Children’s DVDs: New Releases in October 2021

Spring is around the corner! Unfortunately not much is happening in terms or events and celebrations under Level 2. Not to worry, why not spring on down to Wellington City Libraries for some new children’s DVDs to keep you entertained, amused and give you a few laughs. So what are you waiting for? Go down to your local branch and borrow the following DVDs:

image courtesy of amazon.comRaya and the last dragon.

“Long ago, in the fantasy world of Kumandra, humans and dragons lived together in harmony. But when sinister monsters known as the Druun threatened the land, the dragons sacrificed themselves to save humanity. Now, 500 years later, those same monsters have returned and it’s up to a lone warrior, Raya, to track down the last dragon in order to finally stop the Druun for good. However, along her journey, she’ll learn that it’ll take more than dragon magic to save the world; it’s going to take trust as well.” (Catalogue).


image courtesy of amazon.comThe Croods. A new age.

“The Croods need a new place to live. So, the first prehistoric family sets off into the world in search of a safer place to call home. When they discover an idyllic walled-in paradise that meets all their needs, they think their problems are solved, except for one thing. Another family already lives there: the Bettermans.” (Catalogue).


image courtesy of amazon.comPeter Rabbit 2.

“The lovable rogue is back. Bea, Thomas, and the rabbits have created a makeshift family, but despite his best efforts, Peter can’t seem to shake his mischievous reputation. Adventuring out of the garden, Peter finds himself in a world where his mischief is appreciated, but when his family risks everything to come looking for him, Peter must figure out what kind of bunny he wants to be.” (Catalogue).


image courtesy of amazon.comTom & Jerry : the movie.

“When Jerry moves into a fine hotel on the eve of an important society wedding, the event planner hires Tom to get rid of him. Unfortunately, the battle which follows is big enough to destroy the wedding, her career, and possibly the hotel — so the sworn enemies decide to work together to save it all.” (Catalogue).


image courtesy of amazon.comZog and the flying doctors.

“Pearl and Gadabout are now a flying doctor trio, caring for creatures including a mermaid, a unicorn and a sneezy lion. However when bad weather forces them to land at the palace, Pearl is locked up by her uncle, the king.” (Catalogue).


image courtesy of amazon.comThe War with Grandpa.

“Peter is thrilled that Grandpa is coming to live with his family. That is, until Grandpa moves into Peter’s room, forcing him upstairs into the creepy attic. And though he loves his grandpa he wants his room back – so he has no choice but to declare war. With the help of his friends, Peter devises outrageous plans to make Grandpa surrender the room. But Grandpa is tougher than he looks. Rather than give in, Grandpa plans to get even.” (Catalogue).


image courtesy of amazon.comCruella.

“Cruella, which is set in 1970s London amidst the punk rock revolution, follows a young grifter named Estella, a clever and creative girl determined to make a name for herself with her designs. She befriends a pair of young thieves who appreciate her appetite for mischief, and together they are able to build a life for themselves on the London streets. One day, Estella’s flair for fashion catches the eye of the Baroness von Hellman, a fashion legend who is devastatingly chic and terrifyingly haute. But their relationship sets in motion a course of events and revelations that will cause Estella to embrace her wicked side and become the raucous, fashionable and revenge-bent Cruella.” (Catalogue).



image courtesy of amazon.comSpirit untamed : the movie.

“Spirit untamed is the next chapter in the beloved franchise full of adventure, family and friendship. Free-spirited Lucky Prescott moves to Miradero to join her estranged father. She is decidedly unimpressed with the sleepy town until she discovers a unique tie to her late mother, who was a fearless horse-riding stunt performer. She quickly forms a bond with a wild mustang named Spirit and makes two new pals who love horses as much as she does. When a heartless wrangler plans to capture Spirit and his herd, Lucky and her friends set off on an epic journey to rescue the horse who has given her an unbreakable connection to her mother’s legacy.” (Catalogue).


image courtesy of amazon.comLuca.

Set in a beautiful seaside town on the Italian Riviera, Disney and Pixar’s original feature film “Luca” is a coming-of-age story about one young boy experiencing an unforgettable summer filled with gelato (YUM!), pasta (DOUBLE YUM!) and endless scooter rides. Luca shares these adventures with his newfound best friend, but all the fun is threatened by a deeply-held secret: they are sea monsters from another world just below the water’s surface.

8 New Junior Comics to Read Just in Time for Winter!

Kia ora kids!

Here are some new junior comics that have just arrived at Wellington City Libraries! Head on down to your local library and grab these awesome reads just in time for winter!

Enjoy!


image courtesy of syndeticsInvestiGators.

