arts and crafts – Kids' Blog

6 new children’s non fiction to read before the end of summer.

Katie25 February, 2016

Looking for some great reads for the end of these long summer days. Look no further! Here’s are some books that are so new that you might be the very first to read them – wouldn’t that be cool!

Hairy Tales and Nursery Crimes + Arabian Frights and other Gories.

A classic and an absolute favourite from childhood, Hairy Tales and Nursery Crimes + Arabian Frights and other Gories is a hilarious and sometimes twisted parodies of well-known fairy tales and nursery rhymes. A book where you will be guaranteed to laugh yourself silly.

Hello Ruby: Adventures in Coding.

Meet Ruby–a small girl with a huge imagination. In Ruby’s world, anything is possible if you set your mind to it. As Ruby embarks on her adventure, kids will be introduced through storytelling to the basic concepts of coding. With activities included in every chapter, future kid coders will be thrilled to put their own imaginations to work.

A sky of Diamonds.

A story for children about loss, grief and hope.

Dia De Los Muertos.

Join the fun and festivities of Día de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) and learn about a different cultural tradition, and brush up on your Spanish vocabulary, as the town honors their dearly departed in a traditional, time-honored style.

You rule! : create your own country.

A fantastic, innovative book that allows you to design your very own nation, completely from scratch. Believe it or not, this is a book where you get to choose where it is, who can live there and what the rules are, establish your borders, design your flag and take charge. You can be king, queen, big chief, emperor or president. Because right here, right now, you rule!

I Made That! The Kids’ BIG Book of Craft Idea.

This book is in a word… AWESOME! Not to mention the only craft book you will ever need! You will get ideas on how to make natural beauty products, (I’m still tickled pink that this book can tell you how to make hair gel!), how to give your room a makeover? and giving your wardrobe a fashion revamp. Plus, for the eco-conscious girl there is lots of information on ethical fashion and cosmetics, sustainable shopping and fair trade. Overall you will have a lot of fun with this book!

4 new non fiction for budding art enthusiasts

Katie17 April, 2015

Fun things to do with paper plates and cups.

Got a stash of paper plates and cups collecting dust? Put them to use these school holidays by creating some fantastic craft ideas which you can find in this amazing, new book. Contains full-color photos and simple, step-by-step instructions that describe 10 crafts and activities using paper cups, paper plates, and common materials found around the house.

Fun things to do with egg cartons.

When you have eaten all the eggs in your fridge, what do you do with the carton? Throw it away? No way! Put it to good use by creating some fantastic arts and crafts. This book will give you many ideas on how you can reuse egg cartons and turn them into wondrous works of art. This book will keep you amused for hours on end with the eggciting projects featured in this book.

Get into art: Stories.

This explores a fascinating array of pictures that tell stories, from battle scenes to fairy tales to timeless myths, from artists as diverse as Edward Hopper, Matisse, L. S. Lowry and the creators of the Bayeux Tapestry. Perhaps one of my favourite things about is that each picture contains a flap where you can find out more on creating your own picture masterpiece. Overall this book is proof that a picture can indeed replace a thousand words.

Stitched paper art for kids : 22 cheeky pickle sewing projects.

For all you sewing enthusiasts out there, here is your chance to master the art of paper craft with Stitched Paper Art. Perhaps one of the greatest things about this book is the simplicity of the process practically guarantees that kids can finish a project in just one afternoon. And since paper is much more forgiving to work with than fabric, it gives them the confidence necessary to complete project after project after project! Overall this is a fantastic book that will enable you to paper stitch your way into creating works of pretty art that will make paper sewing look like child’s play.

7 new non-fiction holiday boredom busters

Katie9 April, 2015

It’s the school holidays and it’s raining! Get your hands on these new books to keep the boredom blues away. There’s plenty here – superheroes, computer coding, star wars, cool things to do, and a bit of history.

Marvel Avengers : the ultimate character guide.

With the movie coming out, why not brush up your knowledge on the Avengers by reading this revised edition of the authorised, fully illustrated guide to the characters of Earth’s mightiest Super Hero team. Jam packed full of information about over 60 new heroes and villains in the Marvel universe. Overall, I think it’s a great read and will be enjoyed by all Marvel fans.

