Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

General Store

Rate this book
'General Store'  is the first children's book by author Hazel Edwards (later known for 'There's a Hippopotamus on our Roof Eating Cake' and was originally published in 1977 by Hodder & Stoughton  and then translated into Finnish as 'Kauppiaan Josie' with Arvi A. Osakeyhtio in Hameenlinna . Although fiction, not autobiographical, author Hazel Edwards did live in a country general store in Australia when she was a teenager. It's about the friendship between two very different girls in a country town. 

136 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1977

1 person want to read

About the author

Hazel Edwards

173 books96 followers
Hazel is a readaholic, author and Reading Ambassador.

She’s best known for the children’s classic ‘There’s a Hippopotamus on Our Roof Eating Cake’ which inspired ' Hippo! Hippo! the, Musical'' produced by Garry Ginivan which toured nationally.

Dec 2025 , The Guardian newspaper listed 'There's a Hippopotamus on Our Roof Eating Cake' in the top 50 Australian picture books. In January 2026 voting in the Guardian poll will close for the top picture book.
2026 will celebrate the 46th year of this picture book.

Her unconventional memoir 'Not Just a Piece of Cake-Being an Author' (AUDIBLE and from www.ligatu _re as part of UnTapped project of historical Australian literature. ).
'Wasted?' a YA/adult cross over #Clific novel is her latest, set around the Garbage Patches, mid ocean where Asylum Seekers trade bio fuel to form a new State and gain visas. In dsylexi font from ReadHowYouWant and being adapted for screen.
Adult murder mystery 'Celebrant Sleuth: I do...or die' with asexual sleuth Quinn is currently on AUDIBLE ,read by the author from print & e versions. 'Wed,Then Dead on The Ghan' is a mini-sequel , commissioned by ABC audio and currently being adapted as a screenplay.
Hazel mentors her 'Hazelnuts' and helps people craft their ancestry in her popular workshops ‘Writing a Non- Boring Family History’, and 'Complete Your Book in a Year'.
'Fake I.D.' a family history mystery YA novel was translated into Tamil by Cre-A in Chennai.

Hazel’s 2001 Antarctic expedition inspired the young adult eco-thriller 'Antarctica's Frozen Chosen', picture book ‘Antarctic Dad’ (reprinted by Kipas) and the memoir, ‘Antarctic Writer on Ice’. Reading about Antarctica is a hobby.
Recently AmbaPress.com.au re-issued updated script collections of Hazel's class plays including 'Grief and Loss in Schools' , 'Issues' and 'Workplays' as well as 'Kaleidoscope of Ideas for Gifted students'. Authorpreneurship' and 'Writing for Young People' have been popular.

Hazel writes a new story for each of her four grandsons each birthday. 'Go Go Gecko' is latest and is being translated.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
3 (60%)
4 stars
0 (0%)
3 stars
1 (20%)
2 stars
1 (20%)
1 star
0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
Profile Image for Sarah Bacaller.
Author 3 books3 followers
February 17, 2022
I enjoyed this snapshot into Australian rural-town life in the 1970s, with its focus on belonging, relational tensions and community spirit. The dynamics in this YA story are relevant for young teens of any era. A pleasant and engaging read. I read the re-issued eBook version courtesy of the Untapped Project (re-releasing Australian literature).
Profile Image for Hazel Edwards.
Author 173 books96 followers
Read
April 10, 2013
Author Note:

Author's first books are often of interest and the 1970s country town world 'General Store' (1977) hasn't dated too much. The Finnish translation 'Kauppiaan Josie' ISBN 951-23-1412-6 is still around.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.