Dragons, Dust Storms, Delicious Food and more: New Kid’s Books in the Collection

What a delightful combination of books we have new in the collection this month!  Should you wish to read about witches and dragons, wonder what it might like to be the boss, have curiosity about food around the world or just need a bit of a giggle, we’ve got something in the new books that will satisfy your wish!  Take a look at these we’ve selected from those arriving this month…

Picture Books

Stickler loves the world / Smith, Lane
And just think of the wonders we must pass every day without even noticing!  Stickler, an original character covered in sticks and with multiple ever-changing eyes, loves its little world. With best friend Crow, it shares the wonders of all the amazing things the world has to offer. Stickler is astonished by the ordinary, such as the sun and the stars, as well as fascinated by those things in nature that are often overlooked, such as swirling seed pods falling from the sky. The two pals wander about the world, stopping to appreciate the many marvels along the way, especially its beloved sticks, each one unique.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

The book that wouldn’t read / Tipene, Tim
“The boy at the centre of Tim Tipene’s striking new story doesn’t like reading, until one day in the school library he picks up The Book that Wouldn’t Read.  Suddenly the book takes on a life of its own — with sentences moving up and down, words changing colour and disappearing, and strange fonts and characters that get the reader jumping around, even burping. His appeals to the teacher and friends get hushed because ‘it’s reading time,’ and before he knows it, he’s finished the book. ‘What should I read next?'” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Doris / Jacoby, Sarah
“Doris has always reveled in the warmth of a spotlight. Her whole life, she’s danced the nights away, with friends from the only home she’s ever known. But one day, Doris twirls … out of step … until she stumbles across a whole new kind of spotlight.” (Catalogue)

Comics

School trip / Craft, Jerry
“Jordan, Drew, Liam, Maury, and their friends from Riverdale Academy Day School are heading out on a school trip to Paris. As an aspiring artist himself, Jordan can’t wait to see all the amazing art in the famous City of Lights. But when their trusted faculty guides are replaced at the last minute, the school trip takes an unexpected – and hilarious – turn. […] Will Jordan and his friends embrace being exposed to a new language, unfamiliar food, and a different culture? Or will they all end up feeling like the ‘new kid’?” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Bigfoot and Nessie : the haunting of Loch Ness Castle / Campbell, Chelsea M.
“Bigfoot and Nessie return for another adventure, and things are getting particularly eerie. This time around, the dynamic duo is visiting Nessie’s home, the underwater Loch Ness Castle, and Bigfoot couldn’t be more excited! […] Only things are not exactly what they seem: Nessie can’t get away from her overbearing momager and endless celebrity duties, and to make matters worse, there’s a ghost roaming around in the house! Can Bigfoot and Nessie confront the ghost, stand up to Nessie’s mom, and uncover the castle’s haunting secrets?” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Chapter Books

The house with a dragon in it / Lake, Nick
“When Summer and her foster family are having lunch one day, a hole appears in the middle of the living room. That hole leads to a dragon and the promise of three wishes, granted by a very unusual witch. Summer wishes for popularity and plenty of money, and things are looking up . . . until she realizes that the hole in the floor is getting bigger and the witch is getting more sinister. As things begin to unravel, will Summer get her dearest most secret wish?” (Catalogue)

The boss of everyone / Wallace, Danny
“Ten-year-old Joss’s greatest ambition is to be Class Monitor at school. But she’s about to go one step further. It’s Take Your Kid to Work Day, and Joss’s dad takes her to the games company he works for. When the boss calls a meeting and tells them he’s giving his job away to the person with the best idea for a company game-changer… Joss sticks her hand up. And the next thing she knows, Joss is the boss. Joss is thrilled. Dad is horrified: he’s going to have to be on his best behaviour all the time! As Joss whips everyone into shape, maybe they can all learn a lesson or two… even Joss herself.” (Catalogue)

Dust : a novel / Bowling, Dusti
“After Avalyn nearly died from an asthma attack, her parents moved her to the clear, dry air of Clear Canyon City, Arizona. And for the last ten years, she’s been able to breathe. That is, until Adam showed up. Quiet and unkempt, Adam is an instant target for the bullies who have plagued Avalyn and her friends. As Avalyn gets to know him, she begins to suspect that the sudden, strange increase in dust storms around town are somehow connected to his emotions. She thinks his problems may be even worse at home, especially when massive black walls of dust start rolling in after the school day. Will she find a way to stand up for her new friend? Her life may just depend on it.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

