Kids Blog

Monster and Chips by David O’Connell

Hey kids – did you know that there are places where our ordinary world rubs against strange, magical worlds? When this happens holes sometimes get worn between the two, creating doorways.

It can happen anywhere. Perhaps on a street near you. An ordinary-looking door will appear, so ordinary that you might not even notice it. Like the door of a takeaway- just the place that sells burgers and chips. But there might be a very special takeaway on the other side of that door, with very special customers.

Joe has been sent on a perilous quest by his mum to find the finest chips in the land. He now stands at the doorway to McGreasy’s takeaways and I bet he can’t guess whats waiting for him through the door.

Magic Trix: The Witching Hour by Sara Grant

There are three signs that you may be a witch.

1. You occasionally see witches flying across the midnight sky on their broomsticks.

2. Rhyming spells pop into your head.

3. You love planning magical surprises for your friends.

When Trix turns ten she finds out that she’s a witch! It’s the best birthday present ever and Trix can’t wait to start casting spells. But learning witchcraft isn’t easy, and nobody non-magical must know. Find out how Trix gets on learning about magic, keeping it a secret and using magic to help her best friend.

Aunt Severe and the Toy Thieves by Nick Garlick

Daniel gets more than he bargained for when he visits his Great-Aunt Emily. She’s grumpy and extremely severe because her fiance, the Colonel, has vanished into thin air. And it looks as though two evil toy thieves were responsible.

Soon Daniel is in hot pursuit. But he’s not alone. Along for the ride are his aunt, two clumsy ostriches, three even clumsier monkeys and a penguin who never stops talking. Not to mention a very, very sad pink crocodile.

Daniel is in for the ride of his life!

Slave Girl by Alexa Moses

Thirteen-year-old exchange student Jenna has nabbed an appointment in New York’s coolest hair salon, but when her teacher insists she stay with the group at the boring Metropolitan Museum, she storms off and stumbles into what she thinks is a fancy-dress party. And it is a party. In ancient Egypt. 3500 years ago.

Once Jenna accepts she’s really travelled back in time, she realises she has to work out a way home – with only her big mouth, a smart phone and a pair of second-hand Marc Jacobs sandals to get her out alive.

Jenna’s attempts to bluff her way out of her precarious situation are often brave, sometimes ingenious and guaranteeably funny.

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In the Haunted School, Angeline and Edgar have to go to their Senior School Sleepover, but Angeline is dreading having to talk to the other kids.

The night goes wrong when a ghost appears in the dormitory where they are camped out. Their classmates are terrified – and Principal Primm is not happy!

With the aid of Ghost Club, Angeline and Edgar must find out who the ghost is so they can help her. But first they have to convince their principal that kids can be ghost-catchers too, and they have to avoid Travis the bully, who is spying on them – causing trouble wherever they go.

The holidays are about two weeks away and winter’s almost on it’s way.  Worried about what you are going to do over the holidays? Never fear, come on down to Wellington City Libraries, get stocked up on new books (and maybe some DVDs for good measure)  and let us entertain you!

Wellington City Libraries has more new non fiction in the Children’s collection for your enjoyment and pleasure. This month’s blog post pays tribute to the entertainment industry.

Here you will find a list of books that can give you ideas on how to make your own film (whether as a hobby or if you aim to be the next Sir Peter Jackson); getting schooled up on your favorite Disney, Pixar and Star Wars characters (maybe revisiting and watching your favorite Disney, Pixar and Star Wars movies), drawing SpongeBob SquarePants characters and even running away to join the circus!

There are three more books have been published from the series, Inspirational Lives that focuses on influential people and key figures in the public eye, in the case this month, a writer, a rap star and the creator of Apple! Who knows, maybe reading about their inspiring lives may inspire you to follow your creative dreams and goals.

Behind the Scenes: Film.

If you’re a movie buff (like I am) and interested in what happens behind the scenes of your favorite movies, then have a read of this new revised and updated book on what goes on in the film industry. You will learn about how things work in film, inside knowledge about the jobs people do and even tips on how to get experience and your first job if you are looking to pursue a career in the film industry.

