Kids Blog

New books! Grab them before they all run out the door!

Do you Know Dewey? Exploring the Dewey Decimal System.

This is a fun, informative book about the Dewey decimal system the young reader will enjoy.  The ultimate resource that all kids, parents, teachers and librarian must have!

Caring For your Turtle.

Did you know that turtles are cold blooded animals and  don’t have teeth? These were facts that you can read about in this new book: Caring for your turtle. A great resource for young children to have that goes through all the basics of how to care for your turtle. You will also learn which turtle breeds make good pets.

First Aid Basics.

A great resource for young children that takes you through all the basics of first aid. Comes complete with color photos and simple text describe first aid for cuts, bee stings, choking, and other medical issues. Also includes note to parents and teachers.

The Quick Expert’s Guide to Building a Website.

Here’s another awesome read from the Quick Expert’s Guides, focusing on how to build a website. Great for ‘tweens’ who are interested in  learn how to create your very own, personal, fantastic website from scratch, how to master HTML programming, embed content galore and get the scoop on how to keep your click rates sky-high.

You may also like The Quick Experts Guide to Starting your own business. Also check out last month’s blog post on Skills that every kid should know.

Extraordinary Animals.

Extraordinary Animals looks at some of the most incredible animals on the planet. This is the book to read if you want to read about the ugliest fish alive, poisonous frogs and naked rats. This book is also full of fascinating facts like the hag fish eats its prey from the inside out, the giant salamander is the size of a dog and the bee hummingbird is so small that it is light as a few grains of rice.

I Wonder Why Soap Makes Bubbles.

Why does soap make bubbles? What force stops us from slipping over? Can liquids change shape? You will find all the answers to all these tricky questions in this new and exciting read! This book is full of colorful and surprising information that will set thousands of young minds buzzing full of information that gives children a perfect introduction to science, featuring rainbows, fizzy drinks, musical instruments and much, much more.

For more help on big questions and amazing answers, check out Any Questions and Many Answers.

The Kids’ Guide to Projects Four Your Pet.

Did you know that creating something for your pet is a great way to show how much you care about it. If you are stuck on ideas, then this book will give you a range of ideas with step by step instructions show how to make simple projects for pets from toys for your cats, clothes for your dogs, a fun house for your hamsters and  liver treats for your cat or dog. You are sure to find something for your fury, feathery or even scaly friend.

Poo! A History of the World from the Bottom Up.

How many toilets were there in the average Egyptian pyramid? Did lead pipes cause the fall of the Roman Empire? How did a knight over 20 kilograms of armour go to the loo? How do astronauts wee and poo in space?  Find out all the answers to these questions in this new and exciting read that the School Library Journal rates as the ”number one book on number two”. This book provides  everything you have ever wanted to know about the history of poo, as well as hygiene and sanitation throughout history in times of Ancient Greece, Rome, Middle ages, renaissance and the Victorian Era. Also check out Poop Happened! A History of the world from the Bottom Up!

Tractors and trucks.

The ideal arts and crafts book for boys that allows them to get creative with fun tractor and track activities. Complete with brilliant step by step photographs and templates to make a digger picture with moving parts, a tanker, tire track pictures, a tractor cab and lots lots more, this is one book and activity idea that can keep boys busy throughout the school holidays.

Incredible Edibles.

Love food and science? Looking for a book on mad recipes, crazy experiments, kitchen science projects and weird food stories that will shock and perhaps gross you out? Look no further, here is the book for you. Stefan Gates’s book takes you on an adventure of the amazing, weird and perhaps gross facts about food.  You will also find out answers to questions like what is the most dangerous food on earth, how do you milk a cow and perhaps the mother of all food recipes: how to make your own cola.

The Garden Cook: Grow, Cook and Eat with Kids.

Move over, Annabel Langbein, there’s a new chef in town! Former Masterchef Australia contestant and teacher, Fiona Inglis has written this excellent book that draws on her real-life experience of working with primary school-aged children. You will find information that covers all aspects of cooking and gardening, including plenty of helpful advice and recipes. The book is written in simple, clear language, is beautifully illustrated and is guaranteed to appeal to all young cooks and gardeners (and to inspire their parents).

As School’s drawing to a close, here are some new exciting reads to keep you busy during the holidays.

New from Lonely Planet:

Not for Parents U.S.A. Everything you ever wanted to know.

Planning a trip to the USA over Christmas? This book opens up a world of amazing facts and stories  (probably facts and stories your parents don’t even know) about the people, places, History and culture of the USA? A brand new read from the Country Series Book from Lonely Planets that  is not a guidebook and it is definitely not for parents. Great for ages 8 to 11 years.

