Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • The Outside – Larry Blair and Jeremy Goring

    Cheating death, chasing waves and growing up in one of Australia’s most notorious crime families Penguin Books This isn’t really a review – but a recommendation. A few weeks ago the lovely Dot Tonkin from Penguin gave this one a book talk and on the strength of that, plus the fact that it was related…

  • The Dog who Danced on the Moon – John Boyne. Illustrated by Ashling Lindsay.

    Penguin Australia July 2024 This a rather charming rhyming story with a special leaning towards bedtime, exploring aspirations and determination in a warm and inspirational way. Jeremy’s dreams of space exploration are scoffed at by his peers, and even his teachers, but that doesn’t stop his absorbing as much information about the topic as possible,…

  • Taronga Presents series – Kristin Darrell. Illustrations by Laura Wood.

    Penguin Australia September 2024 Brand spanking new this week comes this terrific new series for junior readers who are the animal lovers in your crowd. Having raised mini-Attenborough for half her life and watched her obsession with all creatures great and small (quite literally – at one time she had 34 pets including all the…

  • Real Stories with Random Writers

    A few weeks ago I had the absolute pleasure of being invited to be the first librarian on this hugely popular and terrific podcast with friends, Jacqueline Harvey, R. A. Spratt and Tim Harris. It was loads of fun and I’m very lucky. Check it out here and have a laugh with us.

  • Listen, Hippo! – Gabriel Evans

    Penguin Australia April 2024 This utterly delightful book completely reminded me of Forrest Gump: For Forrest, the only thing that was going to help was running. For Billy, he just wants Hippo to listen. Hippo is the most willing and helpul friend one could have. But sometimes we don’t want razzamatazz like dressing up, pirate…

  • Dragon Folding – Christopher Cheng. Illustrated by Lucia Masciullo.

    Penguin Australia September 2024 Grief is hard. And most of us know, in one way or another, some losses are harder to bear than others. I know that well, as does author Christopher Cheng. In a beautiful new book from this illustrious author, comes a narrative that explores the depths of grief, and how strength…

  • Kevin Saves the Show – Jacqueline Harvey. Illustrated by Kate Isobel Scott.

    Penguin Australia August 2024 Just in time to kick off the animals PB extravaganza, everyone’s newest favourite sheep is back and as one would expect is front and centre in the spotlight. Our jumbuck is the host of a karaoke singing competition, rocking his new purple ‘do’ and looking sharp as a wolf’s tooth. The…

  • Days of Warmth – Gregg Dreise

    Penguin Australia August 2024 Anything from Gregg is always a guaranteed delight and this new board book is just the sweetest thing, full of warmth and comfort. It is both a tender story of family love and security, and an introduction to learning the days of the week, names for family members and various emotions.…

  • 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…

  • NAIDOC Week titles from Penguin

    Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud NAIDOC Week is a time for all Australians to celebrate the history and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The theme of NAIDOC Week 2024 is ‘Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud’, which ‘celebrates the unyielding spirit of our communities and invites all…