Top 10 Childrens eBooks March 2016

Get the jump on your mates for the school holidays. eBooks from overdrive are a great way to make sure you get all the books in a series. David Walliams has some collections to download. So if the book you’re looking for is out from your local library, check the eLibrary collections just in case.

Jeff Kinney rules the countdown for March, think you’re a fan? Well, a group of people in Minneapolis made a musical they like it so much!

 

Here’s your top 10:

1.  The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien

2.  The Ugly Truth: Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series, Book 5, by Jeff Kinney

3.  Billionaire Boy, by David Walliams

4.  Ratburger, by David Walliams

5.  The Third Wheel: Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series, Book 7, by Jeff Kinney

6.  Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, by J.K.Rowling

7.  Surf’s Up Geronimo! & The Wild, Wild West: Geronimo Stilton Series, Books 20 and 21, by Geronimo Stilton

8.  Cabin Fever: Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series, Book 6, by Jeff Kinney

9.  Last Straw: Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series, Book 3, by Jeff Kinney

10.The Son of Neptune: The Heroes of Olympus Series, Book 2, by Rick Riordan

Top 10 Children’s e-Books January 2016

The new year’s e-books have some really popular titles.  It’s great to know that if you really want o read something you can get hold of a copy through your library, or your library’s online portal. Harry Potter is as strong as ever in this medium (pretty popular since we started the e-book Top 10).  J.K. Rowling has written a play with Jack Thorn and John Tiffany, Harry Potter and the cursed child, opening in London in July this year.  It’s great to have an evolving story unfold since the last book came out.

Have you ever written a story or play with some of your favourite characters? Let us know in the comments.

1. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, by J.K.Rowling

2. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, by J.K.Rowling

3. Mr. Popper’s Penguins, by Richard Atwater

4. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, by J.K.Rowling

5. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, by J.K.Rowling

6. The Crown of Ptolemy: Percy Jackson & The Kane Chronicles Crossover Series, Book 3, by Rick Riordan

7. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, by J.K.Rowling

8. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, by J.K.Rowling

9. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, by J.K.Rowling

10. The Hobbit, by J. R. R. Tolkien

Comicsplus – new kids comics added!

There are heaps of free comics to read online at website! Comicsplus is the library’s new online comic streaming service, and we’ve just added lots of new titles for you to feast your eyes upon.

There’s no limit to the number of titles you can take out through ComicsPlus, and comics are made available for 7 days. Now’s your chance to read any number of series from beginning to end!

 

Here are some of the new titles just added:

  • Transformers
  • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
  • My Little Pony
  • Angry Birds
  • Astro Boy
  • Ben 10
  • Cartoon Network: Super Secret Crisis War
  • Dexter’s Laboratory
  • Garbage Pail Kids
  • Littlest Petshop
  • Mr Peabody and Sherman
  • Popeye
  • The Powerpuff Girls
  • Rocky and Bullwinkle
  • Skylanders

 

There are so many more titles (like Adventure Time and Peanuts…) – these are just the newest additions! Enjoy!

Top 10 Children’s eBooks December 2015

eBooks are great for the holidays. The library is closed for 4 days over Christmas and  4 days over New Years, but your electronic library is always open. Overdrive and Borrow Box now both offer a return before the due date.  So for you voracious readers you can have up to 15 eBooks at one time, finish one, return and download another.

The ‘Recommended for you’ section at the bottom of the lending page will give you great ideas for more holiday reading.

If you’d like some more tips to expand your reading take a look at the Summer Reading Challenge.  Post your reviews and win prizes!

 

1. The Son of Neptune: The Heroes of Olympus Series, Book 2, by Rick Riordan

2. Game On! by Lincoln Peirce

3. The Mark of Athena: The Heroes of Olympus Series, Book 3, by Rick Riordan

4. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, by J.K. Rowling

5. Big Nate Makes a Splash, by Lincoln Peirce

6. The House of Hades: The Heroes of Olympus Series, Book 4. by Rick Riordan

7. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, by J.K. Rowling

8. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, by J.K. Rowling

9. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, by J.K. Rowling

10. The Sword Thief: The 39 Clues Series, Book 3, by Peter Lerangis

Merry Christmas from the Kids’ Blog!

We hope you have a great Christmas holiday. Us librarians will also be taking a break and having a holiday too.