Doctor Who: The Visual Dictionary.

For all you Doctor Who fans, check out this awesome new book bursting with action-packed images and little-known facts about Doctor Who. Holds information about the latest facts and details, including the Twelfth Doctor Peter Capaldi and Doctor Who season 8 storylines. Also covering every single details about previous Doctors and each of his companions plus unforgettable villains, you’ll have all the tricks and secrets of Doctor Who at your fingertips. So what are you waiting for? Step into the Tardis, battle Cybermen and Daleks, and discover all the Doctor’s secrets in this visually stunning guide to the Doctor Who universe.

Coding for Kids for Dummies.

Check it out, Dummies and Kids rolled into one. Coding For Kids For Dummies is easy-to-grasp introduction to coding concepts for kids, which is broken down into a series of small projects, each designed to teach elementary-to-middle-school-aged students a core concept to build a game, application, or other tool which makes coding for kids look as easy as 1, 2, 3.

More Boredom Busters: Over 50 Awesome Activities for Children aged 7 years +.

Prepare to banish the boredom busters away these school holidays. Check out this amazing book filled with over 50 fun and easy activities that you will love to do all year round, like building a homemade bird feeder, a gym bag sock buddy, potato stamps and so much more. Every activity has easy instructions and uses simple materials found around the home or classroom, so you can get started straight away!

WWE ultimate superstar guide.

For all you WWE Superstars fans, here is the chance to see them like you’ve never seen them before. This book holds information about all the biggest Superstars to ever grace the WWE ring. The Ultimate Superstars Guide is filled with more than 200 illustrations of your favourite WWE Superstars including Hulk Hogan, Triple H and more. You can learn everything you need to know about these amazing athletes with facts, stats, and more.

Lego Star Wars in 100 scenes.

Move over , Lego Movie. Check out this book that retells the complete Star Wars saga…in Lego bricks! Yep, you read right!

This fun Lego Star Wars book retells the six Star Wars films in 100 iconic scenes using LEGO Star Wars sets and minifigures. You Star Wars (and Lego) fans will have the chance to relive the amazing Star Wars adventure in miniature form with this humorous retelling of the LEGO Star Wars complete saga. As an added bonus, you will also learn fascinating LEGO Star Wars facts and behind-the-scenes information about the Star Wars films and rediscover your favourite LEGO Star Wars minifigures, such as the LEGO Darth Vader and LEGO Luke Skywalker, and LEGO Star Wars sets as part of the epic Star Wars story. LEGO, the LEGO logo, the Brick and the Knob configurations and the Minifigure are trademarks of the LEGO Group.

Overall a fantastic read! You can’t go wrong with Lego and Star Wars.

My Gallipoli.

Get your hands on this beautiful picture book and read all about the place where thousands of men from sixteen nations fought, suffered, endured or died during the eight months of occupation in 1915. For each of them, their families and their nurses, Gallipoli meant something different. Their voices emerge from the landscape and across the decades with stories of courage, valour, despair and loss. A must have read just in time for ANZAC day!

New Non Fiction: Rainbow Looms and New Horrible Histories Editions!

Katie7 November, 2014

Roll up, roll up, roll up! Ladies and gentleman! Boys and girls!Horrible Histories have done it again with fantastic new editions of their popular series this time using a unique theme of rats. But as there is method to Terry Deary’s madness and as always, he delivers on the promise of foul facts, gory details and history with the nasty bits. For your reading pleasure, check out:

Stormin’ Normans : splats, hats and lots of rats!

This book lets you discover all the foul facts about the “Stormin’ Normans” – all the gore and more! You will find out why Norman knights slept with a dolly?, Which pirate hung up his eye-patch and became a saint? and why Crusader ships were defended with barrels of pee?

Smashing Saxons : splats, hats and lots of rats!

This book allows you to discover all the foul facts about the Smashing Saxons – all the gore and more! Find out who got cow pats as Christmas presents?, why wearing a pig on your head is lucky? and how to make a dead Saxon happy?

How about this for a new crafting idea: Rainbow Looms! (also known as rubber band art) Check out these new awesome reads that will help inspire you inner rainbow loom creativity and will provide you with simple and easy guide to creating beautiful and fun loom projects… and maybe with Christmas around the corner potential Christmas presents for friends and family.

