Books are Magic: Books about Books

Surprise! We librarians REALLY love books (almost more than cats) and so when we come across a book about books?! Well, we do a little happy dance. Here are a few good ones we’ve added to the collection recently:

Once upon a book by Grace Lin (picture book; ages 4–8)

It’s a cold winter’s day and Alice is bored. A book beckons her (quite literally) into its pages, and she climbs inside and becomes part of the unfolding story. A book that celebrates the joy of reading and the ability of books to transport us into other worlds.

This book is banned by Raj Haldar (picture book; ages 4-8)

This funny and thought-provoking book explores the issue of book banning. The story begins with the hippos’ complaint that the giraffes are getting all the leaves, which results in them getting removed from the story. When replacements are sought each are banned in turn, for example, an avocado is banned for being gross, while a roller-skating robot is banned for being too dangerous. The book ends with the message that even if a book isn’t right for you, it could still be perfect for someone else.

Books make good friends by Jane Mount (sophisticated picture book; ages 6-10)

Ha, it is no surprise to see that many of our librarian friends have this beautiful book issued! It tells the story of Lotti, who prefers the company of books to people and finds making friends hard. Through the stories she reads, she finds joy and connection with the people around her. What makes this book extra special, is the book spine art on every page, which provides a bunch of recommended reads.

How this book got red by Margaret Chiu Greanias (picture book; ages 4-8)

Adorable panda friends Red (a red panda) and Gee (a giant panda) eagerly read a book about pandas. But Red’s excitement soon turns to disappointment when she realises that there are no red pandas in the book! Red never sees books about red pandas and so determined to change this, sets out to write her own book! The theme here – the importance of representation and diversity in children’s literature, is most definitely one close to our librarian heart.

The book that no one wanted to read by Richard Ayoade (chapter book; ages 8-12)

A book, where the narrator is…the book itself! Initially, a cranky, opinionated, and repressed sort, the book begins to loosen and open-up when it starts to chat with you – the reader. A quirky, humorous read that includes diagrams, graphs, cartoons, and lots of book facts.



This guest blog post was prepared by Stephanie, Library Specialist – Collections in charge of buying for the children’s collection.

The Weird and Wonderful World of Cryptids!

The Summer Reading Adventure for 2023-2024 is fast approaching, and this year the SRA has an exciting new challenge for you – a chance to design and draw your very own cryptid! But what is a cryptid, you might wonder?

A cryptid is a creature or being whose existence hasn’t been proven, like the Bigfoot or Loch Ness Monster. Those are two of the most famous examples, but there are actually countless cryptids out there, including some amazing creatures here in Aotearoa! Since you’ll be creating your own cryptid from scratch, let’s get inspired by some of the more well-known ones in NZ:

Waitoreke

The Waitoreke (also known as the New Zealand otter or kaurehe) is supposedly a furry, amphibious creature the size of a cat, and accounts of this cryptid date back more than 200 years. Sightings of this creature are usually reported around the waterways of the South Island, so keep an eye out next time you go on a family road trip!

Moehau Man

Moehau Man is a large, ape-like creature said to live in the Moehau Range in the Coramandel. While some people suggest that the legend of the Moehau Man has roots in Māori mythology, or is even borrowed from the American Bigfoot, its definite origins are unknown and keen cryptozoologists (people who study and try to find cryptids) have yet to find enough proof to confirm its existence.

Fiordland Moose

Way back in 1910, a handful of moose were introduced into the South Island’s Fiordland, where they disappeared into the wilderness. Ever since, the continued existence of these creatures has been much debated. With the last proven sighting in 1953, and an entire moose antler being found in the 1970s, the whole of New Zealand has been kept guessing about these moose, and wondering if they’re still trekking around the Fiordland bush.

Canterbury Panther

The legend of the Canterbury Panther comes from regular reports and sightings of a giant black cat in the area around Canterbury. While some sceptics suggest that these sightings are of an abnormally large housecat, enough evidence remains that the Canterbury Panther is one of Aotearoa’s most famous (and plausible!) cryptids.


A black kitten with blue eyes looking up at the camera, standing inside a wicker basket.

The terrifying Canterbury Panther? Perhaps not.
Photo by 2 Bro’s Media on Unsplash.


Come down to your local library this summer to try designing your very own cryptid as part of our Summer Reading Adventure, and in the meantime, have a browse of our library’s cryptozoological collection!


Cryptid creatures : a field guide / Halls, Kelly Milner
“Cryptozoology is the study of mysterious creatures that fall between the realm of real and imaginary on the scientific spectrum. Cryptid Creatures: A Field Guide offers a closer look at fifty of these amazing creatures, examining the best possible evidence for each, including scientific papers, magazine and newspaper articles, and credible eyewitness accounts.” (Adapted from Catalogue)
Cryptid kids [1] : the Bawk-ness Monster / Goetter, Sara
“Before she moves away to a new city, Penny wants to prove that she was truly saved from drowning by the Bawk-ness Monster but instead must rescue kidnapped cryptids from an evil collector along with Luc and K”– Provided by publisher.” (Catalogue)
Monsters : 100 weird creatures from around the world / Banville, Sarah
“From well-known and well-feared monsters like Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster, to the lesser-known, but just as weird and wonderful Japanese Sea Serpent and Chinese Hopping Vampires, this book is the must-have guide to monsters from all over the world.” (Adapted from Catalogue)
Cryptid Club / Andersen, Sarah
“Do you hate social gatherings? Dodge cameras? Enjoy staying up just a little too late at night? You might have more in common with your local cryptid than you think! Enter the world of Cryptid Club, a look inside the adventures of elusive creatures ranging from Mothman to the Loch Ness Monster.” (Adapted from Catalogue)
The Cryptid Club [1] : Bigfoot takes the field / Brumm, Michael C
“Lily knows better than to listen to the gossip her little brother, Henry, has heard, but when her school newspaper needs a big headline, the rumour that Bigfoot has been spotted is the best lead she’s got.” (Adapted from Catalogue)
Monsters on the run / Sherry, Kevin
“Yeti Blizz Richards and his gang of cryptids set out to find a friend for Vanessa, the Loch Ness Monster, even though it means traveling back in time to the dangerous age of the Cretaceous looking for plesiosaurs–unfortunately Vanessa proves to be rather timid about meeting other dinosaurs.” (Catalogue)
Drawing monsters / Scrace, Carolyn
” This title is packed full of inspiring ideas for your child to use to create entirely new artworks of their own. Art Works are a great way to start learning how to draw. Each title features simple step-by-step instructions that are perfect for practicing guided reading.” (Adapted from Catalogue)
The taniwha of Wellington Harbour / Wairama, Moira
“Whataitai and Ngake are two taniwha living in a beautiful lake, however when Ngake gets bored and decides to break free into the ocean his actions have far reaching consequences and help shape the landscape of our capital city.” (Adapted from Catalogue)
Mythical monsters : mad, mischievious, mysterious creatures / Smith, Lauren
“Have you ever met a yeti, or seen Nessie hiding below the surface? There’s no proof that these creatures exist, but just in case, we’ve collected the stories of some of the biggest, baddest and oddest monsters in the world.” (Catalogue)
History’s mysteries : legend and lore : curious clues, cold cases, and puzzles from the past / Claybourne, Anna
“Interesting and curious historical legends and their background, for children”– Provided by publisher.” (Catalogue)

