New Non Fiction: Just in time for Easter and School Holidays.

With summer now over, Winter is slowly entering the Capital with the cold and nasty periods of gale winds, rain and the odd storm. Also with the school holidays and Easter around the corner, why not pop down to Wellington City Libraries and check out a new range of  non fiction in the Children’s collection for your enjoyment and pleasure, especially as we now have some new handicraft books to give you ideas on potential gifts you can give to your family and friends over Easter, or the odd birthday party here and there.

Check them out here!

The Book of Complete Nonsense.

Are you in the mood for nonsense poems? I am! All your favorite authors including Julia Donaldson, Spike Milligan, Roald Dahl, Edward Lear, Lewis Carroll and a whole lot more are featured in this fantastic book of rhymes and riddles that are bound to fry your brain. As an added bonus author,  Michael Rosen provides tips on how you can write your own nonsense poems. Fantastic to use if you have a creative writing homework assignment.

 

 

 

 

Africa : everything you ever wanted to know.

In the mood for another ‘not for parents’ read? Check out this new book on everything you ever wanted to know about Africa. This book opens up a world of amazing facts and stories  (probably facts and stories your parents don’t even know) about the people, places, History and culture of Africa. Another brand new read from the Country Series Book from Lonely Planets that  is not a guidebook and it is definitely not for parents.  Great for ages 8 to 11 years.

Also check out last month’s new ‘not for parents’ release: How to be a dinosaur hunter : your globe-trotting, time-travelling guide.

 

 

Philip Pullman’s Aladdin and the Enchanted Lamp.

The author of The Dark Materials Trilogy brings to life one of the greatest and classic Arab-Persian stories, (although the story is set in China) ever told. Be prepared to go on a magic carpet ride when reading this vivid retelling of  Aladdin, a poor tailor’s son who becomes a wealthy prince with the help of a magic lamp he finds in an enchanted cave. This is a story that has everything – comedy, drama, fantasy, magic, fear, excitement and a terrific plot.

 

 

 

Brilliant Badges to make yourself.

With School Holidays and Easter just around the corner, this is the perfect book to keep you entertained and give you gift ideas on what to give your family and friends over Easter and even the odd birthday here and there. There are fantastic ideas on how to make your own badges, including how to creat a dotty dinosaur badge, a paper-mache cat badge, a funky bow tie badge, a lollipop badge, a birthday badge  and a feathery chicken badge (A great badge idea for Easter!) Great for kids aged 8 to 12 years.

 

 

 

Crafty Creatures.

Forget buying soft toys when you can make your own, (or maybe get your mum or your nana to help). This book is a treasure trove of animal toys/projects to sew, knit and cross-stitch. It includes over 30 projects ranging from practical phone pouches and coin purses to delightful felt cats and teeny tiny animals ideal for necklaces and key fobs. My personal craft idea favorites from this book are the sock monkeys, ducklings and bunny girls (another gift idea for Easter), giraffes and my little pony, (No, not the Hasbro toys.) Another handicraft book to keep kids entertained over Easter and school holidays. If I could knit or sew, then I would be devouring this book like there was no tomorrow.

 

Junior Non Fiction: World Folk Tales for Race Relations Day 2014.

Race Relations Day marks the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, which is celebrated around the world every year on the 21st March. Wellington City Libraries has an amazing collection of Junior folk tales around the world. Folk Tales, according to the Free Dictionary is defined as “a tale or legend originating among a people and typically becoming part of an oral tradition.”

Check out folk tales like:

The Bachelor and The Bean.

A Jewish/Moroccan Folk Tale about a grumpy old bachelor whose life changes forever as the result of losing a bean.

 

 

 

 

Mannekin Pis : a simple story of a boy who peed on a war.

Discover the story behind the bronze statue of the peeing boy in Brussels, Belgium.

 

 

 

 

The Seven Chinese Sisters.

Based on the original Chinese folk tale, six older sisters must join together to save the younger (seventh) sister from a hungry dragon.

 

 

 

Martina, the beautiful cockroach : a Cuban folktale.

In this humorous retelling of a Cuban folktale, a cockroach interviews her suitors in order to decide whom to marry.

 

 

 

 

Some of the latest editions of world folk tales that have been added to junior non fiction collection include:

 

The Barefoot Book of Jewish tales.

