Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Mim and the Frazzled Fruit Farmer: The Travelling Bookshop #7 – Katrina Nannestad. Illustrated by Cheryl Orsini

    Harper Collins Australia February 202 ISBN: 9780733343131 ISBN 10: 0733343139 Imprint: ABC Books AU List Price: 16.99 AUD No doubt there will be many young readers who will be sad to know that this is the final chapter in this entertaining series but, dare I say, knowing Katrina’s fertile imagination and creativity there is sure to be something new…

  • Is This a Plum? – Dan & Finn Ojari

    Penguin Australia  May 2026 ISBN: 9780241814055 Imprint: Puffin RRP: $19.99 The first word that springs to mind with this debut book is charming, followed quickly by hilarious! Father and son team but not in the usual sense [thinking of examples like Anthony and Joe Browne] because this father mostly works in theatrical creativity (Aardman Animations) and this son…

  • Lily Tripp: Diary of an Accidental Time Traveller – Amelia Tait

    Hachette Australia Imprint: Starboard May 5, 2026 | 9781444931983 | RRP $16.99 Well yes, it is another ‘diary’ of a tween title but at least this one really does have a point of difference. Lily Tripp, aged almost 13, has developed an unfortunate ability. Several times now she has spontaneously time-travelled on New Year’s Eve. She’s been in ancient…

  • You can’t help but notice..

    Sometimes there is a slew of similar looking books, or titles, or even narratives or content. We all know there are trends in fashion, food, music, movies and even books – but it does sometimes seem that at times various authors, even across continents, simultaneously get the same thought. Other times it’s just seems to…

  • Gimme Some Space (Book #2 Marvellous Submarine) – Clayton Zane Comber & Conor McCammon

    Harper Collins Australia Imprint: Angus & Robertson February 2026 ISBN: 9781460766811 RRP: $17.99 Clayton and Conor continue with their new insanely bonkers series, this time blasting off into space in the retro-fitted submarine now doubling as a spaceship. Twins, Billy and Poppy, plus their assorted menagerie (using the term loosely) of helpers determine to track down…

  • Bitsa – Andrew Daddo

    Penguin Australia February 2026 ISBN: 9781761355974 Imprint: Penguin RRP: $14.99 Who doesn’t love a heart-warming dog story? And this start of a new series from Andrew Daddo ticks a lot of boxes with both content and accessibility for your newly independent readers. When Jas finds Bitsa, alone and in need of a home, they form an immediate bond.…

  • The Girl and the Ghost #3 Grand Opening – Jacqueline Harvey

    Penguin Australia May 2026 ISBN: 9781761349430 RRP: $16.99 There will be plenty of delighted fans when this one hits the shelves [my advice is to buy multiple copies] as this fabulous series continues. Josephine, often known as Jet, and her family are gearing up for the grand opening of their restored chateau hotel but there is…

  • Wanted: The Cutest Baby in the World – Davina Bell. Sarah Zweck.

    Thames & Hudson January 2026 ISBN: 9781760765323 RRP: $24.99 As adults I think there are many of us who can relate to this investigation into the arch-criminal and dastardly doer of deeds that is the World’s Cutest Baby. Whether it’s finding our walls liberally decorated with abstract art done in the crayon medium, or indeed…

  • I’d Rather Be a Shark – Philip & Laura Bunting

    ISBN : 9781761528972 Publisher : SCHOLASTIC AUSTRALIA PTY LTD Imprint : Scholastic Australia March 2026 RRP: $19.99 The Buntings have done it again with an uproariously look at ‘what if…’ when a child is fed up with having to use their manners, or being kind to everyone and taking turns, smiling sweetly and, as for sharing – phooey! What if….one salty…

  • More School of Monsters – Sally Rippin. Chris Kennett.

    Hardie Grant February 2026 Price:AU$11.99, NZ$13.99 Series:School of Monsters Publisher:Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing Drake’s Silly Sneezes ISBN:9781761213557 Snell’s Show and Tell ISBN:9781761213540 Huzzah! School of Monsters has two more fun titles to add to your collection for those Smalls who are so excitedly embarking on their independent reading journeys. This series is so far removed…