This blog post was written by our wonderful teen blogger,

Beth – Teen Blog (wcl.govt.nz)

Remembering Te Pāhuatanga – Learn About Parihaka

On the coast of Aotearoa, near Mount Taranaki, there is a very important place called Parihaka which has a lot to teach us about the history of injustice in New Zealand, and the importance of hope and peace.

In the years following the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in 1840, colonial greed and racism enabled the government to unlawfully confiscate land and wage war against groups of Māori who sought to defend their territory.

During the 1860s, the community at Parihaka became a haven for different groups of Māori, and a place of resistance to land confiscation and encroaching settlement. The people of Parihaka had a peaceful campaign, led by Te Whiti and Tohu, that consisted of ploughing up confiscated land, removing surveying pegs, and placing fencing.

In response, the government arrested these peaceful people and sent them far away, to Wellington, and to the South Island where they were forced to build roads. On 5 November 1881, Parihaka was invaded by a military force of 1600 armed constabulary. This is called Te Rā o te Pāhua, the day of plunder.  Māori people who were not originally from the Parihaka area were forced to leave. Violence was inflicted against the people. Their leaders were arrested. Buildings were damaged. Te Whiti and Tohu were held without trial for two years, before returning home in 1883.

Despite all of this harm, Parihaka was rebuilt by its people, and still thrives today. Parihaka reminds us of what hope and working together can achieve, especially in the face of injustice.

The memorial at Pukeahu War Memorial Park

A Place to Remember

At Pukeahu War Memorial Park, on the north-west corner of the old Dominion Museum building, there is a memorial dedicated to the people of Taranaki and Parihaka who were imprisoned in the Mount Cook barracks. The memorial represents a prisoner wrapped up in a blanket. The base of the monument is made of stones from Taranaki. As you wander through Wellington, this is the perfect spot to take a moment to reflect on the Parihaka legacy of peace.

Online resources for tamariki to learn more about Parihaka

Image: Parihaka by Josiah Martin on DigitalNZ.

Parihaka | AnyQuestions

AnyQuestions offers free online homework help to New Zealand school students. AnyQuestions provides a librarian chat service, from 1pm to 6pm Monday to Friday during the school year. The website also has great ManyAnswers articles on important topics and places. This Parihaka article will help show you more great places to find information!

Another great resource is Remembering Te Pāhuatanga o Parihaka | Story | DigitalNZ which brings together photos, biographies, and oral history interviews along with an article which discusses how waiata and poi have helped pass on stories.

We also have further articles on our general library blog for readers of all ages: Parihaka – Library Blog (wcl.govt.nz) Wellington City Libraries is grateful to have shared a Kōrero with Kura Moeahu – Library Blog.

With some help from teachers or caregivers, older tamariki might be able to use some of the longer books about Parihaka that can be found in our booklist: Remembering Te Pahuatanga o Parihaka | (syndetics.com).

Readers of all ages are encouraged to check out the following books!


Pukapuka for tamariki to learn more about Parihaka

Syndetics book coverMaumahara ki tērā Nōema / nā Jennifer Beck rāua ko Lindy Fisher ; nā Kawata Teepa i whakamāori.
“It’s almost Guy Fawkes Night, and at the school speech competition Andy talks about Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot. The children cheer excitedly, thinking Andy will win the contest. But then, Aroha gets up, wearing a white feather in her hair, and tells the story of another fifth of November u the invasion of Parihaka in 1881.” (Syndetics summary)
Syndetics book coverRemember that November / written by Jennifer Beck ; illustrated by Lindy Fisher.
“It’s almost Guy Fawkes Night, and at the school speech competition Andy talks about Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot. The children cheer excitedly, thinking Andy will win the contest. But then, Aroha gets up, wearing a white feather in her hair, and tells the story of another fifth of November u the invasion of Parihaka in 1881.” (Syndetics summary)

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.

Keenan Book Cover
Amorangi and Millie’s trip through time / Keenan, Lauren
“Amorangi and Millie lost their mum. Their only clue to her whereabouts is a carving on a tree that says, I’m in the past! Rescue me! To do this, Amorangi and Millie must travel up every branch of their family tree and collect an object from each ancestor they meet. They must then be back in the modern day before the sun sets, or they’ll all be trapped forever in the past. In their travels, the children experience aspects of events in New Zealand history, such as the invasion of Parihaka, the Great Depression, World War Two, the Musket Wars and the eruption of Mount Taranaki. They also experience changes in the town and landscape, the attitudes of people and the way people live their lives”–Publisher information.” (Catalogue)

Chinese Language Week 2023 (English)

Read this post in Simplified Chinese!

