Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Tubowgule – a Sydney Opera House History – Melissa-Jane Fogarty. Illustrated by Dylan Finney.

    Hachette Australia Imprint: Lothian Books March 2025 9780734423351 | RRP $24.99 I’m old enough to have walked on Bennelong Point before the Opera House was built, and then walk around the construction site as the sails rose ever higher [not much WHS in those days, no fencing around the site!] picking up bits of broken white tile.…

  • How to Sail to Somewhere – Ashleigh Barton

    Hachette Australia Imprint: Lothian Books March 2025 9780734423627 | RRP $16.99 My recent enjoyment of the newest Katya Balen book has been serendipitously echoed in Ashleigh Barton’s gorgeous new MG novel which has similar themes but definitely more mystery. The two books written half a world apart (weirdly) have striking likenesses, though with a different take on…

  • Over or Under – Pip Harry & Hilary Jean Tapper

    Hachette Australia Oct 30, 2024 | 9780734421807 | RRP $24.99 Imprint: Lothian Books I’m jumping waves at the beach with Dad.If they’re small I can leap over their frothy peaks.Easy!But further out, when they’re big, you have to duck dive under. We are always looking for ways in which to encourage our Smalls to be brave and take risks…

  • We Know a Place – Maxine Beneba Clarke

    Hachette AUG 30, 2023 | 9780734421579 | RRP $24.99 Imprint; Lothian Books To be fair, I probably should have reviewed this when it was Love Your Bookshop Day, but, of course, I have been hoarding picture books for this month. This is just a glorious expression of love for bookshops in general, and, specifically, Maxine’s own favourite bookshop. And,…

  • Little Treasure – Chanelle Gosper. Illustrated by Jennifer Goldsmith.

    Hachette MAR 2023 | 9780734421494 | RRP $24.99 Imprint: Lothian Books Just because it has taken me so long to get to this, is no indication of its worth. It was one of the unfortunates that got caught up in the Great House Move, and when it recently came to light again, I thought I would keep it till…

  • The Perilous Promotion of Trilby Moffat: Book 2 – Kate Temple

    Hachette July 2023  9780734420923 | RRP $16.99 | Imprint: Lothian Books I was getting a little worried I wasn’t going to get this one to review, and I have been waiting patiently for it since the day I finished the first one, but yayyyyyyy!! – thank you Hachette – for getting it to me (on Friday and…

  • The Balloon Blow Up- Andy Geppert

    Hachette July 2023  ISBN 9780734420718 | Imprint; Lothian Books | RRP $19.99 Andy Geppert’s books are always just a gorgeous read – the witty humour and the beautifully gentle illustrations combine to make something sensational every time. And this one is no exception and, really, starts with the most basic premise but turns into something quite extraordinary.…