 

The libraries will be closed over the Christmas and New Year long weekends. You can find the opening hours on our website.

Library storytimes are also on holiday and have now finished for 2015. They start back on the 6th of January onwards.

 

Don’t worry if you haven’t managed to stock up on your holiday reading. Our e-library is open 24/7 throughout the holidays. You can download eBooks, eAudiobooks, comics and magazines to your device.

 

Don’t forget to write Kids’ Club reviews for your reading – there are lots of prizes up for grabs. And if you happen to read a title that’s on our Summer Reading Challenge list then you’ll go into the draw for an amazing prize pack drawn at the end of January.

 

We hope you have a fun and happy festive season. See you in 20161

Top 10 Children’s E-books November 2015

There is some great world building to be found in November’s favourite E-books.  From doyenne J. K. Rowling to the venerable Tolkien and November’s favourite author Cat Winters  These writers have created detailed, believable worlds, that have come to influence the way we think of magic and incorporate it into our own lives.  Do you have a favourite magical writer? Let us know your favourite authors in the comments.

Great variety in November’s top ten; the spooky intrigue of Harry Potter and In the shadow of the Blackbirds is offset set by some great laughs and doodles from Big Nate author Lincoln Pierce and David Walliams bringing his comedy talents to the page.

 

  1. In the Shadow of Blackbirds by Cat Winters
  2. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J. K. Rowling
  3. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J. K. Rowling
  4. Big Nate and Friends by Lincoln Peirce
  5. Captain Underpants and the Big, Bad Battle of the Bionic Booger Boy, Part 2: The Revenge of the Ridi by Dav Pilkey
  6. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J. K. Rowling
  7. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J. K. Rowling
  8. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
  9. Billionaire Boy by David Walliams
  10. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J. K. Rowling

eBooks for the holidays

Going away of Christmas and New Years? Why not take an eBook with you, or download and listen to an audiobook?

Here are some new titles that we’ve added to our free eBook and digital audiobook collection recently.

 

  1. Nick Bruel, A Bad Kitty Christmas: Bad Kitty Series, Book 7
  2. Jacqueline Harvey, Alice-Miranda Takes the Lead 3
  3. Diana Wynne Jones,  Archer’s Goon
  4. Jacqueline Wilson, Bad Girls
  5. H. I. Larry, Boot Camp: Zac Power Series, Book 15
  6. Susannah McFarlane, Choc Shock: EJ12 Girl Hero Series, Book 5
  7. Mary Pope Osborne, Danger in the Darkest Hour: Magic Tree House: Super Edition Series, Book 1
  8. Derek Landy, Dark Days: Skulduggery Pleasant Series, Book 4
  9. Carole Poustie, Dog Gone: A best friend is worth everything
  10. Pam Munoz Ryan,  Esperanza Rising
  11. H. I. Larry, Fossil Fury: Zac Power Series, Book 24
  12.  Mary LynRay,  Goodnight, Good Dog
  13. Erin Hunter, Goosefeather’s Curse: Warriors: Novella Series, Book 8
  14. Leo Landry, Grin and Bear It
  15. David Barrow, Have You Seen Elephant
  16. Eliot Schrefer, Immortal Guardians: Spirit Animals: Fall of the Beasts Series, Book 1
  17. Margaret Wise Brown,  Jingle Paws
  18. Susannah McFarlane, Kimono Code: EJ12 Girl Hero Series, Book 14
  19. Jenny Nimmo, Leopards’ Gold: Chronicles of the Red King, Book 3
  20. Garth Nix, Newt’s Emerald
  21. Erin Hunter, Path of Stars: Warriors: Dawn of the Clans Series, Book 6
  22. Adam Wallace, Random: A Collection of Weird and Hilarious Stuff
  23. Annette Cordina, Sausage Curls
  24. Judy Cox, Snow Day for Mouse
  25. Beka So, You Think You Can Hip-Hop: Dance Class Series, Book 1
  26. Lloyd Alexander, Taran Wanderer: The Chronicles of Prydain, Book 4
  27. Lloyd Alexander, The Black Cauldron: The Chronicles of Prydain, Book 2
  28. Lloyd Alexander, The Book of Three: The Chronicles of Prydain, Book 1
  29. Holly Webb, The Case of the Blind Beetle: Maisie Hitchins Series, Book 7
  30. Holly Webb, The Case of the Phantom Cat: Maisie Hitchins Series, Book 3
  31. Lloyd Alexander, The Castle of Llyr: The Chronicles of Prydain, Book 3
  32. Thea Stilton, The Cloud Castle: Thea Stilton Special Edition Series, Book 4
  33. Rick Riordan, The Crown of Ptolemy: Percy Jackson & The Kane Chronicles Crossover Series, Book 3
  34. Susan Cooper, The Dark Is Rising: The Dark Is Rising Sequence Series, Book 2
  35. Jeanne DuPrau, The Diamond of Darkhold: Ember Series, Book 4
  36. Lemony Snicket, The End: A Series of Unfortunate Events, Book 13
  37. Lloyd Alexander, The High King: The Chronicles of Prydain, Book 5
  38. Barbara Else, The Knot Impossible: Tales of Fontania Series, Book 4
  39. Laura Resau, The Lightning Queen
  40. Jacqueline Wilson, The Longest Whale Song
  41. Lemony Snicket, The Penultimate Peril: A Series of Unfortunate Events, Book 12
  42. Jeanne DuPrau, The Prophet of Yonwood: Ember Series, Book 3
  43. Rick Riordan, The Sea of Monsters: The Graphic Novel: Percy Jackson and the Olympians Graphic Novel Series, Book 2

