New Zealand children’s comics and stories from our guests at Comicfest

Earlier this year Wellington City Libraries and the National Library of New Zealand hosted the biennial Comicfest, featuring panels and workshops with New Zealand comic artists such as Roger Langridge, Katie O’Neill, and Michel Mulipola.

Now you can check out their books (and more!) at the newly-opened He Matapihi Molesworth Library, in the National Library.

The Tea Dragon Society by Katie O’Neill
“After discovering a lost Tea Dragon in the marketplace, apprentice blacksmith Greta learns about the dying art form of Tea Dragon caretaking from the kind tea shop owners.” (Catalogue)

Aquicorn Cove by Katie O’Neill
“Unable to rely on the adults in her storm-ravaged seaside town, a young girl must protect a colony of magical seahorse-like creatures she discovers in the coral reef. From the award-winning author of PRINCESS PRINCESS EVER AFTER and THE TEA DRAGON SOCIETY comes AQUICORN COVE, a heartfelt story about learning to be a guardian to yourself and those you love. ” (Adapted from catalogue)
Tongan heroes by David Riley
“Illustrated by Michel Mulipola, Tongan heroes presents inspirational stories of achievers who have Tongan ancestry. It includes: Legends like Aho’eitu, Hina and Seketoa, historical figures such as Queen Salote Tupou III, Pita Vi and Professor Futa Helu, contemporary heroes like Jonah Lomu, Captain Kamelia Zarka, Filipe Tohi, The Jets, Manu Vatuvei, Dr Viliami Tangi and Valerie Adams.” (Adapted by catalogue)
Samoan heroes by David Riley
“Illustrated by Michel Mulipola, a collection of inspirational stories of achievers who have Samoan ancestry. It includes: contemporary heroes like Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, Troy Polamalu, Judge Ida Mālosi, Savage and Associate Professor Donna Adis; historical figures like Emma Coe, Tamasese, Salamāsina and Lauaki; legends like Sina, Tiʻitiʻi and Tigilau” (Adapted by catalogue)
Abigail and the snowman by Roger Langridge
“Nine-year-old Abigail meets a loveable and sophisticated yeti named Claude who’s escaped from a top-secret government facility.” (Catalogue)

Criminy by Roger Langridge 
“Daggum Criminy’s peaceful life is suddenly interrupted as pirates invade his island, casting Criminy’s family out as refugees into the wild unknown in search of a new home. Soon, the Criminys find themselves hopping from one strange locale to another, each with their own bizarre environment, people, and challenges; putting Daggum and fam in constant peril as they search for a new peaceful place to call home.” (Catalogue)

7 new non-fiction to read in term four

Hi Kids!

A new school term has begun!

Check out the latest new non fiction at Wellington City Libraries. New to the collection are books about gruesome diseases, the world of gaming and so much more.

Enjoy!


Official Shark-tastic Guide.

Guide to all of the sharks from the Hungry Shark game franchise. With exclusive info about fearsome fish like Tiger Shark and Great White, to goofballs like Mako Shark and Porbeagle, this is a guide with some serious “teeth.”

 

 

 


Born Just Right.

When Jordan Reeves was born without the bottom half of her left arm, the doctors reassured her parents that she was “born just right.” And she has been proving that doctor right ever since! With candor, humor, and heart, Jordan’s mother, Jen Lee Reeves, helps Jordan tell her story about growing up in an able-bodied world and family, where she was treated like all of her siblings and classmates–and where she never felt limited. Whether it was changing people’s minds about her capabilities, trying all kinds of sports, or mentoring other kids, Jordan has channeled any negativity into a positive, and is determined to create more innovations for people just like her.

 


Warriors and Weapons.

In this illustrated guide, you’re transported to the legendary and magical worlds of Dungeons & Dragons, where you are presented with one-of-a-kind entries for different types of warriors, as well as the weaponry these fighters need for D&D adventuring. This guide includes detailed illustrations of the weapons, armor, clothing, and other equipment that fighters use, and offers the tools young, aspiring adventurers need for learning how to build their own characters, including sample profiles, a flowchart to help you decide what type of warrior to be, and brainstorming challenges to start you thinking like an adventurer whether on your own or in the midst of an exciting quest with friends and fellow players.

 

 


Coding from Scratch.

A collection of step-by-step instructions to code games, animation, presentations and musical projects using the Scratch coding language and online coding platform.

 

 

 

 


Extreme Garage Science for kids.

Extreme garage science for kids! : 30 amazing experiments with complete scientific explanations.

 

 

 

 


The Nasty Past : Disease.

