world cultures

9 New Non Fiction to read during the holidays!

Katie

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 kids‘ cookbook : 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.

8 New Non Fiction to read in Term 3.

Katie

Hey Kids!

Experiencing the back to school blues? Check out the latest new non fiction at your local library to read during Term 3 where you can learn, be entertained and have fun all at once! Check out books on ancient worlds, official guides to the latest movie releases, science, innovation, creativity and much, much more!

Enjoy!

image courtesy of syndeticsAncient Greece.

Read all about Ancient Greece in this engaging nonfiction book, complete with black and white interior illustrations, will make readers feel like they’ve traveled back in time. Covers information such as what ancient Greeks did for fun to the gods and goddesses they worshipped, and more.

 

 

 

image courtesy of syndeticsJurassic World: From DNA to Indominus Rex!: An Augmented Reality Book.

 

This new title features a brilliant overview of the Jurassic Park trilogy and Jurassic World, and includes genetically engineered, terror-inspiring dinosaurs from the whole series, including new profiles for Tyrannosaurus rex, Indominus rex, Velociraptor, and much more!

 

 

image courtesy of syndeticsThe Space Race.

“When people think about the space race, things like astronauts and the Soviet Union may come to mind. But why was there a race, and who won anyway? Prepare to blast back and find out! Discover everything from what happened during the Cold War to the moon landing and more. And find out interesting, little-known facts such as how even animals have traveled to space and how not all space explorers are called ‘astronauts.'”– Book jacket.

 

 


image courtesy of syndetics

Brain lab for kids : 52 mind-blowing experiments, models, and activities to explore neuroscience.

“Brain Lab for Kids is an interactive and hands-on book that takes readers on an exciting journey into the functions of the brain through enlightening experiments and creative activities.”– Provided by publisher.

 

 

image courtesy of syndeticsThe Lego Neighbourhood book.

Provides complete step-by-step instructions for multistory buildings, recliners, and traffic lights constructed with LEGO pieces. A must have book for lego fans.

 

 

 

 

image courtesy of syendticsMangoes & Bananas.

An Indonesian folktale about Kanchil the mouse deer and Monyet the monkey accompanied by art in the traditional Kalamkari style of Indian textile painting.

 

 

 

IMAGE COURTESY OF SYNDETICSAll about China : stories, songs, crafts and games for kids.

Travel from the stone age through the dynasties to the present day with songs and crafts for kids that will educate them about Chinese language and the Chinese way of life.

 

 

 

image courtesy of sydneticsSolo, a Star Wars story : the official guide.

A visual guide to the movie offers a behind-the-scenes look into the lives of Han Solo, his allies and enemies, along with information on the planets, vehicles, and aliens he encounters.

Check out the Solo, a Star Wards story movie trailer down below:

 

 

 

New Historical Fiction

wcl staff

In the current context of international tensions, isn’t it a good time to pick some good new fiction that will make you think, understand and reflect on important issues such as war, refugee and society crisis?

Alexander Altmann A10567, by Suzy Zail Image courtesy of Syndetics

Fourteen-year-old Alexander Altmann doesn’t need to look at the number tattooed on his arm. A10567: he knows it by heart. He also knows that to survive Auschwitz, he has to toughen up.

When he is given the job of breaking in the commander’s new horse, their survival becomes intertwined.

Alexander knows the animal is scared and damaged, but he must win its trust. If he fails, they will both be killed.

Age 10 and +

 

Image courtesy of SyndeticsMy brother’s secret, by Dan Smith

Twelve-year-old Karl is a good German boy. He wants his country to win the war – after all, his father has gone away to fight.

But when tragedy strikes and his older brother Stefan gets into trouble, he begins to lose his faith in Hitler. Before long, he’s caught up in a deadly rebellion.

Age 10 and +

 

 

Image courtesy of Syndetics

Refuge, by Jackie French

When a boat carrying a group of asylum seekers is sunk by a freak wave, Faris wakes from the shipwreck in an Australia he’s always dreamed of. There are kangaroos grazing under orange trees and the sky is always blue. On a nearby beach, Faris meets a group of young people who have come from far different times and places.

They are also seeking refuge, and each has their own story of why they had to leave their country to make a new life for themselves. It is only when Faris chooses to return to “real life” and find his father in Australia that he learns the extraordinary truth about the friends he made on the golden beach.

Age 10 and +

 

Image courtesy of SyndeticsValentine Joe, by Rebecca Stevens

Rose goes to Ypres in Belgium to visit the graves of those who died in the Great war. There, the name of one boy stays in her mind: fifteen-year-old Valentine Joe.

That night, Rose hears marching and when she looks out of her window, she sees a young soldier…

Age 10 and +

New non-fiction: Cooking up a storm

admin

Here’s a great selection of cookbooks  for younger readers.

