Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Harry and Gran Bake a Cake – Fiona McIntosh. Sara Acton.

    Penguin Australia March 2025 I have my own happy memories of cooking with not just my Mummy but also my Fairy Godmother, Aunty Shirl, and my own Gran. Then when my grandies came along, it was my turn to cook with them. My eldest grandson was mad keen on Gabriel Gate’s cooking show and one…

  • Emma Memma: Twirly Tuesday

    Penguin Australia February 2025 Honestly, every Emma Memma book is just pure joyfulness! I defy anyone, no matter how staid and grumpy, to ignore Emma’s natural exuberance and zest. You only had to see her in her former role as Yellow Wiggle pouring sunshine and happiness over Grey Wiggle, Simon Cowell, to raise a smile.…

  • The Completely Chaotic Christmas of Lottie Brooks – Katie Kirby

    Penguin Books Australia Somehow or other, I have completely missed Lottie Brooks until now but I’m glad we have met. I found this quite hilarious and can easily see why this series has been so popular with tweens. It’s reminiscent of the likes of Wimpy Kid or Tom Weekly but more like an older Clarice…

  • 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…

  • 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 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,…

  • 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…