Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Frankie Stein – Kylie Covark/Shane McG

    Ford St Publishing September 2022 ISBN: 9781922696120 RRP: $16.95 It has been fantastic in recent years to see the growth in girls becoming more interested in science disciplines. I know I have loved running my Geek Girls groups and hosting events from Tech Girls and the like. And it is equally pleasing to see more…

  • The Rabbit’s Magician: Shae Millward/Andy Fackrell

    Ford St Publishing August 2022 ISBN: 9781922696083 RRP: $16.99 From firsthand experience, I can assure you that having a sensitively written, beautifully crafted book to help a child deal with loss is a very valuable commodity. I used several when we lost The Kid’s mum but this one is a very welcome addition to that…

  • The Big Book of Exhibits – Joan-Marie Hargreaves & Marita Bullock. Illustrated by Liz Rowland.

    Hachette Septemember 2022 Imprint: Lothian Children’s Books ISBN: 9780734419996 RRP: $24.99 We absolutely know that kiddos love information books and, certainly in my experience, the quirkier the better really. This marvellous book is described as a ‘cabinet of curiosities’ and indeed it does appear to be exactly that in a written and illustrated form. For…

  • We Go Way Back – Idan Ben-Barak/Phillip Bunting

    Allen & Unwin August 2021 ISBN:9781760526085 Publisher: A&U Children’s Imprint: A & U Children RRP: $24.99 Idan Ben-Barak first came to my attention with Do Not Lick This Book, and, like so many others, I found it uproariously funny as well as a brilliant informational text for young readers. Certainly, the kiddos with whom I…

  • The Amazing Case of Dr Ward – Jackie Kerin/Tull Suwannakit

    March 2021 Ford St Publishing RRP: $16.99 ISBN: 9781925804706 Dr Ward’s curiosity and innovation enabled the transport of many of the plants – both decorative and useful – to other shores and while, with hindsight, we have come to understand that some of those introduced to Australia have been a disaster for our native habitats,…

  • Timeline: Science and Technology – Peter Goes

    Gecko Press Country of Origin Belgium Reader Age 11-14 year, 6-8 year, 8-12 year Published October 2020 ISBN 9781776573004 This is exactly the type of information book that appealed to me, the nerd-child, and still does. Big, bold and beautiful, Peter Goes’ distinctive illustrative style takes the reader through the development of technology and science…

  • The Human Body Survival Guide – George Ivanoff

    Penguin Australia September 2020 ISBN: 9781760896744 Imprint: Puffin RRP: $24.99 As it happens the Kid is looking at the human body for the science component of her home schooling this term. Of course, as the diligent teacher-librarian/gran that I am, I have organised a lot of useful resources for her – none of which will be anywhere near…

  • Seeds – Carme Lenniscates

    Candlewick Press March 2020 Imprint: Candlewick  Studio ISBN 9781536208443 Another timely book – certainly for us – as we’ve been re-invigorating and re-planting our veggie patch after a long hot summer. Magical seeds are popping up in the propagator on our front verandah waiting until they are sturdy enough to be planted out in the…

  • Under the Milky Way – Frané Lessac

    Walker Books Australia January 2020 ISBN: 9781536200959 Imprint: Candlewick Australian RRP: $24.99 New Zealand RRP: $27.99   I had the very great pleasure of meeting Frané at the 2019 Voices on the Coast Literature Festival (thank you again for the lovely sketch of Duffy!) and she is such a wonderful and warm, not to mention talented creator. While…

  • What Stars Are Made Of – Sarah Allen

    Penguin Random House April 2020 ISBN: 9780241427965 Imprint: Puffin RRP: $14.99 This is just a wonderful heart-warming book on many levels and has introduced me to not only a new author but new information. Libby Malone is 12 years old and passionate about science so much so that she wants to be a scientist when she grows up.…