Cook it! 30 delicious recipes for scientists of all ages

This book is written by the “Punk Scientists”; three wacky guys who love science and cooking and try to bring the two together. All the recipes are easy, but look pretty delicious.  They’re mostly ‘classic’ recipes, like spaghetti and pizza and muffins, but there are some trickier recipes as well, like Baked Alaska and chicken casserole. But it’s not just a cookbook; there are plenty of science factoids that go along with the recipes, as well as some fun experiments in the back for you to try.

 

 

 

 

Christmas fairy cooking

Ok, so it’s a bit early for books about Christmas cooking. But this book is so adorable that I couldn’t resist including it here. It’s also filled with things you could make all year round. It’s mostly made up of sweet treats; my particular favourites are mini raspberry swirls and frosty fairy fudge.  None of the recipes are complicated, and all the ingredients are easily available. It’s also a lovely looking book, with a mixture of cute photos and illustrations in pastels.

 

 

 

 

Princess Poppy’s Cookbook

Princess Poppy is a popular series of picture books in our collection. Now Poppy and her friends will show you how to cook all sorts of delectable treats, both sweet and savory.The recipes are divided by occasion, rather than by meal type, but it’s pretty easy to find what you’re looking for. The illustrations are really cute, as they’re done in the same style as the picture books. There’s also a wide range of food to make; the sticky sausages and Daisy’s Fruity Banana split sound really good! And while you’re waiting for your food to cook, you can whip up one of the adorable craft projects that are also included.

 

 

 

One world kids’ cookbook

If it’s your turn to cook  dinner and you want something out of the ordinary, then you should turn to this cookbook.  It promises “easy and healthy” meals from around the world, and it delivers! There’s a section of information about each country, and then a typical national dish.  New Zealand even features, with a yummy kumura recipe. I think what makes this book really unique is the variety of the different countries mentioned; try Jolof Rice from Ghana or salmon stew from Brazil.

 

 

New Non Fiction: Amazing Series.

Katie

 

Art Smart.

Two new books, Paint it! and Make it!  from the Art Smart series has made it to our library shelves. With the school holidays just around the corner, why not check out these awesome new non fiction books, each complete with 12 inspiring projects to try out and get inspired on making  a puppet, sock snake, dino doorstop, (in Make it!) and different painting techniques such as watercolor acrylic and sgraffito (in Paint it!) I thought the project ideas in the books were fantastic, especially the activities for creating your own Picasso self portrait in Paint it! and the get well card project in Make it! These projects are a great way to beat the boredom busters during the school holidays and even better during a rainy day!

 

     

Disgusting & Dreadful Science.

Prepare to be grossed out! Prepare to be shocked and amazed! Prepare to be gut wrenched! Prepare to be enlightened! Boys and girls, the newest (and greatest) resources are here to help you with your science homework (and questions) and ideas for science fair experiments! In Ear-Splitting Sounds, you will learn the awful truth about all the yucky, painful,  disgusting and dreadful aspects of sound, not mention there are some equally gross, but interesting photos contained in this book. Gut-Wrenching Gravity contains even more disgusting facts about gravity! Covers everything from blackouts caused by g-forces to toilet-troubles in space. Glaring Light covers all the most disgusting and dreadful aspects of light. Finally Electric Shocks covers everything you need to know about the most disgusting and dreadful aspects of electricity, like whizzing electrons and static shocks to flying flies and freaky frog legs.

 

    

Animal Family Albums.

You will find books about Cats, Dogs and Horses and Ponies from this series at your local library. Each title in the Animal Family Albums series feature information about all favorite pets and animals which includes descriptions of popular breeds, facinating facts about wild relatives and a quiz to help you discover which breed you would be. The book about cats was a fantastic read. I learned a lot of interesting facts, especially  about Russian Blue cats , which are considered to be good luck and the Manx cats, which are born with either no tail or a short stumpy tail. The book about dogs contained facts about how pet dogs are descended from wolves, and like their ancestors, they like living in packs, which is made up of its human family. It was very interesting to learn while reading about horses and ponies, wild horse herds are normally led by a female and how the herds include other females, foals, a stallion and a few young males.

 

      

World Cultures.

Feel like taking an amazing journey and exploring all the different cultures the world has to offer? There are four new books exploring the  Maasai, Bushmen of Southern Africa, Polynesians and Maori  culture, from the World Culture series. These books are great resources to use that takes an educational look at cultures that are struggling to maintain their traditions in an ever-changing world, so these books are great to use if you are doing an assignment or homework on exploring issues and oppression within different cultures. Each book unveils the traditions, myths and social activities of each culture. Also includes bibliographical references and index. Great for ages 4 to 12 years.