Books

Fluff, Food, Feelings and Fun Projects: New Kids Books in the Collection

Kath Read 0 Comments

We’ve got lots of gorgeous new books in the collection for kids this month, so many we can’t share them all here!  But we’ve selected a handful we think you might like.  Read about a really fluffy buffalo and a colourful dinosaur; exploring the wilderness or learning about food; time travel or fitting in at school; Ancient Rome or fibre crafts.  Plus lots more!

For more new items in the collection, go to: What’s new / April 2024 (wcl.govt.nz)

Picture Books

Buffalo fluffalo / Kalb, Bess
“Buffalo Fluffalo arrives on the scene puffed up with self-importance. Stomping around and raising billows of dust, Buffalo Fluffalo proclaims his superiority to the other creatures–the ram, the prairie dog, and the crow–who just want to be his friend. So Buffalo Fluffalo, who has had enuffalo, heads off to grumble to himself. Suddenly, a rain shower pours down from the clouds and–what’s this? All of his fluffalo is a soggy mess!” (Adapted from Catalogue)

I love books / Ilustrajo, Mariajo
“It’s the end of term, and a little girl is given the unreasonable task of reading a whole book over the holidays. A whole book? But she HATES books. Luckily her sister takes her to the library and recommends just the thing. Slowly, the little girl is drawn into a world of adventure inside her own imagination, for the very first time.” (Catalogue)

Rainbowsaurus / Antony, Steve
“We’re following a rainbow to find the rainbowsaurus. We’re following a rainbow. Would you like to join us? Celebrate a joyful rainbow of colours with one adventurous family as they set off on a quest to find the Rainbowsaurus. It’s the perfect story of pride and love for families of all shapes and sizes.” (Catalogue)

The wrong book / Daywalt, Drew
“In this giggle-inducing story, the narrator is WRONG about everything, including that bicycles say cock-a-doodle-doo and firefighters shout Ding Dong! before putting out a fire, until the characters within the book set him straight.” (Catalogue)

Comics

The secret of the ravens / Cacao, Joanna
“Twin siblings Elliot and Liza only have each other. Their parents are gone. Their home was taken, and to survive on their own, they’re forced to scrounge up plastic and metal to trade for coin within an abandoned garbage heap. Desperate to escape the vagabond cycle that they’re trapped in, the answer to their plight seemingly appears when they stumble upon a Raven Quest – magical tasks offered by mysterious message-carrying ravens that when successfully completed, promise the victors coin and untold riches.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Wildful / Kurimoto, Kengo
“Poppy’s mother hasn’t been the same since Gran passed away. She stays inside and watches TV, unable to leave the couch. So maybe that’s why Poppy has started spending more time outside, taking her dog Pepper for walks around the neighborhood. When Pepper leads Poppy through a hole in the fence, she finds a forgotten forest, as well as a new friend named Rob. Rob teaches Poppy that you can find magic in the wilderness – if you know where to look! Poppy looks… and sees flowers opening before her eyes, watches animals slip into their hidden homes, and listens to the sound of water droplets falling gently on puddles, leaves and feathers. She can barely wait to tell Mum about everything she’s seen, and asks her to come see, too – but her mother rarely has the energy to leave the couch.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Tasty : a history of yummy experiments / Elliott, Victoria Grace
“How did cheese happen? Who pickled the first pickle? Have you ever wondered how some of our favorite foods came to be? How was cheese created and who realized it belonged on everything? Was soda always meant to be a drink? A team of whimsical food sprites are excited to show you the yummy history of food experiments from all over the world! Learn about the true stories behind pickles! Get a recipe for how to make your favorite pizza! With a story and recipe for every chapter, this graphic novel will give you something to read and taste.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Amy’s big brother / Jeong, BonHyung
“I’m not her babysitter… Having a little sister isn’t easy – she takes my soda, follows me around, and wants to tag along with me and my friends. Worse, she always gets her way with our parents! Sometimes I wonder if I was adopted just to look after her (I know, it doesn’t make sense). Going to middle school means at least she can’t bother me there. I’ll have plenty of time to practice to become MVP of the basketball team and maybe even… get a girlfriend! I finally managed to ask Hannah out on a date. Now how do I make sure Amy doesn’t follow me and ruin the day?!” (Catalogue)

Chapter Books

These olive trees / Ghanameh, Aya
“It’s 1967 in Nablus, Palestine. Oraib loves the olive trees that grow outside the refugee camp where she lives. Each harvest, she and her mama pick the small fruits and she eagerly stomp stomp stomps on them to release their golden oil. Olives have always tied her family to the land, as Oraib learns from the stories Mama tells of a home before war. But war has come to their door once more, forcing them to flee. Even as her family is uprooted, Oraib makes a solemn promise to her beloved olive trees. She will see to it that their legacy lives on for generations to come.” (Catalogue)

When I feel red / Bailey, Lily
“April has always marched to the beat of her own drum, but would life be easier if she learned to fit in? Now that she’s in Year 8, things have got even worse. She’s much more likely to be trying to rescue an animal in need than worrying about who’s dating who at school, which April just finds BORING. Plus, her lessons feel like they’re in a foreign language, and it suddenly seems impossible to make it through the week without landing in detention. As family worries and classroom romances ramp up, it feels like everyone around her is pulling away — even her best friend Ben. But when the pressure’s on, can she find a way to fit in and still be true to herself?” (Catalogue)

The Grimmelings / King, Rachael
“The same evening Josh Underhill went missing, the black horse appeared on the hill above the house. Ella knows that words are powerful. So she should have known better than to utter a wish and a curse on the same day. Who is Gus, the boy with the impish grin, who seems to appear in answer to her wish? And what does the black horse want? When Ella finds that her grandmother’s warnings of creatures that dwell in the lake are more than just stories, she and her pony Magpie are drawn into a dangerous, life-saving mission.” (Catalogue)

Countdown to yesterday / Marr, Shirley
“Since his parents have separated, he’s been living two different lives and neither of them add up to the great one he used to have. During National Science Week, James meets the enigmatic Yan, a girl who looks at the world with x-ray eyes, and discovers that time travel might be possible after all. The two budding scientists’ quest to restore James’s lost past brings them into contact with retro Australian Women’s Weekly birthday cakes, old Commodore computers, chaotic rideshare vehicles of the future, and spacemen. But as they get closer to their goal, James is forced to consider that his favorite moments from his personal history may not be as perfect as he remembers them.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Non-Fiction

Stitch-by-stitch / Bull, Jane
“Stitch by Stitch will make young crafters aged 7-11 become confident at sewing projects, from stitched felt flowers to a cute crocheted bag. They will discover how to knit a simple doll’s scarf and find out how to create a colorful patchwork cushion. Award-winning author Jane Bull combines her unique arty style and excellent instructions to teach children how to knit, sew, crochet, appliqué, embroider, and patchwork.” (Catalogue)

Ancient Romans / Gifford, Clive
“Journey back in time to the stately, splendid and sometimes stinky world of ancient Rome — and decide what you would rather do there. Meet emperors, soldiers, priestesses and everyday Romans, and discover their palaces, jobs, gods and much, much more. Packed with fascinating and hilarious facts.” (Catalogue)

The wonderful wisdom of ants / Bunting, Philip
“There are ten quadrillion ants in the world, and yet I bet you never thought they could teach you anything. But these tiny creatures can do big things when they work together–just like people! With his signature humor and graphic illustrations, Philip Bunting delivers facts, laughs, and heart all in this special book that teaches that the answers to many of life’s biggest questions can be found in your own back yard (once you’re ready to look).” (Adapted from Catalogue)

My book of the elements / Dingle, Adrian
“My Book of the Elements is a wonderful introduction to the periodic table. Covering all the elements, from the unreactive to the radioactive, as well as key science topics, such as states of matter, this visual book is something that every young science enthusiast will want to own.” (Catalogue)

