holidays

Young readers’ special treats!

wcl staff

How are you feeling now that you are back at school? Ready for new challenges? Are you getting confident with reading short stories all by yourself?  If so, this selection of easy chapter books will be perfect for you!

 

Spooky house, by Sally Rippin

Billie and her friends have started a Secret Mystery Club! There’s just one problem – they don’t have any mysteries to solve. But then Billie thinks of the spooky house at the end of her street. She has always wondered who lives there. Is it a witch or a ghost?

It is up to the SMC to find out!

Age 7 and +

 

 

Stink it up! A guide to the Gross, the bad and the smelly, Megan McDonald

Stink has a nose for yuck and muck, and this book is full of it: moose-poop festivals, mouse-brain toothpaste, maggot cheese, and more.

The pages are packed with more than two hundred facts and bits of trivia about things that are gross, bad, and smelly – loads of P.U. served up just for YOU!

Age 7 and +

 

 

Thea Stilton and the Spanish dance mission, by Geronimo Stilton

The Thea sisters are visiting friends at a lively festival in Spain. But the theft of a precious fan turns their trip into an investigation! They end up hot on the trail of a secret treasure… but they’re not the only ones searching for it. Can the mouselets solve the mystery in time? It’s a mission full of flamenco dance!

Age 7 and +

 

 

 

Lulu Bell and the Cubby Fort, by Belinda Murrell

Lulu and her family are visiting their uncle’s farm for the Easter holidays. There are horses to ride, a creek to swim in, and they can even sleep outside in a tent. What fun!

Lulu loves being a cowgirl on the farm, especially when all the cousins decide to build the best cubby fort ever. But when she sees a calf get stuck in the mud, Lulu has to find help – fast!

Age 7 and +

New Fiction Books!

admin

Roof Toppers by Katherine Rundell

My mother is still alive, and she is going to come for me one day. Everyone thinks that Sophie is an orphan. True, there were no other recorded female survivors from the shipwreck which left baby Sophie floating in the English Channel in a cello case, but Sophie remembers seeing her mother wave for help. Her guardian tells her it is almost impossible that her mother is still alive, but that means still possible. You should never ignore a possible. So when the Welfare Agency writes to her guardian threatening to send Sophie to an orphanage, she takes matters into her own hands and flees to Paris to look for her mother, starting with the only clue she has – the address of the cello maker. Evading the French authorities, she meets Matteo and his network of rooftoppers – urchins who live in the sky. Together they scour the city for Sophie’s mother before she is caught and sent back to London, and most importantly before she loses hope

 

Dunger by Joy Cowley

“William and Melissa have been roped into helping their old hippie grandparents fix up their holiday home in the middle of the Sounds. They’ll have no electricity, no cellphone reception and only each other for company. As far as they are concerned this is not a holiday.”–Back cover.

 

 

 

Sammy Keyes and the Killer Cruise by Wendelin Van Draanen

“Teen sleuth Sammy Keyes solves a classic locked-room mystery aboard a cruise ship”–Provided by publisher.

 

 

 

 

 

I Funny: a Middle School Story by James Patterson

Hi, I’m Jamie Grimm – and I want to make you laugh! Do zombies eat doughnuts with their fingers? What do you get when you cross a parrot and a shark? What do mallards wear at a wedding? To find out the punchlines to these jokes and TONS of others, listen on! You’ll hear the story of my insanely un-funny stepfamily, my mostly funny friends, an amazing person called Cool Girl, and the school bully, who happens to live in the same house as me – plus a secret I’m not exactly ready to tell you yet. But I will tell you that I’m on an unforgettable mission to win the Planet’s Funniest Kid Comic Contest.

 

 

The Only Child Club by Anne Fine

Ryan has no brothers or sisters so he invites Tasha and Oliver to join his special new club.  Now he can find out what it’s like not to be an only child.  Will it be better? Or worse? -Back cover

 

 

 

Fantastic New Fiction!

admin

Texting the Underworld by Ellen Booraem

Conor O’Neill faces his cowardice and visits the underworld to bargain with the Lady who can prevent the imminent death of a family member, but first Ashling, the banshee who brought the news, wants to visit his middle school.

 

 

Image courtesy of SyndeticsThe Hypnotists by Gordon Korman

Twelve-year-old Jackson Opus is descended from two powerful hypnotist bloodlines, but he has just begun to realize that he can control other peoples’ actions with sometimes frightening results–especially when the head of the Sentia Institute plans to use Jackson for his own benefit.

