Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Took the Children Away – Archie Roach/Ruby Hunter

    Simon & Schuster Australia October 2020 ISBN13: 9781760857219 RRP: $24.99 What a privilege to be asked to provide a review for this fabulous 30th anniversary edition of Archie’s book. This great man, 2020 Victorian Australian of the Year, member of the Order of Australia and recipient of countless other awards for his music, is one…

  • Hello and Welcome – Gregg Dreise

    Penguin Australia March 2021 ISBN: 9781760898328 Imprint: Puffin RRP: $24.99 With absolutely spot-on timing for Harmony Day 2021, multi-talented Gregg Dreise’s new book – which is a stunning companion to My Culture and Me – once again celebrates our First Australian people. In joyful celebration, as all are welcomed to corroboree, this gorgeous book provides insight and understanding…

  • Living on Stolen Land – Ambelin Kwaymullina

    Magabala Books July 2020 ISBN 9781925936247 RRP: $22.99 In any other year we would be in the midst of NAIDOC celebrations but this has been no ordinary year for any of us. And given the global swell of awareness around the circumstances, past and present, of people of colour this is a most timely and…

  • Family – Aunty Fay Muir & Sue Lawson. Illustrated by Jasmine Seymour

    Magabala Books July 2020 ISBN 9781925936285 RRP: $24.99 This is the second in the beautiful and enlightening Our Place series and continues the sharing of cultural identity and perspective in a way that is easily accessible by even the youngest of readers. This relatively simple story accompanied by its stunning illustrations eloquently defines the meaning…

  • A Swag of Magabala!

    Opening a parcel from Magabala Books is always such a joy! I love seeing what our First Australian authors and illustrators have created and they enable me to share rich culture and boundless talent with my readers. First up is the absolute little treasure of a book: Girls Can Fly – Sally Morgan/Ambelin Kwaymullina March…

  • Welcome to Country – Aunty Joy Murphy & Lisa Kennedy

    Walker Books Australia ISBN: 9781922244871 Imprint: BLACK DOG BOOKS Distributor: Harper Collins Distribution Services for Australia and New Zealand Release Date: August 1, 2016 RRP $24.99 Readers of this blog will already be aware of my passion for our Indigenous creators. As a proud mother and grandmother of Wiradjuri kids I particularly appreciate being able to share so many…

  • Mrs Whitlam – Bruce Pascoe

    Magabala Books Author: Bruce Pascoe Published: Jun 2016 ISBN: 9781925360240 Ages: Middle primary, Upper primary, Young Adult   I am very quickly becoming very enamoured of Bruce Pascoe’s writing for young people (not to mention for adults). He is really deft at making his young adult characters believable and contemporary without relying on current vernacular…

  • Mad Magpie – Gregg Dreise

      Magabala Books May 2016 ISBN 9781925360066 RRP $24.99 Once again Sunshine Coast author and illustrator Gregg Dreise has produced a sumptuous and vibrant take on traditional Aboriginal morality tales. Continuing with his series featuring birdlife Mad Magpie follows a theme of bullying and resilience. Drawing on inspiration from his Elders Gregg relates the story…

  • ABC Dreaming – Warren Brim

    Magabala Books Published:Nov 2015 ISBN:9781922142627 Format:Paperback   RRP: $17.95 I have purposely saved this one for the start of the school year believing it to the most beautiful ABC book I have seen in a long, long time and so perfect for introducing your preppies to both the alphabet, Australian flora and fauna and Indigenous…

  • Deadly D & Justice Jones: #3 The Search – Dave Hartley & Scott Prince

      Magabala Books Published:Oct 2015 Pages:192pp ISBN:9781925360011 Ages:Middle primary, Upper primary Format:Paperback RRP $12.95 The legion of fans that were captured by the first two Deadly D books will lap this one up as well! And who wouldn’t be delighted to picture legendary coach Wayne Bennett caught up in a circus act? In this new…