Go On An Exploration – New Kids Books in the Collection

Kath Read 0 Comments

This month’s new books for kids are all about exploration!  Exploration of space, place, story, and feelings, whatever realm you’re interested in finding more about, we have gorgeous new books to help and entertain you.  Take a look at this selection below…

Picture Books

Snail in space / Bright, Rachel
“Gail the snail has always been told not to dream too big or reach too far, but Gail is not your average snail, and she has plans to be the first… SNAIL IN SPACE! Join Gail on her stellar adventure and discover the magic of reaching for the stars and giving it your all.” (Catalogue)

Chip / Gastaldi, Federico
“Atticus wakes at his usual time, ready to feed Chip. But when he reaches the fishbowl, Chip is gone. When Atticus asks his loved ones where Chip is, he gets a range of answers in the form of gentle but evasive ways of explaining the concept of death: Chip is in a better place; Chip has moved on. These ideas are confusing for Atticus. Memories live in our hearts and keep our loved ones with us. This gentle story is an imaginative meditation on healing from grief..” (Adapted from Catalogue)

The red fruit / Lee, Gee-eun
“When he gets hit in the head by a delicious red fruit, Baby Bear searches for more of this elusive treat until he finds the biggest red fruit of all, in this delightful story about first discoveries and always landing in a safe place.” (Catalogue)

The littlest lifeguard / Hatley-Owen, Vanessa
“The littlest lifeguard wants to help, but it only ends in chaos! Just when it seems they will never be part of the team, they discover being the littlest one means you can help in a different way.” (Catalogue)

Comics

Garfield : home cookin’ / Davis, Jim
“Someone’s always cookin’ up fun – and often trouble – in the Arbuckle home. Whether it’s one of Jon’s half-baked ideas or mischievous Garfield stirring the pot, it all boils down to an entertaining time for fans!” (Catalogue)

Also available as an ebook.

I survived the American Revolution, 1776 / Ball, Georgia
“Nathaniel Fox never imagined he’d find himself in the middle of a blood-soaked battlefield, fighting for his life. He’s only eleven years old! He’s barely paid attention to the troubles between America and England. Instead, he’s been worked to the bone by his cruel uncle. But when his uncle’s rage forces him to flee home suddenly, Nate finds himself in New York City, in the middle of the American Revolution. He encounters an old friend and joins his army regiment as a camp helper. Soon the British invade — and nothing goes as planned. Can Nate survive the war’s biggest battle yet?” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Also available as an ebook.

Juniper Mae : Knight of Tykotech City / Soh, Sarah
“Tykotech City is a marvelous and peaceful place, filled with technology beyond anyone’s wildest dreams. But as power cuts begin to plague the residents, a sinister force infiltrates the city, and the lives of the cityfolk are in terrible danger it falls to Juniper Mae, a tiny, brave inventor, obsessed with the legends of the Guardian Knights, to overcome her fears and save her city. Can she embody the bravery of the Guardian Knights and invent some cool gadgets to save Tykotech City in time?​” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Plants vs. zombies : impfestation / Tobin, Paul
“Chestbeard’s pirate ship is overrun with imps! Patrice, Nate, and the gang need to act fast and clean up this impfestation! With a seemingly endless infestation of zombie imps aboard his ship, Chestbeard sails to Neighborville Harbor and enlists Patrice, Nate, and Crazy Dave in clearing out the impfestation!” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Also available as an ebook.

Chapter Books

The secret of the blood-red key / Farr, David
“Rachel and Robert have defeated the tyrant Malstain and become the heroes of Krasnia, but all is not how it should be. Robert is swept away with his new friends, leaving Rachel alone to take care of her ailing father, who’s lost without their beloved mother. From nowhere, a boy appears knowing the secrets of the hidden blood-red key. For the key is a way into the Hinterland – and Rachel must promise that, as a new key keeper, she will answer when it calls.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Girls / Schaap, Annet
“A determined girl gives up on kissing a frog. A fearless heroine comes face-to-face with a not-so Big Bad Wolf. A monstrous princess, held captive on a deserted island, yearns to break free. Within this book are seven famous fairy tales turned into enchanting, inspiring and sometimes hair-raising stories for today’s world, about girls with their own dreams and desires. These are no damsels in distress, but real young women of flesh and blood, who certainly don’t need rescuing.” (Catalogue)

Slugfest / Korman, Gordon
“Forced to take Physical Education Equivalency, aka “Slugfest,” in summer school so he can maintain his star spot on the JV football team, Yash recruits his fellow PE rejects to train with him and pass this course, an endeavor that turns into a summer he’ll never forget.” (Catalogue)

Also available as an eaudiobook and an ebook.

Kicked out / Dassu, A. M.
“Kicked Out finds Sami and his friend Ali living their dream, playing football for the school team and swimming in their friend Mark’s new luxury pool. But money goes missing and racism rears its ugly head when their friend Aadam is accused of being the thief. Kicked out of Mark’s house and banned from seeing him, Sami and Ali resolve to prove Aadam’s innocence and hatch a plan to raise the money he needs to fight a threatened deportation. Ultimately, they’re going to need to draw on the strength of all their relationships and the help of a famous new friend, to achieve their dream.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Non Fiction

Ben Rothery’s weird and wonderful animals / Rothery, Ben
“Discover the weirdest and most wonderful creatures of Planet Earth! In this curated collection, award-winning illustrator Ben Rothery pairs fascinating facts with his stunning artwork to bring you the most incredible creatures in the animal kingdom. From the bone-crunching beard vulture to the venomous platypus and many, many more, you’ll enjoy exploring just how weird and how wonderful the world of animals can be.” (Catalogue)

Questions and answers about refugees / Daynes, Katie
“A powerful exploration of what it means to be a refugee. With simple, direct questions, thoughtful, compassionate answers and stunning illustrations by the Ukrainian artist Oksana Drachkovska, this book explores what it really means to be a refugee. Written with advice from the Refugee Council and drawing on conversations with refugees and aid workers from around the world, the questions cover all stages of a refugee’s journey, from fleeing danger and embarking on hazardous journeys, to seeking asylum and struggling to find a new place to call home.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Complete Greek myths / Brook, Henry
“This comprehensive volume of Greek Myths is perfect for a family bookshelf, containing all of the best known myths, told in a detailed and fresh way to alight the interest of any child or adult with an interest in the gods and heroes of Ancient Greece. Beautifully illustrated plates introduce all the characters, story by story, from the most famous to the more obscure. This book serves as a wonderful introduction or a further, detailed exploration of the classics for both young and old.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

This book will make you an artist / Millington, Ruth
“Jam-packed with imaginative ideas for all kinds of creative crafts . . . this book will make YOU an artist! Pick up your pencils, collect your collage materials, and take inspiration from 25 of the world’s best-known artists in this fact-filled book full of activities. Discover famous masterpieces through the included photographs of real works of art – from ancient cave painting to contemporary performance – and lots more in between!” (Catalogue)

For more new books in the collection, go to: What’s new / March 2024 (wcl.govt.nz)

Ramadan Mubarak!

Zoe Miller 0 Comments

Ramadan Mubarak to our Muslim whānau

Kia ora kids! We know some of you might like to know more about Ramadan.. or some of you might not even know what Ramadan is. Luckily you are in the right place. Libraries are great places to learn about different religions, cultures and important celebrations that happen all over the world, including in Aotearoa, New Zealand.

What is Islam?

Ramadan and Eid are important events in the religion called Islam. People who follow Islam are called Muslims. There are about 1.9 billion (!) Muslim people all over the world. We think you will agree that is a lot of people – its roughly a quarter of the Earth’s total population!

Why is it good to learn about Islam?

