We are over halfway through winter now – yahoo! This is the perfect time of the year to snuggle up with a good book and hot chocolate. Try one of these new ones that the library has just bought.
A king hides a terrible secret under his crown … A marvellous dream inspires an epic journey … A clever girl outwits the king. Told in hyper-readable language and with full-colour illustrations.
Kensy and Max are back in London for no time at all before things begin to heat up – quite literally. As a result, Granny Cordelia ships them off to Australia on an undercover mission. The twins find themselves planted in a posh Sydney school where first appearances prove to be deceiving. What seems like a straightforward assignment turns into something so much bigger. Kensy and Max must employ all their spy skills – the fate of their parents, and who they’ve been searching for, depends on it.
Professor Greenfur, the onboard scientist on spaceship MouseStar 1, has changed color from green to–orange! What’s going on? To find out, the spacemice travel to his home planet of Photosyntheson. There, they learn that all of Professor Greenfur’s relatives are being threatened by the nibblix, tiny aliens with very sharp teeth! Can the spacemice help in time?
Maximillian Fly, a roach-human hybrid, helps two young humans escape from the Bartizan’s eye, only to find himself a key player in a deadly war between roaches and humans
In this compilation of four separately published books, Pakistani American second grader Yasmin learns to cope with the small problems of school and home, while gaining confidence in her own skills and creative abilities.
Check out what’s new… and current in the junior non fiction collection at your local library. This post features books that will enhance your knowledge of history, games, the universe and so much more!
Showcases engineering feats throughout history from the pyramids of Ancient Egypt to the building of the Golden Gate Bridge. The book also features famous engineers, including the Wright brothers to Gustave Eiffel. Steam engines, rocket technology, bridges, and buildings are all covered here in this exciting book.
Matt Sewell’s follow-up to the mega-hit Dinosaurs is a beautifully-illustrated large format look at the amazing beasts that time forgot – from the relatively well known, such as the sabre-toothed tiger and woolly mammoth, to the obscure monsters that walked the earth millions of years ago – many now forgotten. New findings are being made every year, and research is showing us exactly how these beasts looked and how they lived.
This history of the world covers 100 fascinating historical subjects, including Ancient Egypt, Alexander the Great, the start of Islam, the Aztecs, the French Revolution, the first computer, Albert Einstein and the Space Race. Each topic is brought to life by photographs, easy-to-read text and colourful, modern illustrations.
Set sail in your longboat and explore the mysterious lands of runes, raids and sagas. The Vikings combines breathtakingly vivid images with fascinating facts to unlock the world of these legendary warriors, traders and explorers.
In I Am Here, Where Are You? Ollie tells the reader where he is. This book provides a springboard for discussion of the reader’s location and explores concepts of cultural diversity, extended family, time zones and conservation of the planet we all share. Finally, it invites the reader to practise writing their own address, finishing at The Universe.
Follow the easy steps to grandmaster greatness with How To Play Chess. From the opening move to checkmate, How To Play Chess will help your child play chess like a champion. With plenty of master tips and cool 3D images, How To Play Chess is the perfect introduction to chess for beginners as well as kids.
“Aren’t humans amazing? It’s incredible to think that all of us started out life as a tiny dot. Find out how we change as we grow from babies to children to teenagers to adults, and what happens when people get old.”–From page 4 of cover.
Prepare to take a chronological journey, from the first roots grown by newly evolved plants and trees, through blazing fires and climatic changes, to an explosion of flora and fauna as the rainforest blossoms with life. Travel right up to the modern-day, as humans arrive in the lush habitat, changing the rainforest and its inhabitants forever.
Kate Pankhurst, descendent of Emmeline Pankhurst, is back with a brand new wildly brilliant and accessible book about incredible women in the world of work. Discover eye- opening facts about a collection of go-getting women who have pioneered careers in a kaleidoscope of different industries.
I know we’re only halfway through the school term, but we had some big news we couldn’t wait to share with you — the Beyond the Page festival is returning from 6-21 July 2019! Beyond the Page is New Zealand’s largest literary festival for kids and their families, and this year we’ve organised over 140 free events at libraries and community centres from Island Bay to Ōtaki!
We’re super excited to be able to introduce our four headline acts to you here. For full details about these events, check out the Beyond the Page website, or follow the festival on Facebook!
First up is Bea Lee-Smith from the Royal New Zealand Ballet. Join her on a magical journey into the world of Hansel and Gretel. Through music and mime, children will learn simple ballet steps and positions. This interactive telling of an old favourite tale will be a great appetizer for you and your family in advance of the RNZB’s exciting new production of Hansel and Gretel later in the year. Suitable for pre-schoolers and primary school aged children.