Read this post in Traditional Chinese!

Da Jia Hao! Neih Hou! 大家好! 你好! This year, we are going to observe Chinese Language Week, a celebration that aims to raise the profile of Chinese languages in New Zealand, from the 17th of September to 23rd of September! Chinese languages are beautiful and special languages. The Chinese characters not only tell you how to say a word, but also show you its meaning. Even more incredible, is the history of written Chinese languages can be traced back to the Shang Dynasty (1766 – 1122BC). It is one of the oldest written languages in the world.

There are 302 dialects in the Chinese language, and different places have their own mother tongue. For example, you will hear Shanghainese in Shanghai, or Sichuanese in Sichuan. Most people in Hong Kong speak Cantonese, and in Taiwan, people use Taigi. If you go to Malaysia or Singapore, you’ll find people who speak Hokkien, Cantonese and Hakka! Here in New Zealand, most Chinese speakers use Yue or Cantonese, followed by Mandarin.

Chinese characters can be divided into Simplified Chinese characters and Traditional Chinese characters. Simplified Chinese characters were developed from Traditional Chinese characters. Simplified Chinese is written from left to right, just like English script. However, Traditional Chinese is written from right to left, and it should be read from top to bottom. Today, Simplified Chinese characters are widely used in China, Malaysia, Singapore, while Traditional Chinese characters are primarily used in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau.


Library Events

Mandarin Storytime – 10.30 – 11.00am, Sunday 17 September

Te Awe Library, 29B Brandon Street, Wellington. 

To celebrate Chinese Language Week we have a special preschool storytime in Mandarin – we’d love to see you there!

Pre School-Storytime in Mandarin – 10.30 – 11.00am, Wednesday 20 September

Newtown Library, 13 Constable Street, Newtown.

Fun stories, ancient poetry, songs and rhymes for children aged 4-8 years old with their caregivers.

Children’s Storytime in English and Mandarin – 11.00 – 12.00pm, Saturday 23 September

Karori Library, 247 Karori Road, Karori.

We are happy to announce a Chinese Storytime to celebrate Chinese Language Week of 2023. The session will be in Mandarin and English!

Get ready for engaging storytelling, ancient Chinese Tang poems, exciting songs that will entertain the whole whānau.

Chinese Calligraphy Workshop – 2.00 – 3.00pm, Saturday 23 September

Newtown Library, 13 Constable Street, Newtown.

Come and experience Chinese Calligraphy. Grind your own ink and use writing brushes for the first time. Let’s learn together.

Trilingual Storytime – 10.30 – 11.00am, Monday 25 September

Mervyn Kemp (Tawa) Library, 158 Main Road (Cnr Cambridge Street & Main Road), Tawa.

Celebrate Chinese Language Week with a special storytime in Cantonese, Mandarin, and English. Recommended for children aged 2+ years with their caregivers.

Trilingual Storytime – 10.30 – 11.00am, Tuesday 26 September

Johnsonville Library, 34 Moorefield Road, Johnsonville.

Celebrate Chinese Language Week with a special storytime in Cantonese, Mandarin, and English. Recommended for children aged 2+ years with their caregivers.

Traditional Chinese Painting ​ 国画体验 – 10.30 – 11.30am, Thursday 28 September

Johnsonville Library, 34 Moorefield Road, Johnsonville

Join us at the library to learn about and try your hand at traditional Chinese painting. Our expert will share his traditions and techniques with you, then you can try creating your own artwork! Recommended for children aged 8+ with their caregivers.

Traditional Chinese Painting ​ 国画体验 – 12.30 – 1.30pm, Thursday 28 September

Karori Library, 247 Karori Road, Karori

Join us at the library to learn about and try your hand at traditional Chinese painting. Our expert will share his traditions and techniques with you, then you can try creating your own artwork! Recommended for children aged 8+ with their caregivers.

Traditional Chinese Painting ​ 国画体验 – 3.00 – 4.00pm, Thursday 28 September

Te Awe Library, 29b Brandon Street, Wellington Central

Join us at the library to learn about and try your hand at traditional Chinese painting. Our expert will share his traditions and techniques with you, then you can try creating your own artwork! Recommended for children aged 8+ with their caregivers.


Books in English

To celebrate Chinese Language Week, do not forget to check our children’s collection. We have a wide range of books in the junior fiction and non-fiction section and picture books introducing Chinese customs and culture:

Dim sum, here we come / Lam, Maple
“Today is Sunday and that means its dim sum time with my whole family! I can’t wait to see everyone, especially Grandma. I’m going to eat lots of shrimp dumplings, rice noodle rolls, egg tarts, and my favourite–char siu buns. We will have to order enough for us all to share. So what are you waiting for? Dim sum, here we come!” (Catalogue)

Cang Jie : the inventor of Chinese characters / Li, Jian
“In ancient times under the reign of Yellow Emperor (about 2500 B.C.), people kept records by piling stones and tying knots. One day, Cang Jie, a historical official who tied knots to keep records under Yellow Emperor, unexpectedly made a big mistake. Feeling very guilty, he was determined to find out a better way for keeping records. […] In this multicultural children’s story, kids will find out that there is a story behind every Chinese character. Children will also learn about basic Chinese characters and how to make them.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

The Anchor book of Chinese poetry
“Unmatched in scope and literary quality, this landmark anthology spans three thousand years, bringing together more than six hundred poems by more than one hundred thirty poets, in translations-many new and exclusive to the book-by an array of distinguished translators. Here is the grand sweep of Chinese poetry, from the Book of Songs-ancient folk songs said to have been collected by Confucius himself-and Laozi’s Dao De Jing to the vividly pictorial verse of Wang Wei, the romanticism of Li Po, the technical brilliance of Tu Fu, and all the way up to the twentieth-century poetry of Mao Zedong and the post–Cultural Revolution verse of the Misty poets. […] The Anchor Book of Chinese Poetry captures with impressive range and depth the essence of China’s illustrious poetic tradition.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

