Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Meet Me at the Big Galah – Frané Lessac

    Publisher: SCHOLASTIC AUSTRALIA PTY LTD ISBN: 9781761729454 ISBN-10: 1761729454 November 2026 RRP: $26.99 There’s a first time for everything even after 14 years of doing this. This is the first time I’ve ever had two ‘front’ covers to share!! Clever Frané has created a novel adaptation to her usual excellent blend of fiction/non-fiction learning about…

  • The Magic School Bus Inside the Human Body – Joanna Cole and Bruce Degen

    Celebrating 40 years of The Magic School Bus Scholastic Australia ISBN: 9781761818592 ISBN-10: 1761818597 Series: Magic School Bus November 2026 RRP: $19.99 Kicking off today’s batch of PBs featuring ‘things that go’ it’s another anniversary edition to make us all go – oh wow! 40 years?! And has there ever been a more iconic, well-loved…

  • Wolf Baby – Aura Parker

    Scholastic Australia November 2026 ISBN: 9781761720925 ISBN-10: 1761720929 RRP: $26.99 As you would expect from Aura Parker, this is just beautiful. As you might not expect, it’s a complete departure from Bowerbird Blues. I am already seeing how many rich conversations and juicy questions will spring from sharing this with kiddos as it explores themes…

  • Nest – Tanith King

    Scholastic Australia July 2026 ISBN: 9781761648489 RRP: $26.99 The illustrations are beautifully rendered and the minimal text is quite evocative. It’s a simple book about how love is expressed for small people. I just have one problem with it. It’s clearly Australian and we know that via the azure kingfisher and the frogmouth mentioned, also…

  • The Garden of Lost Girls- A. L. Tait

    Scholastic Australia September 2026 ISBN: 9781761729485 RRP: $18.99 Anyone who knows me also knows my obsession with cosy murder/mystery stories. This new one caters to a younger readership of middle grade – think Year 6 upwards – straddling a gap often in this genre. Sam and his cousins, Archie and Grace, have grown up with…

  • Bowerbird Brave: Bowerbird Blues #4- Aura Parker

    Scholastic Australia September 2026 ISBN: 9781761727252 ISBN-10: 1761727257 RRP: $19.99 It’s not just that Aura’s books are so gorgeously pretty although, truthfully, they are top of the tree in that respect. But this beautiful Bowerbird series has so much to offer our Smalls in the way of thinking more deeply about certain aspects of life.…

  • What’s the Time Mighty Wolf? – Katrina Germein & Kooky Chooky

    Scholastic Australia September 2026 ISBN 9781761641947 RRP: $19.99 Once again the talented Katrina Germein has switched up a traditional rhyme to create an outrageously fun read for Smalls. It’s full of surprises and especially the ending! The animals are on their way to Wolf’s house for dinner. Wait a minute! Is that REALLY a good…

  • The Better Machine – Lisa Nicol & Michel Streich

    Scholastic Australia October 2026 ISBN : 9781761640704 RRP: $26.99 Is better always better? That’s a question that will be the focus of any discussion after this book is read – whether it’s shared to Preppies or to seniors or to adults, it is a natural follow-on philosophical debate. In a world where so many are…

  • 2026 Father’s Day Special: Some Dads: 15th Anniversary Edition – Nick Bland

    Scholastic Australia July 2026 ISBN: 9781761723841 RRP: $19.99 First of all let me say, I love EVERY Nick Bland book without exception. They are both clever and always well-executed. And this long-time favourite must have been shared a gazillion times in libraries, classrooms and homes for the past 15 years. It is both fun and…

  • Football: Horrible Histories – Terry Deary. Illustrated by Martin Brown.

    All about the gruesome game – this book is a real keeper! Scholastic Australia ISBN: 9780702344800 ISBN-10: 070234480X Series: Horrible Histories May 2026 RRP: $21.99 It’s not called the World Game for nothing and while I’m not a fan myself, I not only have friends who are but have seen the enthusiasm of the kiddos I’ve taught, particularly…