No one leaves the castle / Healy, Christopher
“The Lilac. The bard songs say that she’s the world’s most fearsome bounty hunter. That there’s no criminal she can’t catch, no mystery she can’t solve. None of that is true. Yet. In reality, the Lilac is just a kid, and the bard who wrote all that is her best friend, Dulcinetta. But the Lilac has set her goals on becoming the best bounty hunter in the Thirteen Kingdoms–and when a priceless artifact goes missing from the home of famed monster hunter Baron Angbar, the Lilac and Netta are eager to apprehend the thief and make a name for themselves. But when their investigation brings them to a dinner party at Castle Angbar, and they meet the Angbar family and their servants and guests–an unsavory group of nobles, mages, and assorted creatures, each more shady than the last–the Lilac begins to wonder if the reward is worth the trouble. And that’s before the dead body is discovered…” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Non-Fiction

Beasts of the ancient world : a kids’ guide to mythical creatures, from the sphinx to the minotaur, dragons to baku / Ward, Marchella
“Uncover tales of ancient beasts, in this beautiful anthology of mythologies. This book introduces children to the thrilling mythological beasts from ancient civilizations. Discover 23 stories accompanied by beautiful, colorful illustrations. Through the incredible storytelling you can learn about fantastic creatures such as the Japanese baku, which had the power to devour nightmares, the wise Egyptian Sphynx, and the fearsome Minotaur who went head-to-head with Theseus in Greek mythology. Featured pages highlight amazing real-life photos of objects, showing how each beast was represented in art. A perfect, global introduction to the most fascinating stories about legendary creatures from ancient history…” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Chews your own tasty adventure : a cooking journey where YOU get to choose the ingredients! : vegetarian recipes from around the world / Pathmanathan, Sai
“A fun interactive cookbook which empowers children to choose and experiment with cooking – each simple recipe only has six ingredients! Join in the fun as you experiment with recipes from around the world! From cupcakes to churros and paratha to pide, chews each ingredient in an interactive game and then see which recipes you can create. Perfect for beginner cooks to start their cooking adventure, with a maximum of six key ingredients for each recipe and clear and simple instructions, but also challenges young cooks to experiment with new techniques and ingredients. Includes fun facts for each recipe and lots of top tips!” (Catalogue)

Inside the world’s wonders : see what lies within some of the greatest buildings on Earth / Gifford, Clive
“Take a tour around the world to uncover some of the planet’s most incredible landmarks and monuments – inside and out. From the Great Pyramid of Giza to the Statue of Liberty, the Taj Mahal to Sydney Opera House, you’ll discover these iconic structures’ secrets, learn about their history and find out why they have become ‘wonders’ of the world.” (Catalogue)

For more new kids books in the collection, go to: What’s new / November 2023 (wcl.govt.nz)

Happy 90th Birthday, Nancy Drew!

Happy 90th Birthday Nancy Drew!

This teen sleuth has been solving mysteries in and around her fictional home town of River Heights since April 1930! 

Starting with The Secret of the Old Clock, The Hidden Staircase, and The Bungalow Mystery which were all released on April 28, 1930, there have been over 500 (what!?) books written by a variety of authors under the pen name of Carolyn Keene. 

Since the original 56 tales, there have been multiple rewritings and spin offs including the most recent series of ‘Nancy Drew Diaries’ which can be found as eBooks and eAudio on OverDrive/Libby (and on library shelves when we reopen) These stories are reimagined in the 21st century and have been updated to consider technology and other modernities that didn’t exist when the original series was written. After all, many of Nancy’s original exploits could easily have been solved simply by owning a cellphone!

Nancy has been a strong female role-model on screen as well, with a film series starting in the 1930s, a TV series (with the Hardy Boys) in the 1970s, a film in 2007, and a new series whose first season aired just last year!

There are also cool Nancy Drew computer games by HER interactive – which are full of tricky logic puzzles and mini games. I’m halfways through “The Tomb of the Lost Queen” set in Egypt, where Nancy is working as an intern on an archaeological dig, and I’ll admit it’s a struggle to pull myself away. I’ll also admit I’ve had to Google walkthrough instructions at least twice when I’ve gotten stuck! Sadly, the games aren’t free, but a bunch of them are discounted during lockdown, so if you’re looking for something that will balance homeschool learning, and educational screen time – they’re challenging and fun for adults and kids! 

