Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Lexie Moon & the Space Day Disaster – Melissa Garside and Lauren Mullinder

    Riveted Press August 2025 Distributed by Simon & Schuster ISBN13: 9781764007115 RRP: AU$ 12.99 / NZ$ 14.99 I’m quite sure that your young readers, those who are just starting to gobble up chapter books, will have really enjoyed the first Lexie Moon adventure. This is a great series for those kiddos just hitting their straps…

  • 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…

  • 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,…

  • Leo and Ralph – Peter Carnavas

    UQ Press February 2024 ISBN: 9780702266218 RRP: $16.99 I did have to wait a while to get my hands on this one, but thank you UQP for allowing me to do so at last 🙏. Not only because Peter is a ‘local’, and I’ve had the good fortune to meet with him, but because his…

  • The Sideways Orbit of Evie Hart – Samera Kamaleddine

    Harper Collins Australia May 2023 For many tweens the transition from child to teen is a tumultuous time, and Evie Hart is one such who is struggling to feel secure and grounded as so much impacts on her life. Her much-loved stepfather, Lee, is moving out and it’s not just the awful jolt of her…

  • Peppa Pig: A Trip to the Moon

    Penguin Australia September 2022 ISBN: 9780241610664 Imprint: Ladybird RRP: $16.99 I think it’s safe to say that Peppa’s popularity just does not diminish! I shared this one with a delightful class of Preppies and before reading, when I asked who likes Peppa, there was a forest of hands shooting up and much excited chatter. The kiddos really enjoyed…

  • Bear in Space – Deborah Abela. Illustrated by Marjorie Crosby-Fairall

    Walker Books Australia August 2020 ISBN: 9781760651510Imprint: Walker Books Australia Australian RRP: $25.99New Zealand RRP: $28.99 Encouraging our little readers to be not just accepting of differences but to embrace them is arguably one of the greatest gifts we can offer. And to be able to do this through the enjoyment of a wonderful and vibrant story is a…

  • Meet the Planets – Caryl Hart. Illustrated by Bethan Woollvin

    Bloomsbury Australia March 2020 ISBN: 9781408892985 Imprint: Bloomsbury Children’s Books RRP: $14.99 Another terrific book to add to your ‘space/astronomy’ theme and this one is particularly well-suited to younger readers so if you are differentiating your study it would be perfect as a kick-start. Engaging rhyming text which each heavenly body accompanied by a salient…

  • Unlocking the Universe- Stephen [& Lucy] Hawking

      Penguin Australia Published: 21 January 2020 ISBN: 9780241418864 RRP: $26.99 Stephen Hawking was arguably the world’s most respected scientist and certainly one of the iconic figures of our lifetime.  What a loss to us his brilliant mind was – and further, what an absolute inspiration to any who followed his career. Curated by his equally brilliant daughter…

  • Startalk with Neil deGrasse Tyson: Young Readers Edition

    Penguin Random House Paperback | $17.99 Published by National Geographic Children’s Books Mar 20, 2018 Middle Grade (10 and up)| ISBN 9781426330872 Neil deGrasse Tyson, astrophysicist/author/TV and radio personality, has been a popular identity for decades and many young readers will know his special blend of pop culture, science and comedy particularly from the National Geographic.…