Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Ruby’s Fire Safety Plan – Wendy Rudge. Tom Jellett.

    Wild Dog Books Distributed by Simon & Schuster January 2026 ISBN: 9781742037110 RRP: $26.99 Given that I was teaching little people home safety last year, I can say authentically that this book would be perfect to fit with that little slice of curriculum but more than that [having had The Firie in my life] this…

  • Dingoes: Up Close series – Jane Forge

    Wild Dog Books Dist: Simon & Schuster June 2026 In a word – stunning! This is exactly the sort of non-fiction book on Australian animals that we all want to complement our UoI on our fauna but, at the same time, is also perfect for those children who are keen to learn more about animals.…

  • Mega!- Laura Holloway. Illustrated by Liz Duthie

    Simon & Schuster Published by : Wild Dog Books November 2025 Moving on from the Age of Dinosaurs, but for those die-hards who still want to explore the long-extinct creatures is this fabulous look at Australia’s own mega-fauna. Some kiddos will already know about the diprotodon and perhaps one or two others, but this is…

  • Prayer for a River -Uncle Glenn Loughrey and Andrew Kelly. Illustrated by Uncle Glenn Loughrey.

    Wild Dog Books October 2025 ISBN: 9781742036915 RRP: $24.99 This book is truly special. Completely aside from the Wiradjuri close connection [from my own perspective], this is a book that you will use multiple times with classes for multiple reasons, aside from its innate beauty, both visually and textually. Wiradjuri writer, speaker and artist, Uncle…

  • Inside Story: a creative writing masterclass – Sue Lawson and Jodi Toering

    Wild Dog Books Distributed by Simon & Schuster April 2024 ISBN13: 9781742036670 RRP: AU$ 24.99 / NZ$ 28.99 If your teaching experiences have been like mine -whether primary or secondary kiddos or both as mine have been – there are always those who really struggle with creative writing. Truth be told, I also do –…

  • Capital book gift

    I have to say that the most outstanding result of reviewing, and the past decade of this blog, is my now wide circle of creator friends, which increases almost daily. I can count among my network the cream of Australian children’s lit creatives, and they are such warm, generous and kind people to have on…

  • Last Man Out – Louise Park

    Wild Dog Books April 2023 RRP: $24.99 Sometimes a book comes along that just has the most profound impact on you, as a reader and, in this case, also as an avid history nerd. Louise Park’s new publication is just such a book. In the sort of way that makes one tingle – not to…

  • We Are Australians – Duncan Smith & Nicole Godwin/Jandamarra Cadd

    My review of this truly superb new picture book is now live at Kids Book Review – please do yourself a favour and check it out, then rush out and buy it. It is truly amazeballs!