A local Muslim family celebrating Eid al-Fitr at Newtown Library

As the world comes together and people mix more and more, it’s good to learn about religions and cultures that maybe different to your own. You may be Muslim yourself, have a Muslim friend, or classmate, or you may not know any Muslims. But we can all learn more about Islam. Like many religions, Islam has lots of ancient wisdom and practices that help its followers to be peaceful and kind people.

Ramadan is one of the most sacred times of the year for Muslims, it is a time when people remember the prophet Muhammed who received the first verses of the holy book the Qur’an. Ramadan lasts for 1 month and is a time when people fast, which means they do not drink or eat from sunrise until sunset, every single day for 4 weeks!  In the evening they break the fast with a special meal called the Iftar and visit family and friends.

Why? Not eating anything means that you get to practice not getting everything you want. It can be very difficult to go without food and water, so it helps you to develop a strong mind. It helps Muslims to focus on family, kindness and helping others. Most importantly Ramadan is a time spent being quiet and reflecting on Allah (God).

At the end of Ramadan the fast is broken with a big celebration called Eid al-Fitr. Eid is an Arabic word meaning “festivity”.

Celebration Collection

Just some of the fantastic books you can find in our Celebration Collection for Ramadan and Eid!

In the Library we have a new Celebration Collection for Ramadan and Eid. This means we have a lot of beautiful new books about Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr that are available at this time of the year.

As part of this special collection, we have over 60 books about Ramadan and Eid written by Muslim authors, as well as many books with Muslim characters. These books are for kids of all ages, from babies all the way up to intermediate-aged readers.

Here are some you may like to read:

Children’s books about Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr

The proudest blue : a story of hijab and family / Muhammad, Ibtihaj
“Faizah relates how she feels on the first day her sister, sixth-grader Asiya, wears a hijab to school.” (Catalogue)

In my mosque / Yuksel, M. O.
“A picture book featuring culturally rich artwork celebrates the joys, rituals, and traditions that are practiced in mosques throughout the world, and includes a glossary and information about many historical and significant mosques.” (Catalogue)

Aya and the butterfly / Salama, Maysoon
“Aya and her grandad grow swan plants in their garden. Dedicated to the children and whānau of the Aotearoa New Zealand Muslim community, whose lives were changed forever on 15 March 2019.” (Catalogue)

Once upon an Eid : stories of hope and joy by 15 Muslim voices
“Eid: The short, single-syllable word conjures up a variety of feelings and memories for Muslims. Maybe it’s waking up to the sound of frying samosas and simmering pistachio kheer, maybe it’s the pleasure of putting on a new outfit for Eid prayers, or maybe it’s the gift giving and holiday parties to come that day. Whatever it may be, for those who cherish this day of celebration, the emotional responses may be summed up in another short and sweet word: joy.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Like the moon loves the sky / Khan, Hena
“Illustrations and prose inspired by the Quran celebrate a mother’s love and hopes for her child.” (Catalogue)

Sadiq / Nuurali, Siman (series)
“When Sadiq’s father leaves on a business trip, he worries he’ll miss his baba too much. But Baba has a story for Sadiq: the story of the Desert Star. Learning about Baba’s passion for the stars sparks Sadiq’s interest in outer space. But can Sadiq find others who are willing to help him start the space club of his dreams?” (Catalogue entry for Sadiq and the Desert Star)

Planet Omar / Mian, Zanib (series)
“Welcome, readers, to the imaginative brain of Omar! You might not know me yet, but once you open the pages of this book you’ll laugh so hard that snot will come out of your nose (plus you might meet a dragon and a zombie – what more could you want?). My parents decided it would be a good idea to move house AND move me to a new school at the same time. As if I didn’t have a hard enough time staying out of trouble at home, now I’ve also got to try and make new friends. […] The only good thing is that Eid’s just around the corner which means a feast of all my favourite food (YAY) and presents (DOUBLE YAY).” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Community languages

Please note: We also have books in different community languages about Islam, Ramadan and Eid, including Arabic, Farsi, Somali and Bahasa Malaysia.

Please do come into our libraries for some quiet time and ask us about anything you may need help with.

Books are Magic: Books about Books

wcl staff 0 Comments

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.

Kaupapa Moana – Seaweek 2024

Merritt 0 Comments

Seaweek 2024 has just started! Seaweek is New Zealand’s national week for celebrating the sea, and this year it runs from the 2nd to the 10th of March.

Or come and check out the fantastic Seaweek displays in our libraries!

Here in Aotearoa we are surrounded by the sea, so it’s no surprise that our moana is something many of us feel a strong connection to. Every year, Seaweek hopes to inspire us all to engage with nature, explore the ocean, and develop this sense of connection with our environment and the sea. Seaweek is an opportunity to get involved in a community beach clean-up, visit a marine education centre, or just learn more about the oceans around us and what live in them.

If you’re looking for Seaweek activities in Wellington, there are a few events you might be interested in this Saturday the 9th of March. You can celebrate Seaweek at Te Papa and drop in to design your own deep sea fish and go all the way underwater in a Virtual Reality Submarine, or you could visit the Victoria University Coastal Ecology Lab Open Day and explore their interactive touch tanks and learn all about marine biology.

A selection of sea-themed booksIf you’d like a sea-themed literary experience, our own Te Awe Library is running a sea-themed Preschool Storytime on Wednesday the 6th of March. Come along and join our most piratical librarian for sea-themed stories, songs, and rhymes!

 

This year, Seaweek’s Ocean Champion Challenge has been refreshed to recognise the variety of actions being taken to protect the ocean and raise awareness. If you know someone who advocates for the ocean through their art, or who collects of contributes data related towards our marine environment, or who uses storytelling to contribute to ocean awareness, education, or conservation, they can be nominated as a Creator, Investigator, or Narrator! You can nominate a friend, or be nominated yourself!

Perhaps you’re keen to investigate Wellington’s beaches and sea life yourself? If you are, here are some books to get you started!

Rock pools : a guide for Kiwi kids / Barraud, Ned
“What New Zealand child is not delighted by a rockpool at low tide, with its colourful, fascinating array of creatures, some still, some flitting about? Rock Pools is a book designed to enhance this experience, with each page presenting an intriguing glimpse into the creatures that inhabit these low-tide wonderlands. All of the common creatures from New Zealand seashore, including crabs, sea anemones, starfish, barnacles and shrimps, and many more, feature in this fantastic book, which cannot help but delight and encourage children to interact with the natural world”–Publisher’s website.” (Catalogue)

Wild Coasts : exploring Aotearoa’s marine reserves / Barraud, Ned
“Aotearoa is renowned for its wild coasts, but after decades of overfishing, many of these marine ecosystems are under serious threat. A crucial response to this has been the creation of 44 marine reserves around our shores, and this book explores six of the most spectacular of these: boat Island, north of Auckland, the Poor Knights Islands, Taputeranga on the south coast of Wellington, Hikurangi at Kaikoura, Piopiotahi (Milford Sound) in Fiordland, and Ulva Island at Stewart Island/Rakiura. Full of fascinating information and wonderful illustrations of the amazing sea life found in the marine reserves, Wild boasts is an inspiring tribute to these safe zones. It will be treasured by all young people who are interested in our marine environment.” (Catalogue)

At the beach : explore & discover the New Zealand seashore / Candler, Gillian
“At the Beach is a delightful introduction to the natural history of the New Zealand seashore. The stage is set with beautiful, factually correct illustrations (including detailed cross-sections) of three familiar habitats – the sandy beach, rockpools and mudflats. Many of the plants and animals that play a part in these rich ecosystems are shown in situ, and readers are directed from there to pages dedicated to detailed coverage of: crabs; sea stars, kina and sea anemones; shellfish; seaweeds, sponges and sandhoppers; fish, jellyfish & shrimps; birds. Aimed at children 5-8 years old, but with appeal for anyone curious about New Zealand’s natural environment, At the Beach is a must for the home, bach, classroom and library. Comes with a removable, waterproof quick-reference guide to common seashore animals.” (Catalogue)

Under the ocean : explore & discover the seas around New Zealand / Candler, Gillian
“Explore the vast ocean, underwater reefs, and the depths of the sea floor and discover some of the creatures that live in the seas around New Zealand… This beautifully illustrated and highly informative book is aimed at children from pre-schoolers up and anyone curious about our ocean and the amazing creatures that live there.”–Back cover.” (Catalogue)

The observologist / Clarkson, Giselle
A playful field guide for natural scientists and curious observers of the world right under our noses.