All about China : stories, songs, crafts and games for kids / Branscombe, Allison
“Take the whole family on a whirlwind tour of Chinese culture and history with this award-winning, delightfully illustrated book complete with stories, activities, and games. This Chinese children’s book is perfect for educators and parents wishing to teach kids about this fascinating Asian country. 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.” (Catalogue)

Let’s make dumplings! : a comic book cookbook / Amano, Hugh
“Includes dumpling history and lore, this comic book cookbook invites readers to explore the big little world of Asian dumplings and proves that intricate folding styles and flavourful fillings are achievable in the home kitchen.” (Catalogue)

Chinese / Dickmann, Nancy
“This book takes a light-hearted look at the characters and creatures from the Chinese mythological stories. These myths come from different cultural groups, and they include stories about how the world came to be, as well as folk tales and stories with a religious message. The stories are full of gods, monsters, animals, ghosts and nature spirits. The book is structured as a ‘Who’s Who’ of the culture’s myths and legends and has a gossipy, informal tone, allowing the characters’ personalities to come through.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Chinese children’s favorite stories / Yip, Mingmei
“A collection of children’s legends and tales from China. This volume of beloved Chinese stories contains a delightful selection from the rich store of Chinese folklore and legend. Discover the many delightful animal characters as well as Chang-E, the famous Eight Immortals, and Guan Yin, goddess of compassion. Retold for an international audience, the beautifully illustrated stories will give children aged six to ten in other countries a glimpse into both the tradition and culture of China.” (Catalogue)


Books in Mandarin

We also have a good amount of books in Mandarin that can let you practice your Mandarin! Check out some of our favourites below, or visit the catalogue to find more children’s books in Chinese languages!

First words. Mandarin / Mansfield, Andy
“Bring the Mandarin language to life with this beautifully illustrated children’s book from Lonely Planet Kids, an imprint of Lonely Planet, the world’s leading travel guide and phrasebook publisher. Perfect for the whole family, First Words Mandarin features 100 words to use while travelling, from food and transport, to animals and weather. Each word is accompanied with a bold illustration and a simple pronunciation guide to make the vocabulary fun and easy to learn.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

The little monkey king’s journey = Xiao Wukong / Li, Jian
“Long, long ago, a little Monkey was born from an old magic stone which suddenly cracked open after lying in the sunlight and moonlight for thousands of years. Although he was an orphan, the Little Monkey was extremely talented. Fortunately, the Monkey King in the mountain adopted him. […] During his journey, with the help from the Immortal Turtle, the Phoenix, the Dragon King and the Immortal, the Little Monkey gained a powerful body. Could he eventually save the life of the Monkey King?” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Xia tian de cai hong = Summertime rainbow / Yang, Belle
“In this story presented in both English and Chinese, bunnies hop through the meadow on a beautiful summer day, spotting blue sky, white clouds, yummy green grass, and other colorful sights.” (Catalogue)

Home for Chinese New Year : a story told in English and Chinese / Wei, Jie
“The Chinese New Year is a time for family reunions. This Chinese children’s story tells a delightful trip with lots of cultural details along the way! Jia Jun’s Dad worked out of town all year around. Now it’s time for him to come home. He took a train, bus, three-wheeled motorcycle, ferry-boat and even walked for many miles. He finally made it home and had a reunion dinner with his family on New Year’s Eve. […] In a few days, Dad was ready to head back to work, but it was certain that Dad would be home again next year to celebrate the Chinese New Year with his family.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Xiao lao shu yu jin zhong zi = The little rat and the golden seed : a story in English and Chinese / Li, Jian
“Age range 5+ Learn how the clever Little Rat earned his place as one of the Chinese Zodiac Animals. This adorable Chinese-English bilingual children’s book tells the story of the Little Rat and the Grandpa — unlikely allies who embark on an adventure to find a golden seed. They encounter rough seas, fierce guards and tall mountains, but — in the end — bring home a golden rice seed and save the village from going hungry.” (Catalogue)


Start your own Chinese language adventure at the library today!

– Thanks to Wei Jing, Kirk & Isabel for creating this blog post

Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori 2023

Nau mai ki te Wiki o Te Reo Māori!

Welcome to Māori Language Week!

Today we will be sharing a few ways that you can kōrero (speak), waiata (sing) and pānui (read) in Te Reo Māori with Wellington City Libraries, Te Matapihi ki te o Ao Nui.

Click the button below to get more celebration ideas from  Te Rangaihi Reo Māori, the Māori Language Movement! You can sign up for updates and opportunities to get inspired and learn more. Be sure to register to take part in the Māori Language Moment on Thursday 14 September! Symbol of Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori

Here’s a few of our special Wellington City Libraries events for the whole whānau this week, but you can read a full list of events over on our news blog!

Nohinohi Reorua 

This week, join us for extra special sessions of our bilingual programme Nohinohi Reorua.

Nohinohi Reorua: whāngaia tō Tama Toa ki te pānui pukapuka! E toru tekau meneti pakiwaitara, rotarota, waiata hoki i roto i te reo Māori me te reo Ingarihi, nō ngā kōhungahunga me ō rātou mātua kaitiaki.

Get your superhero hooked on books with our special bilingual storytimes! Featuring stories, rhymes, and songs in te reo Māori and English, these 30-minute sessions are open to anyone, whether you’re fluent in te reo Māori or just starting out.

Recommended for tamariki aged 2-6 with their caregivers.

Taniwha Tinker Time (STEAM-based play)Taniwha Tinker Time (STEAM-based play)

This week, we have special Tinker Times at the ARTS stage of our STEAM journey, and we’ll be exploring collage… with a Te Reo twist! We will kōrero and learn more about the taniwha in this week’s special session of Tinker Time. This is an event for older preschoolers.

Recommended for children aged 2 – 5 years with their caregivers.

More special events!   

CRAFTerschool Te Ao Māori Special – Tuesday 12 September, 3:30-4:30pm — Waitohi | Johnsonville Library 

Enjoy a te Ao Māori focus on today’s craft activities for Te Wiki o te Reo Māori!  All tamariki are welcome with their mātua (parents) or kaitiaki (caregiver).