Go back in time and explore the gruesome lives of everyday people in history. From disgusting diseases to dreadful disasters, it is time to find out just how horrible life could be.

 

 

 

 


Stars of World Soccer.

Here are the best of the best: the iconic forwards Ronaldo, Neymar, and Suárez; the legendary goalkeeper Manuel Neuer; and perhaps the greatest player of our time, Lionel Messi. This lively and accessible book features short biographies of some thirty athletes in all: who they are, where they come from, and what they have accomplished

 

Super Smash Reading Challenge

It’s cricket season! We hope you are as cricket-mad as we are! So we were so excited to see the launch of the Super Smash Reading Challenge.

All New Zealand primary and intermediate kids can register (for free!) for the Challenge, which runs from now until 19th January 2020.

Pick your local cricket team to ‘play’ for (go ahead and choose the Firebirds if you live in Wellington), and watch them move up and down the leaderboard as you read and register the books you read over summer. The more books you read the higher the Wellington Firebirds will go up the leader board.

It’s Wellington vs the rest of the country and only you can help them to victory! Oh, and did we mention that you can win prizes too?

Visit the Super Smash website to find out more and register.

Also don’t forget our very own Wellington City Libraries Summer Reading Challenge, which starts on 1st December. So much reading! So many prizes!

Aotearoa New Zealand History Books List

Aotearoa New Zealand has a long, interesting and challenging history. Many incredible people and communities have walked on this whenua and left their stories and legacies behind. These are some great recent books to learn about our sometimes sad, and sometimes amazing history.

Te Tiriti o Waitangi / Morris, Toby (2019)

Check out this beautifully illustrated story of our foundational national document. It’s bilingual, which means you can read it in English or Te Reo. Find out about the historical context of the Treaty, and its continuing importance in the 21st Century.

 

 

The New Zealand Wars / Werry, Philippa (2018)

As Māori land was encroached upon by the colonial government and settlers, warfare broke out in New Zealand. This book explores the violence that was experienced in New Zealand in the mid-19th century and how those that fought and died are remembered today. This book explains why the wars happened, and is filled with photographs, illustrations and paintings. We also learn about Parihaka, a peaceful community of resistance to land confiscation and encroachment. The book talks about how we remember these events today and memorial places we can go to learn more and think about our history.

 

 

Kate Sheppard : leading the way for women / Gill, Maria (2018)

A wonderfully illustrated book about the life of New Zealand suffragist Kate Sheppard! Learn about how she lead the way for women getting the vote in Aotearoa.

 

 

Syndetics book coverPeace warriors / Raymond Huber (2015)

This book tells the heroic stories of brave New Zealander’s and people around the world who used non-violent resistance to pursue paths of peace. One of the stories is of Archibald Baxter, who refused to fight in World War 1 because he did not believe in killing. He faced brutal punishment and rejection for his courageous choice.

 

 

The beach they called Gallipoli / French, Jackie (2014)

The battle for Gallipoli is at the heart of the ANZAC narrative of New Zealand’s involvement in WW1. This book explores the geography of the cove and looks at not just the ANZACs, but all the nationalities who fought there.

 

 

Bastion Point : 570 days on Takaparawha / Roxborogh, Tania Kelly (2017)

Sometimes fiction can help us understand real-life  events. This book is a fictional diary, from the perspective of a character called Erica Tito, covering the events at Bastion Point between 1977-1978. Bastion Point was Māori land confiscated by the government for public works, but decades later the government wanted to sell it for housing developments. Māori from around the country gathered to occupy the land and protect it. In the 1980s, the land was returned to local Iwi as part of a Treaty settlement.

 

 

Aotearoa : the New Zealand story / Bishop, Gavin

A colourfully delightful overview of of the history of Aotearoa New Zealand; charting a course from the big bang, to the arrival of Māori, all the way to events in the present day. Filled with interesting facts, this is a great classroom read.

Check out these books on the catalouge, your local library or pop a reserve on them to collect from your nearest branch!

6 New Junior Comics and graphic novels

Hey kids! Welcome to the first month of spring!

Time to spring on down to your local library and check out the latest comics and graphic novels in the children’s collection.

Enjoy!

Dugout : the zombie steals home.

Twins Stacy and Gina Cavallaro are on rival little league teams, and when Gina accidentally unleashes a curse that wakes the dead, Stacy’s misfit team gets coached by a baseball-playing zombie!

image courtesy of syndeticsGhost hog.

