Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe


  • Mrs Claus – Renee Price. Illustrated by Travis Price.

    Simon & Schuster Publisher: Affirm Press August 2025 This is another I’ve been sitting on since August but it’s worth the wait. I wish you could see how shiny the cover is because that’s just completely gorgeous. Aside from that the first thing that struck is me that glorious mid-century vibe about the illustrations –…

  • The Christmas Garden – Caroline Tuohey. Illustrated by Sandra Severgnini

    A Little Pink Dog Books Publication Exisle Publishing ISBN 9780648256342 2019 RRP; $24.99 For whatever reason, I had never seen this charmer until Sandra Severgnini brought it to my attention a week or so ago (so thank you Little Pink Dog for sending it to me). With echoes of the magic imbued in Samuel Clement…

  • Mr Santa – Jarvis

    Walker Books Australia October 2024 ISBN13:9781529511574 Australia RRP:$24.99 New Zealand RRP:$27.99 Yep, we’ve all known those kids who have a seemingly endless supply of questions and this little person has many for Santa, when she catches him delivering gifts. Mr Santa, want to hear me play? Do the reindeer talk? And can I ride your sleigh? When…

  • On the Hunt for Santa – Lesley Gibbes and Stephen Michael King

    Penguin Australia September 2024 Here’s a completely fun one to share with your Smalls, especially those who love Scary Night. Once upon a snowy day, three friends set out on a journey. Hare with a honey pot, Cat with a candy cane, Pig with a plum pudding. But where were they going that snowy day,…

  • Juniper’s Christmas – Eoin Colfer.

    Harper Collins Australia November 2023 It’s been a while since we’ve heard from Eoin (well, me at least) but this one was definitely worth a wait. I absolutely think it’s one of the most original Christmas MG novels I’ve ever read, and I loved every word of it. It encapsulates so much about contemporary life,…

  • Pink Santa – Tanya Hennessy. Illustrated by Ben Whitehouse.

    Allen & Unwin August 2023 ISBN:9781761180392 Publisher:A&U Children’s Imprint: Albert Street Books RRP: $19.99 Most folks know I/we don’t really do Xmas in a traditional kind of way. Ever since we lost The Kid’s mum, it really has lost more and more appeal each year, even when K was still quite Small. So now we…

  • Ten Minutes to Bed: Little Unicorn’s Christmas – Rhiannon Fielding/Chris Chatterton

    Penguin Australia November 2021 ISBN: 9780241489901 Imprint: Ladybird Format: Board Book RRP: $14.99 This series of bedtime books has been outrageously popular with little people everywhere – not to mention their adults who are the ones doing those repeated nightly readings! If you’re going to be on a perpetual looping playlist you want to be reading something you…