Miracle Seeds, Unicorns and Greedy Peas – New Kids Books in the Collection

There is so much to read, learn and enjoy in the latest bunch of books added to our collection.  You can find out why seals are jerks, or what happens when a greedy pea eats all the food.  Read about a cake-baking inflatable donut or some eerie stories that will make you tremble.  Maybe you’d prefer unicorns, tuatara or seashells.  Whatever you’re interested in, you’ll find something fascinating in this selection.

Picture books

The princess and the (greedy) pea / Hodgkinson, Leigh
“We all know ‘There was an old lady who swallowed a fly’. But have you heard the one about the greedy pea who swallowed a sprout? And slurped up the soup… gobbled the cake… and drank all the tea… And made one particular princess very… grumpy.” (Catalogue)

What you need to be warm / Gaiman, Neil
“During the coldest season, when the world feels scary, what do you remember about being warm? Baked potatoes. Trust. A kettle on the stove. Blankets. A smile. And, most of all, the reassurance that you belong.” (Catalogue)

Seals are jerks / Chapman, Jared
“Seals are Lorelei’s favorite animal: they’re so cute and cuddly and best buddies with penguins. Well… that’s what she thought before learning the ugly truth — some seals EAT penguins! She doesn’t want to believe it at first, but she drags Penguin, the classroom guest, and seal whistleblower, to Antarctica to prove Penguin wrong and confront Seal face-to-face. And Seal finally reveals the truth.” (Catalogue)

Too much! : an overwhelming day / Gutiérrez, Jolene
“Sometimes everything is too much! Too loud, too bright, and all too overwhelming. Writing from her own experience with sensory processing disorder, Jolene Gutiérrez’s compassionate picture book explores the struggles of a sensorily sensitive child and how they settle themselves. Joined by Angel Chang’s beautiful illustrations, young readers will learn that it’s OK if some days are too much.” (Catalogue)

Comic Books

The miracle seed / Lemelman, Martin
“The thrilling true story of an ancient plant, wonderfully reborn in the modern era through the hard work of two female scientists. Thousands of years ago, in a time of rebellion, the Jewish people fought against their Roman rulers. The brutal Emperor Titus ordered the destruction of everything precious to the Jews: towns, villages, even their beloved Judean date palm trees. Centuries passed. The Jewish people were scattered, and the Judean date palm faded into extinction. Then, in 1963, a team of archaeologists uncovered two-thousand-year-old date palm seeds at the ruined fortress of Masada. For another forty years the seeds waited–until 2004, when Israeli scientist Dr. Sarah Sallon had a big, courageous idea. What if those ancient seeds could bring the Judean date palm back to life? Dr. Sallon recruited her friend Dr. Elaine Solowey, and their amazing experiment began…” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Eerie tales from the school of screams / Annable, Graham
“School is tough. School is scary. School is EERIE. No one knows this better than Davis and Emily. But they’re not scared of school because of tough tests or merciless vice-principals. No, they’re scared because their teacher wants her students to present the class with the spookiest, most chilling stories they can think of. Are you ready to stare down “The Face in the Forest”? Do you think you can handle the truth behind “The Village that Vanished?” Lock the doors, turn on all the lights, and arm yourself with candy– you’ll need all the help you can get to face these nightmares.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

The Inflatables in Snack to the future / Garrod, Beth
“Determined to turn Lynn’s frown upside down on her birthday, Donut attempts to bake the best cake EVER, but when his secret recipe accidentally sends the inflata-gang and bouncy BFFs time traveling, they must face some fearsome foes to get back home.” (Catalogue)

Chapter Books

Project F / DuPrau, Jeanne
“WELCOME TO THE FUTURE. There are no cars, planes, television, or smart phones. Climate change wreaked havoc on Earth hundreds of years ago, and now people live a simpler life. Then thirteen-year-old Keith uncovers a secret. It’s a mysterious mission known only as Project F. It’s advanced, it’s scientific, and it’s going to change the world. It’s exactly the kind of adventure Keith has always longed to be a part of. And what is adventure without a little danger, right? But how much danger is Keith willing to risk? For himself? For his family? For his community? For the entire world…?” (Catalogue)

Green / Gino, Alex
“Crushes are confusing. Green is very lucky. They’ve got a supportive dad, friendly neighbors, and good friends. They’ve figured out a lot of things…but they can’t figure out what to do about Ronnie. Ronnie’s a boy who’s been in Green’s class for awhile. He’s sweet. Funny. And lately Green’s heart has raced a little faster whenever he’s around. Green is pretty sure about their own feelings, but when it comes to how Ronnie feels, they have ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA. When Green doesn’t get a part in the school musical — a very untraditional version of The Wizard of Oz — they join the crew to work alongside Ronnie. Is this a good idea? Green’s about to find out…” (Catalogue)

Neon and the unicorn hunters / Pounder, Sibéal
“Now a fully-fledged unicorn (no, not the horse kind, the ultra-powerful human-looking kind), Neon Gallup is LOVING her secret double life in the extraordinary UNIverse, creating goo-powered magic and going on adventures with her unicorn friends. Little does she know that she has been spotted opening a portal by none other than the neighbourhood unicorn hunter, Priscilla. Now that she’s seen Neon’s portal opener, Priscilla is determined to steal it and destroy unicorns once and for all. With the unicorn hunters closing in on all sides, will Neon discover the sinister plot in time to save the day once again?” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Cut loose / Stroker, Ali
“Thirteen-year-old Nat jumps at the chance to participate in the middle school regional theatre competition where the winner gets to perform on Broadway, but when stressful rehearsals negatively impact her friendships, she starts to wonder if it is worth doing theatre at all.” (Catalogue)

Non-Fiction

A shell is cozy / Aston, Dianna Hutts
“From the acclaimed duo Dianna Hutts Aston and Sylvia Long comes this gorgeous look at the fascinating world of shells. From land snails to freshwater mussels, giant clams to tiny, an incredible array of shells are showcased in all their splendor. Poetic in voice and elegant in design, this carefully researched book will spark the imaginations of children in classroom reading circles as well as on parents’ laps.” (Catalogue)

What is war / Altarriba, Eduard
“What is War? is a book designed to offer a simple answer to all the questions kids might ask when hearing about war and conflict. Why do countries or different ideological groups fight? What are the key points between different types of conflict? Is there such a thing as a just war? What are the tools used to wage war, from weapons to propaganda? How can we end wars, and who are the real winners and losers? This book tells the reader through clear explanations punctuated by historical and contemporary examples what war is and how it can be prevented.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Tuatara : a living treasure / Furze, Katie
“Meet Tuatara, ancient wonder, wildlife treasure … and survivor! Blinking, she pulls her scaly body into the light. She’s as long as a finger, and with the row of spines on her back she looks like a baby dragon. Tuatara are survivors of an ancient era and sometimes referred to as living wonders – their closest relatives died out during the time of the dinosaurs 60 million years ago!” (Adapted from Catalogue)

The world of Studio Ghibli / Leader, Michael
“Welcome to the world of Studio Ghibli, a place where you can learn to fly on the slightest breeze and where monsters are never what they seem. Whether you dream of riding on a dragon’s back like Chihiro, catching the Catbus with Mei or living in a moving castle with the wizard Howl, this book will show you Studio Ghibli’s most beloved characters and films. Why not dress up with Kiki and Pazu, cook ramen with Ponyo or make your very own animated soot sprite? What are you waiting for? The magic is just a train ride away.” (Catalogue)

For more new books in the collection, go to: What’s new / February 2024 (wcl.govt.nz)

Cheese, Cryptids, Crime and Cooking – New Kids Books in the Collection

It’s a new year, and we have some amazing and exciting new books in our collection for kids. Among many other new titles available this month, get your teeth into a cheesy picture book, explore the world of cryptids in a new comic, or delve into crime or learn to cook! Take a look at some of our suggestions below.

