Top 10 Recommended Halloween movies for kids.

Hey kids! Halloween is just around the corner (AHHHWWOOOOOO!) Wellington City Libraries has some spooktacular DVDs in the collection for your viewing pleasure and frightful night in. Let the scare fest begin!

Enjoy!… and Happy Halloween.

Casper.

Join Casper the friendly ghost is a kind young ghost who peacefully haunts a mansion in Maine. When specialist James Harvey (Bill Pullman) arrives to communicate with Casper and his fellow spirits, he brings along his teenage daughter, Kat (Christina Ricci). Casper quickly falls in love with Kat, but their budding relationship is complicated not only by his transparent state, but also by his troublemaking apparition uncles and their mischievous antics.

Frankenweenie.

What if you could bring your pets back to life? Young Victor successfully proves that theory when he revives his best friend back to life. However problems emerge when his class mates want follow suit in bringing their pets to life and ensues disastrous consequences. Overall a heart-warming and hilarious tale about how far a boy will go for his best friend. A must see movie for Halloween.

Coraline.

A young girl walks through a secret door that she has found in her new home and discovers an alternate version of her life. On the surface, this parallel reality is eerily similar to her real life, but much better. When her adventure turns dangerous, and her counterfeit parents, including the Other Mother, try to keep her forever, Coraline must count on her resourcefulness, determination, and bravery to get back home – and save her family.

image courtesy of amazon.com

Shrek’s thrilling tales.

Join Shrek, Donkey, Puss and B.O.B. as they get the fright of their lives in five spooktacular stories the will keep you howling with laughter. It’s a Shrektastic halloween treat that’s ogre-the-top fun for the whole family.

 

Toy story of terror!

What starts out as an exciting road trip for the Toy Story gang takes an unexpected turn for the worse following a detour to a roadside motel. After Mr. Potato Head suddenly disappears, his friends find themselves caught up in a hilarious mystery that must be solved before they suffer the same fate in this thrilling story of TERROR!

image courtesy of amazon.comThe Goonies.

“From the imagination of Steven Spielberg, The Goonies plunges a band of small heroes into a swashbuckling, surprise-around-every-corner quest beyond their wildest dreams! Following a mysterious treasure map into a spectacular underground realm of twisting passages, outrageous booby-traps and a long-lost pirate ship full of golden doubloons, the kids race to stay one step ahead of bumbling bad guys… and a mild-mannered monster with a face only a mother could love. A family adventure classic from start to buccaneering finish, The Goonies is a cinematic treasure trove of breathtaking action, dazzling effects and shiver-yer-timber thrills!” –Container.

Hotel Transylvania 1 and 2.

The Hotel Transylvania, run by Dracula, is a unique, high-end resort catering only to the finest monsters and their families. Dracula is preparing for an extra special weekend – his daughter Mavis’s 118th birthday – when trouble arises: a human has stumbled upon the resort for the first time ever! Even worse: the human has taken a liking to Mavis!  In the sequel, everything seems to be changing for the better at Hotel Transylvania. Dracula’s rigid monster-only hotel policy has finally relaxed, opening up its doors to human guests. But behind closed coffins, Drac is worried that his adorable half-human, half-vampire grandson, Dennis, isn’t showing signs of being a vampire.

 

The Witches.

Nine-year-old Luke finds that saving the world from witches is a tall order for a boy who has been turned into a mouse.

Monster High. Ghouls rule.

Ghouls Rule unearths an old conflict between ‘Normies’ and monsters – and things are about to get scary. For years, students at Monster High were warned that Halloween was a night to stay inside and avoid conflict at all costs. But Frankie and her friends discover that ghouls and ‘Normies’ once loved to spend the holiday together. The ghouls decide to turn back the clock and use the night to celebrate their individuality and show that it’s okay to ‘Be Yourself. Be Unique. Be a Monster’.

Room on the broom.