This is a fantastic addition to the library’s collection. This collection includes eight delightful tales from the Jewish tradition. Each story has been chosen for its appeal to families and each has a simple yet powerful, message.  Written by Rabbi Shoshana Boyd Gelfand, herself a mother of three, this is a fantastic set of stories to share and to treasure. Includes two story CDs narrated by Debra Messing. Great for ages 7 years and over.

 

 

Breaking the spell : Stories of magic and mystery from Scotland.

Ready for excitement and adventure? Ready to meet witches, kelpies, fairies, selkies, brave warriors and courageous girls?

Forget the traditional  fairy tales and Greek mythology! Celtic Folk Tales are in!

This book is a wonderful treasure that holds a collection of ten magical and funny stories from Scotland, complete with fantastic illustrations that tells stories about an underwater monster that can turn itself into a white horse, a girl whose mother is half seal, half human and a boy who is turned into a fairy but saved by a brave heroine that will leave you spellbound!

Also check out An Illustrated Treasury of Scottish Folk and Fairy Tales and Spellbound: Tales of Enchantment from Ancient Ireland if you are in the mood for some more Celtic Folk Tales.
  

Maya and the Turtle.

This Korean folk tale tells the story of Maya. She and her father are poor, but live a comfortable life. Her mother is dead, but foresaw Maya’s destiny of becoming a princess. One day Maya finds a little turtle. She takes him home, raising, caring for him and never knowing that he will play a part in her destiny. Beautifully illustrated and filled with fascinating nuggets of information about Korean culture, this book offers a poignant tale of the rewards of kindness, patience, courage, a loving heart and a lesson in how true glory, even if foretold must be earned.

 

Also check out some books on world cultures like MaasaiBushmen of Southern AfricaPolynesians and Maori. Great resources to use  if you are doing an assignment or homework on exploring issues and oppression within different cultures. Each book unveils the traditions, myths and social activities of each culture. Also includes bibliographical references and index. Great for ages 4 to 12 years.

 


  
  
  


New Non Fiction: Folk Tales, Great Warriors and Monkeys making chocolate.

The Barefoot Book of Jewish tales.

This is a fantastic addition to the library’s collection. This collection includes eight delightful tales from the Jewish tradition. Each story has been chosen for its appeal to families and each has a simple yet powerful, message.  Written by Rabbi Shoshana Boyd Gelfand, herself a mother of three, this is a fantastic set of stories to share and to treasure. Includes two story CDs narrated by Debra Messing. Great for ages 7 years and over.

 

 

 

 

The Life Cycle of a cat.

This is a great picture book for young children that gives a fascinating introduction to how tiny new born kittens (there’s even a pictures of new born kittens) turn into fully grown cats. You will also discover how they use play to learn and how the mother cat teaches them to hunt.

 

 

 

 

 

Project History.

  

Ever wanted to learn more about Greek and Roman history? Interested in crafts and activities related to these subjects? Check out The Greeks andThe Romans. These books allows you to discover the world of Greek and Roman history through an exciting combination of information and step by step activities. Fun activities in the book about The Greeks include making a Greek Theater Mask, an abacus and a model of the Parthenon, while activities featured in The Romans include making a laurel wreath, a model chariot and collages of gods and goddesses. Great source of entertainment over the school holidays or on a wet day.

 

 

 

 

No Monkeys, No Chocolate.

Sounds like the sort of book to make your mouth water? When you think of chocolate, you might think of a chocolate bar, a birthday cake, or a glass of chocolate milk. But where does chocolate come from? This book tells about the cocoa bean, which grows in the tropical rain forests and how the animals and other living things play an important part, even the monkeys. This book will change the way you think about chocolate… forever.

DID YOU KNOW: About thirty to forty cocoa beans (inside a cocoa pod) is just enough to make one chocolate bar.

 

 

Breaking the spell : Stories of magic and mystery from Scotland.

Ready for excitement and adventure? Ready to meet witches, kelpies, fairies, selkies, brave warriors and courageous girls?

Forget the traditional  fairy tales and Greek mythology! Celtic Folk Tales are in!

This book is a wonderful treasure that holds a collection of ten magical and funny stories from Scotland, complete with fantastic illustrations that tells stories about an underwater monster that can turn itself into a white horse, a girl whose mother is half seal, half human and a boy who is turned into a fairy but saved by a brave heroine that will leave you spellbound!

Also check out An Illustrated Treasury of Scottish Folk and Fairy Tales and Spellbound: Tales of Enchantment from Ancient Ireland if you are in the mood for some more Celtic Folk Tales.