An observologist is someone who makes small scientific expeditions every day, who notices the interesting details in the world around them, and that there are fascinating things to be found in even the most ordinary places.

Above and below : sea and shore / Evans, Harriet
“What wonders wait beneath the waves? Dive in and find out with this beautiful split-page book that celebrates ocean habitats from the sandy shallows to the darkest depths. Turn the page to discover the incredible creatures and plants that lie below the ocean blue. With magnificent mangrove forests, colourful coral reefs and exciting estuaries, there are so many watery worlds to explore.”–Back cover.” (Catalogue)

I wonder why the sea is salty and other questions about the oceans / Ganeri, Anita
“Encounter deep-sea volcanoes, electric fish, fierce pirates, and much more! With over thirty bite-sized questions and answers and hundreds of fun and colorful illustrations, this is the perfect guide to the underwater world.”– Page 4 of cover.” (Catalogue)

Ultrawild : an audacious plan to rewild every city on Earth / Mushin, Steve
“Join maverick inventor Steve Mushin as he tackles climate change with an avalanche of mind-bending, scientifically plausible inventions to rewild cities and save the planet. Jump into his brain as he designs habitat-printing robot birds and water-filtering sewer submarines, calculates how far compost cannons can blast seed bombs (over a kilometre), brainstorms biomaterials with scientists and engineers, studies ecosystems, and develops a deadly serious plan for future cities. A tour de force of extreme problem-solving for anyone who loves big ideas.” (Catalogue)

Also available as an ebook.
Hauraki broo / Slade-Robinson, Nikki
“Hauraki Broo, a young Bryde’s Whale, is searching for food but it’s getting harder and harder to find. From award-winning children’s author and illustrator Nikki Slade Robinson comes a beautiful and inspiring tale that addresses the challenges faced by marine life in the Hauraki Gulf, skillfully reminding us of the importance of the conservation of our whole marine environment”– Publisher description.” (Catalogue)

Also available in te reo Māori.

Our blue planet / Stewart-Sharpe, Leisa
“With all its variety, expanse and wonder, discover how much there is to love about Our Blue Planet. Our oceans are home to the greatest diversity of life on Earth and cover 71 percent of the planet. With so much to discover, this book introduces creatures beyond imagination.” — Provided by publisher.” (Catalogue)

Miracle Seeds, Unicorns and Greedy Peas – New Kids Books in the Collection

Kath Read 0 Comments

There is so much to read, learn and enjoy in the latest bunch of books added to our collection.  You can find out why seals are jerks, or what happens when a greedy pea eats all the food.  Read about a cake-baking inflatable donut or some eerie stories that will make you tremble.  Maybe you’d prefer unicorns, tuatara or seashells.  Whatever you’re interested in, you’ll find something fascinating in this selection.

Picture books

The princess and the (greedy) pea / Hodgkinson, Leigh
“We all know ‘There was an old lady who swallowed a fly’. But have you heard the one about the greedy pea who swallowed a sprout? And slurped up the soup… gobbled the cake… and drank all the tea… And made one particular princess very… grumpy.” (Catalogue)

What you need to be warm / Gaiman, Neil
“During the coldest season, when the world feels scary, what do you remember about being warm? Baked potatoes. Trust. A kettle on the stove. Blankets. A smile. And, most of all, the reassurance that you belong.” (Catalogue)

Seals are jerks / Chapman, Jared
“Seals are Lorelei’s favorite animal: they’re so cute and cuddly and best buddies with penguins. Well… that’s what she thought before learning the ugly truth — some seals EAT penguins! She doesn’t want to believe it at first, but she drags Penguin, the classroom guest, and seal whistleblower, to Antarctica to prove Penguin wrong and confront Seal face-to-face. And Seal finally reveals the truth.” (Catalogue)

Too much! : an overwhelming day / Gutiérrez, Jolene
“Sometimes everything is too much! Too loud, too bright, and all too overwhelming. Writing from her own experience with sensory processing disorder, Jolene Gutiérrez’s compassionate picture book explores the struggles of a sensorily sensitive child and how they settle themselves. Joined by Angel Chang’s beautiful illustrations, young readers will learn that it’s OK if some days are too much.” (Catalogue)

Comic Books

The miracle seed / Lemelman, Martin
“The thrilling true story of an ancient plant, wonderfully reborn in the modern era through the hard work of two female scientists. Thousands of years ago, in a time of rebellion, the Jewish people fought against their Roman rulers. The brutal Emperor Titus ordered the destruction of everything precious to the Jews: towns, villages, even their beloved Judean date palm trees. Centuries passed. The Jewish people were scattered, and the Judean date palm faded into extinction. Then, in 1963, a team of archaeologists uncovered two-thousand-year-old date palm seeds at the ruined fortress of Masada. For another forty years the seeds waited–until 2004, when Israeli scientist Dr. Sarah Sallon had a big, courageous idea. What if those ancient seeds could bring the Judean date palm back to life? Dr. Sallon recruited her friend Dr. Elaine Solowey, and their amazing experiment began…” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Eerie tales from the school of screams / Annable, Graham
“School is tough. School is scary. School is EERIE. No one knows this better than Davis and Emily. But they’re not scared of school because of tough tests or merciless vice-principals. No, they’re scared because their teacher wants her students to present the class with the spookiest, most chilling stories they can think of. Are you ready to stare down “The Face in the Forest”? Do you think you can handle the truth behind “The Village that Vanished?” Lock the doors, turn on all the lights, and arm yourself with candy– you’ll need all the help you can get to face these nightmares.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

The Inflatables in Snack to the future / Garrod, Beth
“Determined to turn Lynn’s frown upside down on her birthday, Donut attempts to bake the best cake EVER, but when his secret recipe accidentally sends the inflata-gang and bouncy BFFs time traveling, they must face some fearsome foes to get back home.” (Catalogue)

Chapter Books

Project F / DuPrau, Jeanne
“WELCOME TO THE FUTURE. There are no cars, planes, television, or smart phones. Climate change wreaked havoc on Earth hundreds of years ago, and now people live a simpler life. Then thirteen-year-old Keith uncovers a secret. It’s a mysterious mission known only as Project F. It’s advanced, it’s scientific, and it’s going to change the world. It’s exactly the kind of adventure Keith has always longed to be a part of. And what is adventure without a little danger, right? But how much danger is Keith willing to risk? For himself? For his family? For his community? For the entire world…?” (Catalogue)

Green / Gino, Alex
“Crushes are confusing. Green is very lucky. They’ve got a supportive dad, friendly neighbors, and good friends. They’ve figured out a lot of things…but they can’t figure out what to do about Ronnie. Ronnie’s a boy who’s been in Green’s class for awhile. He’s sweet. Funny. And lately Green’s heart has raced a little faster whenever he’s around. Green is pretty sure about their own feelings, but when it comes to how Ronnie feels, they have ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA. When Green doesn’t get a part in the school musical — a very untraditional version of The Wizard of Oz — they join the crew to work alongside Ronnie. Is this a good idea? Green’s about to find out…” (Catalogue)

