dance

Have you visited the Ballet dancers in the Library these holidays?

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RNZB Image smallWe are very lucky to have the Royal New Zealand Ballet running special dancing story times in the libraries during the July School Holidays.

You can find the times at dates at the Children’s Events Page.

Legendary dancer and performer Sir Jon Trimmer will perform ‘Tales from the Ballet’ – six great stories that have inspired generations of dancers around the world.

This is a chance to learn about ballet steps and positions – and to try them out– explore the art of mime and gesture, and hear some of the wonderful stories of the world’s greatest ballets, from an icon of New Zealand dance who has performed them all.

Come along boys and girls! These events are free and bookings aren’t required.

Want to read some ballet stories? Check out these fiction and non-fiction books.

 

Fun fact: Did you know that there is a warehouse in Upper Hutt that is full of ballet costumes and stage sets from RNZB performances from the last 60 years? Wow! read all about it in this article on the Dominion Post website.

New Non Fiction: Back to School, Part 2.

Katie

101 Hidden Animals.image courtesy of syndetics

Read this book and discover the amazing ways 101 animals hide in plain sight and defends themselves from predators. Overall this book is a very enjoyable read. There are some fantastic images and amazing facts about how animals hide themselves. For example, bullfrogs rest in shallow water to look just like rocks and zebras’ stripes confuse predators.

 

Ballet Spectacular.image courtesy of http://www.roh.org.uk/

Ballet, spectacular? You bet! Hands down, this is one of the most amazing, beautiful and captivating books I have ever come across in the junior non fiction collection! Grab this book today and get a full and unique insight into the magical world of ballet seen through the eyes of The Royal Ballet!

 

 

Discovering Dinosaurs.image courtesy of syndetics

Check this ultimate, most up to date guide to the age of dinosaurs and discover over 165 fascinating prehistoric creatures from the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods, including every major dino discovery made to date.

 

 

image courtesy of syndeticsHow to be a space explorer.

Ever wanted to go into space? This book gives you the lowdown on everything young explorers needs to know to travel in space, covering what life in zero gravity is like, how to find your way around the solar system, and the all-important question of how to pee in a spacesuit! (Hee, hee, still tickled pink over that one!) Overall a fantastic read, complete with unique illustrations take kids to the heart of the action and amazing photos show what the universe is really like. Not to mention, incredible stories of real-life space exploration for kids aged 8 and up, by author and astrobiologist Professor Mark Brake.

 

How to handle low self-esteem.image courtesy of syndetics

If you feel under pressure or having trouble dealing with what ever life is throwing at you, then this book can help. How to Handle Low Self Esteem is an essential guide that can help you understand how and why you might hold a low opinion of yourself and  what you can do to improve things for yourself. The book highlights areas that may trigger these feelings, such as bullying or peer-pressure. Perhaps you are under pressure because of your sexual orientation, your race or religion or because you simply don’t fit the mould. This book will help you confront your issues and offers solid advice based on the experiences of real people. A great book to read to calm those ‘

 

How to handle bullying and gangs.image courtesy of syndetics

No one should ever have to cope with bullying. Inside this book you will find: Practical advice for dealing with bullies, suggestions as to where you can find support, advice on how to feel positive about yourself.

 

 

image courtesy of syndeticsHow Maui found his father and the magic jawbone.

An oldie but a goodie. Check out this this new addition Peter Gossage’s classic tale about how Maui found his father and the magic jawbone. Perfect timing with Waitangi day around the corner.

 

Free Dance show

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Put this one in your diaries. To celebrate the New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards, there will be a special free dance show for children at the Wellington Central Library.

Performers from the Java Dance Company will put Margaret Mahy’s picture book ‘Mr Whistler‘ on show with amazing and mesmerising dance moves and music.

This free event is suitable for 6-12 year olds and their families. No bookings are required however space is limited at the venue, so make sure you turn up early to get a spot.

 

– Wellington Central Library mezzanine meeting room (go up the stairs to clarks cafe then turn left at the top. Follow the walkway around to the room)

– Saturday 22nd June, 1.30pm 

 

Thanks to The Kilbirnie Children’s Bookshop and Dance Aotearoa New Zealand (DANZ) for their support for this event.

New Non Fiction for October: Animals, History and… Dancing.

Katie

Tony Robinson’s Weird World of Wonders: Greeks.

