Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Clarice Bean Smile – Lauren Child

    Harper Collins Australia April 2024 Yesterday was a very grumpy day. Although there was lots of good stuff in it, I was extremely annoyed to find out that someone has literally passed my own words off as their own, and, not for the first time, used my work to put focus on their own, without…

  • Clarice Bean: Think Like an Elf – Lauren Child

    Harper Collins Australia November 2021 ISBN: 9780008470845 ISBN 10: 0008470847 Imprint: HarperCollins GB List Price: 24.99 AUD I am just sorry this one didn’t arrive in time for me to get it read and reviewed before Christmas because it really is a perfect gift to share with a young reader. In her own inimitable manner, Lauren Child, takes us…

  • Flights of Fancy: stories, pictures and inspiration from ten Children’s Laureates 😉

    Walker Books, April 2019, 80 pp., $27.99 (hbk), ISBN 9781403687858 Quentin Blake, Anne Fine, Michael Morpurgo, Jacqueline Wilson, Michael Rosen, Anthony Browne, Julia Donaldson, Malorie Blackman, Chris Riddell, Lauren Child. Naturally we are not the only ones to celebrate our creators of extraordinary children’s books and this compilation is a real treat. The above authors,…

  • How to Raise Your Grown Ups (Hubert Horatio #1) – Lauren Child

    Harper Collins October 2018 ISBN: 9780008264086 ISBN 10: 0008264082 Imprint: HarperCollins – GB RRP:  $19.99   Sometimes I surprise myself. When I started reading this two nights ago I got halfway through and thought how enjoyable it is and that it reminds me so much of the marvellous Ronald Searle and his Nigel Molesworth books (albeit with far…

  • Mary Poppins –  P. L. Travers. Illustrated by Lauren Child

    Harper Collins Australia ISBN: 9780008289362 ISBN 10: 0008289360 November 2018 List Price: 39.99 AUD On a similar note to the previous post about re-invigorating classics for today’s children, what about this absolutely stunning edition of Mary Poppins which will tie in beautifully with the upcoming movie.   Lauren Child’s instantly recognisable style gives this glorious and magical story…

  • Ruby Redfort: Pick Your Poison [#5] – Lauren Child

    Harper Collins May 2017 ISBN10 0007334273 RRP $14.99 So about a week or so before I finished my last job (a month ago now) one of my favourite girls, Miss Georgia from Year 6, followed me into the library one morning, her face aglow. “Oh Ms Warren – I just finished reading the BEST book!”  Yes,…