Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • A Hungry Lion or a Dwindling Assortment of Animals – Lucy Ruth Cummins

    Simon & Schuster Atheneum Books for Young Readers | 40 pages | ISBN 9781471147074 May 2016   There once was a hungry lion, a penguin (Well he was just here…), a little calico kitten (I could have sworn I just saw him…), a brown mouse (Now wait a second…), a bunny with floppy ears and…

  • Princess Betony and the Hobgoblin – Pamela Freeman/illustrated by Tamsin Ainslie

    ISBN: 9781921720260 Imprint: WALKER BOOKS AUST July 2016 RRP $12.99 This is a series new to me (thank you so much to Walker Books for adding me to your reviewer list!!) and I think it is just delightful judging by this one. Princess Betony is not exactly your average princess. She doesn’t much like wearing fussy dresses…

  • Jacky Ha-Ha – James Patterson, with Chris Grabenstein

    Random House Australia ISBN: 9781784754075 Published: 16/05/2016 Imprint: Arrow (Young)   RRP $15.99   The Middle School series from the James Patterson stable has been terrifically popular and as JP’s new character is introduced I foresee another avalanche of young readers. Since Jacky Hart first started school and had unkind kids make fun of her stuttering start (hence…

  • The Truth According to Arthur: a funny book about fibbing –  Tim Hopgood/David Tazzyman

    Allen & Unwin July 2016 ISBN 9781408864999 Publisher:Bloomsbury Imprint:Bloomsbury Child RRP $14.99   A perfect book for a read-aloud that will gently point out that lying is not just a no-no but will also lead to a great discussion on ethics for young readers. Arthur breaks a rule. He is not to ride his brother’s…

  • Popcorn Movie Time: The BFG

    Last night we were fortunate enough – myself & Small, her little cousin The Divine Miss M and her BFF – to attend a preview 3D screening of Spielberg’s The BFG. Some reviews have claimed it didn’t translate well and if anything was ‘too faithful’ to Roald Dahl’s much-loved novel. I don’t need to explain…

  • This Girl That Girl – Charlotte Lance

    ISBN: 9781760291709 Publisher: Allen & Unwin Imprint: A & U Children Pub Date: June 2016 RRP $24.99   A great little book for young readers around 4 years up that explores the differences but also the similarities between people. Two girls who live next door to each other are seemingly poles apart in their personalities…

  • My Dog Dash – Nicki Greenberg

    ISBN: 9781760110673 Publisher: Allen & Unwin Imprint: A & U Children May 2016 RRP $24.99   This is an absolute hoot of a book and I can’t wait to read it aloud (with Small in the house and Miss Mouse sleeping over, it will be a great opportunity this weekend)! If you’ve ever owned a…

  • My Life & Other Exploding Chickens – Tristan Bancks. Illustrations by Gus Gordon.

    ISBN: 9780857985316 Published: 01/03/2016 Imprint: Random House Australia Children’s RRP $15.99 Ok so Tristan’s My Life.. books should come with a warning about snorting aloud. Tom Weeks is back with his brand of bizarre daily life to make readers laugh out loud. Tom’s invitation to go to the circus with the love of his life Sasha is exhilarating…

  • How to Stop an Alien Invasion Using Shakespeare – Nick Falk & Tony Flowers

    ISBN: 9780143780328 Published: 28/03/2016 Imprint: Random House Australia Children’s   RRP $14.99 Hast thou ever feared the imminent arrival of strange googly-eyed alien monsters? Dost thou fret over total destruction of the known world by hideous extra-terrestrials of extraordinary ugliness? You may rest assured that the solution is at hand. Join Sid, his little sister Wendy and evil-genius…

  • Captain Pug: The Dog Who Sailed the Seas – Laura James/Eglantine Ceulemans

    Allen & Unwin Australia Published: 01-06-2016 Format: Paperback Edition: 1st Extent: 128 ISBN: 9781408866368 Imprint: Bloomsbury Childrens   RRP $12.99 I told you didn’t I – pugs are the rage! And this pug is every bit as cute as the real thing! Pug is the jam-tart eating companion of Lady Miranda who is a freckled…