If you haven’t read and Nancy yet – give her a go, if you like mysteries and strong female characters – she’s still an awesome read – even after 90 years. Here are some of our favourite Nancy Drew titles available now on OverDrive:

Overdrive cover The Secret of the Old Clock, Carolyn Keene (ebook)

A special treat for Nancy Drew fans! Out just in time for Nancy’s 80th anniversary, we’re releasing a limited number of copies of The Secret of the Old Clock, the first book in the series. It’s the exciting mystery that readers have fallen in love with for 80 years, with a terrific new look and bonus material! Collectors won’t want to miss this.

(Overdrive description)

Overdrive cover The Baby-Sitter Burglaries, Carolyn Keene (ebook)

Nancy tries to prove that a babysitter is being framed when three houses in River Heights are robbed–and the only connection the police can find is that the babysitter was employed at each.

(Overdrive description)

Overdrive cover The Puppy Problem, Carolyn Keene (Audiobook)

The Nancy Drew Notebooks enchant listeners with the antics of 8-year-old supersleuth Nancy Drew and her friends George and Bess. Nancy has a new puppy that needs lots of training, patience, and love. But when the chocolate-chip muffins go missing, Nancy’s new puppy is blamed. The girls know that the puppy is innocent and they are determined to find the real thief.

(Overdrive description)

Overdrive cover Famous Mistakes, Carolyn Keene (ebook)
Nancy and her friends are out to find a comedian’s saboteur in this seventeenth book of the Nancy Drew Diaries, a fresh approach to the classic mystery series. Complex social media charts, undercover outfits, and intense button study send Nancy, Bess, George, and Ned on a wild ride through River Heights to uncover the truth about missing comedian Brady Owens. But nothing is what it seems in this game of comedic timing. Can Nancy find the culprit before it’s too late?

(adapted from Overdrive description)

9 New Non Fiction to read during the holidays!

Hi Kids!

Check out the latest non fiction added to the library collection! Featured in this post are books that will help you learn how to cook, become an epic Pokémon trainer and will unleash your STEM/Maker skills!

Enjoy!


The tickle fingers kidscookbook : hands-on fun in the kitchen for 4-7s.

Focusing on the next stage up, ages 4-7, The Tickle Fingers Children’s Cookbook maintains all of the practical, easy-to-follow, age-appropriate and allergy-friendly advice parents loved in the first book. With over 60 new recipes and activities to inspire and guide parents, grandparents and carers to help young children develop a love of food through cooking and play, it will convince even the fussiest of eaters to try new food and make meals the whole family can enjoy.

The ultimate Pokemon trainer’s guide.

Welcome to the ultimate unofficial guide for every Pokémon trainer! The Ultimate Pokémon Trainer’s Guide is filled to the brim with Pokémon reviews, facts, stats and tips. All the top Pokémon games are reviewed, from Pokémon Go to 3DS classics like Pokémon Ultra Sun and Moon , to the latest Switch titles like Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pickachu! and Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee! There’s also a cool look at the wider world of Pokémon, from toys to card games to upcoming movies. There are entries on every single 800+ Pokémon, including strengths, weaknesses and combat stats.

You might also like the movie…

image courtesy of amazon.comPokémon: Detective Pikachu.

The story begins when ace private eye Harry Goodman goes mysteriously missing, prompting his 21-year-old son Tim to find out what happened. Aiding in the investigation is Harry’s former Pokémon partner, Detective Pikachu: a hilariously wisecracking, adorable super-sleuth who is a puzzlement even to himself. Finding that they are uniquely equipped to communicate with one another, Tim and Pikachu join forces on a thrilling adventure to unravel the tangled mystery.

Check out the movie trailer!


STEM Lab.

Get your STEM on with STEM Lab. This book presents over two dozen science activities demonstrating such scientific properties as forces and motion, chemical reactions, shapes and structures, and light and sound.

You might also like…

Maker lab : 28 super cool projects : build, invent, create, discover.

Learn about science in your own home kitchen using everyday materials. Put together a school project or simply make something incredible to share with your friends! — Source other than Library of Congress.

Maker lab outdoors : 25 super cool projects : build, invent, create, discover.