Disney junior encyclopedia of animated characters : Includes characters from your favorite Disney Pixar films.

So you think you’re a Disney expert? Sure, you may know the words to every Disney Song and able to recite all the lines from your favorite Disney movie. But do you know the answers to questions like what is the dentist’s address in Finding Nemo?, what is Mulan’s family name? and why the words “Meega na la queesta!” makes an alien want to throw up? Hakuna Matata! All the answers are in this new encyclopedia from A to Z about all your favorite Disney and Pixar animated characters. If only they had published this when I was a kid.

Also check out my personal Disney favorites: Lilo and Stitch, Finding Nemo, The Lion King and The Incredibles. 

A long long time ago in a galaxy far far away… Three new books on Star Wars arrived at Wellington City Libraries!

In the mood for Star Wars non fiction? For all you Star Wars fans, you get three for the price of one. Three books that are guaranteed to make you the ultimate Star Wars expert!

Star Wars Character Encyclopedia explores over 200 heroes, villains, droids and weird aliens from the Star Wars series. It’s great for anyone who wants to gain further insight to their favorite Star Wars characters. Also find out if you have what it takes to be a Jedi… or a Sith Lord by reading Who are the Jedi and What is a Sith Warrior from the Star Wars: The Clone Wars series. In Who are the Jedi, you will read and uncover secrets of the most powerful and heroic Jedi Knights of all time, while Who Are the Sith explores the most fearsome fighters of all time and their deadly secrets.  Grab them down at your local library before someone else does.

Circuses.

Roll up, roll up! The Circus has come to the library!… Well almost. We now have a new and exciting book about all you ever wanted to know about circuses. Read all about the history of the circus from 18th century to present day, the use of animals, famous circuses around the world and even tips of how to be a circus performer. You will learn lots of amazing facts and information like the first circus that started was in London, 1768 by Philip Astley and the Cirque du Soleil employs over 5,000 people around the world.

How to Draw SpongeBob SquarePants.

Ahoy  SpongeBob SquarePants fans! Now you can bring SpongeBob, Patrick, Sandy, Squidward and Mr. Krabs to life… on paper. This book will show you how to draw these characters with simple step by step instructions. There’s lots of cool drawing tips and sketching ideas, including how to make your own flip book that brings your drawing to life as if there were on film or TV. This book is bound to keep you entertained for many hours on end.

If you enjoyed the last post on Inspirational Lives, get ready for more biographies on your favorite celebrities and key figures in the public eye:

Steve Jobs: Digital Innovator.

Read all about  Steve Jobs, the  American entrepreneur and best known as the co-founder, chairman, and CEO of Apple Inc, the  co-founder of Pixar Animation Studios! (Yup, the company responsible for our favourite Disney movies like Finding Nemo, The Incredibles and Toy Story 3!) and how this  man, from San Francisco revolutionized the way we think about computer, music, entertainment brought the world the  iPod, iPhone and iPad! You will learn all about this amazing genius’ inspiration life from how is interest in electronics developed, the founding of Apple, his family life and how his career came to an end due to an illness that led to his death in 2011.

Check out some of the Pixar DVDs like Brave, Up, WALL-E and Toy Story 3.

Anthony Horowitz: Creator of Alex Rider.

We all know him as the best selling author of children and young adult fiction, mostly popularly known as the author of the Alex Rider series, but what don’t you know? Read the latest and revised biography of Anthony Horowitz and find out everything you have ever wanted to know about him:  His childhood, his inspiration for writing and how Alex Rider came to life and things you didn’t know about him, like his mum giving him a human skull for his 13th birthday and spending his gap year in Australia working as a cowboy. You find information on tips to be a writer and a quiz that can show you if you have what it takes to be a writer.

Jay-Z: Megastar Rapper.