Comics Comics Comics! Get them online now.

Announcing the arrival of ComicsPlus to our eBook collection.

We know how much you love comics – they fly off our library shelves every day. So you’ll be excited to hear about our new online comics service that you can get to on our website.

Through ComicsPlus you have unlimited access to thousands of digital super hero, manga, children and indie comics across a wide range of ages, from 80 different publishers.

There are no limits to how many comics you can borrow, and they are available to read 24/7 live streaming through the library website.

At the moment ComicsPlus is limited to desktop only but mobile usage should be on its way soon.

There are a few steps you need to take to get started on ComicsPlus. You can find out more by watching this handy slideshow.

 

Here are some of our favourite comics you can read online now:

 

 

 

Top 10 Children’s E-Books for October 2015

Fantasy saga fans have really taken to the E-Books.  Rick Riordan has become the favourite with his myth influenced series inspiring a lot of Wellington readers. There are some great resources in the library about Greek myths, non-fiction, comics, more comics,  audio books, movies and some other great stories.  If you’re enjoying the Rick Riordan Heroes of Olympus series try the Pegasus series by Kate O’Hearn (she has also written books on the Norse Myths).

Did you know that many of the heroes and heroines of the Greek myths were immortalised in constellations? Take a look here for some of their stories and place in the night sky.

1.   Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J. K. Rowling

2.   Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J. K. Rowling

3.   Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J. K. Rowling

4.  The Mark of Athena: The Heroes of Olympus Series, Book 3 by Rick Riordan

5.   The House of Hades: The Heroes of Olympus Series, Book 4 by Rick Riordan

6 .  The Lost Hero: The Heroes of Olympus Series, Book 1 by Rick Riordan

7.   The Son of Sobek: Percy Jackson & Kane Chronicles Crossover Series, Book 1 by Rick Riordan

8.   Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J. K. Rowling

9.   The Red Pyramid: The Kane Chronicles, Book 1 by Rick Riordan

10. The Son of Neptune: The Heroes of Olympus Series, Book 2 by Rick Riordan

 

      

7 books for adventurous readers

I love reading stories that take me to exciting places and ask me to solve a mystery or two! Often my go-tos are the  Famous Five and the Secret Seven. No doubt those books are full of fun, but it’s always cool to be adventurous with your reading and try something new. Here’s a list of adventure stories we reckon you’ll enjoy:

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg

This cool kid detective story is available in Central library! You could reserve it on your library card and get it sent to your branch library for free! Here’s what the story is about:

“When suburban Claudia Kincaid decides to run away, she knows she doesn’t just want to run from somewhere, she wants to run to somewhere — to a place that is comfortable, beautiful, and, preferably, elegant. She chooses the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Knowing her younger brother Jamie has money and thus can help her with a serious cash-flow problem, she invites him along. Once settled into the museum, Claudia and Jamie find themselves caught up in the mystery of an angel statue that the museum purchased at auction for a bargain price of $225. The statue is possibly an early work of the Renaissance master, Michelangelo, and therefore worth millions. Is it? Or isn’t it? Claudia is determined to find out. Her quest leads her to Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, the remarkable old woman who sold the statue, and to some equally remarkable discoveries about herself.” Goodreads.