 

 

The Mysterious Misadventures of  Clemency Wrigglesworth by Julia Lee

Image courtesy of Syndetics

Clemency is utterly penniless and entirely alone, until she’s taken in by the marvellous Marvels – a madcap family compleately unlike her own. But it’s a surprise to them all when she’s mysteriously bundled from the house by the frightening Miss Clawe.
Concerned about her fate, the Marvels set out to find her. Enlisting the help of some not-quite-genuine Red Indians, it’s a calamitous race across the country. But Clemency’s misadventures are more dire than her rescuers suspect… will they reach her in time? – (taken from www.Goodreads.com)

 

Image courtesy of SyndeticsKurt Gets Truckloads by Erlend Loe

“Kurt is a truck driver. He’s been a truck driver for many years. Almost ever since he was a boy. He’s always been a very kind man, until… One day Kurt rescues a man who sleepwalks off the pier, and he gets rewarded with a diamond as big as a football. But what use is a diamond? Kurt sells it and gets 50 million dollars. With all that money, it is perhaps not surprising that Kurt turns nasty”–Publisher information.

 

Stay Well Soon by Penny Tangey

Image courtesy of Syndetics

When Stevie’s brother is taken to hospital, her dreams seem further away than ever. Stevie’s after school world is filled with hospital visits and there’s even less money for anything, especially her dream of a pony. With her mum spending more time with her brother, Stevie’s has to learn to figure out the hard things in life by herself.
Stay Well Soon is a charming novel filled with a mix of hope, humour and sadness that children remember long after the last page is turned. Best of all, it reminds you about the value of friendship as well as focussing on and enjoying the special moments in life. (taken from www.Goodreads.com)
Image courtesy of Syndetics

Holiday of a Lifetime by Megan de Kantzow

“If you ever get stuck on the holiday of a lifetime with your family, read this. And good luck. You’ll need it. Is a lucky seahorse charm strong enough to protect Anna’s family from potential disaster as they travel around Europe? Just in case, Anna’s going to keep her backpack and survival manual close at hand, because sometimes luck has nothing to do with it”–Back cover.

 

Do you prefer creepy or splashy Fiction?

wcl staff

The two options kind of have nothing to do with each other, but that’s one of the fun things about books! You can jump from one universe to another in just a blink!

Let’s start with the creepy scary books first…

Gustav Gloom and the people taker, by Adam-Troy Castro

Gustav Gloom’s neighbors think he is the unhappiest little boy in the world. But what they don’t know is that the strange, dark house Gustav lives in is filled with more wonders and mysteries than could ever be explained. But explain is exactly what Gustav needs to do when Fernies What moves in across the street. And that’s when the adventure really begins…

Age 9+

 

Class is not dismissed! by Gitty Daneshvari

Madeleine Masterson is deathly afraid of bugs. Theodore Bartholomew is petrified of dying. Lulu Punchalower is scared of confined spaces. Garrison Feldman is terrified by deep water.

After discovering that each of her former students has slipped back into their old fears, headmistress Mrs Wellington, brings Madeleine, Theo, Lulu and Garrison back for mandatory summer school at “School of Fear”.

Facing their fears is terrifying enough, but when they are joined by a fifth student (and a mysterious entity lurking in the woods) things get even scarier.

Age 8+

 

And what do we have for watery splashy Fiction?

Below, by Meg McKinlay

The Mayor flipped a lever, and everyone cheered as Old Lower Grange was submerged beneath five thousand swimming pool’s worth of water. But Cassie’s family wasn’t there to see it – they were too busy rushing to the hospital to deliver an eight-weeks-early Cassie.

Now twelve years later, Cassie feels drawn to the mysteries hidden beneath the surface of the manmade lake- and she’s not the only one. Her classmate Liam joins Cassie on the lake’s forbidden side. As the summer heats up, the water drops lower and lower, offering them glimpses of the ghostly town and uncovering secrets. But like a swimmer who ventures too far from shore, Cassie realizes she can’t turn back. Can she bring their suspicions to light before it’s too late?