CRAFTerschool is a free art and craft session aimed at school aged children. Join us for a different project every week during term time! Crafting starts at 3.30pm, please arrive by 4pm so you have time to complete the craft.

  • Suitable for children age 5+
  • Caregivers must remain onsite during sessions

Te Reo Baby Rock and Rhyme – Wednesday 13 September, 10:30-11am — Waitohi | Johnsonville Library

Nau mai hoki mai. Join us in Waitohi Library for a special morning celebrating te reo Māori for Te Wiki o te Reo Māori. A fun and free programme for parents and caregivers to interact with their pēpē through waiata, huariti, and pukapuka.

Recommended for children aged 0 – 2 years and their caregivers.

Kēmu, Kai, Kōrero, Saturday, 16 September 2023, 11am-12pm— Waitohi | Johnsonville Library

Join us for an hour of fun and sharing as part of Celebrating Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori . Let’s learn and build our te reo Māori skills together. Wherever you are in your te reo journey, come to this event for a friendly kōrero and kai!

FREE, no bookings required!

Award Winning Pukapuka in Te Reo Māori 

Last month, we celebrated the 2023 NZCYA Book Awards, so we thought we could take a moment this week to look back on the last five books that won the Wright Family Foundation Te Kura Pounamu Award for Te Reo Māori.

2023 Winner

Kua whetūrangitia a koro / Te Paa, Brianne

“A young boy learns about the customs around celebrating Matariki from his grandfather. They watch the stars from the top of a mountain, prepare their offering of food for the gods, and the boy learns about Te Waka o Rangi and the tradition of calling out the names of loved ones who have passed away so that they can become stars. Just before Matariki the following year, the boy’s Koro suddenly dies. The boy gathers and prepares the food offering and asks each family member to come with him up the mountain when Matariki is due to rise, but they all make excuses, and he is disheartened. But when he tells them what Koro taught him, they all climb the mountain before sunrise, follow the rituals Koro carried out and call out Koro’s name so that he can become a star”–Publisher information. (Catalogue).


2022 Winner

I waho, i te moana / Morrison, Yvonne
“Out in the moana, underneath the sparkling sun, lived a mother sea lion and her little pup one … A playful retelling of the much-loved traditional story, Over in the Meadow. This companion title to Morrison’s Down in the Forest features fascinating and lovable creatures from the seas that surround these islands of ours”–Publisher information.” (Catalogue)

 


2021 Winner

Ngake me Whātaitai / Ngaia, Ben
“A traditional story told in te reo Māori from the perspective of the Kāhui Maunga people about Ngake and Whātaitai. These two taniwha inhabited Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Wellington Harbour, long before the ancestral migrations. The story tells how the shape and landscape of Wellington, its harbour and the Lower Hutt area came about because of the actions of Ngake and Whātaitai”–Publisher information.” (Catalogue)


2020 Winner

Tio Tiamu / Kurahau
“Gentle, clever Toe Jam grows to be huge, and this causes a problem because his feet smell. The bigger he gets the worse the smell. Toe Jam is kind, but the people tease him and avoid him, and finally, they make him leave and live far away. Toe Jam never loses his kind heart, and when there are floods, wild winds and droughts, he returns to help his people. But afterwards, the people always send him away again. Until, one day, when Toe Jam saves the people from an eruption, they finally see Toe Jam’s goodness”–Publisher information.” (Catalogue)


2019 Winner

Te Haka a Tānerore / Kahukiwa, Reina
“A story about the first haka. Long ago, a boy named Tanerore loved to dance every day. See what happens when Tanerore dances his special dance for his mother.” (Adapted from catalogue)
Kia kaha Te Reo Māori! 

 

 

Whakanuia a Matariki: School Holidays Wrap-Up!

Kia ora koutou tamariki & whānau! We hope you all had a stellar school holiday and enjoyed reading wonderful Matariki pukapuka and attending some of our Whakanuia a Matariki events!

Let’s take a moment to look back on the beautiful art you created, our cosy stories and performances, and some of the important reflections and aspirations that we shared with each other.

  • Purapura Whetū collaborative constellations shine bright together at Johnsonville Library!
    Our Purapura Whetū collaborative constellations shine bright at Johnsonville Library!
  • During Kōhatu Matariki, tamariki shared their reflections and aspirations through embelishing rocks from Te Taiao
  • Matariki by Firelight, stories and crafts at Brooklyn Library!
  • Kōhatu Matariki: Whakapaipaitia te Taiao, in progress at Karori Library!
  • String Bean Puppets: The Penguin and the Sea Monster was a whānau favourite around the city!
  • Fly to the Matariki Stars at Island Bay Community Centre taught kids about Puanga and the Matariki stars!
  • Matariki by Firelight at Tawa Library
  • Anna Bailey’s String Bean Puppets at Ruth Gotlieb (Kilbirnie) Library! Can you spot the kororā?

Wellington City Libraries and Community Centres would like to give a massive thanks to Anna Bailey for running the phenomenal String Bean Puppets: The Penguin and the Sea Monster sessions, which introduced tamariki to brave kororā and themes of kaitiakitanga. The Children and Youth Services team would like to give a special thanks to our Māori Customer Specialist, Ann Reweti and the wonderful members of our team who provided great event ideas and practical advice in making sure that events were aligned with tikanga. 

Thanks to everyone who came along and helped make our  Whakanuia a Matariki programme so special! We hope to see you all again next holidays, or hopefully before then at your local library branch! To find out about our regular programmes, special events, and holiday happenings, make sure to keep an eye-out on the kids’ blog, and our Facebook page, or our events calendar.

Continue learning about Matariki and Puanga with some wonderful titles available at the library:

Ngā whetū Matariki whānakotia / Kamo, Miriama
“Sam and Te Rerehua search for the stars that have mysteriously gone missing.” (Catalogue)

Also available in Te Reo Pākehā as The Stolen Stars of Matariki.