New from National Geographic Kids.

Angry Birds Playground Animals.

Have you ever wanted to play Angry Birds and learn all about animals around the world at the same time? Angry Birds Playground Animals makes that possible! The Angry birds have lost their precious eggs, thanks to those pesky pigs and they need YOU to help them. On this quest to find the eggs, you will also find information  about about various animals, like jaguars, desert horned lizards, great hammer-head sharks, black swans and polar bears. Also learn about the animals’ habitats which includes rain forests, deserts, oceans, grasslands and the Arctic. Also full of activities and quizzes to test your knowledge.

New from Eyewitness:

Jungle.

Interested in zoology and ecology? Experience all the action of the rain forest and encounter the teeming animals and plants of the tropical rain forest by reading Jungle, from the Eyewitness series. This would also serve as a great companion guide alongside  How to be a world explorer and Angry Birds Playground Animals .

Titanic.

Interested in the history of shipping disasters? How about learning more about the detailed descriptions of the Titanic, including its accommodations, a retelling of its sinking in the North Atlantic in April, 1912, and amazing facts like the Titanic was carrying 5,986 tonnes (6,598 tons) of coal to New York  and there were only two bathtubs for more than 700 third class passengers.   A Great resource for ages ranging from to intermediate to junior secondary age.

Find your Talent.

Whether you want to start your own blog, start a band or make a film, this new series, Find you Talent will tell you everything you need to know about developing your skills and ambition into a brilliant hobby or even a glittering career.  Start a Blog is full of ideas that will inspire you to create your own blog, Start a Band will help make your dream band become a reality and Make a Film will give you ideas that will inspire you to make your every own short film.

Mean Machines.

This high impact series features information about the world’s fastest, biggest and meanest machines.  Roar into action with the world’s fastest, weirdest and most cutting edge vehicles with the Mean Machines series! Supercars brings you up to speed with amazing facts about the latest and greatest  cars known including Lamborghini Miura and Ferrari 599 GTB. You will find out all you need to know about high-tech war planes and super-fast record-breaking planes like the X43-A in Superplanes and Superbikes gives you everything you need to know about concept bikes like the Dodge Tomahawk and record-breaker like the fastest bike in the world, the Top Ack Attack Streamliner.

Also new:

My Polar Animals Journal : In Search of Polar Bears, Penguins, Whales and Seals.

Interested in wildlife photography? Then have a read of this new animal journal by Steve Bloom. This book is complete with journal entries, amazing photographs of polar bears, penguins, whales and seal in the Arctic and Antarctica and packed full of amazing facts about the animals, for example a male polar bear weighs up to 545 kg (the weight of 7 men) and a humpback whale can live to about 50 years old. Steve Bloom also offers tips of taking wildlife photographs, creative projects to help you have fun with the photos and develop your camera skills.

A Horrid Factbook: Food.

Did you know that carrots used to be purple? How long does it take for food to reach your stomach? Does eating crusts really make your hair curly? Find all the answers to these questions and more in this amazing new read. The Love-able character, Horrid Henry takes you on a weird, wonderful, hilarious and horrid journey on everything you have ever wanted to know about… food.

Princess : The Essential Guide (Revised editon).

If you are a fan of Disney Princesses (like I am) and you loved the book, Princess : The Essential Guide first published in 2008 with Princess Aurora on the front cover, then you are going to love this this new edition fabulous updated edition of this  guide to the best loved fairy tale princesses of all time! Experience the magic of Disney with this guide to the best loved fairy tale princesses of all time! This guide provides  in-depth information on all six favorite Disney princesses, that includes Snow White, Cinderella, Aurora, Ariel, Belle, Jasmine, Mulan, Pocahontas, Tiana and Rapunzel. Fully illustrated, the book is full of cut-away artwork and scenes from the Disney films and provides a view of the princesses’ magical worlds, ‘where dreams really can come true’.

Hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Show your love for New Zealand’s unique and special birds by voting in the Bird of the Year poll run by the Forest and Bird Society (which has been around since 1923!).

There are 44 different birds you can vote for, from Albatross to Yellowhead. Have a read through the descriptions, click on the links for more info and then pick your favourite and vote for it. Voting closes on October 10th.

Previous winners of Bird of the year:

2011: Pukeko

2010: Kakariki

2009: Kiwi

2008: Kakapo

2007: Grey Warbler

2006: Fantail

2005: Tui

You can find out more about New Zealand birds at your local library. Here are some books I think are cool:

Introducing new books from the series: Zoom! The Invisible World of… that zooms in on the intriguing but invisible world of animals and plants, using macro-photography to reveal some weird and wonderful sights you will not have seen before.