 

Greatest Warriors.

Ready to meet and find out all about the most impressive fighters in history? Check out these books in the Greatest Warriors series: Roman Soldiers, Knights and Vikings and find out all there is to know about the armour, weapons and fighting styles contained in these three amazing books. The illustrations/photographs are amazing and really portray  dramatic recreations of historical events.

New Non Fiction for the school holidays: Absolute Gems, animal adventures, eating like a dinosaur and learning how to be a superhero.

Well another term has ended and the school holidays are here.  Luckily for you, Wellington City Libraries has stocked up on precious gems also known as new non fiction books to keep the boredom busters at bay, especially with all the cold and miserable weather we have had lately.

This month’s blog post introduces you to instruction manuals on how to be a superhero (or an evil genius) and how to eat like a dinosaur, books that features some of the cutest animals on the planet, fairy tales around the world and traveling back in time to visit ancient historical lands, monuments and important figures that changed the world forever.

101 Things to do to become a Superhero… or evil genius.

Well kids, there has finally been a book released that many evil geniuses would attempt to destroy. 101 Things to do to become a Superhero… or evil genius. that not only tells you  all about the 101 things to do to become a Superhero… or evil genius, but probably what  Superman, Batman, Spiderman and every superhero you know and heard of had to go through while they were superheroes in training. And excellent timing with the school holidays coming up and the release of the movie, Man of Steel. 101 Things to Do to become a Superhero has been praised on Amazon as “an absolute gem.” The book includes information on what you need to transform yourself from mere mortal into exciting, dynamic total superhero material. So what you are you waiting for, don’t waste time as a mere mortal, begin your transformation today.

 

 

An Illustrated Treasury of Scottish Folk and Fairy Tales.

Ready for another “absolute gem?” If you are bored with Fairy tales, Greek mythology and enjoyed Spellbound: Tales of Enchantment from Ancient Ireland, a collection of Irish Folk Tales a reviewed in a previous post? How about a dose of Scottish Folk Tales? Check out this  wonderful treasure filled with stunning illustrations that holds a collection of eleven stories that brings Scottish folk tales and tradition to life. Fantastic themes of magic and enchantment that are that will make you EVEN more spellbound! Great for kids aged 6 to 9 years, who love adventure, romance and talking animals.

Also check out Nessie the Loch Ness Monster.

 

 

A little book of sloth.

Brace yourself for cuteness! If you have a weakness for cute, baby animals (like myself), then cozy up with adorable baby sloths in this irresistible photographic picture book during the school holidays! British filmmaker and sloth expert Lucy Cooke has produced this book that takes you behind the scenes of what goes on at Avarios Sloth Sanctuary in Costa Rica, the world’s largest sloth orphanage. Complete with with  hilarious, heart-melting photographs of sloths (Babies and Adults – A couple of charming photos of sloths dressed in oneises!), you will get to know the delightful residents of the at Avarios Sloth Sanctuary and become more knowledgable of the laziest and one of the cutest animals on the planet. A delightful addition to our libraries and a treat for adults and children during the school holidays.

WARNING: Baby sloths can be highly addictive. Prepare yourself for cute overload.

 

 

 The secrets of stonehenge.

In the mood for some time travel? Travel back in time 5,000 years and more to relive the mysteries and secrets of one of the greatest ancient monuments in the world! You will discover the very first henge, dug out with antler-horn picks and find out about the Amesbury Archer, buried with his archer’s wrist-guard and flint arrowheads. This is a great resource that can help you with your homework and answer every question you ever wanted to know about Stonehenge, for example why was this amazing monument erected? How did our Stone-Age ancestors bring such massive stones to the site from so far away? How did they raise the enormous stones to their upright positions? What was Stonehenge used for, and who lived around the site?

 

 

Eat like a Dinosaur: Recipe and guidebook for gluten-free kids.

This is a book that parents should have if they have children that suffer from gluten intolerance and food allergies. In Eat Like a Dinosaur, you will find over a 100 kid-approved recipes and projects that are free of grains, dairy, soy and refined sugar that will steer your child toward meats, vegetables, fruits, nuts and healthy fats. For those with food allergies, the top 8 allergens have been visually marked on each recipe for children to self-identify recipes that may contain eggs, nuts, fish, or shellfish.

 

 

The Romans: Gods, Emperors and Dormice.