Picture Books

The Big Cheese / John, Jory
“The Big Cheese is the best at everything, and brags about it, too. When the annual Cheese-cathlon comes around, the Big Cheese is prepared to win, as always. But what happens when the quiet new kid, Wedge Wedgeman, comes out on top? Is a slice of humility all the Big Cheese needs to discover that some things are better than being the best?” (Catalogue)

Look / Woodcock, Fiona
“A brother and sister spend an exciting day at the zoo where they find balloons, baboons, kangaroos, and more. Told entirely through illustrations and single words containing a double “O”.” (Catalogue)

Geoffrey gets the jitters / Shireen, Nadia
“Geoffrey’s got the jitters! It started last night when he was thinking about school – a funny, wiggly feeling in his tummy that grew and grew. But when Geoffrey’s tummy jitters started talking to him – that’s when he knew they were out of control. Geoffrey had to do something.” (Catalogue)

When grandpa wore a tutu / McMillan, Dawn
“Back in the day, Grandpa was a dairy farmer who milked cows while dreaming of dancing ballet. His dream comes true when the local farmers put on a performance of Swan Lake at the country hall and Grandma sews him a tutu ready for his starring role. Together with his farmer friends, they dance up a storm, wearing a variety of unusual footwear, including Grandpa in his gumboots!” (Adapted from Catalogue)


Comics

Cryptid kids [1] : the Bawk-ness Monster / Goetter, Sara
“Before she moves away to a new city, Penny wants to prove that she was truly saved from drowning by the Bawk-ness Monster but instead must rescue kidnapped cryptids from an evil collector along with Luc and K.” (Catalogue)

Duel / Bagley, Jessixa
“Sixth grader Lucy loves fantasy novels and is brand-new to middle school. GiGi is the undisputed queen bee of eighth grade (as well as everything else she does). They’ve only got one thing in common: fencing. Oh, and they’re sisters. They never got along super well, but ever since their dad died, it seems like they’re always at each other’s throats. When GiGi humiliates Lucy in the cafeteria on the first day of school, Lucy snaps and challenges GiGi to a duel with high sisterly stakes. But after their scene in the cafeteria, both girls are on thin ice with the principal and their mom…” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Things in the basement / Hatke, Ben
“It was supposed to just be a normal basement – some storage boxes, dust, you know, the usual basement stuff. But when Milo is sent by his mother to fetch a sock from the basement of the historic home they’ve moved into, Milo finds a door in the back that he’s never seen before. Turns out that the basement of his house is enormous. In fact, there is a whole world down there. As Milo travels ever deeper into the Basement World, he meets the many Things that live in the shadows and gloom… and he learns that to face his fears he must approach even the strangest creatures with kindness.” (Catalogue)

Mabuhay / Sterling, Zack
“First-generation Filipino siblings, JJ and Althea, struggle to belong at school. JJ wants to fit in with the crowd, while Althea wants to be accepted as she is. But between the leftover Filipino food their mom packs for their lunches to having a last name that nobody can pronounce, any sense of belonging seems like a long shot. But when witches, ogres, and other creatures from those same stories appear in their town and threaten their family, JJ and Althea realize that the myths their parents have always told them may be more real than they’d suspected. Can JJ and Althea embrace who they really are and save their family?” (Adapted from Catalogue)


Chapter Books

The after school crime club / Webster, Hayley
“Willow has always felt like an outsider at school, but she and her Nanna were so alike that she never felt alone. Now Nanna is gone and Willow is adrift. So when a group of girls offer her friendship in exchange for “fun” stealing dares, Willow can’t say no. But as the dares escalate, she has to ask herself: How far will she go to fit in?” (Catalogue)

Stuntboy, in-between time / Reynolds, Jason
“Portico Reeves is the greatest superhero a lot of people have never heard of. He likes it that way–then no one can get in the way of him from keeping other people safe. Super safe. He’s Stuntboy. There’s been one major fail. He couldn’t save his parents from becoming Xs. Which is a word that sounds like coughing up a hairball. But don’t talk to him about the divorce, because of the hairball thing, and also, it gives Portico the frets. What’s also giving him frets is his parents living on two separate floors in their apartment building. So when Portico and new friend, Herbert, and best best friend, Zola, discover an empty apartment, unlocked, they are psyched. It’s a perfect hideout, and hangout, and it’s not half anyone’s…it’s all theirs. Problem is, that gives some Grown Up People the frets, which leads to double frets for Portico. And he’s not sure his arsenal of stunts can combat that.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Tiny the secret adventurer / Bushby, Aisha
“Tiny is a small creature with a big heart living in a school garden. Her animal neighbours don’t like her because she looks like a human. They think humans are big, noisy and messy and they’re scared. But when Frog is in danger Tiny comes to the rescue and makes friends!” (Catalogue)

Alebrijes / Higuera, Donna Barba
“For 400 years, Earth has been a barren wasteland. The few humans that survive scrape together an existence in the cruel city of Pocatel — or go it alone in the wilderness beyond, filled with wandering spirits and wyrms. 13 year-old pickpocket Leandro and his sister Gabi do what they can to forge a life in Pocatel. When Gabi is caught stealing precious fruit from the Pocatelan elite, Leando takes the fall. But his exile proves more than he ever could have imagined — far from a simple banishment, his consciousness is placed inside an ancient drone and left to fend on its own. But beyond the walls of Pocatel lie other alebrijes like Leandro who seek for a better world — as well as mutant monsters, wasteland pirates, a hidden oasis, and the truth.” (Adapted from Catalogue)


Non Fiction

David Atherton’s baking book for kids / Atherton, David
“Preheat the oven and get cracking–there are bakes to make! From snacky samosas to hot cross hedgehogs, from loaves baked in flowerpots to an ombre cake (your friends will think it came from a fancy bakery), these recipes are so delicious and easy to follow, they’ll have the reader named star baker in no time! Featuring oven-hot tips, a review of a baker’s cupboard, an equipment list, step-by-step instructions, and delightful illustrations by award-winning illustrator Harry Woodgate, this collection of mouthwatering recipes from David Atherton will bring little bakers and their loved ones together in the kitchen again and again.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Welcome to the mysteryverse / Gifford, Clive
“Science is pretty amazing, but even though we know more about our universe than ever before, there still remain lots of unanswered questions that fascinate and perplex even the greatest scientific minds. This book is a compendium of these riveting unsolved mysteries, that still have us wondering… How? What? Why? From the personal (Why do we have fingerprints? Why do we yawn?) to the fundamental (How did life begin? Is anybody out there?) to the downright funny (Why do cats sit in circles?) The colourful and arresting artwork draws readers in further to ask How? What? And Why? This riveting book will capture the imagination of curious minds young and old. Maybe they can solve some of these riddles. Or maybe, some things will remain in the Mysteryverse …” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Invisible things / Miller, Andy J
“This creatively wacky and interactive exploration of the abstract concepts of the human experience, such as feelings and thoughts, encourages readers to look past the visible and connect with the things that are not seen.” (Catalogue)

For more new items in the collection, go to: What’s new / January 2024 (wcl.govt.nz)

Whales, Wildfire, Worries and Wasabi: New Kids Books in the Collection

Another month of fantastic new books in the kid’s collection!  So many great titles it was hard to choose which ones to share with you here.  You could read about whales, sharks or a two headed chicken!  Maybe you’re keen for adventure, and can follow the magnificent voyagers of the pacific, or survivors of a wildfire, or some impossible creatures?  Take a look at these titles below and maybe try something new!

Picture Books

The great storm whale / Davies, Benji

“Return to the world of The Storm Whale in this dramatic new adventure from globally successful and award‑winning picture book creator, Benji Davies. One stormy night, Noi’s grandma tells him a story. It is a story of a girl, a whale and a friendship that will echo down the generations.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

I’m fabulous crab / Greenberg, Nicki

“Henry the crab grows tired of his dull life, vowing to reinvent himself as blingy, bedazzled, and fabulous.” (Catalogue)

Victor : the wolf with worries / Rayner, Catherine
“Victor the wolf has lots of worries. He worries that he isn’t brave enough, that he isn’t big enough and that he isn’t fierce enough. In fact, Victor feels anxious about almost everything. But when Victor shares his concerns with his best friend Pablo, he starts to feel a bit better. And with Pablo’s help, Victor learns even more ways to deal with those pesky worrying thoughts. And as the worries grow smaller, Victor feels a bit bigger, a bit braver, and bit fiercer inside!” (Catalogue)

Comic Books

Wildfire / Bard, Breena
“Julianna loved her life in rural Oregon. She loved taking care of her farm animals and being part of her local 4H club. But then the unthinkable happened… a wildfire destroyed her family’s home. In the aftermath, her family relocated to Portland, Oregon, where Julianna hopes to put everything behind her. Believing the fire to be the result of kids playing with fireworks, she certainly isn’t interested when her parents and younger sister start getting involved in the growing climate change protests. Emotional and inspiring, Wildfire shows readers that healing from tragedy can take many forms and demonstrates what it means to take action in the face of climate change – and how that action can be different for each of us.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Kariba / Clarke, Daniel
“Siku has always called the Zambezi River her home. She understands the water – and strangely enough, it seems to understand her, too, bending to her will and coming to her aid in times of need. But things are changing on the river – a great dam is being built, displacing thousands of Shonga people – and things are changing in Siku, too, as her ability to manipulate water grows out of control, and visions of a great serpent pull her further from reality and her loving father, Tongai. When Tongai ventures to the Kariba Dam to find a cure for Siku and never returns, she sets off to find him with the help of Amedeo, the young son of Kariba’s chief engineer. But Siku soon discovers that her father has been shielding a terrible secret: Siku is actually the daughter of the Great River Spirit, Nyaminyami, and the only way to bring about the necessary rumuko – a ritual which has brought balance to the Zambezi for centuries – is for Siku to give up the only life she’s ever known.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Beak to the future / Angleberger, Tom
“The two-headed chicken is back, with twice the adventure, twice the jokes, and a lot more heads (wait, did they just accidentally turn into a double-headed space snake?). Having lost the Astrocap somewhere in the multiverse, our intrepid hero dons the Timecap to scour the timestream, which looks a lot like broccoli, in search of it. But danger and drama await with every time-hopping POOZB! of the Timecap, including hungry dinosaurs, fierce werewolves, poet Emily Dickinson, a fish with a mustache who wants to talk about feelings, and even the return of the chicken’s archenemy, Kernel Antlers, the shape-shifting moose!” (Catalogue)

