Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe


  • B is for Bedtime: Before You Close Your Eyes – Scott Stuart. Jess Racklyeft.

    Hardie Grant Australia ISBN:9781761212161 Price:AU$24.99, NZ$27.99 Publisher:Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing Charming and sweet, lovely and soothing, meaningful and like a talisman for a sleep free from worries and frets. This is just a delight from start to finish and will easily become a favourite for any family’s regular bedtime. There’s a gentle rhythm to the…

  • Our World Full of Wonder – Jevita Nilson/Jess Racklyeft

    Publisher: CSIRO Publishing November 2024 ISBN: 9781486318155 $ 24.99 Sometimes, despite all my good intentions, some books just linger for months tucked away in one of the several tubs/boxes I have for review books. I do have regular re-shuffles, and there are those books that just don’t make the cut for me, and so are…

  • Volcano – Claire Saxby. Jess Racklyeft.

    Allen & Unwin April 2025 ISBN:9781761180644 Publisher:A&U Children’s Imprint:A & U Children RRP: $26.99 I think we all know from their previous collaborations that the pairing of these two creators is always going to be a stunning result. And this one certainly is that. Kiddos love volcanoes. They love hearing about them, watching films of…

  • Back…in time for Christmas

    It’s been a rather hectic time the past month or so. A new school, a new job always presents its challenges and a special kind of tiredness but in this – dare I say – year of unprecedented circumstances, perhaps even moreso. While I’ve done a fair bit of reading after crawling into bed exhausted…

  • MoonFish  [Poems to make you & Think] – Harry Laing. Various Illustrators

    Ford St Publishing May 2019 9781925804256 RRP: $16.95 Sharing poetry with kiddos is one of my favourite things to do – and even the ones who kind of screw their noses up at first really get into it with the right selection. This will definitely be one of those and I know that many teachers…

  • See Hear: There’s Magic All Around You. What Can You See? What Can You Hear? – Tania McCartney & Jess Racklyeft

    EK Books March 2018 9781925335675 RRP $24.99 From the dream team that brought you Smile Cry (Crystal Kite Award 2017 and 2017 CBC Notable Book) comes another beautiful and whimsical book for little people. A sensory exploration of the world around us using the senses of sight and hearing is a perfect way to have…