Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Warning! These Jokes Will Annoy Everyone You Know at Christmas

    Penguin Australia September 2024 You’ll definitely have at least one kiddo who will be delighted with this new fun-filled cracker. I know a boy who I’m pretty sure will relish it. Over the many years in libraries, the jokes and riddles section has always had the heaviest traffic in the non-fiction shelves. I’m pretty sure…

  • Meerkat Mayhem – Mem Fox and Judy Horacek

    Penguin Australia You will find numerous posts here referencing Mem Fox, going back almost the entire decade of the blog’s existence, including an insightful Q&A posted back in 2019. My joy in Mem’s work and her presence goes back many years. Possum Magic was a book I bought to share with The Kid’s mum as…

  • Goodnight, Joeys- Renée Treml

    Penguin Australia December 2024 All infant marsupials are called joeys and this sweet little board book takes your own little joey on a soothing bedtime visit to a whole range of different little Aussie bubs. From koalas to numbats, and from tree kangaroos to wombats – each little group has its own double spread, with…

  • Picture Book Month extra!!! Taronga Big Book of Animals – Taronga Conservation Society Australia

    Penguin Australia October 2024 Meet the Four Artists Behind Taronga Zoo’s Big Book of Animals In case you missed my recent reviews of Kristin Darrell’s new junior fiction series featuring all the excitement of Taronga Zoo, you should really pick them up now and pair them with this extraordinarily beautiful encyclopedia of animal facts, showcasing…

  • What I Ate in One Year (and related thoughts) – Stanley Tucci

    Penguin Australia October 2024 I have loved Stanley in every role in which I’ve seen him from Caesar/Lucky Flickerman (Hunger Games/Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes) to Muertes (Undercover Blues), from Nigel (The Devil Wears Prada) to Mr Stringer (The Witches – and everything inbetween. I think the only film I’ve eschewed was The Lovely Bones…

  • Are We There Yet? 20th Anniversary edition – Alison Lester

    Penguin Australia October 2024 Hands up if you’ve also forgotten how many times in the past 20 years you’ve shared this one? I know it was a focal point of my literature-based unit with Year 3s often and on many occasions, aside from all the times I’ve just read it to Smalls. And it never…

  • Nanny Piggins and the Origin Story – R. A. Spratt

    Penguin Australia October 2024 My deep admiration for Nanny Piggins has never been a secret but, like so many, what did I really know about her? Of course, I know she’s the epitome of glamour, [forget Miss Piggy, who really was such a try-hard], NP is the real deal when it comes to glitz and…

  • The Space Between – Jess McGeachin

    Penguin Australia July 2024 Jess’ books are always a delight [I still love Business Chickens so much especially] and this one has all the warmth of a cosy blanket and a mug of hot chocolate, with a lovely look at both imagination and enduring friendship. Max and Milo are neighbours and they spend lots of…

  • Best Idea Yet: Willa and Woof # 8 – Jacqueline Harvey

    Penguin Australia October 2024 Jacqueline Harvey continues to smash this series for younger readers with another exciting adventure from the ever-intrepid and resourceful Willa. Along with Tae and Woof, Willa has been officially helping at the Sunset Views retirement village next door. And the elderly residents are now also even more involved with Willa’s school…

  • The 113th Assistant Librarian – Stuart Wilson

    Penguin Australia When you get an ARC all wrapped up pretty just like a birthday present, you can be pretty sure it’s going to be an exciting surprise inside and so it was. I mean to say, how could they possibly go wrong sending me something called this with a stern warning about the magic…