Neon and the unicorn hunters / Pounder, Sibéal
“Now a fully-fledged unicorn (no, not the horse kind, the ultra-powerful human-looking kind), Neon Gallup is LOVING her secret double life in the extraordinary UNIverse, creating goo-powered magic and going on adventures with her unicorn friends. Little does she know that she has been spotted opening a portal by none other than the neighbourhood unicorn hunter, Priscilla. Now that she’s seen Neon’s portal opener, Priscilla is determined to steal it and destroy unicorns once and for all. With the unicorn hunters closing in on all sides, will Neon discover the sinister plot in time to save the day once again?” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Cut loose / Stroker, Ali
“Thirteen-year-old Nat jumps at the chance to participate in the middle school regional theatre competition where the winner gets to perform on Broadway, but when stressful rehearsals negatively impact her friendships, she starts to wonder if it is worth doing theatre at all.” (Catalogue)

Non-Fiction

A shell is cozy / Aston, Dianna Hutts
“From the acclaimed duo Dianna Hutts Aston and Sylvia Long comes this gorgeous look at the fascinating world of shells. From land snails to freshwater mussels, giant clams to tiny, an incredible array of shells are showcased in all their splendor. Poetic in voice and elegant in design, this carefully researched book will spark the imaginations of children in classroom reading circles as well as on parents’ laps.” (Catalogue)

What is war / Altarriba, Eduard
“What is War? is a book designed to offer a simple answer to all the questions kids might ask when hearing about war and conflict. Why do countries or different ideological groups fight? What are the key points between different types of conflict? Is there such a thing as a just war? What are the tools used to wage war, from weapons to propaganda? How can we end wars, and who are the real winners and losers? This book tells the reader through clear explanations punctuated by historical and contemporary examples what war is and how it can be prevented.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Tuatara : a living treasure / Furze, Katie
“Meet Tuatara, ancient wonder, wildlife treasure … and survivor! Blinking, she pulls her scaly body into the light. She’s as long as a finger, and with the row of spines on her back she looks like a baby dragon. Tuatara are survivors of an ancient era and sometimes referred to as living wonders – their closest relatives died out during the time of the dinosaurs 60 million years ago!” (Adapted from Catalogue)

The world of Studio Ghibli / Leader, Michael
“Welcome to the world of Studio Ghibli, a place where you can learn to fly on the slightest breeze and where monsters are never what they seem. Whether you dream of riding on a dragon’s back like Chihiro, catching the Catbus with Mei or living in a moving castle with the wizard Howl, this book will show you Studio Ghibli’s most beloved characters and films. Why not dress up with Kiki and Pazu, cook ramen with Ponyo or make your very own animated soot sprite? What are you waiting for? The magic is just a train ride away.” (Catalogue)

For more new books in the collection, go to: What’s new / February 2024 (wcl.govt.nz)

Cheese, Cryptids, Crime and Cooking – New Kids Books in the Collection

Kath Read 0 Comments

It’s a new year, and we have some amazing and exciting new books in our collection for kids. Among many other new titles available this month, get your teeth into a cheesy picture book, explore the world of cryptids in a new comic, or delve into crime or learn to cook! Take a look at some of our suggestions below.

Picture Books

The Big Cheese / John, Jory
“The Big Cheese is the best at everything, and brags about it, too. When the annual Cheese-cathlon comes around, the Big Cheese is prepared to win, as always. But what happens when the quiet new kid, Wedge Wedgeman, comes out on top? Is a slice of humility all the Big Cheese needs to discover that some things are better than being the best?” (Catalogue)

Look / Woodcock, Fiona
“A brother and sister spend an exciting day at the zoo where they find balloons, baboons, kangaroos, and more. Told entirely through illustrations and single words containing a double “O”.” (Catalogue)

Geoffrey gets the jitters / Shireen, Nadia
“Geoffrey’s got the jitters! It started last night when he was thinking about school – a funny, wiggly feeling in his tummy that grew and grew. But when Geoffrey’s tummy jitters started talking to him – that’s when he knew they were out of control. Geoffrey had to do something.” (Catalogue)

When grandpa wore a tutu / McMillan, Dawn
“Back in the day, Grandpa was a dairy farmer who milked cows while dreaming of dancing ballet. His dream comes true when the local farmers put on a performance of Swan Lake at the country hall and Grandma sews him a tutu ready for his starring role. Together with his farmer friends, they dance up a storm, wearing a variety of unusual footwear, including Grandpa in his gumboots!” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Comics

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.” (Catalogue)

Duel / Bagley, Jessixa
“Sixth grader Lucy loves fantasy novels and is brand-new to middle school. GiGi is the undisputed queen bee of eighth grade (as well as everything else she does). They’ve only got one thing in common: fencing. Oh, and they’re sisters. They never got along super well, but ever since their dad died, it seems like they’re always at each other’s throats. When GiGi humiliates Lucy in the cafeteria on the first day of school, Lucy snaps and challenges GiGi to a duel with high sisterly stakes. But after their scene in the cafeteria, both girls are on thin ice with the principal and their mom…” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Things in the basement / Hatke, Ben
“It was supposed to just be a normal basement – some storage boxes, dust, you know, the usual basement stuff. But when Milo is sent by his mother to fetch a sock from the basement of the historic home they’ve moved into, Milo finds a door in the back that he’s never seen before. Turns out that the basement of his house is enormous. In fact, there is a whole world down there. As Milo travels ever deeper into the Basement World, he meets the many Things that live in the shadows and gloom… and he learns that to face his fears he must approach even the strangest creatures with kindness.” (Catalogue)

Mabuhay / Sterling, Zack
“First-generation Filipino siblings, JJ and Althea, struggle to belong at school. JJ wants to fit in with the crowd, while Althea wants to be accepted as she is. But between the leftover Filipino food their mom packs for their lunches to having a last name that nobody can pronounce, any sense of belonging seems like a long shot. But when witches, ogres, and other creatures from those same stories appear in their town and threaten their family, JJ and Althea realize that the myths their parents have always told them may be more real than they’d suspected. Can JJ and Althea embrace who they really are and save their family?” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Chapter Books

The after school crime club / Webster, Hayley
“Willow has always felt like an outsider at school, but she and her Nanna were so alike that she never felt alone. Now Nanna is gone and Willow is adrift. So when a group of girls offer her friendship in exchange for “fun” stealing dares, Willow can’t say no. But as the dares escalate, she has to ask herself: How far will she go to fit in?” (Catalogue)

Stuntboy, in-between time / Reynolds, Jason
“Portico Reeves is the greatest superhero a lot of people have never heard of. He likes it that way–then no one can get in the way of him from keeping other people safe. Super safe. He’s Stuntboy. There’s been one major fail. He couldn’t save his parents from becoming Xs. Which is a word that sounds like coughing up a hairball. But don’t talk to him about the divorce, because of the hairball thing, and also, it gives Portico the frets. What’s also giving him frets is his parents living on two separate floors in their apartment building. So when Portico and new friend, Herbert, and best best friend, Zola, discover an empty apartment, unlocked, they are psyched. It’s a perfect hideout, and hangout, and it’s not half anyone’s…it’s all theirs. Problem is, that gives some Grown Up People the frets, which leads to double frets for Portico. And he’s not sure his arsenal of stunts can combat that.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Tiny the secret adventurer / Bushby, Aisha
“Tiny is a small creature with a big heart living in a school garden. Her animal neighbours don’t like her because she looks like a human. They think humans are big, noisy and messy and they’re scared. But when Frog is in danger Tiny comes to the rescue and makes friends!” (Catalogue)

