Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s Bug Hunt: a lift-and-learn book

    Penguin Australia April 2022 ISBN: 9780241553503 Imprint: Puffin Format: Board Book RRP: $14.99 Your littlest readers are going to love this. Every page is pure classic Carle and the fact that there are several flaps on each spread will just send them into paroxysms of squealing joy. Aside from finding the mini-critters, you can focus on some prepositions and…

  • Guest Reviewer: Jessica Finden

    Introducing the lovely Jess, currently teacher-librarian (part-time) at Carmel College, Thornlands. Jess is definitely the glue that holds together the Bayside Secondary T-L Network and works hard always, organising meetings, and our regional Readers Cup competition. In tandem with her Head of English she has transformed the set novel program at Carmel with both flair…

  • The Unstoppable Flying Flanagan – Felice Arena

    Penguin Australia 29 March 2022 ISBN: 9781761044366 Imprint: Puffin RRP: $16.99 In a completely genius move, Felice Arena has combined his love of football (the AFL kind) and his skill with bringing lesser-known history to life. Set in Melbourne in the later years of WWII, this is the story of Maggie Flanagan who loves the game of football,…

  • Dear Greta – Yvette Poshoglian

    Penguin Australia March 2022 ISBN: 9781761043789 Imprint: Puffin RRP: $16.99 First of all, for their writing task, a collaborative project between library and classroom, Alice gets Greta Thunberg as her ‘significant person’ to whom she is meant to write fictional letters. Who wants to get a teen environmental activist to write to? Now a pop star, that would…

  • Hopping towards Easter (already!)

    It’s true that the start of this year has been fraught – not to put too fine a point on it. In my house: switch jobs on the last day of holidays, school is delayed by a week for The Kid, a week or so later The Kid is not well and after a couple…

  • Happy Specky-versary!

    Following up on my review of Specky’s 20th anniversary edition – as the actual birthday is today – it was timely to kick off the 2022 footy season with not only a display to feature everyone’s favourite young AFL player, but the code itself. And of course, an opportunity to have a ‘win’ incentive to…

  • Mr Bambuckle’s Remarkables Join Forces – Tim Harris

    Penguin Australia 1 March 2022 ISBN: 9781761044557 Imprint: Puffin RRP: $14.99 It seems incredible – or should I say remarkable – that is already four years since I had the pleasure of sipping Himalayan tea with the delicious Mr Bambuckle – sorry, I mean, sipping delicious Himalayan tea with Mr Bambuckle! And now everyone’s favourite teacher (up there…

  • That Cat – Jacqueline Harvey. Illustrated by Kate Isobel Scott.

    Penguin Australia 1 March 2022 ISBN: 9781761040702 Imprint: Puffin RRP: $19.99 When the delightful Jacqueline came to my place last year (dinner, lots of talk and loads of laughs!) she told me about her first picture book which was on its way. How excitement!! And really no surprise regarding the subject matter – given her great affection for…

  • Specky Magee- Felice Arena, Gary Lyons

    Penguin Australia 1st March 2022 ISBN: 9780143777168 Imprint: Puffin RRP: $16.99 Seriously, these anniversaries always give me such a jolt – “Whaddya mean 20 years of Specky?” she says with disbelief as she opens the parcel. Yep, face it, you have been doing this job a long time! I’m the first to admit (much to the disgust of…

  • The PM’s Daughter – Meredith Costain

    Penguin Australia March 2022 ISBN: 9781761046704 Imprint: Puffin RRP: $16.99 I’m well aware that many things just pass me by – especially when it comes to TV. To be fair, though The Kid is a teen, she would be way too engrossed with her horror movies to watch a show on the ABC but it appears that this…