Birds by  Camilla De la Bédoyère

Fantastic book to read if you want information and zoomed in pictures of your favourite birds. Esepcially seeing a picture of Hummingbird feathers up close. 

Plants by Camilla De la Bédoyère

A great book to read that zooms in on the intriguing but invisible world of plants. Great section on meat-eating plants.

Ocean Life by Camilla De la Bédoyère

Want to see pictures of your favourite sea creatures up close? Want facts and information? Then this is the book for you. You even get to see a picture of a krill zoomed in. 

Bugs by Camilla De la Bédoyère

Great book to read if you want to see pictures of bugs up close. Lots of intersting facts.

If you want to know answers to more WHAT, WHERE, WHY, then this selection of new non fiction books will keep you happy for hours

Who has what? : all about girls’ bodies and boys’ bodies / Robie H. Harris ; illustrated by Nadine Bernard Westcott.
What? Where? Why?
The Kingfisher animal encyclopedia / written by David Burnie.

Human body / Miranda Smith.

Why are you so sad? : a child’s book about parental depression / written by Beth Andrews ; illustrated by Nicole Wong.

From armpits to zits : the book of yucky body bits / written by Paul Mason ; illustrated by Mike Gordon.

Big wig : a little history of hair / by Kathleen Krull ; illustrated by Peter Malone.

Check out our scary new selection of non-fiction. After that you can relax reading about Lego or Music or just the wonder of our world in general. Have fun!

The werewolf hunter’s guide / Ursula Lestrade.

Over thousands of years and across hundreds of countries, tales and legends of dreadful creatures lurking in the night have terrified people. This guide has been slowly pieced together by expert werewolf hunter Ursula Lestrade and uncovers many secrets of these shape-shifting monsters.  Arm yourself against the creatures of the night with this Werewolf Hunter’s Guide. (Book cover) There are three other scary books in this Monster Tracker Series; The Alien Hunter’s Guide, The Vampire Hunter’s Guide and The Ghost Hunter’s Guide. If you like freaky stuff then check them out.

Children’s book of music / Deborah Lock
This is a must read for anyone interested in music. Great photos and interesting text help you learn heaps about music from its very beginnings right up to contemporary artists like Lady Gaga.

Standing small : a celebration of 30 years of the Lego minifigure / Nevin Martell.

Find out all about your favourite LEGO characters. Do you have a Lego Ghost ? Maybe Lego Exo-Force is your favourite . Were you one of the first to get Lego Batman in 2006? Whatever your collection, you will have heaps of fun looking through this book.

Also new this month is The Lego Book. This is a larger more detailed book. Find out how the bricks are made as well as learning some secrets of the LEGO Master Builders. Lots of fun in these pages including current LEGO art creations. A must for every LEGO fan.

Starting school / Caryn Jenner & Arthur Robins.

This is a really good book for reading to your younger brother or sister who may be starting school. It is a fun book with great cartoony illustrations. It will remove any fears they may have about their new life and deals with everything from getting ready in the morning to those school toilets ,( even what to do if you don’t make it in time.)
Planet Earth / Daniel Gilpin.
There are ten wonderful books in this series. All have beautiful photographs and easy clear text so you can learn heaps fast. This book covers the whole planet in 32 pages! Check it out, especially if you are a younger reader.

But why can’t I? / written by Sue Graves ; illustrated by Desideria Guicciardini.

George thinks rules are silly and refuses to keep them. Find out what happens when his babysitter arrives. Does he change his mind?

Not fair, won’t share / written by Sue Graves ; illustrated by Desideria Guicciardini.

Posy, Ben and Alfie have to share playing with a superdooper space station but Posy doesn’t want to share. Do the others get their turn? Read and see.
Who feels scared? / written by Sue Graves ; illustrated by Desideria Guicciardini.

Jack is having a sleepover at his house but he and his friends all hear noises and get scared. How does his father come to the rescue?
The Masai : tribe of warriors / written and photographed by Jonathan and Angela Scott.

Cattle are the centre of life for the Masai people of Kenya and Tanzania. In the past, young men would raid cattle to prove themselves as warriors and have to kill a lion with only a spear. What do they have to do today? Read this great book to find out and enjoy learning about a totally different culture. Great photos and easy text make this a great read .
Footballers / Adam Sutherland.

Did you know that Wesley Sneijder’s coaches blew a whistle and stopped training every time Sneijder touched the ball with his right foot? This was to help him practise with his weaker left foot. Learn heaps more about today’s greatest footballers from around the world in this new book. We also have other titles in this Celebrities Secrets series; Film Stars and Pop Stars are two of them.