Alebrijes / Higuera, Donna Barba
“For 400 years, Earth has been a barren wasteland. The few humans that survive scrape together an existence in the cruel city of Pocatel — or go it alone in the wilderness beyond, filled with wandering spirits and wyrms. 13 year-old pickpocket Leandro and his sister Gabi do what they can to forge a life in Pocatel. When Gabi is caught stealing precious fruit from the Pocatelan elite, Leando takes the fall. But his exile proves more than he ever could have imagined — far from a simple banishment, his consciousness is placed inside an ancient drone and left to fend on its own. But beyond the walls of Pocatel lie other alebrijes like Leandro who seek for a better world — as well as mutant monsters, wasteland pirates, a hidden oasis, and the truth.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Non Fiction

David Atherton’s baking book for kids / Atherton, David
“Preheat the oven and get cracking–there are bakes to make! From snacky samosas to hot cross hedgehogs, from loaves baked in flowerpots to an ombre cake (your friends will think it came from a fancy bakery), these recipes are so delicious and easy to follow, they’ll have the reader named star baker in no time! Featuring oven-hot tips, a review of a baker’s cupboard, an equipment list, step-by-step instructions, and delightful illustrations by award-winning illustrator Harry Woodgate, this collection of mouthwatering recipes from David Atherton will bring little bakers and their loved ones together in the kitchen again and again.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Welcome to the mysteryverse / Gifford, Clive
“Science is pretty amazing, but even though we know more about our universe than ever before, there still remain lots of unanswered questions that fascinate and perplex even the greatest scientific minds. This book is a compendium of these riveting unsolved mysteries, that still have us wondering… How? What? Why? From the personal (Why do we have fingerprints? Why do we yawn?) to the fundamental (How did life begin? Is anybody out there?) to the downright funny (Why do cats sit in circles?) The colourful and arresting artwork draws readers in further to ask How? What? And Why? This riveting book will capture the imagination of curious minds young and old. Maybe they can solve some of these riddles. Or maybe, some things will remain in the Mysteryverse …” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Invisible things / Miller, Andy J
“This creatively wacky and interactive exploration of the abstract concepts of the human experience, such as feelings and thoughts, encourages readers to look past the visible and connect with the things that are not seen.” (Catalogue)

For more new items in the collection, go to: What’s new / January 2024 (wcl.govt.nz)

Dinosaurs!

Grace Hancox

If you’ve been doing the Summer Reading Adventure then you might have hunted around your local library to find hidden dinosaurs as part of the Library of Adventure challenge. Or if you’ve been hanging out in Pōneke then you might have seen ads for the new Dinosaurs of Patagonia exhibition at Te Papa. So let’s dive into the wonderful, weird, and even a little bonkers world of dinosaurs.

What are dinosaurs?

Assembled skeleton of a tyrannosaurus rex, focused on the skull.

A scary T-Rex has been humbled by the passage of time.

While dinosaurs are famous from movies like Jurassic Park and iconic childhood shows like The Land Before Time there is more to them than how they are pictured on the big screen. For example, dinosaurs get a bad rep for being carnivorous monsters in movies but most of them (65%) were actually herbivores who had plant-based diets long before veganism became cool. And, even though The Land Before Time features some cool dinosaurs, some of them didn’t even exist at the same time! (Littlefoot is an apatosaurus, a species which lived nearly 80 million years before the saurolophus species that Ducky belonged to).

Anyway, dinosaurs are extinct (that means they aren’t around anymore) reptiles which roamed the earth between 251 and 65 million years ago! The three main periods when dinosaurs lived are: the Triassic period (251 – 200 million years ago), the Jurassic period (200 – 145 million years ago) and the Cretaceous period (145 – 65 million years ago) which are collectively known as the Mesozoic Era.  Defining characteristics of dinosaurs include that they had tails, laid eggs, lived on land, had two holes in the skull behind each eye, and the term dinosaur does not include the animals which flew or swam during the same period.

How do we learn about dinosaurs?

Nine dinosaur eggs fossilized in dirt.

Thankfully no mad scientist can use these to reincarnate dinosaurs, but they look cool.

Scientists called palaeontologists study fossils (the preserved remains of ancient creatures) to figure out what the earth was like thousands, and even millions of years ago. Even though Aotearoa might seem far away and difficult to get to for reptiles, dinosaurs still existed here because at the time they lived the world looked a lot different. During the Triassic and early Jurassic period, New Zealand (and Australia, South America, India, Africa and Antartica) were part of a supercontinent called Gondwanaland! This means dinosaurs didn’t have to swim across the Indian Ocean to find their way here, they could just walk.

For a long time people assumed that dinosaurs never roamed Aotearoa but in 1975 that changed thanks to amateur palaeontologist Joan Wiffen. Joan Wiffen, along with her husband Pont, discovered the tail bone of a theropod in 1975 and thus found proof that dinosaurs did once exist here, opening up lots of interesting and exciting scientific possibilities. Over the next three decades she discovered bones from an ankylosaur, mosasaurs, plesiosaurs and a titanosaur. If you now want to become an amateur palaeontologist yourself then you’re in luck! The library has plenty of books on dinosaurs which can help you learn more about these awesome creatures.

Books about dinosaurs:

Lots of things to know about dinosaurs / Maclaine, James
“Open this book to go back in time and meet lots of incredible dinosaurs. Featuring incredible illustrations and fun facts, this book is a great introduction to the world of dinosaurs. (Adapted from Catalogue)

Dinosaurium / Murray, Lily
“This junior edition of ‘Dinosaurium’ is perfect for those with a love of the natural world. Wander the galleries — open 365 days a year — and discover a collection of curated exhibits on every page.” (Catalogue)

Fossil / Taylor, Paul D
“Packed with striking photography, Eyewitness Fossil explores the creatures and plants that lived long ago. Become an eyewitness to the natural treasures found in rocks in this picture-led reference guide that will take you on a visual tour of all things fossils. Children will be mesmerized by the bones, teeth, and plants from long ago that have all been turned to rock.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Dinosaurs : the myth-busting guide to prehistoric beasts
“Discover what dinosaurs were REALLY like in this myth busting book! Find out how the real dinosaurs actually lived, looked and sounded in this fascinating book. While popular Hollywood movies have given us a simplistic view of these magnificent creatures, the latest scientific research is changing assumptions and providing a far different perspective.” (Catalogue)

Dinosaur / Lambert, David
“Meet the incredible creatures of the prehistoric world. This essential guide to dinosaurs, from tiny, chicken-sized Compsognathus to the mighty, long-necked Brachiosaurus, this book unearths fascinating facts about these prehistoric creatures. With colourful and factual illustrations, informative labels, statistics and fun-filled facts, this is the perfect all round guide for dinosaur lovers and budding palaeontologists.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Books about palaeontologists:

Dinosaur hunter : Joan Wiffen’s awesome fossil discoveries / Hill, David
“The true story of palaeontologist Joan Wiffen, whose fossil discoveries proved that dinosaurs lived in ancient New Zealand.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Paleontologists / Gibson, Karen Bush
“Discover the stories of Mary Anning, Mignon Talbot, Tilly Edinger, Zofia Kielan-Jaworowska, and Mary Leakey, five female palaeontologists who thrived while making breakthrough discoveries of ancient life from millions of years ago! In Gutsy Girls Go for Science: Palaeontologists with STEM Projects for Kids, readers ages 8 to 11 do fun hands-on projects while learning about these women and the fascinating lives they led in the field and in the lab.” (Catalogue)

The fossil hunter / Winter, Kate
“Unearth the mysteries of ancient fossils and discover the life and legacy of Mary Anning in this beautifully illustrated, fact-filled book for curious young readers. Mary Anning was a fossil hunter, scouring the cliffs and seashores of Lyme Regis for strange rocks and shells. Mary’s fossils paved the way for modern palaeontology and helped to piece together a picture of how the dinosaurs lived and evolved.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Mary Anning / Sánchez Vegara, Ma Isabel
“When Mary was little, her family was very poor. She used to help her dad to comb for shells and bones up high on dangerous cliffs. After receiving a book as a gift from a kind benefactor, Mary learned all about fossils. She continued to hunt for them and made the startling discovery of a complete skeleton of an ichthyosaur. Sadly, she wasn’t allowed to study along with all the other men, but she carried on making her own discoveries and advising the Geological Society when they needed help. It took a lifetime to receive recognition but we all remember her now as the mother of palaeontology.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Pūngāwerewere: Spider!