Ko Flit, te Tīrairaka me te mahere Matariki / Quin, Kat
“Join Flit and his friends, Keri the kiwi and wise old Ruru, as they explore the night skies to work out how to capture a sparkling star. When the friends get lost, they follow the twinkling clues in the sky to find their way back home.” (Catalogue)

Also available in Te Reo Pākehā as Flit the Fantail and the Matariki Map.

Ngā manu tukutuku e whitu o Matariki / McClintock, Calico
“It is a special time of year. A time when the whispering wind blows warm from the east, and a crescent moon rises in the wintry night sky. Seven little sisters make kites with eyes of seashells to celebrate the New Year. But that playfulwind whips those kites away… Matariki is here!” (Catalogue)

Also available in Te Reo Pākehā as The Seven Kites of Matariki.

Te Huihui o Matariki / Rolleston-Cummins, Toni
“When Mitai’s seven handsome brothers are bewitched by seven beautiful women, Mitai seeks advice and learns that the women are patupaiarehe and must be cast far away. They are given to Urutengangana, the god of the stars, who places them in the far away heavens. Yet once a year, at winter solstice, he allows them to shine in the Eastern sky.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Also available in Te Reo Pākehā as The Seven Stars of Matariki.

Tā Daniel hākari Matariki / Beyer, Rebecca
“Starting something new is always difficult. How will Daniel fit in? Luckily for him Matariki is a time of sharing and new beginnings.” (Catalogue)

Also available in Te Reo Pākehā as Daniel’s Matariki Feast

Ko te kī taurangi a Puanga: he ururoa ki te Whānau Matariki / Wadsworth, Kirsty
This enthralling tale tells the story of Puanga, cousin to the Matariki sisters, and how it was that she came to join them in the sky above Aotearoa. At its heart it’s a story of whānau, friendship, tradition and sacrifice. The text is evocative and powerfully paced; the illustrations atmospheric and perfectly matched.

Also available in Te Reo Pākehā as “The Promise of Puanga.”

Ngā mihi o te tau hou Māori!

新年快乐

Read this post in English!

在即将来的星期日(122日),许多国家与地区将会庆祝一年一度的农历新年这些国家包括了中国、北、南韩、越南、新加坡、马来西亚、泰国、印度尼西、菲律,和世界上各个国家的唐人街。大家都将以各自的文化和习俗庆祝义重大传统节日新西兰也将举办许多大大小小的活动!农历是一月亮的圆缺变化环为依据的日历。 

Chinese New Year Display and books inChinese languages at Johnsonville Library

Chinese New Year Display and books in Chinese languages at Johnsonville Library.


Library events:

Lunar New Year Mandarin Storytime 10.30-11.00am, Tuesday 24 January

Te Awe Library, 29B Brandon Street, Wellington

为了庆祝农历新年,提亚威图书馆将于年初三,1月24日(星期二)早上10.30至11时举办中文普通话故事时间

Lunar New Year Storytime Tuesday, 31 January 10:30am

Johnsonville Library, 34 Moorefield Road, Johnsonville 

欢迎参加Johnsonville图书馆组织的迎中国新年活动. 我们将用普通话, 福建话和英语讲述有趣的故事, 和以歌曲等形式开展与孩子们的互动活动


今年,2023兔年。在十二生肖里,兔子是排行第四的属相。十二生肖的传说中,兔子是一只有一点点小骄傲的动物。它自己跑得很快的速度引以为傲,经常嘲笑它的邻居,牛,总是吞吞的。有一天,玉皇大帝为了找出一个可以简单计算的方法,而找了十二只动物赛赛跑。兔子也参加了这项赛,并早早就到达了赛现场。为对自己的速度很有信心,兔子决定先睡个午觉。结果等它醒来时,有三只动物终点线了!其中牛还得到了第二名!等兔子匆匆忙忙地过终点时,它只获得了第四名。此外,兔子也经常被描一只很善良,很有自信小动物。也偶尔会有点严肃,但兔子也是很感性,会努力地朝着目进。更多关于兔年的资料,可以浏览 Year of the Rabbit (chinesenewyear.net)

LNY

Artist impression of Bánh chưng and bánh tét wrapped up for cooking.

在越南,农历新年被称作元旦Tết Nguyên Đán)。越南人将会穿上传统服装,并准备许多美味的食物像是Bánh chưng bánh tét庆祝这重要的节日Bánh chưng bánh tét是一种用糯米,绿豆和猪肉做成的越南粽子,差别在于Bánh chưng 使用一种称为“ dong”的叶子包成正方形,而bánh tét则用香蕉叶包成圆柱形,并在食用时会切成轮形 

Illustration of hanbok

Artist impression of hanbok.

在南韩和北韩,农历新年被称为Seollal설날在这一天,他们会穿上韩服,吃可口美味的传统食物,玩有趣的传统游戏,以传统习俗来庆祝春节。 

在马来西亚,其他种族,像是马来人和印度人,也会和当地华人一起欢庆农历新年你可以对马来西亚人(或称作大马人新年快乐”,“Happy New Year”,或者是“Selamat Tahun Baru Cina”,即马来文的新年快乐”。因为有着在除夕前夜一家人整整齐齐地围着餐桌吃“团圆饭”的传统,在外工作读书的华人都会赶在除夕前夜,或称年三十晚前回家小孩子或未婚的晚辈都会在年初一时从长辈那里收到代表着祝福的红包。在收到红包时,除了说谢谢,小孩子和晚辈也会对长辈说一些代表吉祥如意的祝福语,像是“身体健康”、“恭喜发财”、“出入平安”等等。 

更多关于其他国家庆祝农历新年的方式,你可以浏览https://www.thoughtco.com/search?q=lunar+new+year也可以借阅以下关于农历新年的书本 


The 12 days of Lunar New Year / Lettice, Jenna
12种庆祝农历新年的方法这本书很可爱地描绘了一系列从年初一到年十二一家人如何以传统文化的方式庆祝农历新年。相信无论大人还是小孩都会喜欢上这本有趣又有意义的童书。 ” (Abridged and translated from catalogue)
Lunar New Year / Eliot, Hannah
这本书介绍了什么是农历新年,解释了包括食物,装饰,和节庆活动游戏等相关知识。 ” (Translated from catalogue)