Truff is the ghost of a young boar, fueled by fury towards the hunter who shot her down. She has a lot to learn about her new afterlife, and thankfully the forest spirits Claude and Stanley are there to guide her! However, they soon find that her parents, along with their fellow animal villagers, have been kidnapped by the malicious mountain demon Mava! Truff wants to help, but… the hunter is finally within her grasp, and if she lets him go, she may never get her revenge! Is vengeance all that being a ghost is good for? Or is there something stronger keeping this little pig tethered to the living world?

Geronimo Stilton 3 in by Geronimo Stilton.

The hit Scholastic chapter book series has been successfully adapted into the best-selling graphic novel series from Papercutz. As Geronimo continues to garner new fans from his animated adventures seen on Netflix and Amazon Prime, Papercutz proudly collects 3 Geronimo Stilton graphic novels in 1! Geronimo Stilton and friends travel back to the past in the Speedrat to save the future from dastardly Pirate Cats. First up, head back to visit the Dinosaurs, then save Mozart from composing a CAT-astrophe, and finally help Geronimo invent the printing press. Fun and educational, Geronimo Stilton has a huge fan following and thanks to the new animated series, that following is getting larger all the time!

image courtesy of syndeticsGeronimo Stilton, reporter. #2, It’s my scoop!

Geronimo Stilton, top reporter for The Rodent’s Gazette, has a reputation of breaking the top news stories first to the citizens of New Mouse City. But lately, Sally Ratmousen of rival paper ‘The Daily Rat’, has been leaking Geronimo’s secret scoop! Can Geronimo keep the lid on a surprise celebrity guest to the city’s 100 year celebration or will Sally rat him out?

Sonic the Hedgehog : Battle for Angel Island.

“When Neo Metal Sonic–an evil robot with Sonic’s speed, Dr. Eggman’s intellect, and an unbreakable mechanical body–conquers the island to grow his power even more, Sonic and his friends must team-up and take the fight to him. But even with the full power of the Resistance behind him, will Sonic be able to take down Neo Metal Sonic once and for all?”–Provided by publisher.

The singing rock & other brand-new fairy tales.

A genie just wants a chance to grant a wish to the frog who accidentally let him out of his lamp–meanwhile, the frog just wants to be left alone. A witch is tormented by the cheerful (and awful) singing of a persistent bard, but when she finally snaps and turns him into a rock, he just keeps on singing–somehow the power of terrible music overcomes all magic. A wizard wants a pet. An ogre just wants to make beautiful art. Four original, wry and utterly charming fairy tales comprise this new collection for young readers

Spring is here! and so are these fabulous new kids fiction picks from your local Library for you to enjoy!

 

Spring is an inspiring time of year – warmer weather, more sunshine, flowers, lambs, longer days… So why not yet inspired with a new book or two? Here are some new ones we thought looked fresh and fab.

 


Sal & Gabi Break the Universe by Carlos Hernandez

In order to heal after his mother’s death, Sal learned how to meditate. But no one expected him to be able to take it further and ‘relax’ things into existence. Turns out he can reach into time and space to retrieve things from other universes.

Refugee by Alan Gratz

Although separated by continents and decades, Josef, a Jewish boy living in 1930s Nazi Germany, Isabel, a Cuban girl trying to escape the riots and unrest plaguing her country in 1994, and Mahmoud, a Syrian boy in 2015 whose homeland is torn apart by violence and destruction, embark on harrowing journeys in search of refuge, discovering shocking connections that tie their stories together.

Dancing the Charleston by Jacqueline WilsonImage courtesy of Syndetics

In a little cottage on the edge of the grand Somerset Estate, Mona lives with her aunt – a dressmaker to the lady of the house. Even though Mona never knew her mother and father, she knows Aunty tries to give her the best life she can. When Lady Somerset dies and a new member of the family inherits the house, life changes drastically for Mona. Suddenly she’s invited to dazzling balls, dines on delicious food and plays with wild new friends. But with these changes come secrets that Mona can’t dance away from.

Dog Man; For Whom the Ball Rolls by Dav PilkeyImage courtesy of Syndetics

The Supa Buddies have been working hard to help Dog Man overcome his bad habits. But when his obsessions turn to fears, Dog Man finds himself the target of an all-new supervillain! Meanwhile, Petey the Cat has been released from jail and starts a new life with Li’l Petey. But when Petey’s own father arrives, Petey must face his past to understand the difference between being good and doing good. Dav Pilkey’s wildly popular Dog Man series appeals to readers of all ages and explores universally positive themes, including empathy, kindness, persistence, and the importance of being true to one’s self.

