Time Travel, House of Horrors and All the world’s your stage.

Here’s some new non fiction for the New Year.

Lighting Our World: A Year of Celebrations.

Whether its setting off fireworks in celebration of a historic day or lighting a lantern in remembrance of a loved one that has passed away, every culture has its unique set of customs. Filled with beautifully detailed illustrations, Lighting our world shines a light on familiar and unusual festivals that are celebrated each month of the year. Learn about holidays celebrated around the world from the one’s you know, like Easter, Halloween, Christmas and Hanukkah to the less known, like Las Fallas, Buddha’s birthday and Obon: Festival of the dead.

 

 

 

On Stage Theater Games and Activities for Kids.

Think you got what it takes to be an actor? Or you have a speech to prepare for and want to boast your confidence? Then with this exciting new read, all the world’s your stage. On Stage Theater Games and Activities for Kids is filled with acting and theater games that help children learn how to express themselves with their voices and bodies, as well as enhance children’s self esteem and manage public speaking fears.  Also filled with games and activities to cover basic theater vocabulary, puppetry and pantomime, sound effects, costumes, props, and makeup.

 

Doctor Who: The Official Doctionary.

Do you ever have moments when you wonder what someone else is talking about, especially if that someone happens to be Doctor Who talking about the Blinovitch Limitation Effect and regeneration? Not to fear, In this book, the Doctor takes you through all those tricky Time Lord words and phrases to teach you everything you need to know for travelling through time and space in the Time And Relative Dimension In Space (TARDIS) with him. The Doctor’s dictionary is the  essential book for all budding time travelers and intergalactic companions. Great for ages 7 to 12 years and anyone who is a fan of Doctor Who.

 

 

 

Horrible Science: House of Horrors.

Welcome to the House of Horrors! This book isn’t about just any house, it’s about your house and its uninvited guests. You will read and learn all the revolting facts like what bugs eat their own poo, how many litres of wee can a mouse produce a year and why you would hire a giant centipede that will be enough to scare you out of your own house and put you off your food… for life!

 

Harlem’s Little Blackbird.

This biography is a  tribute to a little known but much loved member of the Harlem Renaissance elite, Florence Mills, a performer whose story may have faded from the history books, but whose influence resonated long after she sang her last song. Florence Mills’ story  includes coverage of her youth as a child of former slaves, her singing and dancing performances that inspired songs and entire plays, and the struggles with racism that prompted her advocacy of all-black theater and musicals.

 

 

 

Julie Andrews’ Treasury For All Seasons: Poems and Songs to Celebrate the Year.

We remember her as Mary Poppins and Maria from The Sound of Music, but now Julie Andrews and her daughter, Emma Walton Hamilton have put together this beautiful book of poems and songs that celebrate every moment of the year. This keepsake collection includes poems written by famous poets such as Robert Frost, Emily Dickinson,  Walt Whitman and even some written by Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton that will encourage an early love for poetry.

 

 

Where’s Wally? It’s his birthday today.

Can you imagine getting lost for 25 years? Because that’s how old Wally is- It’s his birthday today, he’s 25 years old!

Where’s Wally was first published in 1987 and over 56 million copies have been sold worldwide. 5.6 million iPhone and iPad Where’s Wally? apps have been sold and 3.9 million ‘likes’ on Facebook. He’s one popular guy! If you can find him, that is.

The Where’s Wally website is really cool, you can play games and find out heaps of info about the books and the worldwide phenomenon. Did you know that in the United States and Canada it’s called ‘Where’s Waldo’, and not Where’s Wally?

We have a huge collection of Where’s Wally books. Here are some of our favourites:

 

 

 

 

Roving around Mars

In about 80 days NASA will land Curosity on Mars. Curiosity is a rover, which is like a scientific vehicle that will zoom over the surface of Mars and discover lots of new exciting things! In preparation scientists have been practicing on Earth with replicas (stunt doubles, maybe?) of Curiosity. They’ve been learning how to control and use the rover in deserts and ice caves and all sorts of weird and tricky situations. Try this game to see how you go driving Curiosity around.

We’ve got heaps of books about Mars in the library:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can follow the Curiosity Misson online There’s heaps of facts, pictures, games and fun things to do.

Robots!

IncrediBots.com is a website with robot games you can play – you can do challenges like drive a tank, launch a catapult, construct a car-bot and other cool stuff. I’m really bad at it but I’m sure you’re excellent!

 

book coverMore on robots: have you checked out Robots! Draw Your Own Androids, Cyborgs & Fighting Bots by Jay Stephens? This book will show you all you’ll need to know about how to draw robots. Have a look and then impress your friends with your robot art.

 

book coverIf you’re more into building than drawing then there’s Making Robot Warriors from Junk by Stephen Munzer. Here you can learn about making robots using everyday household items. You can even fit lights and buzzers to your robot to make it more, well, robot-like.