6 New Non Fiction to step into spring with – Part Two.

Hey Kids! September and spring has finally sprung! Not to mention, new junior fiction has also sprung into the library collection. Check new books that will shatter your senses, get boys into reading with he promise of rugby, wrestling and exploration, where girls can journey into mythology where they become the heroines rather than being saved by the heroes and  much more!

Enjoy!

image courtesy of syndeticsRipley’s Believe it or not! : Shatter your senses.

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Shatter Your Senses! is filled with thousands of strange stories, bizarre feats, and hair-raising oddities from around the world. Discover the sport of underwater ice hockey or marvel at the flower that bloomed in space-it’s all weird and all true! Bursting with vibrant and eye-catching photos, as well as submissions from our dedicated readers, this book is a must-have for every Ripley’s fan.

 

image courtesy of syndeticsThe WWE Book of Top 10s.

A must read book for boys! From the greatest champions to memorable matches and everything in between, the best of WWE is ranked once and for all. Let the countdown begin!

 

 

 

image courtesy of syndeticsGirls, Goddesses and Giants.

Handsome princes need not apply – these girls are doing it for themselves! In these stories it’s the girls who save the day through their courage, cunning or kindness – whether they are facing up to wolves, demons, dragons, enemy tribes, or the sun itself! A selection of brilliant folk tales from Africa, the Americas, Asia and Europe make this a really inclusive anthology of girl power, stunningly illustrated in papercut style.

image courtesy of syndeticsRugby The History.

Who brought the game of rugby to New Zealand? How did the All Blacks get their name? What are the rules of wheelchair rugby? Find out how rugby evolved from a game played by English schoolboys to become one of the most popular sports in the world! Read how rugby spread throughout New Zealand and the Pacific, including: the greatest matches and the greatest players; Rugby at the Olympics and Paralympics; and a chapter on women’s rugby.

image courtesy of sydneticsThe Quest for Z: The True Story of Explorer Percy Fawcett and a lost city in the Amazon.

“The true story of the British explorer Percy Fawcett, who set out on a doomed expedition to find a lost city in the Amazon jungle”– Provided by publisher. It’s hard to imagine in these days of Google earth that explorers would go off into the unknown on quests to find lost cities only talked about in legends but many did and the mystery of the expeditions disappearance is still not solved.

image courtesy of syndeticsWhat is a Monarchy?

What is a Monarchy and how does this political system work? This fascinating book looks at different aspects of Monarchies, explaining what they are, how they have come about and giving examples of such political systems in the world today. Age 9+

 

 

image courtesy of syndeticsMythology.

This is an intriguing and captivating introduction to the culturally diverse world of mythology. Discover everything from creation myths, the origin of humans, and mythical beasts, to gods and goddesses – and explore how different mythologies explain the mysteries of our world. Find out about the supernatural powers of the gods, the mystical powers of shamans, the purpose of the Native American Sun Dance, and the story behind the stunning medicine beaver mask. Discover who swallowed the Sun god Ra, the secrets of the towering totem pole, how many animals make a Chimera, who had snakes for hair, the magical powers of Thor’s hammer, and much, much more! With stunning photographs of masks, jewellery, and sculptures, Eyewitness Mythology offers a unique view of mythology and its gods, goddesses, heroes and monsters. See Native American love dolls, a fire-breathing dragon, African trickster Eshu, and the one-eyed Cyclops. Includes a fact-filled wall chart perfect for bedrooms or classrooms.

Walt Disney Children’s DVDs in the library.

Winter has finally arrived in the Capital and in the library. Why not head down to your local library and issue some DVDs, which you can watch in the comfort of your own home, with a warm blanket and a cup of cocoa.

Why not check some new (and old) DVDs produced by Walt Disney and as an added bonus, two special non Walt Disney movie that the entire family will enjoy, as well as entertain and capture hearts of all ages.

Enjoy!

Moana.