Chapter Books

Calling the whales / Bilan, Jasbinder
“After rowing out to an island near their seaside home, Tulsi and Satchen discover a whale that has been trapped in a fishing net. Determined to try to free the poor creature, they repeatedly dive down into the freezing sea to cut the netting, but eventually, exhausted and with a storm rolling in, they have to admit defeat. As they head for home to seek help, their boat capsizes in the storm and they’re left clinging to it, dangerously adrift. Just as they think all is lost, help arrives from an unexpected source …” (Catalogue)

This is how I roll / Florence, Debbi Michiko
“Susannah Mikami dreams of becoming a famous sushi chef like her dad. And this summer, she plans to learn everything about his traditional kitchen. Only he refuses to teach her, and won’t tell her why. Is it because he doesn’t want her to embarrass him in front of the documentary crew filming at his restaurant? Or worse, because she’s a girl? Either way, Sana decides he’s not the only one who can keep secrets. So when she meets Koji, a cute boy who wants to help her cook up some trouble in the kitchen — and film online tutorials to show the world her mad skills — Sana is all in. But sneaking around means lying to her parents, something Sana’s never done before. Can she take the heat, or will she get out of the kitchen for good?” (Catalogue)

Impossible creatures / Rundell, Katherine
“A boy called Christopher is visiting his reclusive grandfather when he witnesses an avalanche of mythical creatures come tearing down the hill. This is how Christopher learns that his grandfather is the guardian of one of the ways between the non-magical world and a place called the Archipelago, a cluster of magical islands where all the creatures we tell of in myth live and breed and thrive alongside humans. Then a girl, Mal, appears in Christopher’s world. She is in possession of a flying coat, is being pursued by a killer and is herself in pursuit of a baby griffin. Mal, Christopher and the griffin embark on an urgent quest across the wild splendour of the Archipelago, where sphinxes hold secrets and centaurs do murder, to find the truth – with unimaginable consequences for both their worlds.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Non-fiction

Mangō : sharks and rays of Aotearoa / Barraud, Ned
“The oceans surrounding Aotearoa New Zealand are home to over one hundred astonishing and strange species of sharks and rays. This fact-filled book takes you down into the fascinating underwater lives of these expert hunters, illustrates their evolution and explores their place in our culture. And it explains why these ancient fish and their environments need our kaitiakitanga more than ever.” (Catalogue)

The observologist / Clarkson, Giselle
“Observology is the study of looking. An observologist makes scientific expeditions, albeit very small ones, every day. They notice interesting details in the world around them. They are expert at finding tiny creatures, plants, and fungi. They know that water snails glide upside down on the undersurface of the water; not all flies have wings; earthworms have bristles; butterflies taste with their feet. An observologist knows that there are extraordinary things to be found in even the most ordinary places. Facts combine with comics, detailed illustrations, science, and funny stories in this unique, warm, and fascinating account of the small things all around us. Graphic and comic illustrations with funny talking insects make this a playful and informative book one to be treasured in the classroom.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Those magnificent voyagers of the Pacific / Crowe, Andrew
“This epic story begins 5000 years ago, when the ancestors of Polynesians discovered ways to ‘see’ over the horizon to find and settle new islands. As their landfinding skills grew, these people took ever bigger strides across the vast Pacific until they reached South America. It was not until almost every habitable island scattered across the world’s largest ocean was discovered and settled, that others would gain the skills and courage to head far from shore, allowing two great voyaging traditions to meet.” (Catalogue)

For more new books from the collection, go to: What’s new / December 2023 (wcl.govt.nz)

Dragons, Dust Storms, Delicious Food and more: New Kid’s Books in the Collection

What a delightful combination of books we have new in the collection this month!  Should you wish to read about witches and dragons, wonder what it might like to be the boss, have curiosity about food around the world or just need a bit of a giggle, we’ve got something in the new books that will satisfy your wish!  Take a look at these we’ve selected from those arriving this month…

Picture Books

Stickler loves the world / Smith, Lane
And just think of the wonders we must pass every day without even noticing!  Stickler, an original character covered in sticks and with multiple ever-changing eyes, loves its little world. With best friend Crow, it shares the wonders of all the amazing things the world has to offer. Stickler is astonished by the ordinary, such as the sun and the stars, as well as fascinated by those things in nature that are often overlooked, such as swirling seed pods falling from the sky. The two pals wander about the world, stopping to appreciate the many marvels along the way, especially its beloved sticks, each one unique.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

The book that wouldn’t read / Tipene, Tim
“The boy at the centre of Tim Tipene’s striking new story doesn’t like reading, until one day in the school library he picks up The Book that Wouldn’t Read.  Suddenly the book takes on a life of its own — with sentences moving up and down, words changing colour and disappearing, and strange fonts and characters that get the reader jumping around, even burping. His appeals to the teacher and friends get hushed because ‘it’s reading time,’ and before he knows it, he’s finished the book. ‘What should I read next?'” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Doris / Jacoby, Sarah
“Doris has always reveled in the warmth of a spotlight. Her whole life, she’s danced the nights away, with friends from the only home she’s ever known. But one day, Doris twirls … out of step … until she stumbles across a whole new kind of spotlight.” (Catalogue)

Comics

School trip / Craft, Jerry
“Jordan, Drew, Liam, Maury, and their friends from Riverdale Academy Day School are heading out on a school trip to Paris. As an aspiring artist himself, Jordan can’t wait to see all the amazing art in the famous City of Lights. But when their trusted faculty guides are replaced at the last minute, the school trip takes an unexpected – and hilarious – turn. […] Will Jordan and his friends embrace being exposed to a new language, unfamiliar food, and a different culture? Or will they all end up feeling like the ‘new kid’?” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Bigfoot and Nessie : the haunting of Loch Ness Castle / Campbell, Chelsea M.
“Bigfoot and Nessie return for another adventure, and things are getting particularly eerie. This time around, the dynamic duo is visiting Nessie’s home, the underwater Loch Ness Castle, and Bigfoot couldn’t be more excited! […] Only things are not exactly what they seem: Nessie can’t get away from her overbearing momager and endless celebrity duties, and to make matters worse, there’s a ghost roaming around in the house! Can Bigfoot and Nessie confront the ghost, stand up to Nessie’s mom, and uncover the castle’s haunting secrets?” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Chapter Books

The house with a dragon in it / Lake, Nick
“When Summer and her foster family are having lunch one day, a hole appears in the middle of the living room. That hole leads to a dragon and the promise of three wishes, granted by a very unusual witch. Summer wishes for popularity and plenty of money, and things are looking up . . . until she realizes that the hole in the floor is getting bigger and the witch is getting more sinister. As things begin to unravel, will Summer get her dearest most secret wish?” (Catalogue)

The boss of everyone / Wallace, Danny
“Ten-year-old Joss’s greatest ambition is to be Class Monitor at school. But she’s about to go one step further. It’s Take Your Kid to Work Day, and Joss’s dad takes her to the games company he works for. When the boss calls a meeting and tells them he’s giving his job away to the person with the best idea for a company game-changer… Joss sticks her hand up. And the next thing she knows, Joss is the boss. Joss is thrilled. Dad is horrified: he’s going to have to be on his best behaviour all the time! As Joss whips everyone into shape, maybe they can all learn a lesson or two… even Joss herself.” (Catalogue)

Dust : a novel / Bowling, Dusti
“After Avalyn nearly died from an asthma attack, her parents moved her to the clear, dry air of Clear Canyon City, Arizona. And for the last ten years, she’s been able to breathe. That is, until Adam showed up. Quiet and unkempt, Adam is an instant target for the bullies who have plagued Avalyn and her friends. As Avalyn gets to know him, she begins to suspect that the sudden, strange increase in dust storms around town are somehow connected to his emotions. She thinks his problems may be even worse at home, especially when massive black walls of dust start rolling in after the school day. Will she find a way to stand up for her new friend? Her life may just depend on it.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

No one leaves the castle / Healy, Christopher
“The Lilac. The bard songs say that she’s the world’s most fearsome bounty hunter. That there’s no criminal she can’t catch, no mystery she can’t solve. None of that is true. Yet. In reality, the Lilac is just a kid, and the bard who wrote all that is her best friend, Dulcinetta. But the Lilac has set her goals on becoming the best bounty hunter in the Thirteen Kingdoms–and when a priceless artifact goes missing from the home of famed monster hunter Baron Angbar, the Lilac and Netta are eager to apprehend the thief and make a name for themselves. But when their investigation brings them to a dinner party at Castle Angbar, and they meet the Angbar family and their servants and guests–an unsavory group of nobles, mages, and assorted creatures, each more shady than the last–the Lilac begins to wonder if the reward is worth the trouble. And that’s before the dead body is discovered…” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Non-Fiction