“The story of a kind witch who invites a surprising collection of animals to join her on her broom, much to the frustration of her cat. When the gang saves the witch from a fearsome dragon she rewards them with a magnificent new broom which has room for everyone!”–Container. Based on the book by Julia Donaldson.

Top 10 Children’s eBooks September 2016

 The Harry Potter fans know where to download their eBooks!

Right here folks, the library has what you like, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child!  I was surprised that it wasn’t at the top of the list last month, but it sure is now.  The new script version of Harry Potter’s future has been mighty popular. Olympian and time travelling heroes are also highly prized, with accomplished authors Rick Riordan and Eoin Colfer in the run up for the Top 10.

Do you want to queue up some books for the upcoming school holidays? You can reserve eBooks if someone has what you want out already. So now you can catch up with you favourite characters.

 

1. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, by J. K. Rowling, John Tiffany and Jack Thorne

2. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, by J. K. Rowling

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

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

5. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, by J. K. Rowling

6. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, by J. K. Rowling

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

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

9. Fortune Cookie, by Cathy Cassidy

10. The Son of Neptune: The Heroes of Olympus Series, by Rick Riordan

Top 10 children’s comics for September 2016

Big name favourites are at the top of the list this month!

The lovable fat cat Garfield has been around since 1978! Think you know your Garfield? Did you know that this food obsessed cat has his own TV award? That’s right in 1985 his show bagged an Emmy! Take a look and see!

Our other top cat comic is receiving the 3D treatment, with a spruced up anime version showing in Japan from early next month.

 

1. Pokemon, by Hidenori Kusaka, art by Satoshi Yamamoto

2. Peanuts, by Charles M. Schulz

3. Garfield, by Jim Davis and Mark Evanier

4. Big Nate, by Lincoln Peirce

5. Tintin, by Herge

6. Adventure time, by Ryan North

7. Amulet, by Kazu Kibuishi

8. Chi’s sweet home, by Kanata Konami

9. The Smurfs anthology, by Peyo

10. Asterix omnibus, by Goscinny and Udzero

 

 

 

Just arrived at your local Library: 5 new children’s fiction

Return to Groosham GrangeImage courtesy of Syndetics by Anthony Horowitz

In the wickedly funny sequel to Groosham Grange by bestselling author Anthony Horowitz, someone is trying to destroy David Eliot’s school. A year ago, he’d have been happy to see the end of Groosham Grange and its ghoulish teachers. Now, he’s on course to win the Unholy Grail, a cup of magical power presented to the star pupil. But a series of suspicious mishaps sees the gap between David and new boy Vincent King narrow alarmingly. Someone, it seems, is trying to stop David winning – and, worse, threatening Groosham Grange itself!

 

 

The Misadventures of Max Crumbly, Locker HeroImage courtesy of Syndetics by Rachel Renee Russell

Max Crumbly is about to face the scariest place he’s ever been – South Ridge Middle school! Max has been home-schooled by his grandmother until now, and he’s begged his parents to finally let him start attending middle school. He’s starting to question that choice, though, with the Thomas Silver Problem. As in, the fact that Tommy keeps stuffing Max in his locker. If only Max could be like the hero in all the comics he likes to read – or the ones he draws – and magically escape the locker and defeat Tommy. Unfortunately, Max’s uncanny, almost superhuman ability to smell pizza from miles away won’t exactly save any lives or foil bad guys. But that doesn’t mean Max won’t do his best to be the hero his school needs!

 

 

Girl vs. boy band. The Right TrackImage courtesy of Syndetics by Harmony Jones

When three noisy, mischievous rising stars of a British boy band come to Los Angeles to make their first album, they stay in the home of a record producer and her seventh-grade daughter, a talented but painfully shy singer-songwriter, urged by her best friend to step into the spotlight.

