ANZAC Day

7 new non-fiction holiday boredom busters

Katie

It’s the school holidays and it’s raining! Get your hands on these new books to keep the boredom blues away. There’s plenty here – superheroes, computer coding, star wars, cool things to do, and a bit of history.

Marvel Avengers : the ultimate character guide.

With the movie coming out, why not brush up your knowledge on the Avengers by reading this revised edition of the authorised, fully illustrated guide to the characters of Earth’s mightiest Super Hero team. Jam packed full of information about over 60 new heroes and villains in the Marvel universe. Overall, I think it’s a great read and will be enjoyed by all Marvel fans.

 

 

 

Doctor Who: The Visual Dictionary.

For all you Doctor Who fans, check out this awesome new book bursting with action-packed images and little-known facts about Doctor Who. Holds information about the latest facts and details, including the Twelfth Doctor Peter Capaldi and Doctor Who season 8 storylines. Also covering every single details about previous Doctors and each of his companions plus unforgettable villains, you’ll have all the tricks and secrets of Doctor Who at your fingertips. So what are you waiting for? Step into the Tardis, battle Cybermen and Daleks, and discover all the Doctor’s secrets in this visually stunning guide to the Doctor Who universe.

 

 

 

Coding for Kids for Dummies.

Check it out, Dummies and Kids rolled into one. Coding For Kids For Dummies is easy-to-grasp introduction to coding concepts for kids, which is broken down into a series of small projects, each designed to teach elementary-to-middle-school-aged students a core concept to build a game, application, or other tool which makes coding for kids look as easy as 1, 2, 3.

 

 

 

More Boredom Busters: Over 50 Awesome Activities for Children aged 7 years +.

Prepare to banish the boredom busters away these school holidays. Check out this amazing book filled with over 50 fun and easy activities that you will love to do all year round, like building a homemade bird feeder, a gym bag sock buddy, potato stamps and so much more. Every activity has easy instructions and uses simple materials found around the home or classroom, so you can get started straight away!

 

 

 

WWE ultimate superstar guide.

For all you WWE Superstars fans, here is the chance to see them like you’ve never seen them before. This book holds information about all the biggest Superstars to ever grace the WWE ring. The Ultimate Superstars Guide is filled with more than 200 illustrations of your favourite WWE Superstars including Hulk Hogan, Triple H and more. You can learn everything you need to know about these amazing athletes with facts, stats, and more.

 

 

 

Lego Star Wars in 100 scenes.

Move over , Lego Movie. Check out this book that retells the complete Star Wars saga…in Lego bricks! Yep, you read right!

This fun Lego Star Wars book retells the six Star Wars films in 100 iconic scenes using LEGO Star Wars sets and minifigures. You Star Wars (and Lego) fans will have the chance to relive the amazing Star Wars adventure in miniature form with this humorous retelling of the LEGO Star Wars complete saga. As an added bonus, you will also learn fascinating LEGO Star Wars facts and behind-the-scenes information about the Star Wars films and rediscover your favourite LEGO Star Wars minifigures, such as the LEGO Darth Vader and LEGO Luke Skywalker, and LEGO Star Wars sets as part of the epic Star Wars story. LEGO, the LEGO logo, the Brick and the Knob configurations and the Minifigure are trademarks of the LEGO Group.

Overall a fantastic read! You can’t go wrong with Lego and Star Wars.

 

 

 

My Gallipoli.

Get your hands on this beautiful picture book and read all about the place where thousands of men from sixteen nations fought, suffered, endured or died during the eight months of occupation in 1915. For each of them, their families and their nurses, Gallipoli meant something different. Their voices emerge from the landscape and across the decades with stories of courage, valour, despair and loss. A must have read just in time for ANZAC day!

Free school holiday activities -don’t miss these!

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Library commemorating ANZAC smallMark the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli beach landings by ANZAC forces in 1915 at your local libraries and community centres during the April school holidays.

You can discover our ANZAC heritage through enjoyable activities that let you experience life as a solider, or what it was like on the homefront during war time. Explore fascinating stories of WW1.

Contact the libraries and community centres below to find out specific activity details. You can find our children’s event listings here.

