…

  • How to Get Rid of a Princess – Alison McLennan. Mel Pearce

    Hardie Grant Australia ISBN:9781761212970 Price:AU$24.99, NZ$27.99 Publisher:Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing – Bright Light Being the youngest sibling by 7 years I guess I could have fit the bill as the annoying princess but I honestly think the 7 and 10 year age gaps worked for me as the big brother and sister were more the…

  • Little Lunch for Littles

    Walker Books Australia August 2026 Australia RRP:$15.99 New Zealand RRP:$17.99 When The Kid was a little ‘un, and honestly – whether she was around or not – the Little Lunch series on ABC was always entertaining. I defy anyone who has taught primary kids to not identify repeatedly with the crew of diverse children as…

  • Scare B’n’B – Catherine Doyle

    Bloomsbury June 2026 ISBN 9781526655141 Imprint Bloomsbury Children’s Books RRP: $16.99 Well this is a complete departure from the previous Catherine Doyle books I’ve reviewed which were all far more magic realism, echoing folk tales and legends and ‘serious’. But this is very different – hilarious fun whilst also taking a good look at family…

  • Joey and the Junjardy – Allison Rocca. Illustrated by Brenton E. McKenna

    UQP June 2026 ISBN: 9780702271137 RRP: $17.99 I was already keen to read this one and when I started in and realised it is set in Wakka Wakka country, immediately felt a connection. My first teaching post in 1994 was Nanango SS – yes, on Wakka Wakka lands – so for several years I taught…

  • The Epically Awesome Odyssey, as told by Nanny Piggins – R. A. Spratt

    Penguin Australia June 2026 ISBN: 9781761622472 Imprint: Penguin RRP: $16.99 If there is one sure thing to brighten up a bleak, chilly winter’s night (or day) it is the one, the only Nanny Piggins along with her family: Boris, her bear brother, and the children for whom she slaves day and night to feed, clothe, keep clean,…

  • Costa’s Garden: Fruit – Costa Georgiadis & Brenna Quinlan

    Harper Collins Australia April 2026 Imprint: ABC Books AU ISBN: 9780733343391 Series: Costa’s Garden RRP: $24.99 Our favourite colourful garden gnome, Costa, is back in his second book in this series for Smalls and this time he brings a tutti-frutti cornucopia of delectable fruit. From the beginning of fruit (the flower) to the kitchen for creating delicious dishes…

  • Duck Look Who’s Talking! (Duck, #1) – Matt Stanton

    Harper Collins Australia April 2026 Imprint: ABC Books AU ISBN: 9780733342059 RRP: $16.99 Matt Stanton is a king of comedic writing and don’t we know it! And I’m going to be very frank here [no, not Frank – just Los] I really do think the Funny Kid books are great but it was always Duck who was…

  • Oh No! – James Foley

    Penguin Australia May 2026 ISBN: 9781761355073 Imprint: Penguin RRP: $19.99 Thursday night last I had just the best time at Quick Brown Fox’ Term 2 Reading Between the Wines and quite honestly, I’ve never laughed so much at any of the other RBtW evenings I’ve attended because not only is James Foley as hilarious in real life as…