A tribute to the Polynesian culture and mythology, and full of heroic exploits of the heroes and heroines that Kiwis will be familiar with, namely Maui, the demigod. The plot follows the adventure and journey of Moana , a spirited teenager, who like most Disney princesses has a lot on her plate. This involves sailing out on a daring mission to save her island, restore the heart of Te Fiti – the island goddess, fulfill her ancestors’ unfinished quest and save the world. During her journey, Moana meets the once-mighty demi-god Maui, and together, they traverse the open ocean on an action-packed voyage, encountering enormous fiery creatures against impossible odds. Once again, Disney has put together a movie of epic proportions filled with quirky and memorable characters, as well as an amazing cast, including Kiwi actors, Temuera Morrison, Jemaine Clement and Oscar Kightley. Kids, if those names don’t ring a bell, ask your parents and a Disney Princess in the form of Moana who embodies the qualities of an adventurous, headstrong, practically fearless, and physically capable heroine. An 8/10 all the way!

The Lion Guard: Life in the Pride Lands.

Rough, tough and roarin’ to go, your favorite heroes are back for even more epic adventures! Join Kion and his fearless friends as they defend the Pride Lands and protect the Circle of Life in five action-packed episodes featuring King Simba, the spirit of Mufasa and the hilarious Timon and Pumbaa.

 

 

The Lion Guard: Unleash the Power.

Alone, every hero has his or her own special talent. But when champions work together, the results are “un-Bunga-lievable”! Defend the Pride Lands with Kion and his courageous team in Disney’s breathtaking adventure series based on the legacy of the Lion King. You’ll run like the wind, move mountains and save the day with these five brave friends as they summon their inner powers and help protect the Circle of Life. Packed with action, music and over two hours of fun, The Lion Guard: Unleash the power proves that when heroes join forces, they’re truly a force to be reckoned with!

Beauty and the Beast.

Belle (Emma Watson), a bright, beautiful and independent young woman, is taken prisoner by a beast (Dan Stevens) in his castle. Despite her fears, she befriends the castle’s enchanted staff and learns to look beyond the beast’s hideous exterior, recognising the kind heart and soul of the true prince that hides on the inside. This film is beautifully constructed and made! Overall it was an interesting revamp of the original animated 1992 classic. Filled with the same musical numbers and dance sequences, there a few twists, turns and few surprises during the film. Sorry, no spoilers in this review. The ballroom scene where Belle and the beast are dancing is fantastic. Belle’s dress and the dance moves – WOW, could possibly put the previous Disney Princess, Cinderella to shame! All the characters had a part to play, had more depth, personality and beautifully showcased their uniqueness on screen. As always, the story encourages viewers to look beyond the superficial and to be compassionate, curious, humble, and generous. This movie is a must see and has been worth the long wait. A film that the entire family can enjoy for a quiet night in– especially on a Saturday night! 9/10 all the way!

An added Bonus and non Walt Disney DVDs:

image courtesy of amazon.co.ukRed Dog, True Blue.

Every legend has a beginning. When eleven year old Mick is shipped off to his grandfather’s cattle station in the remote Pilbara region of Western Australia, he prepares himself for a life of dull hardship, but instead finds myth, adventure, and a friendship with a scrappy, one-of-a-kind dog that will change his life forever.

 

image courtesy of amazon.co.ukFinding Dory.

This movie is in a word, FANTASTIC! Finding Dory reunites the friendly but forgetful blue tang fish, Dory, along with her friends, Marlin and Nemo on an epic quest to find Dory’s family. The questions that hangs on everyone’s lips are what does she remember? Who are her parents? And where did she learn to speak whale? Favourite moments in the film include Dory as a baby – Boy, she’s adorable!, Marlin and Nemo’s encounter with the seals, Still can’t get the ‘OFFOFFOFFOFF’ aka the seal talk out of my head, Dory making new friends with Hank, an octopus with seven tentacles and who, for a guy with three hearts is very bad tempered, Dory reuniting with her childhood friend, Destiny and the odd cameo of previous characters from Finding Nemo. Even the Pixar short film, Piper that was released alongside Finding Dory is beautiful and heart warming. Two movies for the price of one, you can’t go wrong. Overall, I loved the film! It will make you laugh, it will make you cry and it will make you want to watch it over and over again. It is truly unforgettable. A well deserved 9/10.