Beasts of the ancient world : a kids’ guide to mythical creatures, from the sphinx to the minotaur, dragons to baku / Ward, Marchella
“Uncover tales of ancient beasts, in this beautiful anthology of mythologies. This book introduces children to the thrilling mythological beasts from ancient civilizations. Discover 23 stories accompanied by beautiful, colorful illustrations. Through the incredible storytelling you can learn about fantastic creatures such as the Japanese baku, which had the power to devour nightmares, the wise Egyptian Sphynx, and the fearsome Minotaur who went head-to-head with Theseus in Greek mythology. Featured pages highlight amazing real-life photos of objects, showing how each beast was represented in art. A perfect, global introduction to the most fascinating stories about legendary creatures from ancient history…” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Chews your own tasty adventure : a cooking journey where YOU get to choose the ingredients! : vegetarian recipes from around the world / Pathmanathan, Sai
“A fun interactive cookbook which empowers children to choose and experiment with cooking – each simple recipe only has six ingredients! Join in the fun as you experiment with recipes from around the world! From cupcakes to churros and paratha to pide, chews each ingredient in an interactive game and then see which recipes you can create. Perfect for beginner cooks to start their cooking adventure, with a maximum of six key ingredients for each recipe and clear and simple instructions, but also challenges young cooks to experiment with new techniques and ingredients. Includes fun facts for each recipe and lots of top tips!” (Catalogue)

Inside the world’s wonders : see what lies within some of the greatest buildings on Earth / Gifford, Clive
“Take a tour around the world to uncover some of the planet’s most incredible landmarks and monuments – inside and out. From the Great Pyramid of Giza to the Statue of Liberty, the Taj Mahal to Sydney Opera House, you’ll discover these iconic structures’ secrets, learn about their history and find out why they have become ‘wonders’ of the world.” (Catalogue)

For more new kids books in the collection, go to: What’s new / November 2023 (wcl.govt.nz)

The Loud Librarian: New Kid’s Books in the Library Collection

We have so many new books for kids in the collection this month!  All age groups have lots of new books to choose from and there are exciting new books about every subject you can dream of.  We have selected a few here to get you started:

Picture Books

The loud librarian / Beatrice, Jenna
“A little librarian with a larger-than-life voice finds her niche in this sweet, and uproarious story about being true to yourself–no SHHH required! When loud-voiced Penelope becomes student-librarian, she is determined to prove she is perfect for the job while staying true to herself.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

The red jacket / Holt, Bob
“Bob loves his red jacket. The red jacket makes other seagulls notice him and even speak to him. But when a wave washes it away, will Bob lose his cool and his newfound friends, too? Bob Holt’s spare text and humorous artwork come together perfectly in this charmingly humorous tale about “fitting in,” and confidence.” (Adapted from catalogue)

Blue Bison needs a haircut / Rothman, Scott
“Blue Bison prides himself on always looking clean and neat, so when he goes for a haircut and discovers every place is closed, he is very upset, but his little sister Bubble Gum Bison and her utterly ridiculous idea saves the day.” (Catalogue)

Chapter Books

Amber Brown is not a crayon / Danziger, Paula
“Amber Brown and Justin Daniels are a great team until disaster strikes and Justin has to move away. Will be they be able to work out their recent fight before it’s too late?” (Catalogue)

The house that whispers / Thompson, Lin
“Eleven-year-old Simon and his siblings, Talia and Rose, are staying the week at Nanaleen’s century-old house. This time, though, it’s not their usual summer vacation trip. In fact, everything’s different. It’s fall, not summer. Mom and Dad are staying behind to have a “talk.” And Nanaleen’s house smells weird, plus she keeps forgetting things. And these aren’t the only things getting under Simon’s skin: He’s the only one who knows that his name is Simon, and that he and him pronouns are starting to feel right. But he’s not ready to add to the changes that are already in motion in his family.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

In the shadow of the wolf queen / Hargrave, Kiran Millwood
“Ysolda has lived her life in the shadow of the wolf queen’s tyrannical rule but, safe in her forest haven, she has never truly felt its threat. Until one day when a mysterious earthquake shakes the land and her older sister Hari vanishes in its wake. Accompanied by her loyal sea hawk, Nara, Ysolda embarks on a desperate rescue mission… she soon finds herself embroiled in a quest for a magic more powerful than she could ever have imagined.” (Abridged from catalogue)

Comics

Global / Colfer, Eoin
“Told in alternating voices, twelve-year-old Sami, from a village along the Bay of Bengal, and fourteen-year-old Yuki, from Northern Canada, strive to protect their homes from the encroaching damage brought on by climate change.” (Catalogue)

SandyPants / McGrath, Raymond
“Big and Little Blue are two lovable and lively little penguins. There are three, simply illustrated stories in the book, each one featuring two friends, Big Blue and Little Blue, nicknames Bigsies and Littles. Each story is connected by a wellbeing theme, and is designed to offer children coping strategies for navigating friendships, understanding emotional responses, and the importance of mindfulness and being yourself.” (Catalogue)

Things in the basement / Hatke, Ben
“It was supposed to just be a normal basement – some storage boxes, dust, you know, the usual basement stuff. But when Milo is sent by his mother to fetch a sock from the basement of the historic home they’ve moved into, Milo finds a door in the back that he’s never seen before… As Milo travels ever deeper into the Basement World, he meets the many Things that live in the shadows and gloom… and he learns that to face his fears he must approach even the strangest creatures with kindness.” (Abridged from Catalogue)

Non-fiction

Universal guide to the night sky / Harvey-Smith, Lisa
“Wherever you are in this world, whether that be in the Northern or Southern Hemisphere, in the city or a remote region, this book guides you through the remarkable features of planet Earth’s starry sky. Receive a personal tour through the wonders of the universe from astrophysicist Lisa Harvey-Smith. Explore comets and meteors, stars, planets and moons. Find galaxies and glowing gas clouds. Spot supernovae and enjoy eclipses. Learn everything you need to know about binoculars, telescopes and photographing the stars. You will never look up at the stars in the same way again.” (Catalogue)

Born reading : 20 stories of women reading their way into history / Krull, Kathleen
“Once books change their brains, girls change history. Discover the foundation of reading that empowered some of the world’s most influential women in this collection of 20 biographies.” (Catalogue)

Destination : Mars / Spray, Sally
“Learn all about planet Mars with the Space Station Academy students and their robot teacher in these fun and vibrant story-based science books for children aged 7+.” (Catalogue)

For more new kids books in the collection, go to: What’s new / October 2023 (wcl.govt.nz)

Lo & Behold! New Kids Items in the Collection

If you’re looking for something new to read, we’ve got you covered!  From exciting adventures to books to give you something to think about, we’ve got new titles across all of our kid’s collections.  Check out these to start with!

Picture Books

A bed of stars / Love, Jessica
Going to bed each night can be dark and scary. The night sky stretches out endlessly, making one sensitive child feel small in comparison. So Dad comes up with a plan: a night of camping out in the desert. After sunset, when the young thinker feels tiny against the vast sky, Dad knows just what to ask-and just what to say-to soothe away fears. From acclaimed author-illustrator Jessica Love comes a story of small moments between father and child that affirms the comfort of finding one’s place in the world.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

The blue-footed booby / Biddulph, Rob
“Let’s follow the footprints! Let’s hunt for some clues! Left footprint! Right footprint! No time to lose! As everybody knows, Red-Footed Boobies are fabulous bakers. But when Desmond’s frangipane tart goes missing amidst a flurry of footprints, the Blue-Footed Booby becomes the chief suspect. But all is not as it seems…” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Nooo! Not the dentist / Blake, Stephanie
“Simon gets a sore tooth so needs to take his first trip to the dentist. The night before the appointment, Simon’s friend Ferdinand makes the most of the chance to show he knows more. Ferdinand uses his full imagination to describe the graphic horrors of the dentist’s chair. “I will NEVER go to the dentist!” yells Simon. But his mother takes no notice. When Simon is eventually persuaded onto the dentist chair, insisting his name is “Poo Bum”, he finds a remarkably patient dentist and an experience he wasn’t expecting… ” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Comic Books

Lo & behold / Mass, Wendy
“Can a virtual reality headset help change the way twelve-year-old Addie looks at things? With her life recently turned upside down, 12-year-old Addie is uncomfortable in her own skin until the world of virtual reality sparks her imagination and leads to an exciting new project, a new friend, and to reconnecting with who she’s always been.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

 

Adventuregame comics. 1, Leviathan / Shiga, Jason
“A “choose your own story” graphic novel. Leviathan is set in a medieval coastal village, where residents live in fear of a giant sea creature. Your goal as a reader is simple: defeat the Leviathan! As you wander through the open world, the town’s backstory is revealed. You can attempt to visit the library to try and learn why the Leviathan destroyed it years ago. You can stop by the castle to discover the town was once riddled with crime and theft–and how that’s stopped as the Leviathan will wreak havoc on the town for the smallest misdeeds. If you’re lucky, you may find your way to the old wizard who may possess the one thing that could keep the Leviathan at bay. But not everything is as it appears in this village. Can you discover the secrets and stop the Leviathan before it’s too late?” (Catalogue)

