Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe


  • Who Hid the Socks?  – Rosemary Coombs/ Lorraine Robertson & Warren Brown

    Bullawai Books April 2018 9780994611819 9780994611826 RRP: $16.99 We all know the problem of disappearing socks. Miss Small favours odd socks but even with that un-complication we still seem to be scratching around for the little blighters often. So many children will get the giggles as they help search for the missing socks in the…

  • Fabio the World’s Greatest Flamingo Detective: The Case of the Missing Hippo – Laura James

    Bloomsbury March 2018 ISBN: 9781408889312 Imprint: Bloomsbury Children’s Books RRP  : AU$12.99 Like many others I am addicted to great detective fiction be it books or TV shows and also like many others my favourite sleuth is the one and only Hercule Poirot (as in David Suchet not – you know who KB bleuggh). So…

  • Planet Middle School – Nikki Grimes

    Bloomsbury ISBN: 9781619630123 ISBN-10: 1619630125 Format: Paperback Imprint: Bloomsbury Childrens Books Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc Publish Date: 2-Jan-2018 Country of Publication: United States RRP AU $14.99 Joylin Johnson has an uncomplicated life at 12 years old as she has had all her life. Baggy jeans and t-shirts, plain ponytail and a passion for basketball which she regularly plays with the neighbourhood boys…

  • Mr Bambuckle’s Remarkables:  Fight Back – Tim Harris

    9780143785873 January 29, 2018 Random House Australia Children’s RRP : $14.99 The kids in 12B are pretty despondent.  Mr Bambuckle has been sent packing by Principal Sternblast and their replacement teacher Miss Frost is as icy as her name.  Every day is a complete nightmare with dreary worksheets and stony silences.  However, there is some…

  • Triple Treat: Jacqueline Harvey, Belinda Murrell and R. A. Spratt

      Such fun to open parcels with books from the most popular authors in my library – and my literary circle! The titles from this trio are highly sought after among my readers and there is always much exchanging in the returns line up with ‘She had this but I want to borrow it next’.…

  • Mr Bambuckle’s Remarkables – Tim Harris….and Mr Bambuckle himself!!!

    Tim Harris, illus by James Hart Random House Released September 2017 Paperback ISBN 9780143785859 RRP $14.99 Tim Harris exploded onto the children’s literature scene quite literally with his Exploding Endings books. Now he brings us a true hero of the classroom, Mr Bambuckle. The children of Room 12 B are wary of their expected new…

  • The Getaway : Diary of a Wimpy Kid #12 – Jeff Kinney

    Penguin Australia 9780143782797 November 7, 2017 Puffin 224 pages RRP $14.99   Well as if there isn’t always enough going on for the Heffleys on a regular day-to-day basis their holiday plans go completely awry and full on pandemonium ensues!   The Heffley parentals have decided that they are going to completely avoid the stress…

  • The City of Secret Rivers – Jacob Sager Weinstein

    Walker Books Australia August 2017 ISBN: 9781406368857 RRP $19.99 For children who are keen on fantastical adventures this first volume in a new trilogy will provide a thrilling subterranean ride through the underbelly of London. Hyacinth Hayward and her mother have just arrived to live in the country of their forebears and Hyacinth hates it already.…

  • The Girl, the Dog and the Writer in Rome – Katrina Nannestad

    Harper Collins Imprint: ABC Books October 2017 ISBN: 9780733338175 RRP: $16.99 Maybe it’s because spring is here (my favourite season) or maybe it is just the stars aligning but I have been so blessed to be sent so many absolutely delightful books to review lately. This is just gorgeous and I love it. Young Freja is…

  • Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow– Jessica Townsend

    Hachette October 2017 9780734418074 | RRP $16.99 When you receive a proof copy of an upcoming debut novel about which the publisher says stuff like ‘sold by eight-way auction’ and ‘film rights pre-empted’ you can assume it’s going to be a cracker. And it is that indeed. Written by Jessica Townsend (Sunshine Coast! Yay!) this…