 

 

Fortunately, the Milk by Neil Gaiman

This funny story is available in pretty much all our libraries! You can also get a copy from our eLibrary collection.

“ “I bought the milk,” said my father. “I walked out of the corner shop, and heard a noise like this: T h u m m t h u m m. I looked up and saw a huge silver disc hovering in the air above Marshall Road.”

“Hullo,” I said to myself. That’s not something you see every day.” And then something odd happened.

Find out just how odd things get in this hilarious story of time travel and breakfast cereal.” Goodreads.

 

 

The search for WondLa by Tony DiTerlizzi

Wondla is a seriously cool series about a brave girl in a strange world! You can find a copy in our eLibrary, or get one from our many branch libraries!

“Eva Nine is a curious and sensitive twelve-year-old who has existed only in a subterranean home called Sanctuary, cared for by a robot named Muthr. Eva’s great desire is to go aboveground, and her wish comes true, though not as she had imagined. On the surface, Eva goes in search of other humans–she has never met one–and soon meets both friend and foe.” Goodreads.

 

 

39 Clues, Maze of Bones by Rick Riordan

I’m sure you’ve heard the epic series 39 Clues! But maybe you didn’t know that we have copies of it on our eLibrary. You can start from the beginning with book one in the series: The Maze of Bones. It’s available to borrow in most of our libraries as well!

“Minutes before she died Grace Cahill changed her will, leaving her descendants an impossible decision: You have a choice – one million dollars or a clue.

Grace is the last matriarch of the Cahills, the world’s most powerful family. Everyone from Napoleon to Houdini is related to the Cahills, yet the source of the family power is lost. 39 clues hidden around the world will reveal the family’s secret, but no one has been able to assemble them. Now the clues race is on, and young Amy and Dan must decide what’s important: hunting clues or uncovering what REALLY happened to their parents.” Goodreads.

 

 

Reckelss by Cornelia Funke

Cornelia Funke has to be one of my all-time favourite authors! I loved her as a kid, her characters are so courageous and cool. Check out book one from one of her newest series: Mirrorworld. We have copies available in our libraries and eLibrary!

“Ever since Jacob Reckless was a child, he has been escaping to a hidden world through a portal in his father’s abandoned study … But life in this other world is about to change. Tragedy strikes when Jacob’s younger brother, Will, follows him through the portal. Brutally attacked, Will is infected with a curse that is quickly transforming him into a Goyl–a ruthless killing machine, with skin made of stone.

Jacob is prepared to fight to save his brother, but in a land built on trickery and lies, Jacob will need all the wit, courage, and reckless spirit he can summon to reverse the dark spell–before it’s too late.” Goodreads

 

 

Wildwood by Colin Meloy

I’m all about these kinds of stories where amazing kids face impossible obstacles to save their family! This is a well-loved book from our collection, I seriously recommend checking it out if you haven’t already!

“When her baby brother is kidnapped by crows, seventh-grader Prue McKeel ventures into the forbidden Impassable Wilderness–a dangerous and magical forest in the middle of Portland, Oregon–and soon finds herself involved in a war among the various inhabitants.” Goodreads.

 

 

Artermis Fowl by Eoin Colfer

And of course I had to mention the awesome adventure series that is Artemis Fowl. I know you guys are probably very familiar with this series but you may not know that it is actually available in our eLibrary collection! So if you can’t get a hold of the next one in the series from one of our libraries have a search for it on Overdrive. I know I’ve done just that when I can’t wait for my reserve to come into the library!

Twelve-year-old Artemis Fowl is a millionaire, a genius—and, above all, a criminal mastermind. But even Artemis doesn’t know what he’s taken on when he kidnaps a fairy, Captain Holly Short of the LEPrecon Unit. These aren’t the fairies of bedtime stories—they’re dangerous! Full of unexpected twists and turns, Artemis Fowl is a riveting, magical adventure.” Goodreads.