Children's Non-fiction Recent Picks

January 2009

The underlined title links will take you directly to our catalogue.
Some featured items are linked via a book cover to enable you to read more reviews.

Sleight of hand, by Joe Fullman.
"Abracadabra, alacazam! Pull some magic out of your hat with this guide to the best sleight-of-hand tricks around. Astonish your friends by changing spots on a dice! Learn how to turn water into ice in a few seconds! Baffle your audience with the fantastic linking rings trick. Step by step instructions. Clear bright illustrations and profiles of famous magicians." Other titles in this series: Card Tricks, Coin and Rope Tricks and Mind Tricks.

The Famous Five's Survival guide: with the new unsolved mystery.
"Packed with useful information on surviving outdoors and solving mysteries, here is the one mystery that the Famous Five never managed to solve. See if you can follow the trail to discover the location of the priceless Royal Dragon of Siam." (Book cover)

Shakespeare's tales, retold by Beverley Birch; illustrated by Stephen Lambert.
"This classic collection contains four of Shakespeare's most dramatic plays: share Hamlet's grief as he confronts his father's ghost and hears of his murder; suffer Antony's doomed bewitchment by Cleopatra; feel Othello's love for Desdemona twist to vengeful jealousy and the enchanter Prospero's desire for revenge turned to forgiveness by the spirit, Ariel. Bound to attract the reluctant and the intimidated to the pleasures of Shakespeare." (Book cover)

The comic strip history of the world, illustrated by Sally Kindberg and text by Tracey Turner.
"The entire history of the world as it's never been seen before. Includes the most gripping, gruesome and slightly unexpected things to have happened in the last several billion years - with pictures." (Book cover)

1001 awesome things to draw, by Robert Ainsworth.
"Get step-by-step directions on how to draw real and imaginative pictures, lettering ideas and caricatures. With four totally awesome books to choose from in this one collection, you can impress your friends with your hot new drawing skills. Draw anything you want, from crazy alien creatures, animals and funny faces, to an illustration for your most hilarious joke!" (Book cover)

Let's get art: children look at contemporary New Zealand art, by Brad Irwin; illustrated by John Ward Knox.
"Follow four children as they look at different artworks in a gallery and try to work out what contemporary art is. Artwork includes painting, sculpture, installations and video work. Artists featured include Michael Parekowhai, Yvonne Todd, Shane Cotton and emerging artists Todd Stratton and Sriwhana Spong."

Everything you need to know about the stars of High school musical 3, by Jackie Robb.
"Peek inside for all the must-know info on the super-hot stars of the mega-movie High School Musical 3! This scrapbook is packed with lots of photos, facts, and fun! If you're a true-blue HSM fan then this is the book for you." (Book cover)

Dogs on the job, by Maria Gill.
"Meet an acting dog going through the moves in an advertisement, hear about a hearing dog alerting his handler the fire alarm is going off, see a mobility dog picking up the keys for his owner in a wheelchair, find the search and rescue dog that can trail scents 12 hours old and marvel at the therapy dog that triggers the memory of a rest home elderly lady who cannot remember her own daughter." (Book cover)

Start cooking, by Home Economics Victoria.
"This book will show you why learning to cook is one of the smartest moves you'll ever make, for your health, for the environment and for fun and enjoyment... create some delicious dishes and learn about good work practices." (Book cover)

Acting out: six one-act plays!: six Newbery stars!, edited by Justin Chanda.
"Six masterful children's authors have become master playwrights in this collection of one-act plays that might just make you want to ACT OUT! ... drama, comedy and great storytelling are waiting behind these curtains." (Book cover)

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