 

 

 

The Harp and the RavenvineImage courtesy of Syndetics by Ted Sanders

Horace F. Andrews and his friend Chloe are Keepers of magical objects of extraordinary power. But as the presence of a new Keeper is made known, they are drawn into a struggle to find out who she is and where her loyalties lie. As Horace and Chloe adjust to their newfound talents – Horace can see the future and Chloe can walk through walls – a girl called April is drawn toward the Keeper stronghold, the Warren. She comes with a Tan’ji of her own, though it is damaged and there is no telling what will happen if it cannot be made whole again. Accompanied by a mysterious woman with a power of her own and the young boy leading them in the right direction, April is being pursued by a pack of sinister hunters.

 

 

CounterstrikeImage courtesy of Syndetics by Peter Jay Black

The Urban Outlaws face their biggest challenge yet. They have to break into the Facility and find the ultimate weapon – Medusa – before Hector does. But there are five levels of security to crack and a mystery room that has Jack sweating whenever he thinks about it. But the clock is ticking. Hector is determined to have the weapon and release doomsday, and it is down to the Urban Outlaws to stop him. Can Jack come up with a plan in time?

 

 

Fantastic New Fiction!

Texting the Underworld by Ellen Booraem

Conor O’Neill faces his cowardice and visits the underworld to bargain with the Lady who can prevent the imminent death of a family member, but first Ashling, the banshee who brought the news, wants to visit his middle school.

 

 

Image courtesy of SyndeticsThe Hypnotists by Gordon Korman

Twelve-year-old Jackson Opus is descended from two powerful hypnotist bloodlines, but he has just begun to realize that he can control other peoples’ actions with sometimes frightening results–especially when the head of the Sentia Institute plans to use Jackson for his own benefit.

 

 

The Mysterious Misadventures of  Clemency Wrigglesworth by Julia Lee

Image courtesy of Syndetics

Clemency is utterly penniless and entirely alone, until she’s taken in by the marvellous Marvels – a madcap family compleately unlike her own. But it’s a surprise to them all when she’s mysteriously bundled from the house by the frightening Miss Clawe.
Concerned about her fate, the Marvels set out to find her. Enlisting the help of some not-quite-genuine Red Indians, it’s a calamitous race across the country. But Clemency’s misadventures are more dire than her rescuers suspect… will they reach her in time? – (taken from www.Goodreads.com)

 

Image courtesy of SyndeticsKurt Gets Truckloads by Erlend Loe

“Kurt is a truck driver. He’s been a truck driver for many years. Almost ever since he was a boy. He’s always been a very kind man, until… One day Kurt rescues a man who sleepwalks off the pier, and he gets rewarded with a diamond as big as a football. But what use is a diamond? Kurt sells it and gets 50 million dollars. With all that money, it is perhaps not surprising that Kurt turns nasty”–Publisher information.

 

Stay Well Soon by Penny Tangey

Image courtesy of Syndetics

When Stevie’s brother is taken to hospital, her dreams seem further away than ever. Stevie’s after school world is filled with hospital visits and there’s even less money for anything, especially her dream of a pony. With her mum spending more time with her brother, Stevie’s has to learn to figure out the hard things in life by herself.
Stay Well Soon is a charming novel filled with a mix of hope, humour and sadness that children remember long after the last page is turned. Best of all, it reminds you about the value of friendship as well as focussing on and enjoying the special moments in life. (taken from www.Goodreads.com)
Image courtesy of Syndetics

Holiday of a Lifetime by Megan de Kantzow

“If you ever get stuck on the holiday of a lifetime with your family, read this. And good luck. You’ll need it. Is a lucky seahorse charm strong enough to protect Anna’s family from potential disaster as they travel around Europe? Just in case, Anna’s going to keep her backpack and survival manual close at hand, because sometimes luck has nothing to do with it”–Back cover.

 

Kids’ review by Zoe

kidsreviewApril_0710City of Glass: The Mortal Instruments: Book #3 by Cassandra Clare (Young Adult Fiction)

 

Clary and Jace have found that they belong with each other. But can they live with the fact that they can never be happy for they are siblings. Soon Valentine, the evil lord, is rising and trying to get the mortal instruments. A book far out of its time. A five star read.

 

 Review by Zoe of Brooklyn