Happy Chinese New Year! : A Festive Counting Story / Ho, Jannie
一起来看看十二生肖如何准备庆祝农历新年!可爱有趣的图案作者以童趣的方式介绍了每一只生肖小动物为了农历新年做了什么特别的准备!” (Abridged and translated from catalogue)

Korean celebrations : festivals, holidays and traditions / Cho, Tina
这本书介绍了韩国的各种节庆,让你能够了解韩国的传统节日,庆祝方式和美味的食物! .” (Abridged and translated from catalogue)
Vietnamese children’s favorite stories / Tran, Phuoc Thi Minh

一系列有趣优美的故事告诉读者越南人注重的五个品德,分别是Nhan (慈悲)Le (礼节)Nghia (正义)Tri (智慧)、和Tin (信任)。其中一个特别的小故事也告诉读者为什么不能够在Tết Nguyên Đán时扫地。

Lunar New Year Around The World: Celebrate The Most Colourful Time Of The Year / Li, Amanda
读者能够了解世界各国如何庆祝农历新年。  (Translated from catalogue)

Home for Chinese New Year : a story told in English and Chinese / Wei, Jie
农历新年时一家人团聚的节日。Jia Jun的爸爸总是常年在外工作。现在爸爸终于要回家了……  (Abridged and translated from catalogue)

威灵顿图书馆有许多童书和双语书籍,能够让小孩子了解不同文化 

Maylasia NY photo

Photograph by our blog author’s family of celebrations in Maylasia!

Thanks folks, Gong Xi Fa Cai” 恭喜发财 – May you be happy and prosperous! 

– Blog by Wei Jing & Joseph

Happy Lunar New Year!

Read this post in Mandarin

This year on Sunday, 22 January many countries and communities celebrate Lunar New Year, which is the calendar based on the monthly cycles of the Moon’s phases! There are Lunar New Year festivals and celebrations in China, North Korea, South Korea, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, in Chinatowns all around the world, and there are plenty of local events to celebrate in Aoteaora New Zealand too!

Chinese New Year Display and books inChinese languages at Johnsonville Library

Chinese New Year Display and books in Chinese languages at Johnsonville Library.


Library Events

Lunar New Year Mandarin Storytime 10.30-11.00am, Tuesday 24 January

Te Awe Library, 29B Brandon Street, Wellington

To celebrate the 2023 Chinese New Year, Te Awe is going to have a Mandarin storytime on the Tuesday 24 January!

为了庆祝农历新年,提亚威图书馆将于年初三,1月24日(星期二)早上10.30至11时举办中文普通话故事时间

Lunar New Year Storytime Tuesday, 31 January 10:30am

Johnsonville Library, 34 Moorefield Road, Johnsonville 

Celebrate the Lunar New Year with stories, songs, and rhymes in Mandarin, Hokkien, and English.​

欢迎参加Johnsonville图书馆组织的迎中国新年活动. 我们将用普通话, 福建话和英语讲述有趣的故事, 和以歌曲等形式开展与孩子们的互动活动


About the Lunar New Year

2023 is the Year of the Rabbit, in the Chinese zodiac. The rabbit is the fourth zodiac animal. He was a bit arrogant about how fast he was!  He used to tease his neighbour, the Ox for being slow. But one day, the Jade Emperor organised a party to determine the order of the zodiac, in order of who arrived first. The Rabbit arrived early, so he decided to go away and take a nap. When he woke up three other animals had beat him to the party, including the Ox! The rabbit is associated with kindness, quiet confidence and earnestness, which means rabbit might appear quite serious, but always moves forward with feeling and purpose. You can learn more by visiting Year of the Rabbit – Chinese Zodiac on chinesenewyear.net

LNY

Artist impression of Bánh chưng and bánh tét wrapped up for cooking.

In Vietnam, Lunar New Year is marked by the Tết Nguyên Đán festival, which is associated with lots of important customs and wonderful foods! Bánh chưng and bánh tét are some of the tasty festival cuisines, made from glutinous rice, mung beans, pork. Bánh chưng is cooked in squares wrapped in lá dong leaves, and bánh tét is cooked in cylinders wrapped in banana leaves, which is then cut into wheel-shaped slices.

Illustration of hanbok

Artist impression of hanbok.

In South Korea and North Korea, Lunar New Year is known as Seollal and is celebrated through important traditions, games, food and often by wearing the beautiful colourful hanbok, which are usually worn on special occasions.

In Malaysia, Chinese people and other ethnic groups like Malay and Indian also celebrate Lunar New Year together. You can say “Selamat Tahun Baru Cina” to a Malaysian which means “Happy Chinese New Year” in Malay. Chinese people will have a reunion dinner on the Lunar New Year’s Eve. the children will receive “ang pao”, red envelopes with money inside, on the first day of the Lunar New Year from the elderly people, represent a kind of blessing and good luck. In return, children need to say some good words back to the elderly people, like stay healthy, stay happy, and “wishing you safety all the time

You can learn more about Lunar New Year is celebrated in other countries by reading some great articles from the list of lunar new year articles from ThoughtCo.com, and by checking out some of the wonderful books listed below.