Four eyes / Ogle, Rex
“When Rex finds out he needs glasses, he’s beyond miserable. Dealing with the bullies at school, his family being broke, and an embarrassing lack of friends, he has way too much on his plate already.  A humorous and heartwarming middle-grade graphic memoir about fitting in, facing bullies and finding the right pair of glasses.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Chapter Books

The sideways orbit of Evie Hart / Kamaleddine, Samera
“Evie Hart likes rules. A lot. But as she embarks on her very last year of primary school, it feels like all the rules around her are being broken. When Evie’s class starts learning about the Earth’s place in the universe, it makes Evie think about her own place in the world and where she belongs. Which has her more worried than ever. When your mum writes a horoscope page for a living, it’s hard not to think about what the future holds. Especially when she and the only dad Evie has ever known are acting like they’re on different planets. But the more Evie learns about the sky and the stars, the more she learns that changes in the world can’t always be controlled. And maybe that’s not a bad thing.” (Catalogue)

A child like you / Robert, Na’íma bint
“Somewhere, out there, In the wide, wide world, a child like you is Watching…” Four brave children watch, listen, search, and feel, as they experience the inequalities, dangers and injustices of life in our world. Inspired by real-life activists and campaigners Greta Thunberg, Yusra Mardini, Marley Dias and Iqbal Masih, each of these children is filled with courage, determination and hope. They campaign to help save the planet, show that refugees can contribute and show leadership in sport in their new land, they build a library of 1000 books depicting black girls, they speak out against the outrage of child slavery. Lyrical and powerful, this book is a passionate call to children everywhere to speak their truth and stand up for a better world.” (Catalogue)

The circle breakers / Agbabi, Patience
“Elle and her friends are back! This time, they’ll be leaping to the past, the present and the future to safeguard the secret of The Gift and destroy The Vicious Circle. Fourteen-year-old Elle and her friends are going to a not-to-be-missed funfair. But a ride on the Ghost Train takes them further than they ever imagined. They end up in 1880, face-to-face with criminal mastermind, The Grandfather! To Elle’s surprise, he needs her help. Someone has threatened to reveal The Gift to the media. If that happens, everyone will know that Leaplings can leap through time; no Leapling will be safe. Meanwhile, Millennia’s power at the head of The Vicious Circle grows. Will Elle work for a villain to save her secret community? Can she and The Infinites crush The Vicious Circle for good?” (Catalogue)

Junior Non Fiction

Timelines of everything : from woolly mammoths to world wars
“From dinosaurs and Vikings to the history of robots and espionage, discover incredible world history in this lavish collection of timelines. Jam-packed with surprising facts and amazing details, such as the most bloodthirsty pirate of all time and the first crime to be solved by studying fingerprints, Timelines of Everything will take you on a whirlwind journey through an illustrated history of time, from the Big Bang to the modern world. More than 120 timelines give you all the general knowledge you need – and even some surprising trivia you don’t!” (Adapted from Catalogue)

What machines do / Allan, John
“Digging, ploughing, baking, flying. Explore the exciting World of Machines! Learn what different machines do and how they work. Discover which machines build houses, and which ones are blasted into space. Bright illustrations and informative text show a wide variety of machines. Perfect for little engineers who like to see what machines do and how they work. A colourful children’s book depicting various types of everyday machinery and what they do.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Any body : a comic compendium of important facts & feelings about our bodies / Gathen, Katharine von der
“We live in our bodies for life, so it’s a good idea to understand them. Any Body looks from the outside and the inside, answering questions about our bodies and how we feel about them. It looks at how our bodies change and how we can change our bodies. It includes interesting facts about skin, hair, and body functions alongside the questions that may affect us from puberty and beyond – gender identity, beauty, self-confidence, how other people react and relate to us, and how they make us feel. This compendium allows us to get to know and feel at home in our bodies – and have a giggle about them too.” (Catalogue)

Wonderfully wired brains / Gooding, Louise
“We all have a brain. It carries our opinions, personalities, likes and dislikes, and tells us what to do, and what not to. There isn’t one brain in the world that is exactly the same as another! The differences in our brains should be understood and celebrated. This inclusive book will introduce children to the world of neurodiversity and encourages them to embrace their differences. (Adapted from Catalogue)

For more new books in the collection, go to:

What’s new & Popular / July 2023 (wcl.govt.nz)

What’s New in the Collection for Kids – June 2023

What a bumper crop of new books we have for kids this month!  It doesn’t matter how old you are or what kind of books you like, we’ve got something for everyone this month.  From cheeky picture books to attention grabbing chapter books, entertaining comics and non-fiction full of facts.  Check out this sample of new books in the collection below…

Picture books

Starwhal / Rose, Matilda
“Everyone in Fairyland knows that Mrs. Paws is the perfect pet matchmaker! She has flying piglets, baby griffins, and even pugicorns. She has a knack of knowing what pets are right for each princess, prince, or mermaid! Millie the Mermaid loves her new pet, Starwhal, who is an adorable narwhal with the power to turn anything sparkly and shimmery! But is there enough Starwhal magic for everyone?” (Catalogue)

Nanas with no manners / Christopher, Justin
“Three nanas, who lived in the City of Seas, never said ‘thank you’ and never said ‘please’ … And when these nanas go away on holiday and find that the resort doesn’t serve their favourite chocolate nachos with cheese … uh-oh! You’d better look out, as rude nanas become hangry nanas! But will they find their manners when they find themselves in trouble …?” (Catalogue)

Who took the toilet paper / Harrop, Amy
“Pa Bear is on the toilet in the woods and – oh no! – he discovers there’s no toilet paper. The question is put out there … who is responsible for this sad state of affairs? Numerous culprits and scenarios are proposed, but in the end, Ma hands him his long shopping list to use instead … where it is plain to see that ‘toilet paper’ was at the top of the list … and it was Pa who did the shopping!” (Catalogue)

Chapter Books

The mystery of Raspberry Hill / Frantz, Eva
“The grown-ups all think she’s going to die soon — she can see it in their eyes. Still, when poor twelve-year-old Stina is sent to remote Raspberry Hill Sanatorium she can’t believe her luck. She gets to ride in a real motor car to the hospital, which looks like a magnificent castle hidden deep in the forest. But as Stina explores the long, echoey corridors of her eerie new home, she begins to suspect that the building is concealing a dark secret. Stina is determined to solve the mystery of Raspberry Hill but as she edges closer to the truth, she finds herself in terrible danger.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

The naughtiest unicorn and the firework festival / Bird, Pip
“It’s time for some firework festival fun at Unicorn School! But there’s only one problem… the fireworks are missing! But – this being Unicorn School – the fireworks are very special and magical, created by mysterious creatures who live behind the Fearsome Forest. It’s time for Mira, Dave and the gang to go on an adventure, find out what is going on and make sure that the sparkling, colourful, fizzing firework fun is returned to the festival with a BANG!” (Catalogue)

Free kid to good home / Itō, Hiroshi
“In this comical twist on sibling rivalry, a girl decides she needs a new family, so she writes “free kid” on a box and waits in the street for some better parents to choose her.” (Catalogue)

Non-Fiction

Questions and answers about germs / Daynes, Katie
“What are germs? Where do they live? Why do they make us ill? And how can we get better? Get the lowdown on these sneaky, microscopic intruders, from how they infect us to how our bodies fight them off. Meet the germ detectives who have managed to track them down. And spare a thought for the zillions of other microbes who are perfectly harmless – or may even be super helpful. Using authentic kids’ questions, carefully considered answers and quirky, characterful illustrations, this book provides an excellent introduction to our invisible enemies.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Children’s encyclopedia of sharks / Martin, Claudia
“Dive into the extraordinary underwater domain of sharks with this comprehensive visual encyclopedia, packed with fascinating facts and eye-catching underwater photography. This definitive guide to the world’s most ferocious underwater predators delves into every aspect of their lives-their wide-ranging habitats, fascinating behaviors, powerful senses, and interactions with other species. Based on the latest research by marine biologists, it’s the ultimate book of facts and statistics about these amazing apex predators.” (Catalogue)

Thirty trillion cells : how your body really works / Thomas, Isabel
“Do you know what you’re made of? The answer is CELLS- about thirty TRILLION of them- all working together to form one awesome human being: YOU. The tiniest building blocks of life are crammed amongst the pages of this book, waiting to be discovered. From individual cells to complex systems, discover how your body moves, grows, breathes, senses, thinks and feels. Find out why you get butterflies in your stomach, how your brain is more complex than the most powerful computer, and that you are home to more bacteria cells than there are stars in the Milky Way.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Comics

The Green Girls / Nicoloff, Loïc
“Emma, Lily, and Fadila want to save the planet… and no one around them seems to care. Frustrated, they name themselves the Green Girls, take to social media, and launch a series of bold protests. Alongside their classmate and aspiring Green Girl Silas, the crew risks getting in trouble (and stirs some up) to raise awareness about container ship pollution, palm oil overproduction, and more environmental hazards. With a mix of livestreams, spray paint, and bungee cords, they’re out to make a difference–and get their followers to do the same.” (Catalogue)

Serafina and the black cloak : the graphic novel / Beatty, Robert
“Serafina has never had a reason to disobey her pa and venture beyond the grounds of Biltmore Estate. There’s plenty to explore in her grand home, although she must take care to never be seen. None of the rich folk upstairs know that Serafina exists; she and her pa, the estate’s maintenance man, have secretly lived in the basement for as long as Serafina can remember.