Next up we have the amazing New Zealand author Donovan Bixley. Donovan has had over 100 books published around the world — I can’t even imagine what it’s like having one book published! His show will have you laughing with amazement as you dive into a world of letters, words, and fuzzy doodles. Suitable for children aged 5+ with their caregivers.
Our next headliner is the fabulously spellbinding storyteller Tanya Batt. Tanya describes herself as a “green-fingered witch, a word warbler and a story stitcher” — which sounds like just my cup of tea! You can join Tanya in one of her imagined worlds as part of this year’s festival, with amazing costumes, live music, and tantalising tales to boot. Suitable for children aged 4+ with their caregivers.
Last but certainly not least is Toro Pikopiko, New Zealand’s most established puppetry theatre company. Yep, you heard that right — puppets! And over 80 of Toro Pikopiko’s amazing hand-crafted puppets star in their incredible rock-art musical extravaganza, Te Rereka (The Flight). This incredible show is bound to inspire and amaze — so don’t miss out! Suitable for children of all ages with their caregivers.
There will be heaps more info coming out soon about the rest of the festival schedule. There’s everything from zine-making and book-creating workshops to robots, coding, and theatre-making. Keep checking the Beyond the Page website and at your local library as the school holidays draw closer to keep up to date with what’s on in your neighbourhood!
Easter is just around the corner and Wellington City Libraries is chocablock of DVDs for your viewing pleasure and night of “scoffing chocolate”. Wellington City Libraries will be closed on Friday 19th April, (Good Friday), Sunday 21st April (Easter Day) and Monday 22nd April, (Easter Monday), so now would be an excellent time to stock up on DVDs (…and chocolate!) so you can be entertained over the Easter Break.
Check out my top 5 movie recommendations to watch over Easter.
Also, as an added bonus, this post features a couple of surprises that shows why you must go down to your local movie theatre and see Dumbo, which is now showing, and… Artemis Fowl!
When an evil spirit known as Pitch lays down the gauntlet to take over the world, the immortal Guardians must join forces for the first time to protect the hopes, beliefs, and imagination of children all over the world.
The one-and-only Willy Wonka makes the world taste good for a whole new generation in this magical family classic sparkling with brilliantly restored picture and sound! Also included is the all-new documentary Pure Imagination, featuring interviews with Gene Wilder and the Wonka kids and revealing production secrets from the movie!nWhen they find prized Golden Tickets inside their Wonka candy bars, five lucky children win a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the legendary candy factory run by the mysterious Willy Wonka. Now, on a whirlwind tour of Willys incredible, edible realm of milk chocolate waterfalls, elfish Ooompa-Loompas and industrial-sized sugar-coated creations, one very special boy will discover the sweetest secret of all: a generous, loving heart.
Storks used to deliver babies, they now deliver packages for a global internet store. Junior, top delivery stork, is about to be promoted when he accidentally activates the Baby Making Machine which produces an unauthorized baby girl! Desperately Junior must deliver the bundle of joy before his boss finds out. Get ready for this wild revealing journey that could make more than one family whole and restore the storks’ true mission in the world.
When their village is invaded by the grumpy Bergens, two mismatched friends must work together in perfect harmony to save the day. Featuring hit songs performed by Justin Timberlake, Anna Kendrick, and more.
Bob Parr, Mr. Incredible, has unwittingly demonstrated repeated that Supers can cause as much damage as villains while protecting the world, which causes his wife — Elastigirl — to be chosen as the face of a movement to make Supers legal again. Still, it will take the entire gang to take down a new supervillain bent on mind-controlling the entire world!
Surprise #1: Movie Review: Dumbo.
Last weekend I went to see Dumbo at the Roxy Cinema and it is in a word, FANTASTIC!
Tim Burton, (director of the 2005 movie, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), directs this live-action retelling of the original animated 1941 Disney classic. Struggling circus owner Max Medici enlists a former star and his two children, Milly and Joe, to care for Dumbo, a baby elephant born with oversized ears. When Milly and Joe discover that Dumbo can fly, with the help of feathers as a good luck charm, it soon becomes the main attraction — bringing in huge audiences and revitalizing the run-down circus. The elephant’s magical ability also draws the attention of villain, V.A. Vandevere, an entrepreneur who wants to showcase Dumbo in his latest, larger-than-life entertainment venture, however with less than honorable, and perhaps sinister intentions. And it’s up to Milly, Joe and the circus performers to save the day by rescuing Dumbo, and his Mum from the evil clutches of Vandevere.
Overall I feel Tim Burton did an amazing job with this live action retelling of Dumbo.
Dumbo steals the show with his cuteness, baby blue eyes, inquisitive nature and flying antics. I enjoyed the moments where Dumbo was able to confront and give his tormentors their just deserts by hosed down, the tender moments he had with his mother and the love and kindness he received from the children and circus performers.