Sue Jane

If you’re taking part in the Summer Reading Adventure this year you’ll have come across a few different challenges that ask you to go outside and take a close look at what’s around you. There’s The Upward Looking Urban Photographer which asks you to look upwards in a place familiar to you and spot something new, there’s On the Mountain – Matairangi Quest which challenges you to visit the Matairangi Nature Trail on Mount Victoria and tell us about something you learned or spotted there, there’s Nature’s Perfect Challenge where we ask you to use your senses to investigate the natural world around you, and of course there’s He Rapa Ngāngara te Mahi | The Great Bug Hunt where we challenge you to search out some creepy-crawlies outside.

One creature you might come across while you’re completing these activities is the pūngāwerewere (or spider), and we thought we’d share some of the really interesting things about spiders with you.

Have you heard of the strange phenomenon where spiders’ webs can blanket an entire area of plants including trees? The phenomenon is a survival tactic called ballooning and it is where spiders spin large webs which catch onto grass, shrubs and trees to escape threats like flooding. This happened a couple of years ago in the state of Victoria, Australia, after a storm caused flooding and left the ground covered in a ballooning blanket of webs.

Spiders are amazing creatures that have adapted to find all sorts of ways to survive. Sadly, they get a really bad rap as their scary appearance makes many people frightened of them. Did you know that the irrational fear of spiders is called Arachnophobia? This word comes from Greek mythology, where Arachne, a skilled weaver, was turned into a spider by the goddess Athena after winning a weaving competition with the goddess (Athena was not happy!).

20 fun facts about spiders

1)Black spider in web clip art, cute style 12cm | This clipart… | Flickr Spiders are not insects. Instead, spiders are known as arachnids because they only have two body segments instead of three. Other arachnids are scorpions, mites, and ticks.
2) Spiders spin webs to catch other bugs to eat, but not all spiders make webs! Some actively hunt their prey and pounce.
3) Most spiders are not dangerous to humans.
4) The wolf spider carries her babies on her back with her.
5) Most spiders live on land, but a few, like the raft spiders, live in and on water. These spiders can “run” across the water’s surface.
6) On average, it takes a spider about 60 minutes to spin a web.
7) Spiders are just as valuable to the world as larger animals, but most people don’t realize it. Many spiders are becoming endangered and are disappearing due to loss of habitat (home).
8) The average house has 30 spiders.
9) You are always three feet away from a spider.
10) Grass spiders build a web on top of the grass. Their webs form a funnel shape, which is not sticky.
11) The silk strands in a web are 5x stronger than a piece of steel the same size.
12) Spiders have short hairs on their feet that allow them to walk upside down on ceilings and over glass.
13) Spiders are found everywhere in the world except for the cold polar regions of the Arctic and Antarctic.
14) The average life of a spider is one to two years. Although the female tarantula may live up to 20 years!

15) The silk is a liquid inside the spider’s abdomen. When the spider releases it, it becomes solid and forms a thread.
16) Some spiders eat their old web before starting a new one. Others roll the old web up and throw it away. Web spiders rebuild their web each day!
17) Spiders don’t usually eat their prey because they have small mouths. Instead, they put chemicals into and on the prey to turn the body into a liquid. Then the spider sucks it up.
18) The hair on a spider’s first pair of legs are sensitive to taste. The spider “tastes” its prey by touching it.
19) Spiders use muscles to move their legs inward toward their body. But they don’t have muscles to pull their legs out. So to move legs out, a spider has to pump body water into each leg. This is why you can sometimes see a spider curled up – he has lost too much water to push his legs out again.
20) Some spiders, such as the tarantula, are considered a low-maintenance pet.

Want to know more facts about spiders?

I’m trying to love spiders : (it isn’t easy) / Barton, Bethany
“This fresh and very funny non-fiction picture book shares lots of fascinating facts about spiders in an entirely captivating way. If I’m Trying to Love Spiders doesn’t cure your spider phobia, it’ll at least make you appreciate how amazing they are…and laugh a lot as you learn about them.”– Provided by publisher.” (Catalogue)

Bug lab for kids : family-friendly activities for exploring the amazing world of beetles, butterflies, spiders, and other arthropods / Guyton, John W.
“Prepare to cozy up with spiders, centipedes, butterflies, and bees, to name just a few! In Bug Lab for Kids, Mississippi State University associate professor, extension entomologist (bug expert), and educator John W. Guyton shares his knowledge and excitement about all things beautiful, creepy, and crawly.” (Catalogue)

Australia’s most dangerous spiders– and their relatives / Riley, Kathy
“Dangerous to people or not? Learn how to recognise the most deadly spiders – and how to help someone who has been bitten. Discover the amazing tricks spiders use to catch plenty of insects for their dinner. Find out how to tell thich sipder made the huge web that appeared in your garden overnight. Inspect some astonishing close-up photos of spiders on the hunt for food or hiding from their enemies.” (Catalogue)

Insects and spiders / Parker, Steve
“A first nature book about insects and spiders for children, this is the perfect companion for young minds eager to learn about the world of bugs. Children are encouraged to investigate and record all the creepy crawlies they find, and get hands on with the fun activities, from making your own bug hotel to collect insects in to building an ant farm.With a mix of fantastic photographs and beautiful illustrations Insects and Spiders takes you through everything you need to know about these minibeasts. Learn what termites build their nests from, how an earwig looks after her eggs, and why wasps have black and yellow stripes.” (Catalogue)

Want to read some fiction books that feature spiders?

Sam Wu is NOT afraid of spiders! / Tsang, Katie
“The brilliantly funny fourth book in the SAM WU series, starring the bravest scaredy-cat in the world! Perfect for reluctant readers and fans of Tom Fletcher, Pamela Butchart and Humza Arshad’s Badman. Sam Wu is NOT afraid of anything. Well, maybe some things. Like ghosts, sharks … the dark’s pretty worrying too. And not to mention SPIDERS! But Sam’s not going to let anyone know. And so when Tulip, the school tarantula, disappears from her cage, Sam decides it’s up to him and his friends to save the school from the eight-legged escapee … Common childhood fears dealt with in a hilarious, sensitive and accessible way. ding charity, and also writes YA fiction as Katherine Webber.” (Catalogue)

Charlotte’s web / White, E. B.
“One spring morning a little girl called Fern rescues a runt and names him Wilbur. But then Wilbur is sent to live on a farm where he meets Charlotte, a beautiful large grey spider. They become best friends and, when Wilbur is faced with the usual fate of nice fat little pigs, Charlotte must find a clever way to save him.” (Catalogue)

The spider’s song / Longstaff, Simon
“The Spider’s Song is a remarkable debut children’s book, written by Simon Longstaff and illustrated by Dutch artist Marc Van de Griendt. Lose yourself in the enchanted world of The Boffin, who as a young science prodigy dared to compete with Mother Nature and create his very own perfect world. Years go by and the Boffin enjoys his solitude, inventing creatures most bizarre: ovelwoozers, worralots, midbits and phtphts, each more weird and wonderful then the next. That is until a clever spider and a curious girl venture into his world to teach him the most important lesson of all, one he won’t find in any textbook or lab. With subtle messages woven throughout, The Spider’s Song teaches adults and children alike the value of nature, acceptance, humanity and friendship.” (Catalogue)

The very busy spider / Carle, Eric
“The farm animals try to divert a busy little spider from spinning her web, but she persists and produces a thing of both beauty and usefulness. The pictures may be felt as well as seen.” (Catalogue)

