Kids Blog

Hey kids – have you been practicing making breakfast in bed?

Mother’s Day is this Sunday - May 12th, and I’m pretty sure Mum would love to be surprised with a yummy breakfast to start the day -this is a tradition for Mother’s Day in New Zealand along with giving cards and gifts.

Modern-day Mother’s day started in 1908 in West Virginia (USA) by a woman called Anna Jarvis. Previous attempts at getting a formal Mother’s Day celebration recognised in the 1800s had failed, but Anna was successful in having it recognised as an official holiday in the USA in 1914.

As this American holiday was adopted by other countries and cultures around the world, the date was changed to fit other celebrations that honor motherhood. That’s why different countries celebrate Mother’s Day on different dates. The second Sunday in May is when New Zealand celebrates Mother’s day, along with 81 other countries. Other popular days that countries celebrate Mother’s Day are March 8th, March 21st and the last Sunday in May.

Wikipedia has a great article about Mother’s day. Check it out for more info.

We also have some great books about Mother’s Day:

Want to make mum a present? Try these crafty books for some ideas:

Don’t forget the breakfast in bed! Here are some favourite cooking books for you to get some inspiration and recipes from:

It doesn’t matter if you are a Dr Seuss fan or not (but really – who isn’t a Dr Seuss fan??!!) you need to check out his website!

Seussville is the home of everything Dr Seuss, from the Cat in the Hat, to Yertle the Turtle (my personal favourite).

Along with checking out all the Dr Seuss books, you can play games, download and print activity sheets, find out about all the many Dr Seuss characters and Dr Seuss himself (did you know his real name was Theodore Geisel?). There are even recipes, crafts and activities you can do at home.

This fun, noisy and interactive site is really worth checking out!

 What are some of your favourite author/book websites?

Do you own books at home? How do you keep them organised?

One thing you can do is name your books, and you can do this by using book plates. Book plates are a label that you stick inside the front cover of the book to tell people who it belongs to. There is a really cool website that has HEAPS of book plates that you can print off and stick in your books. Check out My Home Library – you’ll find small, medium and large book plates, and lots of them in colour. The coolest bit is that many of them have been designed by favourite and well-known illustrators (like Quentin Blake!).

Here are some of my favs:

There are even bookmarks you can print off. Have fun, but remember – don’t put book plates in our library books, only the ones you own at home.

Here are your favourite non-fiction books for April. Grab them from your library today.

1. Star Wars by David Reynolds West

2. Frontier of dreams the story of New Zealand by John Parker

3. The horrible history of the world by Terry Deary

4. The LEGO book by Daniel Lipkowi
5. Ripley’s believe it or not by Rosie Alexandertz

6. Cat by Juliet Clutton-Brock

7. World War 1 by Simon Adams

8. Usborne little book of Easter activities by Rebecca Gilpin

9. Pokemon Visual Guide by Cris Silvestri

10. Big book of paper craft by Fiona Watt

It’s almost the end of the school holidays, hasn’t it gone quickly? We’ve got some great events happening today for end-of-the-holidays fun. Come along and check it out.

Special Event: Celebrate the ANZACS

Central Library, 11am: What do ANZAC biscuits have to do with ANZAC day? What’s it like being a soldier away from home, missing your family, friends (and favourite food)? Explore the great ANZAC biscuit and its place in history through fun stories and activities.

Free event, bookings not required. Suitable for ages 5+

Special Event: SPCA Storytime

Island Bay Library, 10.30am: meet some furry creatures at Island Bay’s storytime this morning. The SPCA will be visiting to introduce you to their animals and tell you all about how to care for them and protect them. Come along for stories, songs, and cute animals.

Baby Rock & Rhyme: Perfect for parents and bubs aged 0-2yrs old.

Karori Library, 9.30am

Johnsonville Library, 10.30am

Storytimes: fun stories and songs for toddlers, preschoolers and their families. Older siblings are welcome.

Island Bay, 10.30am

Miramar Library, 10.15am

Find out what’s on at the Kids’ Events page.

Here’s what’s happening today:

Special Event: Meet a Tuatara! 

Tawa Library, 11am: Have you ever met a dinosaur? No? Here’s your chance! Sue Keall from Victoria University is bringing along Spike the Tuatara to Miramar Library. 