But when children at the estate start disappearing, only Serafina knows who the culprit is: a terrifying man in a black cloak who stalks Biltmore’s corridors at night. Following her own harrowing escape, Serafina risks everything by joining forces with Braeden Vanderbilt, the young nephew of Biltmore’s owners. Braeden and Serafina must uncover the Man in the Black Cloak’s true identity…before all of the children vanish one by one.” (Catalogue)

The mighty bite / Hale, Nathan
“What happens when a couple of prehistoric creatures want to become internet stars? Trilobite and Amber (a walking whale) dream of fame and fortune. They don’t realize that most of the world thinks that they’re extinct. When a wandering paleo-newscaster introduces them to the world of internet videos, they hop at the chance to get behind the camera. The competition for internet fame will be fierce–Trilobite and Amber will face off against ancient sea creatures, talking cacti, floating cat heads, and more! Friendships will be tested, allies will be made, and cameras will be smashed! Our heroes will have to use all of their newfound skills when they find themselves competing in an all out video-making battle royale! With laugh-out-loud gags and outrageous, elaborate artwork, fans of Dog Man and InvestiGators have never seen anything like Nathan Hale’s The Mighty Bite!” (Catalogue)

To discover more new books for kids, go to: What’s new & Popular / June 2023 (wcl.govt.nz)

New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults 2023: Children’s Finalists!

It’s been another bumper crop year for children’s books in Aotearoa New Zealand — and all you need to do for confirmation is check out the shortlist for the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults, officially announced last week. This is always a super exciting time of year for us at the library — picture librarians huddled anxiously around computer screens awaiting the announcement, exclaiming with joy and anticipation upon seeing the list go up, scrolling to see if our favourites made the cut.

The good news is many of our favourites did make the cut this year! The books on the list are by turns funny, quirky, beautiful, profound, and so distinctly Aotearoa in quality that they only could have come from here. To help you make your mind up about which books you think should win their categories, we thought we’d share the full list here, with links to all the books in our catalogue. Just click on the title and you’ll be able to reserve the next available copy to read. But get in quick — we don’t think they’ll stay on the shelf for very long!

Picture Book Award

Judges’ comments: “The shortlisted picture books vary greatly in theme and illustration style, and contemporary issues are dealt with subtly and in tandem with the pictures.”

Duck Goes Meow / MacIver, Juliette
“Woof! says Dog. Moo! says Cow. Cluck! says Hen, and Duck Goes … Meow. A little yellow duckling is amongst animal friends who are all sure of the sounds they make: hiss, neigh, moo, cheep, cluck and oink. But when Duck goes ‘meow’, the other animals say no, that is wrong, try again … then Duck’s mama arrives, and boy, do they get a surprise!” (Catalogue)

Farewell, Anahera / Hatley-Owen, Vanessa“This is a beautiful, comforting and uplifiting story for anyone who has lost someone that they love. From far away, Hawaiki called to her. Turning her face to the sun, she was ready for her next adventure. In the disance, across the shining sea, smiling faces of her ancestors were ready for her, their hands reaching out to welcome her home. Welcome precious one! Welcome! Follows Anahera as her loved ones bid her farewell and her ancestors welcome her home.” (Catalogue)

How my koro became a star / Te Paa, Brianne
“A young boy learns about the customs around celebrating Matariki from his grandfather. They watch the stars from the top of a mountain, prepare their offering of food for the gods, and the boy learns about Te Waka o Rangi and the tradition of calling out the names of loved ones who have passed away so that they can become stars.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Read this book in te reo Māori

Roo and Vladimir : an unlikely friendship / Stapleton, Minky
“This is the heart-warming tale of a small Pekingese and a very large dog called Roo. Roo is big. He is goofy. He is clumsy. And all he wants is a friend. But the other dogs are afraid of him, which makes Roo sad. Then he is befriended by Vladimir the Pekingese – the best friend in the whole world. It takes a big storm and a washed out bridge for Roo to prove his worth and become a much-loved town hero.” (Catalogue)

The Lighthouse Princess / Wardell, Susan
“Do you need rescuing from this tower?” he asked her. “No,” she said, “I like it here.” The Lighthouse Princess is almost perfectly happy. She takes care of the light that keeps ships at sea safe, catches fish off the balcony and swims with penguins and seals. But one day, a little fishing boat with green sails sets out just as a storm blows up.” (Catalogue)


Junior Fiction Award

Judges’ comments: “Whether contemporary or historical, serious or playful, rooted in te ao Māori or te ao Pākehā, these satisfying stories having something to teach readers about life in Aotearoa New Zealand and the power rangatahi have to effect change in a complicated world.”

Below / Hill, David
“Caught in a tunnel collapse, Liam and Imogen have to use all their wits to survive in this gripping novel for readers eight years and up. […] When Liam dares his classmate Imogen to come on a forbidden tour of the railway tunnel being drilled through a nearby mountain, he hopes she’ll quit protesting about it damaging the environment – his dad is an engineer working on the tunnel, after all. Just as they reach the huge tunnelling machine everything goes horribly wrong. […] Can they stop arguing and start working together to escape before time runs out?” (Catalogue)

Children of the rush. Book one / Russell, James
“It’s 1861, and gold fever is sweeping the world. Otherwise sensible adults have gone mad and will do anything to get their hands on the precious metal. But two children have been caught up in the rush. Michael and Atarangi couldn’t be more different, but they share one thing: each has a remarkable and magical talent. Circumstances conspire to bring the children together in the remote and inhospitable goldfields, and they’re thrust into a world where lawlessness, greed, and cruelty reign. When the children find out that a cut-throat gang stalks the goldfields, preying upon the innocent, they have a choice to make: turn a blind eye, or fight back?” (Catalogue)

Jason Mason and the world’s most powerful itching powder / Gunn, Jason
“Jason Mason is a pretty average kid. The kind of kid who doesn’t get chosen for the rugby team. The kind of kid who gets his lunchbox picked over by the school bully every day. The kind of kid who finds it hard to concentrate in class. The kind of kid who is, actually, a SECRET AGENT. WAIT . . . WHAT? You won’t believe the crazy, laugh-out-loud, risky, save-the-world type stuff this pretty average kid gets up to. This book is destined to leave you itching for more Jason Mason adventures!” (Catalogue)

Masher / Colston, Fifi
“Twelve-year-old Freddie Foxworthy just wants to do arts and crafts. He finds them a lot easier to deal with than his peers, and far more rewarding. His latest project is to create the perfect glove puppet from papier-mache. But when ashes from his metalhead neighbour’s deceased bull terrier get into the mix, he finds he has accidentally made a growling puppet with an unpredictable mouth! Freddie has an overload of mysteries to solve – who is to blame for the late Masher’s death? Was Masher responsible for the disappearance a neighbourhood cat? And, most of all, is Masher actually for real? Surely Freddie couldn’t be causing all this chaos himself?” (Catalogue)

Pipi and Pou and the raging mountain / Tipene, Tim
“Pipi and Pou are looking forward to a weekend of screen time but Nana has other ideas. The earth is shaking down south and Nana wants to find out why. Can Pipi and Pou stop the raging mountain carving a destructive path through the forest? And what if success means sharing their secret powers with strangers? Join Pipi, Pou, and Nana – katiaki with a superhero difference – as they journey through the forest, meet amazing friends, and try to calm a mountain before it’s too late.” (Catalogue)


Non-Fiction Award

Judges’ comments“From biography and pūrākau to understanding more about climate and weather, the finalist titles in this year’s Elsie Locke Award for Non-Fiction introduce readers to a range of new ideas and experiences, both inspirational and educational.”

A new dawn / Sione, Emeli
“Emeli Stone shares her Dawn Raid story to help us understand the real impact of this dark time in our history.” (Catalogue)

Freestyle: The Israel Adesanya Story / Riley, David

“Freestyle: The Israel Adesanya Story tells the story of UFC champion Israel Adesanya. It details his family’s move from Nigeria to New Zealand for a better future and how Israel fulfilled his parents’ dreams in the most unexpected way! The book is Illustrated by Ant Sang, one of New Zealand’s most well-known and respected graphic novelists.” (Catalogue)

Sylvia and the birds : how the bird lady saved thousands of birds, and how you can too / Emeney, Jo
“Part graphic biography, part practical guide to protecting our bird wildlife, this remarkable book for young readers and their families is fully committed to detailing the wonders of our native birds, the threats they face, and how we can help them. Based on the life of ‘The Bird Lady, ‘ Sylvia Durrant, who helped over 140,000 sick, injured, and lost birds during her lifetime, it inspires a reverence for the natural world and is a call to action for all young ecologists and environmentalists.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Te Wehenga : the separation of Ranginui and Papatūānuku / Tait, Mat
“Te Wehenga is the separation of Ranginui, Sky-Father, and Papatūānuku, Earth-Mother … the reo Māori and English are woven together in a seamless bilingual approach to the text, with visceral illustrations underlining the mana of the story.” (Catalogue)

Also available as an eBook

Weather and climate New Zealand / Carrod, Sandra
“Understanding our weather is key to understanding our changing climate and its impact on our lives.” (Catalogue)


Illustration Award

Judges’ comments: “Frightening to cute, places of dark to beacons of light, and Aotearoa to Italy and the Himalayas, the books up for the Russell Clark Award for Illustration cover a broad range of topics, perfectly showcasing the diverse talents of their illustrators. The shortlisted titles demonstrate the illustrators’ cohesiveness, originality, skill, confidence and energy.”

