Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe


  • Somewhere You Can Dream – Janeen Brian. Hilary Jean Tapper.

    Allen & Unwin March 2026 ISBN:9781761181764 Publisher:A&U Children’s Imprint:A & U Children The incomparable Janeen Brian never fails to provide us with utter joy and here is the latest example of her lyrical talent. As I’ve previously mentioned, Janeen’s was one of the first author names to make me take note wayyyyyy back when I…

  • The Night Tiger – Sherryl Clark & Hannah Summerville

    Allen & Unwin March 2026 ISBN:9781760113421 Publisher:A&U Children’s Imprint:A & U Children When I was a kid I was one who was afraid of dark so I think a book that empowers Smalls to feel more comfortable with the nightime and embrace the magic of moonlight, stars and night creatures is a welcome addition to…

  • Ten-Word Tiny Tales – Joseph Coelho and Friends

    An anthology of brilliantly illustrated tales only ten words long, from former Children’s Laureate Joseph Coelho and friends Walker Books Australia October 2025 ISBN13:9781529502688 Australia RRP:$27.99 New Zealand RRP:$29.99 A JUNIOR LIBRARY GUILD SELECTIONSHORLISTED FOR THE ENGLISH 4-11 BOOK AWARDS LEICESTERSELECTED AS A KIRKUS REVIEWS BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR I am so sorry that…

  • Little Rabbit and the Moon – Inda Ahmad Zahri. Claire Wee.

    Simon & Schuster Little Book Press September 2025 ISBN: 978-1-923141-12-4 RRP: $24.99 I’m not sure if Inda created this based on the ‘rabbit in the moon’ idea. I know one of my girls always talked about the moon rabbit – that is she saw the crater shadows on the moon as a reclining rabbit. I also…

  • B for Bored: Bored – Felicita Sala

    Hardie Grant December 2025 ISBN:9781761217661 Price:AU$24.99, NZ$27.99 Publisher:Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing Imprint: Little Hare Anyone with kids on holidays could easily relate to this with that pathetic moan of ‘I’m boooooored.’ But how about turning that boredom into busy-ness? Rita is bored. Really, REALLY bored. Sooooooooooooooo bored. So bored she can’t even think properly but…

  • The Adventures of Pongo and Stink – Lisa Nicol. Illustrated by Karen Blair.

    Penguin Australia October 2025 I can absolutely guarantee you that your kiddos will be rolling about as happily as pigs in mud when they get their hands on this one – and it would make a super serial read-aloud for your younger readers. Pongo and Stink are fully fed up with living in a dark…

  • Woof woof! Double the Dog Delight

    Today (as I write this) is International Dog Day and many of my friends with doggos are sharing their pals. I thought it would be a good opportunity to write these two reviews to go up after the last of the Birdie Num Num titles this week. So here we go! My Name is Jemima…

  • The Perfect Book – Jacinta Froud. Gökçe Yavaş Önal

    Art Director: Ozan TortopPublisher: Jacinta FroudBooksmith: Tadaa Book March 2023 ISBN: 9780646866604 RRP: $23.99 The Book Cow Read about this book’s genesis – it’s a story of determination and self-belief. This one is an older title that the lovely Jacinta Froud sent me in a package a while back and it’s a lot of fun…

  • Your … – Jon Klassen

    Walker Books Australia April 2025 Your Farm ISBN13:9781529526868 Australia RRP:$16.99 New Zealand RRP:$18.99 This is your sun.It is coming up for you. This is your tree.It can go under the sun. Your Forest ISBN13:9781529526844 Australia RRP:$16.99 New Zealand RRP:$18.99 This is your sun.It is coming up for you. These are your trees.They can go over…

  • Flashback

    After reviewing the gorgeous animal book from Thames & Hudson yesterday, I thought I’d take you all back in time. Back to 2014, when T&H asked me if I would care to write a couple of pages of teaching notes for a book they were bringing out. Of course, I was very happy to do…