 

Ruth Gotlieb Library – Kilbirnie: Wednesday 8th April at 2pm

Cummings Park Library – Ngaio: Monday 13th April, at 11am

Johnsonville Library: Monday 13th April at 2pm

Karori Library: Tuesday 14th April at 11am

Wellington Central Library: Wednesday 15th April at 11am

Mervyn Kemp Library and Tawa Community Centre: Thursday 16th April at 11am

Island Bay Community Centre: Friday 17th April at 1pm

 

All activities are free, and bookings are not required. These events are ideal for 7-12 year olds and last for approximately 1hr.

 

New Non Fiction: Made up of heroes, phonies, mammals and the dead.

Katie

image courtesy of syndetics

Marvel super hero character encyclopedia.

This is a book for all your Marvel fans. Check out this amazing A to Z guide to the Super Heroes of the Marvel Universe – from Ant-Man to Wolverine, and everyone in between! The guide gives detailed descriptions of everyone’s favourite characters including their origins, powers and secret identities. Full of trivia and fun facts on more than 100 heroes, this exciting book is sure to delight Marvel fans, young and old!

 

image courtesy of syndetics

Born in the Wild: Baby Mammals and their parents.

Brace yourself for cuteness! This book is filled with information about every baby mammal, from a tiny harvest mouse ‘pinky’ to a fierce lion cub, needs food, shelter, love, and a family. Also filled with illustrations of some of the most adorable babies in the kingdom and goes into full detail of the traits that all baby mammals share and proves that, even though they’re born in the wild, they’re not so very different from us, after all” Overall a very enjoyable read.

 

image courtesy of syndetics

Famous phonies : legends, fakes, and frauds who changed history.

“Famous Phonies: Legends, Fakes, and Frauds Who Changed History is the first in a new nonfiction middle grade series that will explore the underbelly of history, making you question everything you thought you knew about history’s finest. It’s perfect for the history buff, the reluctant reader, or that kid who loves the strange and unusual.”

I never thought I would see this day where they finally publish a book on all the famous legends, fakes and frauds who changed history. If you are in the mood for a little controversy, then check out this amazing book which allows you to see a different side of the famous historical figures you know and admire and all the gory details of their dirty secrets and scandals that shape their phoniness.

A must read book!

 

The day of the dead = El dia de los muertos.image courtesy of syndetics

This book tells the story of two children as they celebrate their ancestors on the vibrant holiday: The day of the dead. With sugar skulls, sweet-smelling marigold petals and joyful songs, Hispanic families welcome back ancestors on this holiday. Complete with lush college and lyrical text in both English and Spanish, this wonderful picture book creates the perfect introduction to this festival (and perhaps also to the Spanish language)

Another must read book!

 

image courtesy of syndeticsThe beach they called Gallipoli.

Many books have been written about the battles of Gallipoli; the men who went to war and what they faced, the letters, and the tears of those left behind. But this is a book about Gallipoli, the place, and what happened on Gallipoli Beach from April – December 1915. Created by the award winning duo, Australian Children’s Laureate, Jackie French, and renowned artist and illustrator, Bruce Whatley, this powerful and moving book highlights an almost forgotten aspect of Gallipoli: the land itself. This is more than a book about ANZACS; this is a book about and for all of the nationalities who fought at that cove, not matter what side they were on. This is one book to get your hands on and read just in time for ANZAC day.

 

 

 

New Zealand Post Book Award finalists announced

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Here they are -the finalists for the New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards. These are the top 5 fiction, non-fiction, picture books and teen fiction that’s been published in New Zealand recently, according to the judges. From this list the judges will pick a winner, as well as an overall ‘best book’ winner.

You get to pick a winner too! Check out the Children’s Choice Award for more info. (you can win book vouchers for yourself and your school by voting!)

Here’s the list, how many have you read?

 

Picture Books

Machines and Me: Boats by Catherine Foreman; Scholastic New Zealand

The Boring Book by Vasanti Unka; Penguin Group (NZ), Puffin

The Three Bears … Sort Of by Yvonne Morison & Donovan Bixley; Scholastic New Zealand

Toucan Can by Juliette MacIver & Sarah Davis; Gecko Press

Watch Out, Snail! by Gay Hay & Margaret Tolland; Page Break Ltd

 



Fiction
A Winter’s Day in 1939by Melinda Szymanik; Scholastic New Zealand

Dunger by Joy Cowley; Gecko Press

Felix and the Red Rats by James Norcliffe; Random House New Zealand, Longacre

Project Huia by Des Hunt; Scholastic New Zealand

The Princess and the Foal by Stacy Gregg; Harper Collins Publishers (NZ)