Loom Magic!

You’re a very lucky person if you read this because you get the privilege, as well as pleasure to have access to 25 awesome, never-before-seen designs for amazing rainbow of rubber band loom projects. Projects include cell phone cases, watch band and rainbow rings.

Loom Magic Charms.

Once you have mastered your rainbow looming skills, why not challenge yourself to trying out Loom Magic Charms! This book comes complete with 25 cool designs that will definitely rock your rainbow. Examples of projects include a sunflower, dragonfly, superheroes and mittens.

New Non Fiction: A cure for the winter blues.

Katie24 July, 2014

Well, boys and girls. We have finally entered into the coldest month of the year and have been and/or about to be hit hard with some miserable weather. Have no fair, the library has got a new range of Junior Non Fiction. Nothing but a little ‘Plants vs Zombies, a tribute to the arts and Angry Birds Star Wars and Lego redux!’ to cure the winter blues.

Children‘s book of cinema : Explore the magical, behind-the-scenes world of the movies.

“Presents an introduction to the world of cinema. This title tells the story of cinema from silent films of yesteryear to the big blockbusters of today, covering the innovation of “talkies” as well as the revolution of technicolor.” – World Cat.

This book is every film buff’s (myself included) and budding film maker’s dream! It contains a lot of information about the history of film, actors and directors, (both past and present) From monsters (both scary and fun loving) to musicals, (like The Wizard of Oz) and wizards (Yep, even Harry Potter is mentioned) to westerns, this is true to its word taking you on a showstopping journey through the fascinating world of film. A great book to curl up to, with popcorn during winter.

Oil Paints.

Here’s a book that contains step-by-step guides show how to create a variety of projects using oil paints that is bound to unleash your inner artist. You may also like Watercolors and Acrylics,

The Official Angry Birds Star Wars Joke Book.

A long time ago in a galaxy far far away. The bird rebels and the pork federation joined forces to find the funniest, craziest, zaniest jokes in the Star Ways history. Well did they complete their mission? “Hee Hee! Mwa Ha Ha Ha! Bleep Bleep!” Hmmm, I guess the words speak for themselves. Hands down, this is the funniest joke book voted by bird rebels, pork federation and of course a local children’s librarian in the history of joke books, Angry Birds and Star Wars. Most of the jokes in this book are Angry Birds Star Wars related. There are the odd jokes enclosed in this book that might be enjoyed by those with a sick and warped sense of humor. And believe it or not, there is the odd librarian joke, hmmm perhaps you might want to try it out on your local librarian, hee hee. Hope you enjoy this book… as much as I did.

But wait, there’s more!

Super Interactive Annual 2014 Angry Birds Star Wars.

“Birds! Slingshots! Destruction! Feathers! Fun! This best selling Annual has it all. Join your favourite flock of characters on Piggy Island as the world of Angry Birds is brought to life in this fun and truly interactive Annual. Using your smartphone or tablet to zap the unique icons on the page reveals super interactive bonus features including exclusive stories, additional profiles and entertaining activities”–Publisher’s description.

Your one stop Angry Birds Star Wars entertainment is here! In the form of this awesome new addition to Wellington City Libraries. Puzzles, quizzes, drawing, games and… lets not forget Angry Birds Star Wars. Who could ask for more? This book is sure to keep children entertained, especially with all the yucky weather we have had lately.

Plants vs Zombies : Books of Things.

Are we one the verge of the zombie apocalypse? Not yet. But it could happen… right? So best to be prepared. That’s where this book comes in. This book had all the entertainment, puzzles, games and quizzes to do to pass the time in the probably unlikely event of having to barricade yourself inside your own home to protect your precious brain parts from being gobbled up during a terrifying invasion of shuffling, plant-hating and frankly inconvienient zombies… and also perhaps another book to keep you entertained in the very likely event of having to barricade yourself indoors to protect your precious body from the terrifying cold and wet weather. Great for kids aged 9-12 years.

The Lego Book.