The boy who grew Dragons by Andy ShepherdImage courtesy of Syndetics

When Tomas discovers a strange old tree at the bottom of his grandad’s garden, he doesn’t think much of it. But he takes the funny fruit from the tree back into the house – and gets the shock and delight of his life when a tiny dragon hatches! The tree is a dragonfruit tree, and Tomas has got his very own dragon, Flicker … Tomas soon finds out that life with Flicker is great fun, but also very … unpredictable. Yes, dragons are wonderful, but they also set fire to your toothbruth and leave your pants hanging from the TV aerial. Tomas has to learn how to look after Flicker – and quickly. And then something extraordinary happens – more dragonfruits appear on the tree. Tomas is officially growing dragons …

Experience BLOOM during the school holidays!

BLOOM: A creative experience for children and their families.

Is it a dinosaur, a spaceship, a chandelier, a cloud?

 

 

Bloom consists of thousands of identical pink pieces that let children and big kids connect, construct and deconstruct 3D installations with no boundaries or rules.

Creating installations with Bloom is like growing an alien garden, cultivating surreal landscapes that are truly one of a kind. Imagination and interaction are the fuel for this organic and collaborative sculpture experience, which is a great way to introduce children to sculpture and design.

 

There are two opportunities in the October School Holidays to experience Bloom:

Cummings Park Library, 7 October, 11am – 4pm

Newtown Library, 8 October, 11am – 4pm

 

Families can drop in to either session anytime.

Bloom is proudly supported by Capital E

KEA Kids News

Want to know more about the latest news and important issues? Tune in to watch KEA Kids News, which will help explain the tough stuff. KEA Kids News is a twice-weekly video bulletin of new by kids for kids.

Inquisitive kid reporters will pick and peck through local, national, and international news to find interesting stories and ask questions. It’s aimed at 7 – 11 year olds.

Tune in every Wednesday at midday, and Saturday at 9am for the latest video bulletin at stuff.co.nz/KEA

Here’s the most recent episode for you to enjoy.

 

Also, don’t forget about Kiwi Kids News, which is another amazing news site for New Zealand children that has daily updates on all sorts of interesting and inspiring things. Bookmark them both!

Some wonderful new books to Spring into

Get your hands of these wonderful exciting new books!!!

Image courtesy of SyndeticsMaking the Team by J. Scott Savage

A mysterious private school has opened in town and Nick, Carter, and Angelo join forces with their rivals Angie, Tiffany, and Dana to uncover the mystery behind the school’s inhumanly good football team.

Image courtesy of SyndeticsTreasury of Bedtime Stories by Enid Blyton

Contains these wonderful Enid Blyton stories:

Moonlight and Starshine, Spells and Enchantments, Woodland Wonders, Fairyland Folk, Faraway Lands

Image courtesy of SyndeticsInto The Wild by Anh Do

I crawled onto the bank and collapsed, exhausted. From the dirt, I looked up in amazement at four dogs staring down at me. Was I dreaming? Had I gone mad? It all seemed very real. ‘You guys saved me!’ I said, as I sat up in my dripping clothes. ‘I owe you.’ When disaster separates Gwen from her family, she must fend for herself, all alone in the wilderness. Luckily, she’s not alone for long… When a wolf puppy, a Labrador, a Chihuahua, and a greyhound want to make friends, Gwen discovers talents she didn’t know she possessed. It will take all her new skills and strength just to survive. Does Gwen have what it takes to be leader of the pack

 


Image courtesy of SyndeticsDiary of an Awesome Friendly Kid by Jeff Kinney

In his first journal, middle schooler Rowley Jefferson, Greg Heffley’s sidekick, records his experiences and misguided decision to write a biography of Greg, who, in his own mind, is destined to become rich and famous.

Image courtesy of Syndetics Horrid Henry and the Mega-Mean Time Machine by Francesca Simon

Horrid Henry invents a time machine and promises to send his brother, Perfect Peter, to the future (as soon as Peter puts on one of Mom’s dresses). But when Peter gets there, it isn’t exactly what he had in mind. In fact, everything kind of looks the same

 

Children’s and Young Adults’ book award winners announced!

Last night, at a lavish pizza party, the winners of the 2019 book awards for children and young adults were announced.

Hell Pizza are the main sponsors of the books awards (how many pizza wheels have you completed over the last few months?), and it was really exciting to see the very best New Zealand Authors and Illustrators there hoping to be announced as a winner. All the finalist books are incredible, and us librarians recommend you try to read as many as you can.

There are 8 categories: Picture Book, Junior Fiction, Non-Fiction, Young Adult Fiction, Illustration, te reo Māori, best first book, and the overall best book of the year.

 

And here are the winners!

It’s really exciting to see Wellington duo Sacha Cotter and Josh Morgan win the Margaret Mahy Book of the Year award. Mīharo!