Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • The Bogan Book Club – John Larkin

    You know how sometimes you’ve waited patiently for something, and it turns out to be a massive disappointment… movie, a meal, a night out – whatever – and you’re left feeling completely ripped off? This is not one of those occasions. I had some slim hope of getting this as a review copy, which didn’t…

  • Boys Do Cry – Gus Worland. Illustrated by Heath McKenzie.

    Penguin Australia February 2025 To be fair, Gus Worland, former Triple M breakfast presenter, wouldn’t have initially appeared to be a prime candidate to pull together one of the most successful mental health initiatives in the country. I don’t mean that he wasn’t capable or that he was lacking in some way. It’s just that…

  • Lexie Moon & the Word Burgling Bungle – Melissa Garside and Lauren Mullinder

    Riveted Press January 2025 ISBN 9781763526037RRP $12.99 This is not just a fun read, especially for readers growing in their confidence to tackle chapter books, but has so much to offer with regard to topics such as AI, robotics, STEM and Mighty Girls not to mention ethics and intellectual property. Lexie Moon is a dedicated…

  • Dylan Alcott: Game On! – Dylan Alcott/Fiona Regan. Illustrated by Nahum Ziersch.

    Harper Collins November 2024 What an absolute honour it was for me to be asked to write the teaching notes for this book – the first in a series – from sporting legend, disability advocate, radio host, actor, founder of his self-named foundation, film-maker, motivational speaker, Australian of the Year and, dead-set larrikin, Dylan Alcott.…

  • The Frog Squad #2: Bungle in the Jungle – Kate and Jol Temple. Illustrated by Shiloh Gordon.

    Harper Collins Australia December 2024 The Temple two have such a fabulous skill in creating hugely humorous reads for kids, without degenerating into crassness. It is one of the reasons I love reviewing their books. And the Frog Squad is certainly proving to be a hilarious delight with this second instalment. The punster in me…

  • The Skin I’m In – Steph Tisdell

    Pan Macmillan July 2024 ISBN: 9781760984977 RRP: $26.99 It took me a while to get to this one on the review shelf, but when I did, it didn’t take me long to read it – I chomped it up over 3 nights and loved every vibrant word of it. Then of course it was Picture Book…

  • Clementine’s Christmas- Annie White

    New South Books New Frontier October 2024 9781923145061 / AUD$26.99, NZD$32.99 Not so long ago I had the pleasure of seeing Annie’s skill with dogs in Julie Murphy’s Dog Beach and now she brings her popular canine character, Clementine, back for a humorous Christmas romp that your Smalls will enjoy greatly. The narrative is an easy and…

  • Jingle Belly – Jacinta Froud. Illustrated by Gabriella Petruso.

    Distributed by Simon & Schuster Imprint: Larrikin House 2021 I know it’s not ‘new’ but it’s new to me. I hadn’t seen it previously and, very kindly, author Jacinta Froud sent me this copy (as well as a couple of others which I’ll post after my Xmas/NY break). Pets are notorious for their creating a…

  • Mr Santa – Jarvis

    Walker Books Australia October 2024 ISBN13:9781529511574 Australia RRP:$24.99 New Zealand RRP:$27.99 Yep, we’ve all known those kids who have a seemingly endless supply of questions and this little person has many for Santa, when she catches him delivering gifts. Mr Santa, want to hear me play? Do the reindeer talk? And can I ride your sleigh? When…

  • The Completely Chaotic Christmas of Lottie Brooks – Katie Kirby

    Penguin Books Australia Somehow or other, I have completely missed Lottie Brooks until now but I’m glad we have met. I found this quite hilarious and can easily see why this series has been so popular with tweens. It’s reminiscent of the likes of Wimpy Kid or Tom Weekly but more like an older Clarice…