Find out about why Tuataras are so special and learn how we can protect them and make sure they survive for many more generations.

This free event is suitable for 5-12 year olds. Places are limited and bookings are essential. Phone Miramar Library on 388 8005 to secure your place.

Sorry, this event is now full.

Baby Rock & Rhyme: Perfect for parents and bubs aged 0-2yrs old.

Central Library, 9.30am

Johnsonville Library, 9.30am

Storytimes: fun stories and songs for toddlers, preschoolers and their families. Older siblings are welcome.

Cummings Park Library (Ngaio), 10.30am

Karori Library, 10.30am

Newtown Library, 10.30am

Kilbirnie Library, 10.30am

Find out what’s on at the Kids’ Events page.

2nd week of the school holidays! The weather looks great today, but we’ve still got some cool stuff happening in our libraries. Take a break from the sunshine, come on in and check it out.

Special event: Kiwana!

Newtown Library, 10.30am: Slip on your jandals and join us for Kiwiana holiday fun! We’ll be reading stories by NZ authors, playing NZ bingo, and holding a rock-stacking competition called Tu Kohatu. Sweet As!

Baby Rock & Rhyme: Perfect for mums and bubs aged 0-2yrs old.

Miramar Library, 10.15am

Island Bay Library, 9.30am

Storytimes: fun stories and songs for toddlers, preschoolers and their families. Older siblings are welcome.

Brooklyn Library, 10.30am

Central Library, 10.30am

Johnsonville Library, 10.30am

Karori Library, 10.30am

Khandallah Library, 10.30am

All events are free and no booking are required. Find out what else is on at our kids’ events page.

Week 1 of the school holidays is nearly over. The holidays always seem to go faster than the school terms. Check out these cool events going on today:

Special Event: Meet a Tuatara! 

Cummings Park Library (Ngaio), 11am: Have you ever met a dinosaur? No? Here’s your chance! Sue Keall from Victoria University of Wellington is bringing along Spike the Tuatara to Miramar Library.

Find out about why Tuataras are so special and learn how we can protect them and make sure they survive for many more generations.

This free event is suitable for 5-12 year olds. Places are limited and bookings are essential. Phone Cummings Park Library on 479 2344 to secure your place.

THIS EVENT IS NOW FULL. Next Tuatara event is at Tawa Library on Wednesday 1 May, 11am

Baby Rock & Rhyme: Perfect for parents and bubs aged 0-2yrs old.

Karori Library, 10.30am

Tawa Library, 9.30am

Kilbirnie Library, 10.15am

Storytimes: fun stories and songs for toddlers, preschoolers and their families. Older siblings are welcome.

Central Library, 10.30am

ANZAC Day is a special day for us to remember and say thank you to many New Zealand soldiers, sailors and airmen and women who have served New Zealand so that we can be a safe country. Many of these people died while fighting, not only to keep New Zealand safe, but to keep other countries safe too.

You may wish to go to an ANZAC day service. These will be happening across Wellington city from dawn into the afternoon. Go to the Returned and Services Association website (RSA) to find a service near you.

You won’t be able to visit the libraries to hang out or borrow books, because we will be closed on ANZAC day. But don’t panic! We have books on out website that you can download for free. You can borrow an e-book or an audio book and download them straight onto your computer, laptop, MP3 player, e-reader and more. Go to our Downloads page to find out more.

Day 3 of the school holidays – It seems like the hols are going too fast! Here’s some free entertainment for you.

Special Event: Meet a Tuatara!

Miramar Library, 11am: Have you ever met a dinosaur? No? Here’s your chance! Sue Keall from Victoria University is bringing along Spike the Tuatara to Miramar Library.

Find out about why Tuataras are so special and learn how we can protect them and make sure they survive for many more generations.

This free event is suitable for 5-12 year olds. Places are limited and bookings are essential. Phone Miramar Library on 388 8005 to secure your place.

Baby Rock & Rhyme: Perfect for parents and bubs aged 0-2yrs old.

Central Library, 9.30am

Johnsonville Library, 9.30am

Storytimes: fun stories and songs for toddlers, preschoolers and their families. Older siblings are welcome.

Cummings Park Library (Ngaio), 10.30am

Karori Library, 10.30am

Newtown Library, 10.30am

Kilbirnie Library, 10.30am

Find out what’s on at the Kids’ Events page.