Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe


  • A Barney Gumnut Christmas (Barney Gumnut #2)- Tamsin Ainslie

    Harper Collins Australia August 2025 Hmm, I don’t know why but I never saw the #1 Barney Gumnut [gives the HC crew the side-eye] which was surely some kind of oversight? Regardless, this is my first meeting with Barney and his friends and, honestly, I’m in love with them all. There’s Barney – as you…

  • Bear to the Rescue – Romane Cristescu and Nic Gill. Illustrated by Sylvia Morris.

    Hardback | October 2025 | $ 26.99ISBN: 9781486314904 Publisher: CSIRO Publishing With splendid synchronicity, I had both Dogs with Jobs and this charming new CSIRO Publishing title to review and schedule together! Huzzah! I love it when a plan comes together – even by happenstance. And doubly fortuitous because Bear is one of the Dogs…

  • One Keen Koala ABC – Margaret Wild. Bruce Whatley.

    Scholastic Australia December 2025 Any book with this pairing of creators is so unlikely to need my recommendation because, let’s face it their names alone will guarantee it flying off shelves across the country. But, regardless, let me go on with this feeble attempt to do it some kind of justice. We love ABC books…

  • Koala Fairies – Anna Pignataro

    Scholastic Australia September 2025 ISBN:9781761123849 RRP: $19.99 It really could be set right here at the end of our street – where bush meets the sea and there are native animals sheltering in quiet spots. Cute little friends, Cookie and Clover, are a pair of helpful koalas who do their best to care for their…

  • Koala Koala – John Williamson. Illustrated by Jonathan Bentley.

    Penguin Australia April 2025 Koala, Koala – we love youSo soft in the fork of your tree . . .Koala, Koala – where will you goIf we take your gum trees away? I’ve mentioned my association with John along with koalas previously on this blog. While my fond memory is about Goodbye Blinky Bill, Koala…

  • Dear Santa: I Don’t Need Socks. Consuelo Fernandez Ortiz

    Five Mile September 2024 9781922943477 RRP: $24.99 This is a very cute story of Christmas from two very different perspectives. One Koala lives in Mallacoota, along with his best friend Too (a cockatoo, of course). Their tree is their home, They have ocean views and it is a quiet place to live. Cousin Olavi lives…

  • Wurrtoo: the wombat who fell in love with the sky – Tylissa Elisara. Illustrated by Dylan Finney

    Hachette Imprint: Lothian Children’s Books MAR 27, 2024 | 9780734421982 | RRP $19.99 I read this charming little book quite a few weeks ago but wanted to save it for this week. The publishers describe it as a cross between Winnie-the-Pooh and Blinky Bill. For me, yes, a little Blinky Bill for sure, but I mostly felt a vibe…

  • Dorrie – Tania McCartney

    Harper Collins Australia February 2023 Well you know my high opinion of the hugely talented Tania McCartney with her stylish flair for presenting her young readers with inspirational and engaging narratives, which also incorporate factual tidbits of the most fascinating kind. I grew up reading Blinky Bill along with all the time-honoured Australian classics, but,…

  • Top Koala – Jackie French. Illustrated by Matt Shanks

    HarperCollins Australia November 2011 ISBN: 9781460754818 ISBN 10: 1460754816 Imprint: HarperCollins – AU List Price: 24.99 AUD Following the huge success of Koala Bare this favourite furry friend returns with enough self-confidence to power the whole country! I am top of every tree! Top is always best to be. With the terrible outcome of bushfires and the dire predicament…

  • That’s Not My Koala – Fiona Watt/Rachel Wells

    Harper Collins July 2019 ISBN: 9781474945561 ISBN 10: 1474945562 Imprint: Usborne – GB List Price: 14.99 AUD Hurray for the 20th anniversary of one of the most delightful concept books for little ones ever! Teeny people will love stroking the touchy-feely aspect of each page with the shiny claws, fuzzy tummy or soft paws. Everyone who loves to read…