Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Through the Darkening Sea – Claire Saxby. Peter Cheong.

    Harper Collins Australia April 2026 As the winter draws in, it’s getting closer to whale season in Queensland which will be particularly exciting this year as one of The Kid’s 21st birthday presents from me is a voucher to swim with the whales, and I think it will be quite the memorable experience for her.…

  • I Call the Ocean Wardan – Ebony Froome. Illustrated by Dellas Bennel and Korrine Bennel-Yarran.

    Fremantle Press September 2026 ISBN: 9781760996307 RRP: $26.99 Pre-order now from your usual suppliers! Celebrate NAIDOC Week 2026 with Fremantle Press • Beach Buddies (Helen Milroy)• Milly Meelyu (Holly Bradley, Darryl Fogarty, illus Corinne Fogarty)• Worl Barna: Sky Creatures (Jayden Boundry, illus Tyrown Waigana)• Kep Barna: Water Creatures (Jayden Boundry, illus Tyrown Waigana)• Little Blue Where…

  • Heading for the ocean today with a watery cast starting with:

    So perhaps you’ve noticed (or not) that during this Picture Book Month, I’ve been attempting to group together like titles in one day’s posting. I’m determined to reduce the piles of dozens of PBs that have been growing like Topsy all year into nothing to start with a clean slate in the new year. So…

  • Australian Lullaby Treasury – Sally Odgers. Lisa Stewart

    Scholastic Australia December 2025 ISBN 9781761643088 RRP: $29.99 [Pre-order from your usual suppliers] Combining all four of the Lullaby stories into one exquisite hardcover this would make a truly beautiful gift for a Small in your circle or, of course, to share with your class of little humans. The gentle verses could easily be used…

  • Some Fishyness swimming this way

    Just as I had acquired a stack of birdy books and featured them a few weeks ago, now, because I’ve had ocean and fishy books piling up, figure that for the next theme that should be the go with the flow. So swim right on up and check out these titles – many very new,…

  • 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…

  • The Voyage of Whale and Calf – Vanessa Pirotta. Illustrated by Samantha Metcalfe.

    CSIRO Publishing April 2022 ISBN: 9781486315109 RRP: $22.99 This beautiful book only came my way recently but what perfect timing as I have a little oceanic theme going on, and also it’s whale season for us. Last year I treated myself to a day on the Eyespy our local, much-awarded whale watching company and it…

  • Drop into the Ocean

    Hardie Grant Explore June 2024 9781741178951 $24.99 Way back in March (and it really does feel like WAY back!) I was asked to create teaching notes for this sensational book and what a joyful task it was. This not only looks beautiful and fun, but is one of those wonderful teaching-by-stealth narrative non-fictions that kiddos…

  • The Sea in Me – Cody Simpson. Written with Jess Black. Illustrated by Amandine Thomas.

    Penguin Australia June 2024 One of the reasons we love where we live is that it is only a five minute walk to the sea. We see the placid ripples of Moreton Bay every single day and it never fails to soothe us, no matter how we are feeling or what kind of day it’s…

  • Salt Water Therapy

                              Here are four picture books all of which centre on the ocean but with very different purpose, style and execution, each of them truly lovely.   Beach Song – Ros Moriarty. Illustrated by Samantha Campbell Allen & Unwin January 2024 ISBN:9781761180248 Publisher:A&U Children’s Imprint:A & U Children RRP: $24.99 Ros Moriarty comments ‘my emotional wellbeing…