You can never go wrong with Lego. For all you die-hard Lego fans, this is the No#1 book to read! Here is your chance to read the complete illustrated history of the LEGO products that discusses the origins of the company, and the evolution of bricks, figures, play themes, and related products; and features a time line that records the introduction of the first plastic bricks to the LEGO products of 2012. I could spend hours looking at this book. Another awesome read that has the WOW factor and that will bring out every adult’s inner child. A definite 5 star rating!

Also check out LEGO play book : ideas to bring your bricks to life and The LEGO ideas book : unlock your imagination.

Also how about some recipe ideas? Check out this new series on recipes from around the world. The books from the Global Cookery series features recipes from India (Recipes from India), China, (Recipes from China), Italy (Recipes from Italy) and Mexico (Recipes from Mexico) A great way for kids to learn about the eating habits of various cultures and nutritional information. These books also featured recipes on your favourite takeaways like Pizza, Tandoori Chicken and Wanton soup. with these ideas, your parents will be able to save money on the weekly Friday night takeaways.

To finish off…

Judith Kerr’s Creatures.

Here is a children’s art book and a biography all rolled into one which celebrates children’s author and illustrator, Judith Kerr’s life and work. As a child, I simply adored Judith Kerr’s picture books like the Mog series and The Tiger who came to tea. But after reading this book, I have fallen in love with Judith Kerr’s picture books all over again. This is another WOW factor book that is well deserving of a 5 star rating!

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT JUDITH KERR:

– She was born in Berlin.

– Her family fled to Switzerland when Hitler seized power.

– She failed a diploma in book illustration.

– Her husband, Tom Kneale was a famous British screenwriter.

– Her daughter, Tacy Kneale made creatures for the Harry Potter films.

New Non Fiction: Celebrating Mothers, Artists, Animal Heroes and 100 inventions that has shaped and changed the world forever.

Katie15 May, 2014

Amazing Babes.

Amazing Babes was originally written as a gift from a mother to her son. This is a great picture book that celebrates inspirational women from around the world and across generations. All the women in this book had the ideas, determination, and creativity to bring about change in the world, and in learning about their stories we honour their achievements. Overall a fantastic read with striking pictures and simple text that celebrates the achievements of inspirational women such as Gloria Steinman, pioneer of the American women’s movement and Malala Yousafzai, a passionate advocate of worldwide access to education. A great book to celebrate International Women’s day. You may also like Of thee I sing : a letter to my daughters by American president, Barack Obama, where he writes a moving tribute to thirteen groundbreaking Americans and the ideals that have shaped our nation in the form of a beautiful letter to his daughters.

Mummy & Me Cook and Craft.

Great books to read and use for gift ideas for Mum on Mother’s day, like whipping up a yummy pancake breakfast to serve Mum in bed or making up a bead necklace as a gift. Either way or something that you and Mum can do together. Mummy & Me Cook serves as a great introduction to cooking for kids with its blend of over 20 healthy recipes and fun activities as well as fabulous food facts about everyday ingredients. While Mummy and Me Craft introduces kids to the wonderful world of crafting. Great was for you and Mum to spend quality time together.

The noisy paint box : the colors and sounds of Kandinsky’s abstract art.

If you have a project which involves studying a famous artist and abstract art, this biography on Kandinsky is a great resource to use. A fantastic picture book biography that explores how one ordinary little boy named Vansa Kandinsky became one of the most (and first) accomplished painters in abstract art and describes how Vasya Kandinsky’s creative life was profoundly shaped by a neurological condition called synesthesia which caused him to experienced colors as sounds and sounds as colors. A biography, art and music book rolled into one.

100 inventions that made history : brilliant breakthroughs that shaped our world.

The wheel, the light bulb, the telephone, the toilet, antibiotics, denim jeans… This book holds information about 100 inventions that has shaped and changed the world forever. This book is a great resource to use if you are doing a project on inventions.

Animal Bravery in Wartime.

Read this book and find out all about the brave animals from horses on cavalry charges to messenger dogs and carriers, that helped and risked their lives to help humans in frightening and dangerous situations during the war.The first page of this book opens with the sentence, “Although much is made of human bravery in warfare, the role of animals has been neglected.” I couldn’t agree more.

Midnight: The Story of a light horse.