Time to get your super sleuth on with the InvestiGators, Mango and Brash, sewer-loving agents on their first mission together, who have not one but two mysteries to solve! Can Mango and Brash uncover the clues, crack their cases, and corral the crooks–or will the criminals wriggle out of their grasp? Overall a very humorous read!

image courtesy of syndeticsSnoopy: First Beagle in Space.

“Join Snoopy and the rest of the Peanuts gang as he seeks new milestones in the space race! Even though the first moon landing was 50 years ago, Snoopy has a bold new mission: to be the first beagle in space! Join Snoopy as he sets out on his ambitious quest, while also leading Woodstock and friends as a Beagle Scout and keeping the company of his owner, the round-headed kid Charlie Brown.”–Publisher’s website.

image courtesy of syndeticsCaptain Underpants: George and Harold’s Epic Comix Collection Vol. 2.

Lovable series, Captain Underpants returns with another comic to entertain fans far and wide. “This second collection features even more of George and Harold’s hilarious comix from the first three seasons of the TV show — nearly 200 pages of comics total! Each epic adventure features a brand-new villain from the hit Netflix TV series.”–Provided by publisher.

image courtesy of syndeticsRocket Raccoon and Groot : tall tails.

If you love adventure, animals, outer space and just about anything in between, this is the book for you! Join Rocket Racoon and Groot in weird and wacky adaptation of Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy as you have never seen it before!


image courtesy of syndeticsIllegal.

“Ebo is alone. His brother, Kwame, has disappeared, and Ebo knows it can only be to attempt the hazardous journey to Europe, and a better life, the same journey their sister set out on months ago. But Ebo refuses to be left behind in Ghana. He sets out after Kwame and joins him on the quest to reach Europe. Ebo’s epic journey takes him across the Sahara Desert to the dangerous streets of Tripoli, and finally out to the merciless sea. But with every step he holds on to his hope for a new life, and a reunion with his family”–Provided by publisher.

image courtesy of syndeticsThe Sisters. 1: Just Like Family.

“Meet two wonderful young girls who happen to be sisters-Maureen, and her older sister Wendy. Both are full of personality and a strong sense of independence. So while they may love each other with all their hearts, it’s not always easy for the two of them to be together. After all, when we’re still very young, age differences are much more meaningful. While Maureen may want to hang out with her older sister, nothing could be more embarrassing for Wendy. See how despite all odds, they still manage to get through each day without killing each other… well, at least so far!” — publisher’s web site.

image courtesy of syndeticsThe sisters. 4, Selfie awareness.

Beach vacation with the Sisters! But can their parents stop Wendy from burying Maureen in the sand… permanently?!


image courtesy of syndeticsStig & Tilde. 2, Leader of the pack.

“In their second adventure, Stig and Tilde once again find themselves shipwrecked on a mysterious island. This time, after their shipwreck, Stig & Tilde are welcomed by a pack of feral wolves! With only each other as backup, will they make it out unscathed? Find out in the next exciting adventure!”–Provided by publisher.

New Year; New Books! Are you making the most of your Library these holidays?

These awesome new kids books have just hit the shelves at your local library!

 

Image courtesy of SyndeticsHow to Raise your Grown-ups by Lauren Child

The Bobton-Trent seniors certainly know how to make the most of their extravagant wealth – socialising, doing things, buying things and generally being more than a little bit … irresponsible… Luckily for them, their son Hubert Horatio is an exceptionally intelligent, talented and sensible child. Unluckily for Hubert, this tends to mean that a lot of his spare time is spent steering his rather unruly set of grown-ups out of trouble.


Image courtesy of SyndeticsYou don’t know everything Jilly P! by Alex Gino

When her new baby sister is born deaf, Jilly makes an online connection with a fellow fantasy fan, who happens to be black and deaf, and begins to learn about the many obstacles that exist in the world for people who are different from her


Image courtesy of SyndeticsNo fixed address by Susin Nielsen

Twelve-year-old Felix’s appearance on a television game show reveals that he and his mother have been homeless for a while, but also restores some of his faith in other people.


Image courtesy of SyndeticsDown with the Crims by Kate Davies

The Addams Family meets Despicable Me in the first book of this new trilogy, perfect for fans of Lemony Snicket and Pseudonymous Bosch!


Image courtesy of SyndeticsThe once and future geek Camelot Code; bk 1 by Mari Mancusi

When thirteen-year-old Arthur of Gal, the future King Arthur, accidentally time-travels to the twenty-first century, Sophie Sawyer, twelve, must convince him to return and correct the time line.

Top 10 Children’s Comics June 2017

So who doesn’t love an anthology! They take a heap of comics, join them up and place them carefully between a cover that creates one bumper book.  The Smurf Anthologies are great because you get to see a story through.  Also it looks like you’re reading a lot!

