Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe


  • Teeth: You Only Get Two Sets – Magda Gargulakova. Illustrated by Marie Urbankova.

    New South Books Albatros Media April 2025 9788000072470/ AUD$26.99, NZD$32.99 All of us who have taught Smalls know the whole gap-toothed, lisping stages very well indeed. I foresee this book is going to be a big hit in both classrooms and libraries for those Preps-3s especially. Certainly I’d be taking full advantage of it and still…

  • All Aboard!: Planes – Radka Píro & Diarmuid Ó Catháin

    New South Books Albatros Books December 2024 9788000070995  AUD$24.99, NZD$29.99 How super cute is it to have a flightless bird learning all about flying and planes? Karl the Kiwi is sad because he would really love to fly like other birds. He thinks up a few ideas including hitching a ride with a flying bird,…

  • Encyclopedia of…. :for Young Readers x3 : Birds, Animals and Plants, Fungi and Lichen

    New South Books Publisher: Albatros Media Encyclopedia of Birds – Tomáš Tůma 9788000063508/ December 2022/AUD$29.99, NZD$34.99 Encyclopedia of Animals: Tomáš Tůma 9788000063522/1 November 2022/AUD$29.99, NZD$34.99 Encyclopedia of Plants, Fungi and Lichens – ​Tereza Němcová/Tomáš Pernický 9788000063515/1 December 2022/AUD$29.99, NZD$34.99 This delightful series (there are more it seems) appeals hugely to my inner nerdy child and,…

  • Marramarra: Indigenous Artists Making History Visible – a collaboration by Brook Garru Andrew and Jessica Neath.

    UNSW 9781742237039 / November 2024/ $49.99 marramarra (a Wiradjuri word meaning to create, make or do) explores how contemporary Indigenous artists and their communities are revealing hidden histories and finding pathways to healing. I don’t even pretend to be an artist though I do like ‘messing’ around with creative bits and pieces, so not only did this book…

  • Plantabulous!

    New South Books From Albatros Books/Media are two absolutely delightful new titles. Both about plants, both non-fiction, both exquisitely designed but providing lower-middle primary kiddos with information about plants from two different angles. How Plants Talk – Helena Haraštová. Illustrated by Linh Dao 9788000068114 / 1 August 2023 AUD$24.99, NZD$29.99 Your Smalls will be fascinated to see…

  • French Windows – Antoine Laurain

    New South Books Gallic Books 9781913547752 /  September 2024 / AUD$34.99, NZD$39.99 I’m a big fan of cosy murder mysteries. This is not one of those, though it is definitely a murder mystery. I wasn’t familiar with this acclaimed French author’s work but would certainly seek some more of it out. This is a slick and witty…

  • Clementine’s Christmas- Annie White

    New South Books New Frontier October 2024 9781923145061 / AUD$26.99, NZD$32.99 Not so long ago I had the pleasure of seeing Annie’s skill with dogs in Julie Murphy’s Dog Beach and now she brings her popular canine character, Clementine, back for a humorous Christmas romp that your Smalls will enjoy greatly. The narrative is an easy and…

  • Mammalia; an illustrated guide to the world of mammals – Lindy Mattice

    New South Books Bushel & Peck 9781638191285 / July 2024 / AUD$49.99, NZD$57.99 This is likely the last of my animal books for this year (but you never know!) and what a beauty it is too. While it is an absolute treasure chest of interesting, relevant information with the addition of quite quirky quick facts, it is the…

  • Dog Beach – Julie Murphy. Illustrated by Annie White

    New South Books NLA Publishing November 2024 9781922507709/ AUD$24.99, NZD$29.99 What a happy and full-of-warmth book this is! We know to expect entertaining animal stories from Julie Murphy, and we also know we can count on some information as well. This one does not disappoint. With some lovely rhyming descriptors of the many and varied dogs…

  • Be a Nature Explorer!: Outdoor Activities and Adventures – Peter Wohlleben. Translated by Jane Billinghurst, illustrated by Belle Wuthrich

    New South Books Greystone Kids/David Suzuki Institute July 2024 9781771649698  AUD$24.99, NZD$29.99 Nerdy kid me would have loved this book when I was a munchkin. I actually still love it now and really think I will try some of the suggested activities out [I wonder if I can coerce The Kid? she would also have…