A portrait of Leonardo : the life and times of Leonardo da Vinci : a literary picture book / Bixley, Donovan
“Strip back the layers of varnish and discover the man behind the masterpieces, the personality that drove one of the greatest minds in history. The life and times of Leonardo da Vinci are vividly imagined by Donovan Bixley.” (Catalogue)

4 yaks and a yeti / Hillary, Peter
“High in the foothills of the Himalayas, a young Nepalese boy, Lhakpa, and his four loyal yaks – Yak, Nak, Zopchok and Zum – embark on a perilous journey to find the mythical castle, Shangri-La. On this daring adventure Lhakpa and his yaks battle the perils of the misty mountains – freezing snowstorms and danger prowling in the shadows. And watching from the snow-covered peaks above is their greatest challenge of all – the legendary Yeti… Written by mountaineer Peter Hillary and illustrated by award-winning artist Ant Sang, this fable of perseverance and the realisation that not everything in life is as it seems is a wonderful read for adventurers of all ages.” (Catalogue)

Roar squeak purr : a New Zealand treasury of animal poems
“In between the covers of this book you will meet creatures large and small. They might pad, or skitter, swoosh or soar. They could be fuzzy, feathery, suckery, scaly or spiky. These animals might ROAR or squeak or Purrrrrrrrrr. Just like the animals they are about, these poems come in all shapes and sizes! … This … treasury brings together over 200 animal poems.” (Catalogue)

Te Wehenga : the separation of Ranginui and Papatūānuku / Tait, Mat
“Te Wehenga is the separation of Ranginui, Sky-Father, and Papatūānuku, Earth-Mother … the reo Māori and English are woven together in a seamless bilingual approach to the text, with visceral illustrations underlining the mana of the story.” (Catalogue)

Also available as an eBook

The Lighthouse Princess / Wardell, Susan
“Do you need rescuing from this tower?” he asked her. “No,” she said, “I like it here.” The Lighthouse Princess is almost perfectly happy. She takes care of the light that keeps ships at sea safe, catches fish off the balcony and swims with penguins and seals. But one day, a little fishing boat with green sails sets out just as a storm blows up.” (Catalogue)


Te Kura Pounamu Award for Te Reo Māori

Judges’ comments: “The judges of the Wright Family Foundation Te Kura Pounamu Award, which is for books written entirely in te reo Māori, found this year’s crop of shortlisted books showed excellent use of reo and displayed strong themes of mātauranga Māori and mātāpono Māori.”

He raru ki tai / Cooper, Jane
“An adventure story set in seventeenth-century Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland when the hapū of Ngā Oho/Ngā Iwi predominated. […] Cousins, Te Kawenga and Kakati learn of a plan being hatched against a neighbouring iwi and strange activity occurring at a seasonal fishing camp. A huge trap is being built to snare and kill Ureia, the taniwha of Hauraki iwi. The cousins fear the retribution that will be taken on their people if Ureia is killed. So they take a dangerous journey to defy the decision of their people and try and save the taniwha.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Also available as an eBook

Kua whetūrangitia tōku koro / Te Paa, Brianne
“A young boy learns about the customs around celebrating Matariki from his grandfather. They watch the stars from the top of a mountain, prepare their offering of food for the gods, and the boy learns about Te Waka o Rangi and the tradition of calling out the names of loved ones who have passed away so that they can become stars.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Read this book in te reo Ingarihi

Te kokorangi : te aranga o Matariki / Ihimaera, Witi
“E kimi ana a Te Kokorangi i etahi pia hou tokowha hei ako i nga korero o Matariki me te maramataka. Kowhiria ana etahi tama tokotoru, me tetahi kotiro, he pani, ko Aria te ingoa. Tohe ana a Aria kia haere ano ko tana kuri haunga i tona taha. Ka ahua hoha a Aria i nga akoranga, kaore hoki ia e pai kia tohutohungia ia. Engari kua noho morearea te iwi. Taihoa pea ratou ka tino raru i a Ruatapu Te Pukurua. Ae ranei ma Aria ano te iwi e whakaora?” (Catalogue)

Read this book in te reo Ingarihi


Best First Book

Judges’ comments: “The judges recognise the ‘guts and talent’ it takes to have your first book published, and the 2023 NZSA Best First Book Award finalists impressed with the range of characters, topics and settings — all presented with skill and much promise for the future.”

Echo / Kelly, Arlo
“Being visually impaired, Eric loves his quiet life living on a remote beach on the east coast of New Zealand. But his life is about to change in unexpected ways and a chance encounter means this summer will be like no other.” (Catalogue)

Holding the horse / Williams, J. L
“It tells the story of Sid, a boy who really wants to be a jockey when he leaves school in a few years, and the struggle with his father who is completely against the idea.” (Catalogue)

He raru ki tai / Cooper, Jane
“An adventure story set in seventeenth-century Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland when the hapū of Ngā Oho/Ngā Iwi predominated. […] Cousins, Te Kawenga and Kakati learn of a plan being hatched against a neighbouring iwi and strange activity occurring at a seasonal fishing camp. A huge trap is being built to snare and kill Ureia, the taniwha of Hauraki iwi. The cousins fear the retribution that will be taken on their people if Ureia is killed. So they take a dangerous journey to defy the decision of their people and try and save the taniwha.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Also available as an eBook

Kidnap at Mystery island / Garden, Carol
“Set in a time after the great global Environment Revolution of 2072, readers enter a high-tech world of eco criminals, artificial islands, global warming, rising seas and patrolling coastal rangers. Like other kids of his generation, Dom has a special talent, chosen by his parents at conception. He is a human chameleon – he can blend into any surroundings and become almost invisible. Unfortunately his Anti-Ec dad, Dezi Krate, a mining billionaire set on ignoring the new planet-saving laws, kidnaps the young niece of some coastal rangers, Zoe: special talent mind-reading. Together with her sisters, who also have remarkable talents, can Zoe and Dom and other key players in this dangerous, futuristic world outwit the ruthless Dezi? A gripping futuristic, kidnap adventure story.” (Catalogue)

The Lighthouse Princess / Wardell, Susan
“Do you need rescuing from this tower?” he asked her. “No,” she said, “I like it here.” The Lighthouse Princess is almost perfectly happy. She takes care of the light that keeps ships at sea safe, catches fish off the balcony and swims with penguins and seals. But one day, a little fishing boat with green sails sets out just as a storm blows up.” (Catalogue)

Exciting New Books in the Kid’s Collection

We have piles of new books for kids of all ages in our collection this month, everything from the next chapter of your favourite series, to beautiful picture books to read together, or exciting non-fiction titles to learn about the world.  We’ve selected a handful here to share with you, with titles for kids of all ages.

Sleepy Sheepy / Cummins, Lucy Ruth
Sleepy Sheepy was not sleepy
But it was time for bed
(At least, that’s what the clock said.)
But Sleepy Sheepy would not sleepy.
He was wired. And absolutely not tired!
In fact, he was WIDE-AWAKE.

Despite his name, Sleepy Sheepy is NOT sleepy. He’d much rather build with blocks or knit socks than go to sleep. Will Ma and Pa Sheepy ever get their sheepy to go to sleepy?” (Adapted from Catalogue)

The fantastic Bureau of Imagination / Montague, Brad
“Every day, special figment agent Sparky delivers all the mail the FBI receives to the proper department, like the Office of the Unexplainable or the Department of Dreams. It’s a big job, but Sparky keeps everything running smoothly . . . until disaster strikes when the Cave of Untold Stories overflows and threatens to topple the whole bureau. And now, dear reader, will you join the effort and become a special agent before it’s too late? The FBI is counting on you!” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Fish and Crab / Coppo, Marianna
“Fish and Crab are best friends, always there for each other. When it’s time for bed, Crab is ready to go to sleep, but Fish is still wide awake, wondering: What is that noise–that ooh, ooh? What if aliens abduct us as we sleep? What if it rains frogs? What if . . . so many things?!

