Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Big Gorilla: a book of opposites – Anthony Browne

    Walker Books Australia May 2024 ISBN13:9781529509588 Australia RRP:$27.99 New Zealand RRP:$29.99 It is no secret that I absolutely adore Anthony Browne’s work – always have, always will. He is without doubt, in my top 10 creators list. And, like so many others, I particularly love his apes. This new book is just a lovely way…

  • Tearaway Coach – Neridah McMullin/Andrew McLean

    Walker Books Australia April 2024 ISBN13:9781760653170 Australia RRP:$26.99 New Zealand RRP:$28.99 I’m certain that everyone has caught onto Neridah McMullin’s stunning historical picture books, but then again, there are always some who are late to the party. This is the latest, and is both a rousing adventure and a fascinating slice of history that will…

  • The Beehive – Megan Daley/Max Hamilton

    Walker Books Australia February 2024 ISBN13:9781760655228 Australia RRP:$26.99 New Zealand RRP:$28.99 Given it’s World Bee Day, it seems the right time to finally get to this one. I’m happy to say that Megan Daley and I go back quite a long way, and though we don’t often physically cross paths, we have some shared experiences…

  • Information Overload!

    Every now and then it happens. There’s been a gradual build-up on the review shelves, which I doggedly work through but then there’s a sudden rush of many parcels arriving (my postie and I are such good friends after him delivering to my last two houses!), and things go completely catawampus. So despite all my…

  • The Secret Lives of Dragons Prof Zoya Agnis. Alexander Ulkin.

    Walker Books December 2023 Imprint: Flying Eye Books ISBN13: 9781838741174 Australia RRP: $24.99 New Zealand RRP: $27.99 Who doesn’t love dragons? Am I right? You know I am. Young or old, so many of us are fascinated by them and whether they are straight out of Berk or Pottermore or ancient China, their stories, habits…

  • The Big Book of Australian Nursery Rhymes – Frané Lessac

    Walker Books Australia March 2024 ISBN13:9781760655099 Australia RRP:$26.99 New Zealand RRP:$28.99 Frané once again brings her extraordinary talent to a new picture book that epitomises joy in our Australian wildlife and landscapes, this time for the very smallest of Smalls. For those of us with long experience in literacy and teaching, we know that exposing…

  • Those Girls -Pamela Rushby

    Walker Books Australia April 2024 ISBN13:9781760657840 Australia RRP:$19.99 New Zealand RRP:$22.99 Pamela Rushby’s books are always a treat. For me though, it’s a given that those historical fictions set in Brisbane are the most fascinating. Because I didn’t grow up here, I knew a bare minimum of the city’s history prior to moving here in…

  • Losing the Plot – Annaleise Byrd

    Walker Books Australia March 2024 ISBN13:9781760656409 Australia RRP:$16.99 New Zealand RRP:$18.99 It certainly gives me great pleasure to review this debut middle-grade novel from local (and indeed, almost neighbour) Annaleise Byrd. Your readers of such titles as Pages & Co and Inkspell, in which literature and real life mix and meld, will love this new…

  • How to Avoid Being Eaten by Sharks… and Other Advice – John Larkin. Illustrated by Chrissie Krebs.

    Walker Books February 2024 ISBN13:9781760657451 Australia RRP:$16.99 New Zealand RRP:$18.99 Truth be told, I do already know how to avoid being eaten by sharks. That’s why it’s The Kid who surfs, not me! So the opening page of this hilarious book of wisdom completely resonates with me. There is one absolute sure-fire method to avoid being…

  • Ferris – Kate DiCamillo

    Walker Books Australia April 2024 ISBN13:9781760659240 Australia RRP:$19.99 New Zealand RRP:$24.99 I got the ARC of this a week or so ago (27/2 today) and, of course, binged it in one night because – well, it’s Kate and it’s just marvellous, as one would expect. I mean – have you ever read one of Kate’s…