Sophie’s masterpiece : a spider’s tale / Spinelli, Eileen
“Sophie the spider makes wondrous webs, but the residents of Beekman’s Boarding House do not appreciate her until at last, old and tired, she weaves her final masterpiece.” (Catalogue)

Stink and the hairy scary spider / McDonald, Megan
“Creepy! Crawly! Criminy! Stink is bonkers about most scientific things. But dangle a spider in front of him and he goes berserk! Stink is so freaked out by spiders that he can’t read about them. He can’t look at them. He can’t think about them. And he for sure can’t touch them! Stink has arachnophobia (a fear of spiders), and he has it bad. But when a hairy backyard emergency arises, Stink is forced to face his fear–and eight beady eyes–head-on. Will he manage to tame the heebie-jeebies, or will he remain stuck in his web of tarantulan terror? ” (Catalogue)

Whales, Wildfire, Worries and Wasabi: New Kids Books in the Collection

Kath Read

Another month of fantastic new books in the kid’s collection!  So many great titles it was hard to choose which ones to share with you here.  You could read about whales, sharks or a two headed chicken!  Maybe you’re keen for adventure, and can follow the magnificent voyagers of the pacific, or survivors of a wildfire, or some impossible creatures?  Take a look at these titles below and maybe try something new!

Picture Books

The great storm whale / Davies, Benji

“Return to the world of The Storm Whale in this dramatic new adventure from globally successful and award‑winning picture book creator, Benji Davies. One stormy night, Noi’s grandma tells him a story. It is a story of a girl, a whale and a friendship that will echo down the generations.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

I’m fabulous crab / Greenberg, Nicki

“Henry the crab grows tired of his dull life, vowing to reinvent himself as blingy, bedazzled, and fabulous.” (Catalogue)

Victor : the wolf with worries / Rayner, Catherine
“Victor the wolf has lots of worries. He worries that he isn’t brave enough, that he isn’t big enough and that he isn’t fierce enough. In fact, Victor feels anxious about almost everything. But when Victor shares his concerns with his best friend Pablo, he starts to feel a bit better. And with Pablo’s help, Victor learns even more ways to deal with those pesky worrying thoughts. And as the worries grow smaller, Victor feels a bit bigger, a bit braver, and bit fiercer inside!” (Catalogue)

Comic Books

Wildfire / Bard, Breena
“Julianna loved her life in rural Oregon. She loved taking care of her farm animals and being part of her local 4H club. But then the unthinkable happened… a wildfire destroyed her family’s home. In the aftermath, her family relocated to Portland, Oregon, where Julianna hopes to put everything behind her. Believing the fire to be the result of kids playing with fireworks, she certainly isn’t interested when her parents and younger sister start getting involved in the growing climate change protests. Emotional and inspiring, Wildfire shows readers that healing from tragedy can take many forms and demonstrates what it means to take action in the face of climate change – and how that action can be different for each of us.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Kariba / Clarke, Daniel
“Siku has always called the Zambezi River her home. She understands the water – and strangely enough, it seems to understand her, too, bending to her will and coming to her aid in times of need. But things are changing on the river – a great dam is being built, displacing thousands of Shonga people – and things are changing in Siku, too, as her ability to manipulate water grows out of control, and visions of a great serpent pull her further from reality and her loving father, Tongai. When Tongai ventures to the Kariba Dam to find a cure for Siku and never returns, she sets off to find him with the help of Amedeo, the young son of Kariba’s chief engineer. But Siku soon discovers that her father has been shielding a terrible secret: Siku is actually the daughter of the Great River Spirit, Nyaminyami, and the only way to bring about the necessary rumuko – a ritual which has brought balance to the Zambezi for centuries – is for Siku to give up the only life she’s ever known.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Beak to the future / Angleberger, Tom
“The two-headed chicken is back, with twice the adventure, twice the jokes, and a lot more heads (wait, did they just accidentally turn into a double-headed space snake?). Having lost the Astrocap somewhere in the multiverse, our intrepid hero dons the Timecap to scour the timestream, which looks a lot like broccoli, in search of it. But danger and drama await with every time-hopping POOZB! of the Timecap, including hungry dinosaurs, fierce werewolves, poet Emily Dickinson, a fish with a mustache who wants to talk about feelings, and even the return of the chicken’s archenemy, Kernel Antlers, the shape-shifting moose!” (Catalogue)

Chapter Books

Calling the whales / Bilan, Jasbinder
“After rowing out to an island near their seaside home, Tulsi and Satchen discover a whale that has been trapped in a fishing net. Determined to try to free the poor creature, they repeatedly dive down into the freezing sea to cut the netting, but eventually, exhausted and with a storm rolling in, they have to admit defeat. As they head for home to seek help, their boat capsizes in the storm and they’re left clinging to it, dangerously adrift. Just as they think all is lost, help arrives from an unexpected source …” (Catalogue)

This is how I roll / Florence, Debbi Michiko
“Susannah Mikami dreams of becoming a famous sushi chef like her dad. And this summer, she plans to learn everything about his traditional kitchen. Only he refuses to teach her, and won’t tell her why. Is it because he doesn’t want her to embarrass him in front of the documentary crew filming at his restaurant? Or worse, because she’s a girl? Either way, Sana decides he’s not the only one who can keep secrets. So when she meets Koji, a cute boy who wants to help her cook up some trouble in the kitchen — and film online tutorials to show the world her mad skills — Sana is all in. But sneaking around means lying to her parents, something Sana’s never done before. Can she take the heat, or will she get out of the kitchen for good?” (Catalogue)

Impossible creatures / Rundell, Katherine
“A boy called Christopher is visiting his reclusive grandfather when he witnesses an avalanche of mythical creatures come tearing down the hill. This is how Christopher learns that his grandfather is the guardian of one of the ways between the non-magical world and a place called the Archipelago, a cluster of magical islands where all the creatures we tell of in myth live and breed and thrive alongside humans. Then a girl, Mal, appears in Christopher’s world. She is in possession of a flying coat, is being pursued by a killer and is herself in pursuit of a baby griffin. Mal, Christopher and the griffin embark on an urgent quest across the wild splendour of the Archipelago, where sphinxes hold secrets and centaurs do murder, to find the truth – with unimaginable consequences for both their worlds.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Non-fiction

Mangō : sharks and rays of Aotearoa / Barraud, Ned
“The oceans surrounding Aotearoa New Zealand are home to over one hundred astonishing and strange species of sharks and rays. This fact-filled book takes you down into the fascinating underwater lives of these expert hunters, illustrates their evolution and explores their place in our culture. And it explains why these ancient fish and their environments need our kaitiakitanga more than ever.” (Catalogue)

The observologist / Clarkson, Giselle
“Observology is the study of looking. An observologist makes scientific expeditions, albeit very small ones, every day. They notice interesting details in the world around them. They are expert at finding tiny creatures, plants, and fungi. They know that water snails glide upside down on the undersurface of the water; not all flies have wings; earthworms have bristles; butterflies taste with their feet. An observologist knows that there are extraordinary things to be found in even the most ordinary places. Facts combine with comics, detailed illustrations, science, and funny stories in this unique, warm, and fascinating account of the small things all around us. Graphic and comic illustrations with funny talking insects make this a playful and informative book one to be treasured in the classroom.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Those magnificent voyagers of the Pacific / Crowe, Andrew
“This epic story begins 5000 years ago, when the ancestors of Polynesians discovered ways to ‘see’ over the horizon to find and settle new islands. As their landfinding skills grew, these people took ever bigger strides across the vast Pacific until they reached South America. It was not until almost every habitable island scattered across the world’s largest ocean was discovered and settled, that others would gain the skills and courage to head far from shore, allowing two great voyaging traditions to meet.” (Catalogue)

For more new books from the collection, go to: What’s new / December 2023 (wcl.govt.nz)