All the other characters, even the villain, brings the film to life, gives it depth and will keep you entertained from start to finish, and eager for the long awaited and well deserved happy ending for Dumbo.
As promised, the film delivered at being amazing, entertaining, heartwarming, and definitely heart breaking where it is recommended to have tissues on standby.
A highly recommended movie that the whole family can enjoy at the weekend and Easter break!
The wonderful world of Artemis Fowl comes to life on the big screen on September 19 2019!
Based on the beloved book by Eoin Colfer, the film follows 12-year-old genius Artemis Fowl, a descendant of a long line of criminal masterminds, as he finds himself in a battle of strength and cunning against a powerful, hidden race of fairies who may be behind his father’s disappearance.
Harper McCoy, twelve, joins the school musical hoping to get past “dancer’s block,” but her Dance Starz teammates are not pleased, especially since they will soon compete against their biggest rivals, The Belles, in Regionals. Punky Pineappleby Hil and Joshie
It’s a whole bunch of crazy in the fruit bowl! When Missy Starfruit goes missing, Punky Pineapple is on the case! But where could Missy Starfruit be? Punky and his friends will have to brave The Electric Waterfall, explore the Bottom Drawer and ski the slopes of the Freezy Freezer to find out! Ten Nasty Little Toads by Steve Cole
In these delightfully humorous tales of a decidedly blackish hue, ten follysome toads can never change their beastly habits despite the efforts of goodly witch Madame Rana who reminds them ‘It’s never too late to change.’ The Toad With Square Eyes develops mutant thumbs and fingers and finds himself on the other side of the screen; Cherry Oddfellow, the Dirty Little Toad, is part-girl, part-mudslide; and Jeremiah Bratson, the Spoiled Little Toad, finds himself face-to-face with a perfect robot replica. Featuring toady facts, quizzes and games, this collection of tales is a warning to certain children that there must come an hour when they pay the price…
Blabbermouth = a person who talks too much = Amelie Anderson Amelie is a blabbermouth. She’s not a bad kid – she’s just so bubbly that sometimes words fizz right out of her mouth! And then things go wrong. Terribly wrong. But she’s determined to fix all that. It’s time for a reputation make-over! Ginger Green + Cousins = total chaos!by Kim Kane and Jon Davis
Ginger’s super-fancy cousins Tess and Tom are coming to stay for a whole week – all the way from New York City! Ginger can’t wait! But what happens when Tom and Penny turn into DOUBLE-TROUBLE?
Twelve years old, Prosper and five years old, Boniface are brothers being pursued by Victor Getz, a private detective. The boys’ aunt and uncle, Esther, and Max Hartlieb want to find Boniface (Bo for short) to adopt him because the boys’ mother passed away. They only wanted to adopt angelic Bo, and they intend to send Prosper away to boarding school because they believe Prosper is too old to be adopted. Read the book for more! This is a wonderful book and I recommend any age can read this.
5 stars
Reviewed by Genevye from Johnsonville and , 8 years old
For the summer, Fionn and his sister Tara are staying on Arranmore island with their strange grandfather who is a storm keeper. It is almost time for a new storm keeper, and Bartley Beasley is convinced that he should be the next storm keeper. He will stop at nothing. Also, who is the strange man who calls himself Ivan? I really enjoyed this book because it was exciting. I recommend it to children 9+.
5 stars
Reviewed by Molly from Karori and Karori Normal School , 11 years old
Amazing! This book is about a girl named Lyra who when spying on her uncle, Lord Asriel she finds out about Dust, North Pole and the Aurora she wants to leave Jordan Collage to go with her uncle to the North Pole. Her uncle says she can’t go but when a woman with a golden monkey says she is going to the North Pole and she would like to take Lyra with her. Lyra’s life changes for ever. I would recommend this book to 10-14 year olds.
5 stars
Reviewed by Millie from Island Bay and South Wellington Intermediate , 12 years old
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.
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
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.
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.
I think that this book is an excellent read, full of adventure and imagination. Bronte has a crazy number of aunts (10 to be exact) and when she receives a telegram to say that her parents were killed by canon fire from the pirate ship the Thistleskull, she is thrown headlong into an absolutely crazy adventure where she must visit all her many aunts. All the adventures, as in the title, are quite inconvenient for Bronte as she has to follow a series of tasks to give gifts to her aunts.
I liked this book because it was full of humour and Bronte was very funny. I wish Bronte was real so I could meet her one day. She is quirky and would have lots to say about everything. I recommend this book for 7+. Bronte is also in an equally great sequel, the Slightly Alarming Tales of the Whispering Wars.
5 stars
Reviewed by Meredith from Central City and St Mark’s Church School , 9 years old
A Twist of Tales by Julia Donaldson
We’ll bite your tail, Geronimo by Geronimo Stilton
Meet Yasmin! by Saadia Faruqi