 



Non-fiction
An Extraordinary Landby Peter Hayden & Rod Morris; HarperCollins Publishers (NZ)

Anzac Day: The New Zealand story by Philippa Werry; New Holland Publishers

Flight of the Honey Bee by Raymond Huber & Brian Lovelock; Walker Books Australia

The Beginner’s Guide to Hunting & Fishing in New Zealand by Paul Adamson; Random House New Zealand

Wearable Wonders by Fifi Colston; Scholastic New Zealand

 

 

Teens

A Necklace of Souls by R L Stedman; Harper Collins Publishers (NZ), HarperVoyager

Bugs by Whiti Hereaka; Huia Publishers

Mortal Fire by Elizabeth Knox; Gecko Press

Speed Freak by Fleur Beale; Random House New Zealand

When We Wake by Karen Healey; Allen & Unwin

 

What’s on Today? Thursday 2nd May.

admin

It’s almost the end of the school holidays, hasn’t it gone quickly? We’ve got some great events happening today for end-of-the-holidays fun. Come along and check it out.

Special Event: Celebrate the ANZACS

Central Library, 11am: What do ANZAC biscuits have to do with ANZAC day? What’s it like being a soldier away from home, missing your family, friends (and favourite food)? Explore the great ANZAC biscuit and its place in history through fun stories and activities.

Free event, bookings not required. Suitable for ages 5+

 

Special Event: SPCA Storytime

Island Bay Library, 10.30am: meet some furry creatures at Island Bay’s storytime this morning. The SPCA will be visiting to introduce you to their animals and tell you all about how to care for them and protect them. Come along for stories, songs, and cute animals.

Baby Rock & Rhyme: Perfect for parents and bubs aged 0-2yrs old.

Karori Library, 9.30am

Johnsonville Library, 10.30am

 

Storytimes: fun stories and songs for toddlers, preschoolers and their families. Older siblings are welcome.

Island Bay, 10.30am

Miramar Library, 10.15am

 

Find out what’s on at the Kids’ Events page.

 

 

Libraries are closed, so… Download a book instead!

admin

ANZAC Day is a special day for us to remember and say thank you to many New Zealand soldiers, sailors and airmen and women who have served New Zealand so that we can be a safe country. Many of these people died while fighting, not only to keep New Zealand safe, but to keep other countries safe too.

 

You may wish to go to an ANZAC day service. These will be happening across Wellington city from dawn into the afternoon. Go to the Returned and Services Association website (RSA) to find a service near you.

 

You won’t be able to visit the libraries to hang out or borrow books, because we will be closed on ANZAC day. But don’t panic! We have books on out website that you can download for free. You can borrow an e-book or an audio book and download them straight onto your computer, laptop, MP3 player, e-reader and more. Go to our Downloads page to find out more.

 

 

 

ANZAC Day

debbie

ANZAC Day is a very special day where New Zealanders and Australians remember the men and women that served and lost their lives in war.

ANZAC is an acronym for the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps

The original ANZAC Day observances were mostly for serviceman and their families. It was started as a result of the terrible loss of life suffered at Gallipoli during World War 1. Today ANZAC Day has grown into a day were we honour all servicemen and women who fight in war all around the world.

A lot of people think the date of April 25th was chosen because it was the day that the ANZACS suffered the greatest loss of life at Gallipoli but it is actually the day when the New Zealand and Australian soldiers first landed at Gallipoli in 1915.

They fought and died there until they were finally evacuated in December of that same year

There are many things we do to commemorate this special day.

There is the Dawn Parade which is one of our most popular traditions. It begins with a parade of returned servicemen and women who march to their local war memorial where they are met by family and the community.

There is an ANZAC Day Service were the community come to lay wreaths in remembrance of the fallen soldiers.

And don’t forget to have your Anzac biscuit. Did you know that Anzac biscuits don’t have eggs? This is because eggs were in short supply during war times.

We always wear a Poppy on ANZAC Day. The red poppy goes way back in history – as far as the

Napoleonic Wars of the 19th Century. This is because these flowers were the first to bloom over the graves of soldiers in France and Belgium and have become a symbol of remembrance.