Did you know the original name for Smurfs was Les Schtroumpfs! Pierre Culliford, more famously known as Peyo came up with the name as a nonsense word.  Les Schtroumpfs were originally encountered in a Peyo comic Johan et Pirlouit” take a look at the these Peyo creations.  Of course you can always take more comics out of the library… Peyo is also the author of Benny Breakiron =)

  1. Big Nate, by Lincoln Peirce
  2. Tintin, by Hergé
  3. Pokémon, by Hidenori Kusaka
  4. Peanuts, by Charles M. Schulz
  5. Adventure time, by Ryan North
  6. Amulet, by Kazu Kibuishi
  7. Garfield, by Jim Davis
  8. Chi’s sweet home, by Kanata Konami
  9. The Smurfs anthology, by Peyo
  10. Asterix, by Goscinny and Udzero

Top 10 Children’s fiction September 2016

It’s all about adventure this month! From the Classic authors Enid Blyton and Roald Dahl to the yet to be released latest Diary of a Wimpy kid, Double Down,  by Jeff Kinney. These children aren’t one’s to shy away when strange events come knocking at their door.

You don’t have to be kidnapped by giants or attend a magical school, some of these adventures happen in homes just like yours and to children just like you!

 

1. Diary of a wimpy kid, by Jeff Kinney

2. Tom Gates, by Liz Pichon

3. Storey treehouse series, by Andy Griffiths

4. Where’s Wally? by Martin Handford

5. Dork Diaries series, by Rachel Renee Russell

6. Dirty Bertie series, by Alan MacDonald

7. The BFG, by Roald Dahl

8. The Secret Seven, by Enid Blyton

9. Harry Potter and the philosopher’s stone, by J. K. Rowling

10. The enormous crocodile, by Roald Dahl

A closer look at history: New non fiction

Usborne encyclopedia of ancient Egypt

Many books about ancient Egypt focus on Mummies and pyramids, which is a pity because, obviously, the history of an empire that lasted from  1096BCE to 30BCE is much richer than that.  This book encompasses over 1000 years of history, not only focusing on the great Pharaohs, but what everyday life was like for the poorer members of Egyptian society.  There are sections on everything from the Egyptian army to medicine to beauty care.  There are plenty of links to useful websites, as well as a few timelines; one lists the pharaohs in chronological order, the other gives a chronological look at Egyptology and how its changed over the centuries.  This is certainly one of the most through books on ancient Egypt we have in our collection, and a great book for school projects.

 

Stephen Biesty’s Cross-Sections: Castle

This book is a classic and for good reason. As a close look at castle life during the medieval period it’s yet to be bettered. The cross sections of the various parts of the castle are intricately detailed, with explanations of what’s happening in different parts of the drawing. They’re also quite funny; try to spot the sneaky spy and the castle inhabitants getting up to all sorts of things, many of them not exactly appropriate to the situation!  The book manages to be both very informative and extremely fun. As well as the cross sections there are plenty of things like the feudal system, clothing and warfare.  This is THE book to read if you’re at all interested in Medieval castles.

 

 

Deadly days in History

Terry Deary has been writing the Horrible History books for twenty years, and to his credit, they’re still as interesting and funny as they’ve ever been. Rather than focusing on one specific country, this is a look at the days in world history that have been particularly bloody.  True to his established pattern, he doesn’t just stick to Western History; he also looks at the Sepoy and Boxer rebellions, as well as the Battle of Isandlwana.  He also isn’t biased towards any particular group; everyone involved has their savagery discussed.  It’s a great book, even by Terry Deary’s high standards, and well worth reading if you like your history both balanced and gory.

 

 

 

Bones never lie: How Forensic science helps solve history’s mysteries

One of the strangest parts of learning about history is how evolving scientific techniques of the present help us better understand the mysteries of the past. Forensic science is used to solve modern day murders, but it also has its uses in working out just what happened. For example, did Napoleon die of natural causes or was he murdered? Did the Grand Duchess Anastasia survive the massacre of her family by Communists? This book works hard to debunk various theories and explains the science behind each of the conclusions.  But it also takes the time to look at each of the other theories in turn, and treats each one with equal weight.

 

 

Kids’ Review by Nina

CHERUB Series: The Killing by Robert Muchamore

James Adams has been recruited on a mission with Dave. James has to make friends with Max Tarasov, the son of small-time crook, Leon Tarasov. As soon as James starts to dig up some leads he realises he needs information from an 18 year old boy. The only problem is the boy fell off a roof and died 13 months earlier. Follow James’ mission as he trys to reveal the mystery behind the robbery… 4 stars.
 
Review by Nina of Wadestown