Check out this amazing book that will spark kids’ creativity and help them develop science skills through hands-on learning, bringing science learning home and into the backyard. A must-have for every young scientist curious about their surroundings, and for makers, crafters, and those who enjoy exploring the outdoors.

Culture can mean many things. It can be the clothes you wear, the language you speak and the customs and traditions you hold dear. It may be the difference between going to the movies, the footy or the ballet. Some cultures we are born into, while other cultures we adopt and make our own. Culture plays an important and influential role in our lives – welcome to the big book of Culture!
Meet Maria Toorpakai Wazir, a brave Pakistani girl who pursued her love of sports in spite of being taunted and beaten. When the President of Pakistan gave Maria an award for outstanding achievement, the Taliban threatened her squash club, family, and life. Forced to quit the team, she continued to practice in her bedroom every day for three years! Maria’s story will inspire and empower all children . . . especially girls.

There’s no shortage of stories these days about the impact humans have had on the planet. There’s plastic in our oceans and rubbish in our streets. More and more animals and plants are declared vulnerable, threatened or endangered every year and extinctions are occuring at a rate not experienced since the dinosaurs died off. If we take action now, we’ll be able to help species like the Sumatran tiger and the giant panda in their fight for survival. In this book you’ll learn about all of the dangers facing these creatures, including deforestation and climate change, and also learn what you can do to help change the situation for these amazing animals and plants.
Through a fun mix of in-game and hands-on projects, Unofficial Minecraft Life Hacks Lab for Kids shows kids how to develop the building blocks of positive communication, listening skills, leadership and collaboration traits, emotional empathy, self-confidence and self-control, and how these skills can be used to play positively and build a better world.

Top 10 Children’s eBooks for June 2016

The Jungle book has reached the Top 10 for eBooks! Looks like heaps of people might have watched the movie and wanted to find out about the book.

The characters in the Jungle Book have great names from the Hindi language.  The name of Mowgli’s wolf mother Raksha means protection and Shere Khan means Tiger leader.

Can you find out what some of the other names mean? Let us know in the comments.

 

1. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, by J. K. Rowling

2. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, by J. K. Rowling

3. The Hobbit, by J. R. R. Tolkein

4. The Jungle Book, by Rudyard Kipling

5. The Lost Hero: The Heroes of Olympus Series, Book 1, by Rick Riordan

6. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, by J. K. Rowling

7. The Son of Neptune: The Heroes of Olympus Series, Book 2, by Rick Riordan

8. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, by J. K. Rowling

9. Cabin Fever: Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series, Book 6, by Jeff Kinney

10.Dog Days: Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series, Book 4, by Jeff Kinney

Top 10 Children’s Fiction May 2016

There are some terrific series in the lists for May.  Adventure, laughs and brave heroes of a young age taking on the extraordinary and the very ordinary – both can be pretty daunting!

There’s lots of reading going on with the long winter evenings, some of it will be the finalists in the New Zealand Post Book awards.  I wonder if any of these will make it into the Libraries’ Top 10??  Remember Hell Pizza are really keen to tempt you into expanding your world of imagination, wonder and delight by rewarding you with pizza!  Every seven books entitles a lucky reader (5-12 years old) to a free pizza. Yum!

 

Here’s your Top 10 novels for May 2016:

1.Diary of a wimpy kid, by Jeff Kinney

2. Tom Gates series by Liz Pichon

3. Storey Treehouse series by Andy Griffiths

4. Where’s Wally? by Martin Handford

5. Dirty Bertie series by Alan MacDonald

6. Percy Jackson series, by Rick Riordan

7. Ruby Redfort series by Lauren Child

8. Big Nate series by Lincoln Peirce

9. The Secret Seven, by Enid Blyton

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

5 new children’s fiction at your local library

These winter days and nights are great for getting stuck into a book and being swept away on countless adventures. Here are 5 new books that have just hit our libraries. Grab them while they’re hot!

The Curse of the Cairo Cat by Dan Metcalfe

Welcome to the British Museum, home to Lottie Lipton: nine-year-old investigator extraordinaire! Lottie loves living in the museum with Great Uncle Bert but, when the Golden Cat of Cairo disappears at the launch of a new exhibition, Lottie’s home is under threat. Can Lottie, Great Uncle Bert and Reg the caretaker follow the clues and find the cat in time, or will Lottie lose her home forever?