There are some great websites you can visit to find out more about ANZAC Day and you might like to check out all the books we have in the library. As well as the factual books you will also find great fiction books like ‘Lest we forget‘ and ‘Anzac Day Parade’. You will even find books on animals that served during war time.

 

 

They shall not grow old, as we that are left to grow old; Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning. We will remember them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

School Holiday activities! Here are the details.

admin

Looking for fun? Look no further – we have some awesome school holiday activities planned for you. Best of all – they are free!

Here’s what’s happening:

Monday 22nd April, 11 am, Central Library: Wellington author and illustrator duo, Lucas and Jutta Chisholm will show off their latest creation and teach you how to draw and create your own character from the book. Prepare for hands-on fun with books, drawing and plasticine!

Monday 22nd April, 10.30 am, Johnsonville Library: Join us for an interactive story-time where we read and act out ‘Down the Back of the Chair’ by Margaret Mahy. Take part in other ‘Kiwiana’ activities during this fun-filled hour.

Tuesday 23rd April, 10.30 am, Ruth Gotlieb (Kilbirnie Library): Slip on your jandals and join us for holiday fun at Ruth Gotlieb (Kilbirnie) Library to celebrate Kiwiana! We will be reading stories by New Zealand authors, playing New Zealand bingo, and holding a rock-stacking competition called Tu Kohatu. Sweet as!

Wednesday 24th April, 11 am, Miramar Library: Meet a tuatara! Sue Keall from Victoria University of Wellington is visiting with a living fossil – an amazing part of our country’s natural history. Learn how to protect them. Bookings essential – phone 388 8005

Friday 26th April, 11 am, Cummings Park (Ngaio) Library: Meet a tuatara! Sue Keall from Victoria University of Wellington is visiting with a living fossil – an amazing part of our country’s natural history. Learn how to protect them. Bookings essential – phone 479 2344

Monday 29th April, 11 am, Karori Library: Special Kiwiana story time. Come along for fun stories with a New Zealand twist.

Tuesday 30th April, 10.30 am, Newtown Library: Slip on your jandals and join us for holiday fun at Newtown Library to celebrate Kiwiana. We will be reading stories by New Zealand authors, playing New Zealand bingo, and holding a rock-stacking competition called Tu Kohatu. Sweet as!

Wednesday 1st May, 11 am, Mervyn Kemp (Tawa) Library: Meet a tuatara! Sue Keall from Victoria University of Wellington is visiting with a living fossil – an amazing part of our country’s natural history. Learn how to protect them. Bookings essential – phone 232 1690

Thursday 2nd May, 11 am, Central Library: What do ANZAC biscuits have to do with ANZAC day? What’s it like being a soldier away from home, missing your family, friends and favourite food? Explore the great ANZAC biscuit and it’s place in history.

 

All our events are listed on the Children’s Events page. All events are free and, unless stated above, no bookings are required.  All events are suitable fro 5-12 year olds.

Anzac Day – 25 April

admin

On 25 April 1915 during the First World War, ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) forces landed in Gallipoli. On this date we continue to remember the efforts of Anzacs who fought in both world wars. This year’s New Zealand Book Awards nominee Nice Day for a War: Adventures of a Kiwi Soldier in World War l by Matt Elliott and illustrated by Chris Slane gives us an insight into the life of a soldier, from their uniform to their standard issue riffles.

 The New Zealand Defence Force is running a poster competition for year 7 and 8 students. This year they would like students to focus on what happens on Anzac Day in their local community. All entries must be in by ANZAC day. To find out more information about the competition check out the NZDF website.

Libraries will be closed on ANZAC Day, but you could go along to an ANZAC Day service near you instead.

Poppy Power – ANZAC day

wcl staff

ANZAC Day service at the National War Memorial Wellington.This Friday (April 20) is the 90th annual Poppy Day Appeal, and the following Wednesday (April 25) is ANZAC Day. The donations raised from Poppy Day help people and their families who have returned from war. It helps with things like medical bills.

ANZAC Day is a public holiday. It’s a time to remember all New Zealanders who have been killed in war. Some people sleep in on ANZAC Day, and some people get up when it’s still dark to attend a Dawn Service. Wherever you are in New Zealand there will be a dawn service somewhere near you.

A.J. Toledo has written a really interesting book called Wearing the Poppy. She tells the story of ANZAC day through the experiences of 6 members of her family who fought at Gallipoli in WWI. She explains why the red poppy is a symbol of remembrance throughout the world.