At once relatable and reassuring, Fish and Crab shows the youngest of readers that it is okay to embrace the full spectrum of our feelings–not just at bedtime, but anytime. And that even the biggest worries and “what ifs” are easier to cope with–and move on from–when someone you love and trust is there to listen.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Sir Ladybug and the Queen Bee / Tabor, Corey R.
“Sir Ladybug–the duke of the dandelion patch, champion of truth and justice–is on a new quest! He and his herald, Pell, and his trusty squire, Sterling, will have to be extra-clever to outwit the mean Queen Bee.

Woven seamlessly into this funny and surprising story are the themes of friendship, bravery, teamwork, creative thinking, and helping others. With warmth and heart, surprising and delightful asides, and a memorable cast of characters, this series will appeal to avid and reluctant readers alike.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Isla to island / Castellanos, Alexis
“Marisol loves her colorful island home. Cuba is vibrant with flowers and food and people…but things are changing. The home Marisol loves is no longer safe–and then it’s no longer her home at all. Her parents are sending her to the United States. Alone.

Nothing about Marisol’s new life in cold, gray Brooklyn feels like home–not the language, school, or even her foster parents. But Marisol starts to realize that home isn’t always a place. And finding her way can be as simple as staying true to herself.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Glitter boy / Eagleton, Ian
“Eleven-year-old James loves dancing, poetry, and Mariah Carey. But he’s being bullied by a boy at school, and as the secrets build up, James begins to lose his spark. Can he find the strength to let the truths out?” (Catalogue)

Where the black flowers bloom / Smith, Ronald L.
“When ghoulish creatures kill twelve-year-old Asha’s guardian, her dying words launch Asha on a quest to stop an ancient evil, and along the way, she uncovers shocking secrets about the family she never knew and begins to find her place in the world as she discovers her own untapped powers.” (Catalogue)

The monkey who fell from the future / Welford, Ross
“Centuries after a catastrophic meteor collision, nature has retaken the earth. In a small town in what was once England, young Ocean Mooney and the monkey-owning Duke Smiff have just dug up a 400 year-old tablet computer. Meanwhile, in the present day, Thomas Reeve and his genius cousin Kylie create the Time Tablet – a device which they hope will allow them to communicate with the future. But when the Time Tablet malfunctions live on television, Thomas and Kylie are sucked into the year 2425 – and have only 24 hours to return home, and save the future of humanity.” (Catalogue)

Around the world in 80 musical instruments / Dickmann, Nancy
“A visual celebration of the huge variety of instruments played across the world, from those you know to those you almost certainly don’t. Grouped into percussion instruments, wind, and string, as well as the weird and wonderful that defy categorization, readers will discover how they are all related to each other in ‘families’, and enjoy exploring the musical family tree as a fold-out poster.” (Catalogue)

The most exciting book of science, inventions, & space ever / Watts, Claire
“Meet the Brainwaves, hilarious little mischief-makers who will be your guides to a marvellous range of mindblowing science topics – from the wisest and wackiest inventions the world has ever seen to the adventures of pioneering astronauts, plus all the core information you need to know, such as the periodic table, energy, forces, and matter. These pint-sized pals will jump aboard the invention of the car, take you on a madcap holiday to Mars and outer space, and will even shrink down to atomic level to explore the most basic building blocks of science.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Girls who slay monsters : daring tales of Ireland’s forgotten goddesses / Ryan, Ellen
“There was a time when tales of Ireland’s mythical goddesses – their astonishing powers, bravery, and unbreakable bonds with nature – were famous, in Ireland and beyond. But over time, these stories were lost, often replaced or rewritten to make room for male warriors and kings. Until Now. Girls Who Slay Monsters brings these heroes of Irish mythology back to vibrant, magical life. From Éire, Ireland’s fierce namesake, and BÉ Binn, a giant who overcame her bullies, to Badb, a gleefully gruesome death prophet, and BÉ Mannair, a gender-fluid spy who challenged an entire army. These are goddesses of many shapes, skin shades and sizes, from every corner of ancient Ireland, whose daring still inspires today. Stand by their sides as they wield magic, fight monsters, and protect the powerless – and you might just discover that you, too, are a force of nature.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

For more new items in the catalogue, go to:  What’s new & Popular / May 2023 (wcl.govt.nz)

Eid Mubarak! Happy Eid!

As Salaamu Alaykum & Eid Mubarak to our Muslim whānau!

What is Islam?

Ramadan and Eid are important events in the religion called Islam. People who follow Islam are called Muslims. Did you know there are about 1.9 billion Muslims worldwide? Islam is the second biggest religion in the world, after Christianity!

Why is it good to learn about Islam?

A local Muslim family celebrating Eid al-Fitr at Newtown Library

As the world comes together and people mix more and more, it’s good to learn about religions and cultures that maybe different to your own. You may be Muslim yourself, have a Muslim friend, or classmate, or you may not know any Muslims. But we can all learn more about Islam. Like many religions, Islam has lots of ancient wisdom and practices that help its followers to be peaceful and kind people.

Libraries are great places to learn the basic facts about religions, cultures, important celebrations and special days.

Ramadan and Eid-al-Fitr

Ramadan is one of the most sacred times of the year for Muslims. During this month Muslims are expected to fast from dawn until sunset, pray, give charity and spend time with family. Generally, it is a time spent being quiet and reflecting on Allah (God). Ramadan ends with Eid al-Fitr, a celebration that marks the end of the fasting. In Arabic it means ‘Holiday of Breaking the Fast’. It is also a holiday where sharing food is very important. Yum!

Did you know there are two Eid celebrations? Eid al-Fitr is always the first one in the year and it is usually around May or June. The other Eid is called Eid al-Adha and happens around July or August.

Eid in Aotearoa New Zealand

In Aotearoa New Zealand 2023, Eid Day will fall on either Saturday 22nd or Sunday 23rd of April – it all depends on the sighting of the moon.  Traditionally, Eid al-Fitr begins at sunset on the night of the first sighting of the crescent moon. Everyone needs to give money to charity (meaning to people who are poor or needy) which is called Zakat-ul-Fitr. After that there is a special ‘Eid prayer’.

This year there is a big celebration happening in Wellington on the 22nd of April, organised by the Eid Day Trust. Everyone can go and join in the fun. You can find out more on their Facebook page.

Celebration Collection

In the Library we have a new Celebration Collection for Ramadan and Eid. This means we have a lot of beautiful new books about Ramadan and Eid-al-Fitr that are available at this time of the year.

During Ramadan some of the books have even been staying at mosques around Wellington City!

As part of this special collection, we have over 60 books about Ramadan and Eid written by Muslim authors, as well as many books with Muslim characters. These books are for kids of all ages, from babies all the way up to intermediate-aged readers.

Please do come into our libraries and see our beautiful new books. Eid Mubarak!

Children’s books about Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr

The proudest blue : a story of hijab and family / Muhammad, Ibtihaj
“Faizah relates how she feels on the first day her sister, sixth-grader Asiya, wears a hijab to school.” (Catalogue)
In my mosque / Yuksel, M. O.
“A picture book featuring culturally rich artwork celebrates the joys, rituals, and traditions that are practiced in mosques throughout the world, and includes a glossary and information about many historical and significant mosques.” (Catalogue)
Aya and the butterfly / Salama, Maysoon
“Aya and her grandad grow swan plants in their garden. Dedicated to the children and whānau of the Aotearoa New Zealand Muslim community, whose lives were changed forever on 15 March 2019.” (Catalogue)
Once upon an Eid : stories of hope and joy by 15 Muslim voices
“Eid: The short, single-syllable word conjures up a variety of feelings and memories for Muslims. Maybe it’s waking up to the sound of frying samosas and simmering pistachio kheer, maybe it’s the pleasure of putting on a new outfit for Eid prayers, or maybe it’s the gift giving and holiday parties to come that day. Whatever it may be, for those who cherish this day of celebration, the emotional responses may be summed up in another short and sweet word: joy.” (Adapted from Catalogue)
Like the moon loves the sky / Khan, Hena
“Illustrations and prose inspired by the Quran celebrate a mother’s love and hopes for her child.” (Catalogue)
Sadiq / Nuurali, Siman (series)
“When Sadiq’s father leaves on a business trip, he worries he’ll miss his baba too much. But Baba has a story for Sadiq: the story of the Desert Star. Learning about Baba’s passion for the stars sparks Sadiq’s interest in outer space. But can Sadiq find others who are willing to help him start the space club of his dreams?” (Catalogue entry for Sadiq and the Desert Star)
Planet Omar / Mian, Zanib (series)
“Welcome, readers, to the imaginative brain of Omar! You might not know me yet, but once you open the pages of this book you’ll laugh so hard that snot will come out of your nose (plus you might meet a dragon and a zombie – what more could you want?). My parents decided it would be a good idea to move house AND move me to a new school at the same time. As if I didn’t have a hard enough time staying out of trouble at home, now I’ve also got to try and make new friends. […] The only good thing is that Eid’s just around the corner which means a feast of all my favourite food (YAY) and presents (DOUBLE YAY).” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Community languages

Please note: We also have books in different community languages about Islam, Ramadan and Eid, including Arabic, Farsi, Somali and Bahasa Malaysia.

Please do come into our libraries and see our beautiful new books. Eid Mubarak!