Kids Blog

Hey stories@7 people, don’t forget tomorrow night at 7pm at the central library… it’s stories@7 time again. The last stories@7 of 2008 will be festive and fun stories – a great time will be had by all so bring all your friends and your mum and dad too if you want and make sure you’re there!

Stories@7 will be taking a holiday over summer and will be back with a vengeance on the first Friday in March 2009 (@7 of course).

Pirates used many weapons to defeat the crews of ships they boarded. For hand-to-hand combat, pirates used the cutthroat cutlass. Its short, broad blade was easier to use on a ship than a sword. Daggers were also small and easily concealed in clothing.

Pirates also used three kinds of guns. First was the musketoon. It was fired from the shoulder, but its short barrel (front part) meant it often missed its target. Its short length meant it was good for using on crowded ship decks, but targets had to be nearby to get hit.

The Flintlock pistol was the pirates’ favourite gun. Reloading the gun took up too much time, so after one shot, pirates often used it as a club instead.

The Marksman’s Musket was the third kind of gun pirates used. Muskets had long barrels, so a marksman (excellent shooter) could hit the helmsman of a ship from far away.

Pirates also had cannons aboard their ships. These were guns that fired large iron balls and took two to five minutes to load. Cannons rarely sank ships, but did create a deadly shower of wooden splinters from hitting the ship’s hull. Chain-shot (two balls chained together) were used to take down a ship’s masts and sails.

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Ranger’s Apprentice fans will be pleased to know that they can now read book 8, The kings of Clonmel (by John Flanagan). Reserve it now!

A fantasy/action/historical series set in Medieval times, Ranger’s Apprentice is about Will, a boy who is apprenticed to a mysterious group who act as the “eyes and ears” of the king (they sound kind of like spies, huh?).

For more Ranger’s Apprentice information and maps and things go to the official website.

Sunday the 7th of December from 2 to 3pm is Girls’ Day Out at the Central Library (Mezzanine Community Space).

Come and have your nails painted, eat yummy afternoon tea and hear Jill Marshall, author of the Jane Blonde spy series, talk about her new Jane Blonde book, Spy in the Sky!

This will be a fab time for all girls, so get your mum/aunt/grandmum/best friend ever/other cool girl to come with you! Tickets cost $5.00 for 16 years old and over and $2.00 for under 16s (you can pay on the day).

Email enquiries@wcl.govt.nz to let us know you’re coming. Don’t miss out!

Hello BookBusters!

Your final meeting of the year will be at the Central Library where we have an afternoon of fun planned for you. Come along to meet other BookBusters, eat some yummy food and play some fun games. You never know… you may be a spot-prize winner on the day!

When- Tuesday 2nd December 4.15-5.15pm

Where- Mezzanine Floor, Central Library

RSVP to your BookBusters library branch to let them know you’re coming. See you there!

This party is only open to BookBusters Members. Not a member? Check out the BookBusters page here

We’re having a vote-off to find out which Kids’ Choice book is the most fantastic of 2008!

Vote for your favourite book from our ten selections: gold, silver and bronze medals will be awarded in January to the three most popular choices!

How do you vote? Drop into a Wellington City Libraries branch between 1 and 24 December – there will be voting booths where you can place your vote… just tick a box and drop your voting form into the box provided. Easy!

Can’t remember what the book’s about? Check out our webpage for info.

Remember: voting closes 24 December!