‘A foal is born at midnight, on the homestead side of the river. Coal black. Star ablaze. Moonlight in her eyes.’ On October 31, 1917, the 4th and 12th Regiments of the Australian Light Horse took part in one of the last great cavalry charges in history. Among the first to leap the enemy trenches was Lieutenant Guy Haydon riding his beloved mare, Midnight. This is their story.’

We all know the epic story of War Horse by Michael Morpurgo , but are you ready to read the true story of a real-life war horse? This book tells the story of Midnight, an Australian light horse who took part of one of the great cavalry charges on October 31st 1917 during World War I. Prepare to have tissues on stand by when reading this story.

New Non Fiction: Homework Help, Sweet treats for winter and Boredom Busters!

Katie4 June, 2013

One Day: Around the world in 24 hours.

This is a beautifully illustrated book that gives children an introduction to the idea of time and time zones. This book follows the story of 15 different children around the world and the time zones they live in throughout one day. There are 24 hours in a day, so there are 24 time zones. Discover and learn all about time zones around the world, how they work and what’s happening on one side of the world while the other side sleeps. This book is a great resource for homework help and assignments on time zones around the world.

Transport.

For anyone who wants to study and explore the history of cars, bicycles, scooters, trains and even an oil tanker, this is the book you must read! So hop on board and take an express journey through every vehicle and travel known to man and how each engineering milestone has changed and transformed world history. This book is a great resource for homework help and assignments on the history of transport, vehicles and even a section on the history of the wheel.

A troop of chimpanzees, and other primate groups.

How do chimpanzees use tools? Why do chimpanzees groom each other? What does it mean when one chimpanzee grins at another? Find out all the answers to these questions and more by reading this book on chimpanzees and primates. You will also discover and get to explores the behaviors and daily life of a chimpanzee troop, as well as their habitat, environmental threats, and the advantages of group living. Great for children of Primary and Intermediate school age.

Explorer Tales.

This is a great series to read if you are interested in finding information about famous landmarks and destinations. These are great homework resources to use for projects on world exploration. This year marks the 60th anniversary of Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay climbing to the Mount Everest, why not have a read of one of the books from the series, Mount Everest. Reread and relive how Hillary and Tenzing being the first men to climb one of the most dangerous places to explore. How about exploring New Worlds? Read all about them in New Worlds, where you will read and learn all about famous first voyages to new and undiscovered lands and famous explorers like Christopher Columbus, Marco Polo and Captain James Cook. In South Pole, readers don’t just learn about this cold and dangerous location. They also learn about the explorers who went to great lengths to discover it! I think you will also like reading all about The Amazon, which is home to many amazing plants, animals (Jaguars that wait ready to pounce and piranha fish fish that strip the flesh off your bones in five minutes – Wow!) and land forms that runs over 6,000 kilometers across South America. You will also read stories about people who have explored and survived in the Amazon.

100 yummy things to cook and eat.

With winter around the corner, why not make some tasty treats and goodies to share with your friends and family, like a good old fashioned apple crumble?, a spicy bean soup or vegetable casserole? You will find the recipes and more in this book. This cook book, published by Usborne has 100 yummy sweet and savory recipes to choose from for some good old comfort food during the cold, blizzardy days and nights. There are also a lot of fantastic baking ideas for school fairs and gifts. I liked the recipes for Oranges and Lemons and Chocolate dipped fruit. I am fan of the recipes for Marzipan toadstools and chocolate nests. This is a book that can be enjoyed by both children, parents and adults.

Look inside a burrow.

This is a great picture book for young children (or for parents and teachers to read to children) about creatures that interact within burrow habitats. You will read and learn about all the different types of burrows. (I must confess I wasn’t aware there was more than one type of burrow.) Lots of amazing pictures of various types of animals that live in burrows, including a photo of a toad flicking its tongue, a close up of ants carrying food back to its nest and an even bigger close up of a centipede’s face!

The Usborne Big Book of Holiday Things to make and do.

School holidays may be a while away, but still now is the time to think ahead of ideas of banishing boredom in the long school holidays. How about reading this book from the Usborne Activities series? You are bound to find ideas for seasonal activities for each holiday, such as reindeer wrapping paper and an Easter egg card, sit alongside things to make and do all year round including a coral necklace, a pirate cutlass and fairy wings. You will find easy to follow step-by-step instructions and photos for each activity. Great book to use for gift ideas .