Books

The 12 days of Lunar New Year / Lettice, Jenna
“Count out twelve ways to celebrate Lunar New Year!… This cheery addition to the 12 Days series celebrates tradition, culture, and family in the lead-up to Lunar New Year! Young readers and their caregivers will enjoy counting all the different ways they can engage with their communities and honour their ancestors…” (Abridged from catalogue)
Lunar New Year / Eliot, Hannah
“Introduces Lunar New Year, describing the food, decorations, and activities of the holiday.” (Catalogue)

Happy Chinese New Year! : A Festive Counting Story / Ho, Jannie
“Count to twelve with the zodiac animals as they get ready to celebrate Chinese New Year! Sweet, colorful illustrations introduce each of the zodiac animals as they bring special items to the celebration. Xīn Nián Kuài Lè! Happy Chinese New Year! The zodiac animals are ready to celebrate Chinese New Year with traditions and a big feast! Little ones can count to twelve as each animal prepares for the holiday…” (Abridged from catalogue)

Korean celebrations : festivals, holidays and traditions / Cho, Tina
“Korean Celebrations takes young readers on an exciting exploration of Korea’s colorful festivals and family celebrations–wonderful days that are filled with exciting activities and delicious foods.” (Abridged from catalogue)
Vietnamese children’s favorite stories / Tran, Phuoc Thi Minh

One of the special stories in this book explains why you shouldn’t sweep the house on Tết Nguyên Đán! Along with this story of Lunar New Year, there is a collection of wonderful stories connected to five great virtues of Vietnam: Nhan (Compassion), Le (Rituals), Nghia (Righteousness), Tri (Wisdom), and Tin (Trust).

Lunar New Year Around The World: Celebrate The Most Colourful Time Of The Year / Li, Amanda
“Find out all about Lunar New Year and how it is celebrated in different communities across the world!” (Catalogue)

Home for Chinese New Year : a story told in English and Chinese / Wei, Jie
“The Chinese New Year is a time for family reunions. This Chinese children’s story tells a delightful trip with lots of cultural details along the way! Jia Jun’s Dad worked out of town all year around. Now it’s time for him to come home…” (Abridged from catalogue)

Wellington City Libraries has children’s books and bilingual editions available in community languages from many different cultures!

Maylasia NY photo

Photograph by our blog author’s family of celebrations in Malaysia!

Gong Xi Fa Cai” 恭喜发财 — May you be happy and prosperous! 

– Blog by Wei Jing & Joseph

World Arabic Language Day 2022!


السلام عليكم

The 18th of December marks the United Nations Arabic Language Day. Did you know that there are over 300 million native Arabic speakers worldwide? This makes the Arabic language one of the most widely spoken languages in the word.

Arabic is spoken by a diverse range of people across the African continent and the Middle East, including Sudan, Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, and many more. There are also people who live in New Zealand who come from these countries, or whose parents or grandparents come from these countries.

Continue reading

Parihaka Day 2022

On the coast of Aotearoa, near Mount Taranaki, there is a very important place called Parihaka which has a lot to teach us about the history of injustice in New Zealand, and the importance of hope and peace.

In the years following the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in 1840, colonial greed and racism enabled the government to unlawfully confiscate land and wage war against groups of Māori who sought to defend their territory.

During the 1860s, the community at Parihaka became a haven for different groups of Māori, and a place of resistance to land confiscation and encroaching settlement. The people of Parihaka had a peaceful campaign, led by Te Whiti and Tohu, that consisted of ploughing up confiscated land, removing surveying pegs, and placing fencing.

In response, the government arrested these peaceful people and sent them far away, to Wellington, and to the South Island where they were forced to build roads. On 5 November 1881, Parihaka was invaded by a military force of 1600 armed constabulary. Māori people who were not originally from the Parihaka area were forced to leave. Violence was inflicted against the people. Their leaders were arrested. Buildings were damaged. Te Whiti and Tohu were held without trial for two years, before returning home in 1883.

Despite all of this harm, Parihaka was rebuilt by its people, and still thrives today. Parihaka reminds us of what hope and working together can achieve, especially in the face of injustice.

The memorial at Pukeahu War Memorial Park

A Place to Remember

At Pukeahu War Memorial Park, on the north-west corner of the old Dominion Museum building, there is a memorial dedicated to the people of Taranaki and Parihaka who were imprisoned in the Mount Cook barracks. The memorial represents a prisoner wrapped up in a blanket. The base of the monument is made of stones from Taranaki. As you wander through Wellington, this is the perfect spot to take a moment to reflect on the Parihaka legacy of peace.

Online resources for tamariki to learn more about Parihaka

Image: Parihaka by Josiah Martin on DigitalNZ.

Parihaka | AnyQuestions

AnyQuestions offers free online homework help to New Zealand school students. AnyQuestions provides a librarian chat service, from 1pm to 6pm Monday to Friday during the school year. The website also has great ManyAnswers articles on important topics and places. This Parihaka article will help show you more great places to find information!

One of the other great sources is the National Library topic explorer page for Parihaka, which has links to photographs, articles, and videos.

Pukapuka for tamariki to learn more about Parihaka

Syndetics book coverMaumahara ki tērā Nōema / nā Jennifer Beck rāua ko Lindy Fisher ; nā Kawata Teepa i whakamāori.
“It’s almost Guy Fawkes Night, and at the school speech competition Andy talks about Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot. The children cheer excitedly, thinking Andy will win the contest. But then, Aroha gets up, wearing a white feather in her hair, and tells the story of another fifth of November u the invasion of Parihaka in 1881.” (Syndetics summary)
Syndetics book coverRemember that November / written by Jennifer Beck ; illustrated by Lindy Fisher.
“It’s almost Guy Fawkes Night, and at the school speech competition Andy talks about Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot. The children cheer excitedly, thinking Andy will win the contest. But then, Aroha gets up, wearing a white feather in her hair, and tells the story of another fifth of November u the invasion of Parihaka in 1881.” (Syndetics summary)

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.

Keenan Book Cover
Amorangi and Millie’s trip through time / Keenan, Lauren
“Amorangi and Millie lost their mum. Their only clue to her whereabouts is a carving on a tree that says, I’m in the past! Rescue me! To do this, Amorangi and Millie must travel up every branch of their family tree and collect an object from each ancestor they meet. They must then be back in the modern day before the sun sets, or they’ll all be trapped forever in the past. In their travels, the children experience aspects of events in New Zealand history, such as the invasion of Parihaka, the Great Depression, World War Two, the Musket Wars and the eruption of Mount Taranaki. They also experience changes in the town and landscape, the attitudes of people and the way people live their lives”–Publisher information.” (Catalogue)