This book is the mother of all inspirational lives! We all know Jay-Z as the multi-platinum rap icon,  shrewd businessman and husband of famous R&B singer, Beyonce, who went from being a  kid from the ghetto and a high school drop put to a man who sold 50 million albums around the world, who won 15 Grammy Awards and who even owns his own basketball team! (A life we can envy.) Now is the chance to read about the man behind the multi-million dollar brand. You will read all about his troubled childhood, brush with the law, finally hitting the big time and how his performance in Glastonbury, 2008 brought acceptance of hip hop to a traditionally rock audience

Mrs Bartolotti has a bad habit of ordering things – things that she usually doesn’t need. One day something incredible and very unexpected arrives in the post. It’s Conrad a factory made seven year old boy who is perfect in every way. He is very well-behaved, polite, clever and follows all the rules.

It doesn’t take long for Conrad and Mrs Bartolotti to grow to love each other but when the factory realises that he’s been delivered to the wrong address Conrad has already decided that he doesn’t want to go back.

Together Mrs Bartolotti and Conrad along with his new friend Kitty have to hatch a plan which involves re-educating Conrad to behaving more like a normal child.

This is great fun read with an exciting conclusion to the story! A must read!

Do you like reading fabulous fantasy adventure books then check out this great series called The Unicorn Riders.

The Unicorn Riders live in a magical but dangerous kingdom called Avamay. There are four riders and they are each assigned to a Unicorn that is as unique as they are.

First there is Willow who rides Obecky a beautiful unicorn who has a black opal horn and has the gifts of healing and strength.

Then there is Ellabeth who rides Fayza who is very fast and can light the dark with her golden magic.

Next is Quin who rides Ula. These two can speak to each other using mind-messages and Ula can also sense danger.

Last there is Krystal who rides Estrella. Estrella has the gift of enchantment.

Working together these four ride as one to protect the people of Avamay with all their courage and skill.

I wish I had a unicorn!

Brave took home the award for Best Animated Film at last week’s Golden Globes and is one of the nominees for Best Animated Film in this year’s Academy Awards.

Pixar Animation Studios, the creator of Toy Story 3, whisks you away on an astonishing adventure in the Scottish Highlands  full of mystery, magic and tradition. Determined to make her own path in life, Princess Merida, a skilled archer and headstrong daughter of King Fergus and Queen Elinor  defies an age-old custom, where she competes against (and defeats) each of her suitors in an archery contest during the Highland Games by which she states she is “shooting for her own hand”, much to the outrage of the lords of the land and causes a rift between mother and daughter. Merida then acquires a magic spell from a witch the witch agrees to give Merida a spell to “change” her mother (into a bear) in the form of a cake. When chaos is unleashed in the kingdom as a result of Merida’s actions, she must harness all of her skills and resources to break the beastly curse before it’s too late, mend bonds “torn by pride”  and discover the meaning of true bravery.

From the kilt-wearing lords to the bagpipe music and traditional Highland games and Merida’s triplet brothers’ pranks and  endless attempts to steel sweets, This is a very entertaining mother/daughter movie and a celebration of Scottish culture.

Rated: 8/10.

Best for age groups 5 years and over.

Here is your classical fairy tale flipped on its head. We are all familiar with the Puss in Boots made famous by his appearances in the Shrek movies, and now he has his chance to shine all by himself.

This story takes place when Puss (in Boots) is a kitten and getting up to mischief with his sidekick Humpty Dumpty. Their search for the Giants’ magic beans and golden goose gets them into all sorts of trouble, until one day, Humtpy gets them both into so much trouble that they are separated- Humpty to Jail, and Puss is exiled. Years later they reunite only to experience danger, backstabbing, love and finally triumph as they storm the giants’ castle and claim the Golden Chick (the Golden Gooses’ baby) for themselves.

A very entertaining animated film, well worth watching. The humour is well aimed at the kids, and any adults watching will certainly appreciate all the innuendo. Neither mum, dad or kids could possibly be bored watching it.

I give it 8/10

Review by: Emily Simcox, Librarian at the Wellington Central Library