Musical instruments for children : choosing what’s right for your child / Richard Crozier.
This book is really to help your parents understand why you want to learn a particular instrument, the kettle drum for example. It gives them advice on what really is the best instrument for your personality and all the tips on how to keep you motivated till you’re a world class performer!

Anti-terrorism campaigns.

If you’re studying terrorism and are year 8 or older then this book will be a great help. It focuses on USA campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan and is written from the American perspective. Crammed full of facts with lots of maps too. The text is best suited to advanced readers.

The AWW cooking school for kids / food Director, Pamela Clark.

Another wonderful book to get you cooking! Mouth watering photos of every recipe and the steps involved make the cooking easy. My favourites are Caramel Banana Tart and Chicken and Mushroom Party Pies. Yum!

Spotlight on South Africa / Bobbie Kalman.

Apartheid is no longer a law in South Africa. Some people have better jobs with more pay but many are still living in shantytowns. This book gives a good overview of the country as it is today, with easy text and lots of great photos. The glossary at the back helps you understand some of the words you may not know.  Good for projects. Look out for this SPOTLIGHT series as there are books on lots of countries you may want to study.

Life cycles / written by Sally Morgan.

If you want to know all about the life cycle of salmon then this is the book! There is a general section on  life cycles covering many insects and animals then the remainder of the book is about the North Atlantic salmon. Wonderful photos and pictures help explain the text.

Big book of big animals / Hazel Maskell ; illustrated by Fabiano Fiorin.

Open the huge fold-out pages to see some of the tallest, longest and heaviest animals in the world. Great little facts about each animal add to the interest of this book. Lammergeiers, for example are huge birds of prey that eat bones. They often drop bigger bones onto rocks to shatter them into smaller bite-sized pieces. Who knew?

Children of the Dust Bowl : the true story of the school at Weedpatch Camp / Jerry Stanley ; illustrated with photographs.
This book is for older readers. It starts by describing the conditions of the  farmers and settlers during the drought of  the 1930s. Lots of photos help us understand the desperate conditions that drove them to travel across the country to California. The remainder of the book focuses on the efforts of Leo Hart, who founded  Weedpatch School.  The children from the dust bowl states, (Okie children)  actually helped build it. Throughout are songs and stories from people who survived. They tell of the filth and heat and dust, of the meals of coffee grounds and apple pips, and of the prejudice and poverty encountered in the California promised land.  “A powerful account of a desperate time” (Book cover)
How to do everything / written by John Woodward ; contributors, Francesca Baines … [et al.] ; illustrated by Tobatron.
How to do, make and explore just about everything! How to Do Everything is a fantastic and unique combination of reference material, fun facts, exciting activities and instructions for life. It covers everything from boiling an egg to making a movie so you’ll never be stuck wondering what to do again! So what are you waiting for? Get Busy!  (Book cover)
How to beat your dad at chess / Murray Chandler.

This is a chess book for everyone, from eight to eighty, beginner to master. It explains the best ways to beat a stronger opponent by forcing checkmate. So if you want to do the Double Rook Sacrifice or the See-Saw or the Arabian Mate check out this book.

Did you know that the Kakapo is the rarest parrot in the world, there are only 122 left. Most live off the southern coast of New Zealand on a remote island called Codfish Island.

These birds are so precious that they have a dedicated team of people who work around the clock to help save these amazing creatures.

Here are some interesting facts about the Kakapo that you might not know:

They are the world’s heaviest parrot.

Their feathers are very soft because they don’t need them to be strong and stiff for flying.

Kakapo don’t talk, but they growl like a dog, boom like a bullfrog, and ching like a cash register.

Their feathers smell strongly of honey.

They climb high in trees using their massive feet and beaks and to get back down they jump with their wings spread.

They can live for up to one hundred years.

If you would like to learn more about these birds then take a look at Kakapo Rescue – Saving the World’s Strangest Parrot.

Rufus really wants a dog. He really really wants a dog. Everybody he knows has a dog, from his best friend to his worst friend. The family down the street has three! But his clean-fiend Dad says no way!

Dogs bark and beg.

They drool.

They slobber.

They carry bloodsucking fleas.

When Mom, despite protests, brings home a guinea pig as a compromise, the whole family is in for a shock. Because Rufus’s new pet doesn’t act like a guinea pig at all: She runs. She fetches. She’ll eat his homework. If Dad thinks dogs are trouble, wait until he has to live with Fido, the Guinea Dog!