Empowering Brave Voices with author Avril McDonald

Over the April school holidays, Wellington City Libraries will be welcoming author Avril McDonald into our libraries for several storytimes as she celebrates the launch of her latest book The Wolf and the Hocus Pocus and the Empowering Brave Voices campaign.

Both book and campaign launch on the 9th of April. They are here to teach children an important message: to seek out a trusted adult until they find one who believes them and will act on their behalf to keep them safe.

Avril’s Feel Brave series tell stories that help children manage their tough emotions and deal with BIG feelings. Avril is an Ambassador for the Life Education Trust, who use her books in many of their programmes. To learn more about the Feel Brave series, you can check out Avril’s website.

The Wolf and the Hocus Pocus: Storytelling and Songs with Author Avril McDonald

book cover - the wolf and the hocus pocusAvril’s 45-minute storytelling sessions will be full of stories, songs, and well-being exercises for children. Joined by the Feel Brave puppets, Avril will read The Wolf and the Hocus Pocus – and other stories! – and give the tamariki attending some simple strategies to deal with BIG feelings.

After the storytime, tamariki will have the chance to purchase their own copy of The Wolf and the Hocus Pocus and have it signed.

Recommended for ages 4-7 with their caregivers.

If you’d like to check out Avril’s books before attending one of her storytelling sessions, here are a few we recommend.

The purrfect pawse : a little book to help children pause, stretch and be grateful / McDonald, Avril
“In The Purrfect Pawse: A little book to help children pause, stretch and be grateful, Avril McDonald returns with some of the colourful, lovable characters from her Feel Brave series to help nurture young children’s physical and mental well-being through a combination of activity and poetry. The Purrfect Pawse uses rhythm, rhyme and ……” (Catalogue)

The wolf’s colourful coat / McDonald, Avril
“Wolfgang loves his new colourful winter coat but when some nasty creatures make fun of it, he is upset by what they say and stops wearing it. Spider helps Wolfgang be brave enough to tell someone big that he trusts and he learns that things aren’t always as they seem. Ages 0+” (Catalogue)

The wolf and the baby dragon / McDonald, Avril
“When Wolfgang and his friends learn about a cave where a baby dragon has hatched in a nest they quickly run off to find it. But sadly Wolfgang gets left behind. His bag is full of heavy worries that are making him slow and he just can’t let go of them. When Wolfgang trips and falls, Spider shows him how to take a rest from his worries for a while and that if he can share them, they will be easier to manage.” (Catalogue)

The wolf was not sleeping / McDonald, Avril
“This heartwarming bedtime story was specially written to soothe the anxiety of children whose parents work as first responders and to encourage conversations which help them manage trauma. Wolfgang’s dad works as a helper: when the wolves sound the alarm, he has to leave to help the other creatures in the forest. Each night Wolfgang worries about what might happen if his dad gets the call. His worries are so bad that they keep him awake, and he is falling asleep in the daytime instead! An ideal bedtime read for young children whose parents are first responders, whether they be firefighters, police officers, ambulance crew, coastguards, or work in any other roles within stressful environments. Part of Avril McDonald’s Feel Brave series – little stories about big feelings.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

The Little Ghost Who Lost Her Boo!

Join us with acclaimed local author Elaine Bickell at Johnsonville Library for an especially spooky Halloween storytime this Friday the 18th of October at 6.30pm! Come in your pyjamas, grab a mug of hot chocolate, and settle in to hear Elaine read from her newly-published book, The Little Ghost Who Lost Her Boo, as well as other frightening favourites from the library stacks.

These ghosts won’t be losing their ‘boo’ any time soon!

Reserve Elaine’s book on our catalogue here, and find out more about Elaine and her connection to Johnsonville Library below!

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Meet author Derek Landy in person

Are you a fan of the Skulduggery Pleasant series? The author –Derek Landy, will be in Wellington THIS WEEK!

Details:

  • Friday 3rd October, 5.30pm
  • Scots College
  • Tickets are $10 each, all profits go to Save The Children.
  • Buy your tickets from the Kilbirnie Children’s Bookshop (email)

Check out the latest book in the series – The dying of the light.

Author Nick Sharratt visiting Wellington

Author and illustrator Nick Sharratt will be visiting Wellington in December and will be appearing at the Kilbirnie Children’s Bookshop to meet his fans and sign books.

Fans of Jacqueline Wilson’s books will know his art – he’s the illustrator behind her awesome book covers. He has also written and illustrated many of his own books. Here are just a few:

 

Meet Nick Sharratt at the Kilbirnie Children’s Bookshop at 11am on December 1st 2012.

 

Special Children’s Poetry Event

We are very lucky to have super children’s poet Greg O’Connell visiting Wellington Central Library this week to put on a show for you.

 

Greg O’Connell is an exciting new children’s poet, recently published in eleven issues of the School Journal, so you’ve probably read some of his poems. A dynamic and exciting performer, Greg has thrilled audiences of children throughout New Zealand, and around the world, with his unique brand of interactive poetry. Come along, be part of the fun…and experience poetry like never before!

 

 

Details:

11am at Wellington Central Library (Children’s Section)

Thursday 4th october

Perfect for 5-10 year olds

Free!

 

Author Visit: John Boyne

John Boyne was born in Ireland in 1971. The winner of two Irish Book Awards, he is the author of nine novels, including the amazing book The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, which was made into a movie and has sold more than five million copies worldwide! His novels are published in over forty languages.

His new children’s book, The Terrible Thing That Happened To Barnaby Brocket, will be in your local library soon. It is a fantasy about a baby who is born to fly.

This is a very rare and great opportunity to see John Boyne. The Children’s Bookshop will be selling his books at the event (which means you might be able to get John Boyne to sign them!).

 

The details:

Venue: Whitireia Theatre, 25 Vivian St, Wellington

Cost: $10 (members of the Book Council – $5)

Date: Monday 3 September, 6.00 – 7.30pm

You can purchase tickets for this event here.

 

Meet Christopher Paolini

Writer Christopher Paolini, whose dragon series – Eragon, Eldest, Brisingr and Inheritance – took the fantasy world by storm, will be speaking at an evening event in Wellington on Thursday, June 28th. Christopher will be happy to sign copies of his books after his talk and they will also be for sale at the event.

Venue: Scots College Hall, Monorgan Rd, Strathmore, Wellington

Date: Thursday, June 28th, 2012

Time: 6pm (until approximately 7.30pm).

Tickets are $5 each and are now on sale only through The Children’s Bookshop, Kilbirnie Plaza

Meet Andy Griffiths

Australian Andy Griffiths, the author of many hilarious books, like the famous The Day My Bum Went Psycho, is visiting Wellington!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

His last visit in 2010 was a big hit with fans, so don’t miss out on this visit. Andy will be at the Children’s Bookshop in Kilbirnie at 4-4.30pm on Tuesday May 8th – that’s tomorrow. Bring your books along for him to sign (or buy some there – it is at a very good bookshop afterall!)