 

 

The Parent Problem by Anna WilsonImage courtesy of Syndetics

Skye Green’s mum is driving her insane! When she’s not posting EMBARRASSING pictures of Skye online or experimenting with BIZARRE clothing, she’s forever taking up new hobbies – and her latest obsession is ballroom dancing! It’s only a matter of time until she waltzes down the street in spandex and sequins – and to make matters worse, Skye’s younger brother is wildly (and irritatingly) enthusiastic about Mum’s new hobby, and about wearing Mum’s sparkly new outfits! As if this wasn’t HORRIFIC enough, Skye’s mum has also enlisted the new neighbour’s son to come and ‘babysit’ when she’s at dance class, and he’s only a year older than Skye! Talk about MORTIFYING in the EXTREME! At least Skye’s best friend, Aubrey is there to help Skye cope with her family’s madness. They’ve been friends since before they can remember, and nothing will ever, EVER change that …right?

 

 

CImage courtesy of Syndeticsentaur School by Lucy Coats

Demon has always counted on his magical medicine box to help him cure the sick beasts on Mount Olympus. But Chiron, his new healing master, insists Demon learn to find the cures on his own. Demon’s new skills are soon put to the test when he must save an ailing phoenix–or face the wrath of its fiery guards.

 

 

 

 

Nancy Parker’s Diary of Detection by Julia LeeImage courtesy of Syndetics

On this day 24th June 1920 I turned fourteen. I plan to have a very exciting future now that I have thrown off the SHACKLES of SCHOOL! A detective is what I would most like to be. I cannot think of any reason why I could not be one. Except perhaps I am too young. And I don’t like blood. Nancy Parker has recently been engaged in her first position – as a housemaid for the very modern Mrs Bryce. It’s not Nancy’s dream job (she’d rather be investigating crimes like they do in her beloved six-penny thrillers) but as Mrs Bryce starts to entertain her new neighbours with lavish parties, it becomes clear that something strange and interesting might be afoot. Local burglaries, a cook with a deep, dark secret – and Mrs Bryce’s own glamorous but murky past. Will Nancy solve the mysteries while still keeping on top of her chores? A hilarious and energetic middle-grade mystery, narrated part in the third person and part through Nancy’s journal.

 

 

Chaos in CluckbridgeImage courtesy of Syndetics by Jennifer Gray

Danger is looming over Cluckbridge Town. A cobra has escaped from the local zoo and is after the local birdlife. And if that isn’t bad enough, the dastardly Most Wanted Club are back and causing trouble, too. Can Agent Cluckbucket and the Elite Chicken Squad vapourise the cobra’s venom and keep the birds of Cluckbridge safe?

 

 

 

New Non Fiction: Animal Antics and Puppets glore!

100 Most Unexplained Things on the Planet.image courtesy of syndetics

Read this book and go on a journey where you get to investigate the world’s most incredible unsolved mysteries , examine the evidence about the world’s creepiest and most spine tingling phenomena and seek out the answers to the unexplained. A great read just in time for Halloween.

 

 

 

image courtesy of syndeticsAnimal Antics.

Animal antics? Oh boy,  this book is full of them. Packed with amazing pictures, Animal antics captures the most funny moment when animals are simply… being themselves. For those of you who have pets, Perhaps this book will give you ideas on writing your own animal antics book.

 

 

 

 

Terrible Tales of the Middle Ages.image courtesy of syndetics

Prepare to step into a world of heroes, monsters and death-defying deeds that makes every myth and legend you know and have heard look and sound like a Disney movie. This book collects together rip-roaring adventure stories and larger than life myths from the middle ages.

 

 

 

Ashley Bryan’s Puppets.images courtesy of syndetics

This book introduces puppets created out of found objects by describing each with a poem. There is one word to describe this book – COOL! With glue, thread and a sprinkling of African folklore, Ashley Bryan breathes new life into tattered treasures by creating puppets that swell on personality and beauty.  Reading this book also gives you ideas on creating your own puppets with simple objects such as driftwood, glue, debris, etc.

Science fun at Central Library

We had mad and mysterious science fun at the Central Library this week. Check out the photos!

First we were chased by a bear and became lost! We made a compass from magnets and metal and found our way our safely again. Then we made some potions and foaming dragons. The snot experiment was gross! We finished off our experiments with some crime solving using fingerprint identification and a scavenger hunt to solve the mystery.