Tony Robinson is back with more from Weird World of Wonders. Why the ancient Greeks were mad about olive oil? Who Pythagoras was? Why Alexander the Great named a city after his horse, Bucephalus? ?How the Greeks invented the first computer, vending machine and death-ray? You will find out all the answers to these questions and more in this action packed read.  If you enjoyed Tony Robinson’s last book on Ancient Egypt and the British, then you will love this one on British history.

 

 

 

My First Sewing Book: 35 easy and fun projects for children aged 7 years old + 
Love sewing? Then this is the book for you.You will find in this book 35 projects that will help you learn how to sew. All the instructions and cute step-by-step artworks are easy to follow; plus, each project has a grade so that you can start with easy sewing and move onto using more advanced stitches as you get better at it.

 

 

 

 
Monkeys by Claire Thorp.
Where do monkeys live? Can Monkeys tell lies? What can you do to help the Monkeys?

Find out the answers and more in this new exciting read. You will find out all you need to know about monkeys, including information on primates’ physical features, social habits, mental capabilities, and lives in their wild habitats.

 

 

 

 

 
Giraffes by Sarah Albee.
Find out all you need to know about giraffes, including answers to the trickiest questions, such as  how a giraffe drinks from the ground?  This book is also filled with valuable information, stunning photographs and little known facts, like a giraffe has seven bones in their neck and they can jump over objects as high as six feet.

 

 

 

 

 
The Book of Dance by Lorrie Mack.
The world of dance is yours to explore! Read all you need to know about dance and its history in this great and exciting book! This book allows you to discover the excitement of dance with all its magical rhythm, steps, costumes, music and dancers. You will also gain information on various types of dance, like ballet and ballroom. Also learn about popular productions from classical favorites, (The Nutcracker), Broadway (Singin’ in the Rain), Bollywood and even fresh dance styles that were inspired from the streets and clubs (Disco and Break dancing) and famous dancers of all time like Michael Jackson.

 

 

 
The Lego Book by Daniel Lipkowitz.
For all you Lego fans out there, this is the book to read. You find all the information you need to know about the history of the LEGO products. This book also  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. In addition this book allows you to explore LEGO Star Wars, LEGO Harry Potter, LEGO Toy story and much more.

Do you love ballet?

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For fans of ballet, Wellington City Libraries has a great selection of fiction and non-fiction books for you to enjoy. Here some of the best recent books about ballet. Make sure you check them out, or reserve them for free on your children’s card, after coming along to the Angelina Ballerina School Holiday Storytimes.

My First Ballet Book by Kate Castle

Covers all aspects of ballet from: What is ballet?  What to wear, warming up, arms and feet, at the barre, spinning around, dancing together, on your toes, let’s make a ballet, from studio to stage, famous ballets, behind the scenes and at the ballet.

 

 How to: Ballet by Jane Hackett

Includes step-by-step photographs, easy-to-follow instructions and tips from the professionals help the reader (both female and male) prepare for class, do warm-up moves, and basic positions. Further information includes how to look the part, prepare for a performance and ballet stories and famous ballet dancers. 

 

The Orchard Book of Stories From the Ballet by Geraldine McCaughrean

Enjoy reading the classic ballet tales: Swan Lake, Coppelia, Gisele, Cinderella, La Sylphide, The nutcracker, Romeo and Juliet, The firebird, Petrouchka, and The sleeping beauty.

 

 

Ivy + Bean #6: Doomed to Dance by Annie Barrows

Friends Ivy and Bean are opposites, but in this installment of the series, they agree on one thing. They want to take ballet lessons. Their parents, having been through their enthusiasms before, insist the girls must not quit and must not complain. This is easier said than done when, after the girls realize ballet is not all spins and tutus, they are cast as friendly squid in the underwater-themed recital. Another pleasing adventure, engagingly illustrated and fun for new readers.

The Twinkling Tutu by Gwyneth Rees

Ava puts on a beautiful twinkling tutu and finds herself magically whisked away to Victorian times – where she has an important part to play in an extravagant ballet show – and making a girl’s dreams come true.

 

 

 Royal Ballet School Diaries #1: Ellie’s Chance to Dance by Alexandra Moss

The Royal Ballet School Diaries jets to a spirited start with this tale of a 10-year-old who moves from Chicago to England with her widowed mother, who has taken a job as a professor at Oxford. Ellie shares her thoughts through diary entries interspersed throughout the narrative, and readers learn that she is anxious about starting a new life yet thrilled that she has been accepted as a Junior Associate at the Royal Ballet School.