This book is great resource that gives children a basic introduction to the history of the rise and fall of the Roman empire. Blended with illustration and text in the form of a graphic novel, you will read and find out who Romulus and Remus were, discover what happened to Julius Caesar and experience life what happened during the times of Ancient Rome.

 

 

 

 

Funny Bums.

Ever wanted to find out why some animals have funny bums? This is a fantastic picture book  for younger children answer this question and gives insight to the rear ends of animals that comes in many shapes and sizes. None of them are boring and maybe some that funny. Great book to use as a learning tool and for a laugh. Great for primary school age.

 

 

New Non Fiction that will leave you spellbound!

The Ultimate Moshlings Collector’s Guide.

Move over Pokemon, there are very cute, cool and collectible creatures  to catch! Check out this new and amazing guide book on the Moshlings! Monstro City’s top Moshling collector, Buster Bumblechops, shares his tips on collecting all the little Moshlings roaming wild in the world of Moshi Monsters! Buster is the ultimate collector and this awesome book is packed full of his stories from years of Moshlings tracking. Find out how to plant the right seeds to attract Moshlings, and how to keep them entertained once you have adopted them! As well as Buster Bumblechop’s collector’s notes the guide contains extracts from his diary plus an exclusive extra Moshling (available only with this guide). Great for anyone a fan of Pokemon and Digimon.

 

Spellbound: Tales of Enchantment from Ancient Ireland.

If you are bored with Fairy tales and Greek mythology, why not try out Irish Folk Tales? This book is a wonderful treasure that holds a collection of seven stories from Ancient Ireland linked by themes of magic and enchantment that are that will make you spellbound! Great for kids aged 6 to 9 years, who love adventure, romance and the occasional nasty shock.

 

 

 

 

Horrible Histories: The Beastly Best Bits – The executioner’s cut.

Well, Terry Deary has done it again! More horrible histories for your viewing and reading pleasure… with all the nasty bits left in. Read all about the awful Egyptians, the Rotten Romans, the vile Victorians and the woeful Second War World. The beastly Best Bits is a wicked history of the world collected by Terry Derry from twenty years of Horrible Histories Books.

 

 

 

 

The Fairy-Tale Princess : Seven Classic Stories from the Enchanted Forrest.

This beautiful collection of seven classic fairytales is organized around the theme of the fairytale princess. Su Blackwell’s paper sculptures evoke a magical world of beauty and mischief are accompanied by Wendy Jones’ lyrical retellings of the stories. I really liked how each fairy tale emerged from the pages through a series of intricate paper sculptures cut from the pages of  each of the fairytales. A great book for girls and anyone a fan of fairy tales.

 

 

 

 

Follow, Follow: A book of reverso poems.

Imagine fairy tales upended. / Upended fairy tales? Imagine!

In the mood for some reverso poems? This book is a  collection of short poems called reversos. First you read the poems from top to bottom, then when you reverse the lines and read from the bottom to top, they provide new perspectives on the fairy tale characters they feature. A fantastic book that plays with language and fairy tales to create a celebration of sight, sound and story.

 

 

Just Joking 2 : 300 hilarious jokes about everything, including tongue twisters, riddles, and more.

This book is the book you must read if you wish to master all the silly jokes known to kids, which includes knock-knocks, tongue twisters, riddles, traditional question and answer jokes and much more! Just Joking 2 comes complete with  colorful photos of laughing animals, including amazing facts about each animal featured, funny people, and other colorful photos are paired with each joke, which is gurenteed to add  an extra laugh on each page.

 

 

Saint Patrick’s Day – A day of leprechauns, four-leaf clovers and painting the town green!

Saint Patrick’s Day or the Feast of Saint Patrick is a cultural, religious and public holiday celebrated on 17 March, the anniversary of his death. It celebrates the life of  Saint Patrick, the most commonly recognized of the patron saints of Ireland, and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland. On the day, people go to church services, wear green attire, attend public parades, eat Irish food and party the Irish way with music, singing and dancing, leprechauns and four-leaf clovers. On the day, you can also call into the Central Library and take out some amazing books about Saint Patrick’s Day and Ireland.

Check out the following books:

 

Books about St. Patrick’s Day (and the Saint himself):

          

 

Books about Ireland:

      

Irish Folk Tales and Stories:

      

 

FACT: Did you know over half a million New Zealanders have Irish ancestors, whose stories have been passed down the generations. Read more about this history of the Irish in New Zealand on  Te Ara.