New Non Fiction: Celebrating Fine arts and Inspirational Lives

Katie20 March, 2013

Well summer’s nearly over, but fear not. Wellington City Libraries has a new range of non fiction in the Children’s collection for your enjoyment and pleasure. This month’s blog post pays tribute to fine arts and inspirational lives.

Here you will find a list of books on fine arts that can give you ideas on activities, like drawing, whether it’s drawing a picture or creating your own graphic novel; playing a musical instrument, even if it happens to be a guitar made from a cardboard box and helping you find a hobby (or a talent).

What about reading about a celebrity who has become famous for their achievements and contribution to writing and entertainment industries, such as Music, Film and Television. There are two new books published from the series, Inspirational Lives that focuses on influential people and key figures in the public eye. Who knows, maybe reading about their inspiring lives may inspire you to follow your creative dreams and goals.

Fine Arts Series:

More Fine Arts:

Eco-friendly crafting with kids.

Sometimes children prefer to play with household objects, like a cardboard box rather than the latest (and sometimes expensive) toy. This new and exciting read provides 35 bold, fun and colorful projects designed for preschool children up to five years old that can give you ideas on making and creating toys and games with simple household objects. Possible toys and games include making play dough, creating musical instruments, like a box guitar and invisible ink. Accompanied with easy step by step instructions and photographs showing exactly how to create this amazing and gorgeous toys and games.

Telling the story in your graphic novel.

Like graphic novels? Interested in creating your own? You can learn how to draw a graphic novel by reading this book from the “How to draw your own graphic novel” series. This book shows you how to plan scenes that will create a sense of drama and excitement in your story and different kinds of panels to create the perfect mood.

Draw Fantasy Characters.

Now that you have Telling the story in your graphic novel to create your setting, what about adding characters into the mix? Particularly fantasy characters like an orge, goblin or a zombie? Or perhaps musical, punk and naughty fairies? This book contains 96 pages of step by step instructions on how to draw everything from a fairy to a vampire.

Crafting and drawing not your talent? What about playing a musical instrument? Did you know playing the piano (or any instrument) is considered a fine art. Check out this new non fiction book from the Usbourne series on how to play the piano.

Very easy piano tunes.

Interested in learning the piano? This book will keep beginner pianists happily entertained while learning new skills and aquiring information about the music. You will learn to play all the songs you know so well which includes The grand old Duke from York, London Bridge is falling down and Silent Night. You can also listen to the tunes in this book on the Usbourne Quicklinks website.

Inspirational Lives.

Discover more about famous people in the Inspirational Lives series.

J.K. Rowling.

We all know her as the best selling author of the Harry Potter series, but what don’t you know? Read the latest and revised biography of J.K. Rowling and find out everything you have ever wanted to know about her: Her childhood, her inspiration for writing and how Harry Potter came to life. You find information on tips to be a writer, an insight on how J.K. Rowling spends her day and a quiz that can show you if you have what it takes to be an author.

Simon Cowell.

The moment you’ve all been waiting for! The latest and revised biography of Simon Cowell, the man we know for his blunt and often controversial criticisms, insults, wisecracks about contestants (and his own mother!) and dubbed Mr. Nasty on talent TV shows like American Idol is now available at Wellington City Libraries! Read all about Simon Cowell, the global music mogul and creator of popular television music competition shows of The X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent and find out facts and information that you never thought you knew about him, for example he once swapped his father’s handkerchief in his father’s suit pocket for his mother’s best knickers and how Michael Jackson inspired him with the idea that TV had the potential to sell music.

The Inside world of Animals, Reptiles and Teen Superstars!… and some Arts and Crafts for good measure.

Katie4 February, 2013

Head on down to the library and check out the latest Junior non fiction that will keep you amused and entertained. Animals! Reptiles! Teen superstars! You couldn’t ask for more!

Amazing new non fiction on animals:

Animal Encyclopedia : 2,500 animals with photos, maps and more!

Love animals? Then this is the book for you. This book has been rated the best children’s animal encyclopedia. Newly published from National Geographic, this amazing encyclopedia, complete with facts, maps and photographs will tell you everything you have ever wanted to know about mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates and fish.

