Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe


  • Board Book Bonanza!

    Mr McGee – Pamela Allen Penguin Australia February 2026 Some top-shelf board book editions with a much-loved character plus some fresh new titles for the Smallest Smalls in your circle. First up is that popular chap, Mr McGee whose last book I reviewed in 2024, the year in which Pamela Allen turned 90. How lovely…

  • Hasel and Rose – Caroline Magerl

    Penguin Australia Imprint: Viking Books ISBN: 9780670077342 RRP: $24.99 – buy it now from Books Direct for $19.99 or Boomerang Books for $20.99 Writing my special feature blog post on Caroline Magerl and the new French edition of Hasel and Rose made me realise that, while I’ve had a copy in (I think) all my libraries…

  • It’s a Twin Thing – Kristin Darell. Illustrated by A. Yi.4

    Penguin Australia I think it is hard to imagine what it would be like being a twin, especially an identical one, if you’re not one- or perhaps that’s just me. I have taught twins so identical that only one little freckle was the distinguishing feature between the two and they were very alike in personality…

  • Bluey Christmas Little Library

    Penguin Australia Christmas Eve. Christmas Day. Christmas Food. Hooray Presents!! I do love these little libraries because I think for little hands which love to hold and turn the pages these are perfect. They are all really super cute! I love the idea of Verandah Santa and it’s so fun to see the whole family…

  • Bluey: Big Pop-up Book

    Penguin Australia This one is another big and bold and very simple one. There are five pop-ups each telling its own little story. From fairies in the garden to playtime at the creek. Each pop-up scene is a double spread, as you can see with a couple of lift-the-flaps for extra fun. LOVE the pesky…

  • The Rose Field: The Book of Dust #3 – Philip Pullman

    Penguin Australia October 2025 It was a very long wait indeed and so many of us were very impatient indeed [no, it wasn’t just me!] – 2017 from the first to 2025 for the last. Not only did I revisit my reviews of #1 and #2 but I listened to both on audio – finishing…

  • Bluey: Bartlebee’s First Christmas

    Penguin Australia So in the tiny board book Hooray Presents! we saw Bluey get a mini Heeler toy. Meet Bartlebee! Bluey is enchanted with this new friend and hurls him straight into all the family Christmas shenanigans including Classic Catches in the pool and being licked ‘hello’ by Socks. Bartlebee is baffled to say the…

  • Bluey – The Most Amazing Advent Book Bundle

    Penguin Australia When they say it’s AMAZING, that’s exactly what they mean! Any Bluey fan is going to LOVE this advent calendar with a new little book to reveal each day. And how good will it be to add to the magic of Christmas approaching? From the publisher >>>> Stories include: Daddy Robot, Charades, Yoga Ball,…

  • All About Antarctica: a Fact Book about the Southernmost Continent – Marc Martin

    Penguin Australia October 2025 Slide through to see inside – you need to see how jam-packed this one is! I feel like it’s been a long time since I’ve seen some of Marc Martin’s work. This thought occurred to me just last week as I shifted more old reviews to the new archive and came…

  • B is for Busy: Mum’s Busy Work – Jacinda Ardern. Illustrated by Ruby Jones.

    Penguin Australia September 2025 While not every woman becomes a Prime Minister with a child, every working woman with a child can relate to the constant juggling of home, family and the demands of the job. And many children will also relate to being the offspring of a busy working mum. But as this book…