There are still more Mad Science Mystery events on during the school holidays. Check out the Kids Events page to find out when and where.

SCHOOL HOLSCHOOL HOLISCHOOL H

New Non Fiction: Interesting facts, Noodlemania and Greek Mythology strikes again!

Noodlemania!: 50 Playful Pasta Recipes.

Forget two minute noodles. Check out Noodlemania. This cool book contains 50 playful pasta recipes that make dinnertime more fun and gives you an excuse to play with your food. This book has been cleverly written as the author, Melissa Barlow adds twists to dishes to indeed make them playful, for example making robots out of macaroni and pretzels, etc. However my personal favorites were making ladybugs (or ladybirds as we call them) out of tomatoes and black olives, making gnomes out of hard boiled eggs and tomatoes and purple pasta monsters… You have to read the recipe to find out how to make them, (one key ingredient being purple food coloring) This is one book you will go noodle crazy over!

 

 

 

How to be a dinosaur hunter : your globe-trotting, time-travelling guide.

Well Lonely Planet, you have done it again by releasing another awesome book! (not for parents.) Kids this is your chance to read everything you need to know about being a young explorer (and perhaps the next Bear Grylls), how to become a famous dinosaur hunter, covering what it was like in the age of the dinosaur, what clues to look for and what equipment to pack, Danger ratings show which dinos are safe to approach and which will eat you for lunch!

Another 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. Also check out Not for Parents U.S.A. Everything you ever wanted to know.

 

 

The Odyssey.

You are in for a treat with the retelling of Homer’s The Odyssey, one of the greatest stories of  Greek mythology and literature of all time. Read all the exciting and thrilling adventures of the hero of the story, Odysseus as he faces a storm, shipwreck, terrifying monsters and the fury of the gods as he journeys home after the Trojan war. The question on everyone’s lips is will he ever make home and what happens when he does? In order to find out, you have to read the book.

You might also be interested in reading The Adventures of Achilles by Hugh Lupton, Daniel Morden and Carole Henaff.

 
Think Again.

This book with definitely make you THINK AGAIN about everything you thought you knew, but most importantly gives you all the gives you account of all the TRUE facts  about all the body bloopers, animal errors, science slip-ups, historic howlers, world wonders,  blunders and perhaps even some facts you may not find in Ripley’s Believe it or not and Guinness World Records. This book will also be good for homework and research as it covers curriculum-linked subject areas.

Also check out Ripley’s Believe It or Not Special Edition 2014 and Guinness World Records 2014.

 

 

 

Greek Myths Stories of Sun, Stone and Sea.

This book brings to life ten of the greatest stories from the world of Greek mythology starring meschievous gods and goddesses, brave heroes and heroines, and amazing magical animals. Read all about how spirited girls like Atalanta who can run faster than all her unwanted suitors only to be tricked by three golden apples,  the goddess Athena challenging the over-proud Arachne to a weaving contest and the deeds of heroes, such as Perseus’s killing of the Gorgon Medusa and rescuing the princess Andromeda from a dragon by turning it to stone.  This book also features the story of Orpheus and Eurydice. This is a treasure that will be enjoyed by kids of all ages.

 

 

 

Richard Hammond’s great mysteries of the world.

Are you a fan of mysteries of the world and  Richard Hammond? Well, you are going to love this book. Richard Hammond’s great mysteries of the world gives the low down of some of the greatest mysteries around the world and a crash course on how to an world explorer. Prepare to be taken on a journey to discover the truth behind the world’s strangest occurrences, explore the ancient pyramids, stonehenge and the Bermuda Triangle, hunt for werewolves, vampires, aliens and the Abominable Snowman. Overall this is a great book for all ages. A great resource to use for history homework and assignments.

Happy birthday Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Born on May 22nd 1859, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is well-known as the author of the famous detective Sherlock Holmes. Today he turns 153 years old – something to celebrate!

Today Sherlock Holmes is as popular as ever – there’s a TV series, movies, comics and heaps of spin-off mystery stories.

Andrew Lane is one author who has taken on the great detective and produced a great book series called Young Sherlock Holmes. Try Death Cloud, Red Leach, or Black Ice

Or you could try this edition of the original Holmes mysteries, with pictures too.