Animals Are Amazing:

Animals are amazing and don’t we know it. Read up and learn all you ever wanted to know about the world’s amazing animals which includes Monkeys, Sharks, Tigers, Lions and Polar Bears. These books also come complete with pictures and amazing facts like mother monkeys teach their babies what is good to eat and tigers can grow to be over three metres long.

Animals Are Amazing: Snakes

Learn all you ever wanted to know about snakes – snakes that bite, snakes that squeeze, snakes that swim and snakes that climb trees. You will also learn interesting facts like the green anaconda can weigh as much as four grown people and some snakes can live to be 40 years old. Also check out: Amazing Giant Dinosaurs.

The inside world of Teen Superstars:

Selena Gomez.

New from the series, Teen Stars is the biography of Selena Gomez, who is an American actress, singer, and fashion designer. She is known for portraying Alex Russo in the Emmy Award winning television series Wizards of Waverly Place and starring in movies such as Another Cinderella Story and Ramona and Beezus. Whether you’re already a fan, or just want to find out more, this series has something for everyone who’s into the teen celebrity scene.

If this doesn’t tickle your fancy, how about throwing in some Arts and Crafts activities for good measure? Check out these brand new non fiction series…

Arts and Crafts:

Get creative with these fun activities. Whether your are making a knight’s helmet and sword or a fairy tea party, These books will give you lots of ideas of arts and crafts you can create using knights, castles an fairies themes. Interested in more from this series, check out: Pirates, Tractors and Trucks, Dinosaurs and Animals.

New from this series is Fun with Paint, Fun with Paper, Fun with Fabric and Fun with Nature.

Whether you are having fun with paint, paper, fabric or nature, these clever craft books are full of fun ideas and fantastic activities for little fingers to make. From gifts to party decorations or just for fun, these craft activities will keep little fingers busy.

New Non Fiction for 2013: Things to do, Things to eat and some things that are just plain weird.

Katie15 January, 2013

The Kids’ Guide to Projects Four Your Pet.

Did you know that creating something for your pet is a great way to show how much you care about it. If you are stuck on ideas, then this book will give you a range of ideas with step by step instructions show how to make simple projects for pets from toys for your cats, clothes for your dogs, a fun house for your hamsters and liver treats for your cat or dog. You are sure to find something for your fury, feathery or even scaly friend.

Poo! A History of the World from the Bottom Up.

How many toilets were there in the average Egyptian pyramid? Did lead pipes cause the fall of the Roman Empire? How did a knight over 20 kilograms of armour go to the loo? How do astronauts wee and poo in space? Find out all the answers to these questions in this new and exciting read that the School Library Journal rates as the “number one book on number two”. This book provides everything you have ever wanted to know about the history of poo, as well as hygiene and sanitation throughout history in times of Ancient Greece, Rome, Middle ages, renaissance and the Victorian Era. Also check out Poop Happened! A History of the world from the Bottom Up!

Tractors and trucks.

The ideal arts and crafts book for boys that allows them to get creative with fun tractor and track activities. Complete with brilliant step by step photographs and templates to make a digger picture with moving parts, a tanker, tire track pictures, a tractor cab and lots lots more, this is one book and activity idea that can keep boys busy throughout the school holidays.

Incredible Edibles.

Love food and science? Looking for a book on mad recipes, crazy experiments, kitchen science projects and weird food stories that will shock and perhaps gross you out? Look no further, here is the book for you. Stefan Gates’s book takes you on an adventure of the amazing, weird and perhaps gross facts about food. You will also find out answers to questions like what is the most dangerous food on earth, how do you milk a cow and perhaps the mother of all food recipes: how to make your own cola.

The Garden Cook: Grow, Cook and Eat with Kids.

Move over, Annabel Langbein, there’s a new chef in town! Former Masterchef Australia contestant and teacher, Fiona Inglis has written this excellent book that draws on her real-life experience of working with primary school-aged children. You will find information that covers all aspects of cooking and gardening, including plenty of helpful advice and recipes. The book is written in simple, clear language, is beautifully illustrated and is guaranteed to appeal to all young cooks and gardeners (and to inspire their parents).

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