Age 10+

 

Charlie Joe Jackson’s guide to Summer vacation, by Tommy Greenwald

It’s like permanent opposite day, where the dorks are the cool kids and the cool kids are the losers. But Charlie Joe is determined to convince the entire camp to hate reading and writing-one genius at a time. Can he pull it off? Or will he turn into one of them? It’s finally summer vacation! But instead of hanging out with his friends and playing with his dogs, Charlie Joe Jackson has to face his worst fear : academic summer camp. Camp Rituhbukkee is exactly hoe Charlie Joe pictures it: books and nerds as far as the eye can see.

Age 8+

So just dive into one of these books and you will either get soaked or petrified!

 

Mother’s Day

admin

Hey kids – have you been practicing making breakfast in bed?

Mother’s Day is this Sunday – May 12th, and I’m pretty sure Mum would love to be surprised with a yummy breakfast to start the day -this is a tradition for Mother’s Day in New Zealand along with giving cards and gifts.

Modern-day Mother’s day started in 1908 in West Virginia (USA) by a woman called Anna Jarvis. Previous attempts at getting a formal Mother’s Day celebration recognised in the 1800s had failed, but Anna was successful in having it recognised as an official holiday in the USA in 1914.

As this American holiday was adopted by other countries and cultures around the world, the date was changed to fit other celebrations that honor motherhood. That’s why different countries celebrate Mother’s Day on different dates. The second Sunday in May is when New Zealand celebrates Mother’s day, along with 81 other countries. Other popular days that countries celebrate Mother’s Day are March 8th, March 21st and the last Sunday in May.

Wikipedia has a great article about Mother’s day. Check it out for more info.

We also have some great books about Mother’s Day:

Want to make mum a present? Try these crafty books for some ideas:

Don’t forget the breakfast in bed! Here are some favourite cooking books for you to get some inspiration and recipes from:

Libraries are closed, so… Download a book instead!

admin

ANZAC Day is a special day for us to remember and say thank you to many New Zealand soldiers, sailors and airmen and women who have served New Zealand so that we can be a safe country. Many of these people died while fighting, not only to keep New Zealand safe, but to keep other countries safe too.

 

You may wish to go to an ANZAC day service. These will be happening across Wellington city from dawn into the afternoon. Go to the Returned and Services Association website (RSA) to find a service near you.

 

You won’t be able to visit the libraries to hang out or borrow books, because we will be closed on ANZAC day. But don’t panic! We have books on out website that you can download for free. You can borrow an e-book or an audio book and download them straight onto your computer, laptop, MP3 player, e-reader and more. Go to our Downloads page to find out more.

 

 

 

ANZAC Day

debbie

ANZAC Day is a very special day where New Zealanders and Australians remember the men and women that served and lost their lives in war.

ANZAC is an acronym for the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps

The original ANZAC Day observances were mostly for serviceman and their families. It was started as a result of the terrible loss of life suffered at Gallipoli during World War 1. Today ANZAC Day has grown into a day were we honour all servicemen and women who fight in war all around the world.

A lot of people think the date of April 25th was chosen because it was the day that the ANZACS suffered the greatest loss of life at Gallipoli but it is actually the day when the New Zealand and Australian soldiers first landed at Gallipoli in 1915.

They fought and died there until they were finally evacuated in December of that same year

There are many things we do to commemorate this special day.

There is the Dawn Parade which is one of our most popular traditions. It begins with a parade of returned servicemen and women who march to their local war memorial where they are met by family and the community.

There is an ANZAC Day Service were the community come to lay wreaths in remembrance of the fallen soldiers.

And don’t forget to have your Anzac biscuit. Did you know that Anzac biscuits don’t have eggs? This is because eggs were in short supply during war times.

We always wear a Poppy on ANZAC Day. The red poppy goes way back in history – as far as the

Napoleonic Wars of the 19th Century. This is because these flowers were the first to bloom over the graves of soldiers in France and Belgium and have become a symbol of remembrance.

There are some great websites you can visit to find out more about ANZAC Day and you might like to check out all the books we have in the library. As well as the factual books you will also find great fiction books like ‘Lest we forget‘ and ‘Anzac Day Parade’. You will even find books on animals that served during war time.

 

 

They shall not grow old, as we that are left to grow old; Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning. We will remember them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Easter!

admin

Happy Easter from Wellington City Libraries!  We hope you enjoyed the long weekend with your friends and family – and didn’t get a sore tummy from all those yummy Easter eggs and hot cross buns!!

We are open usual hours today after our Easter break.  We have a neat range of Easter activity and craft books so hop on in!

 

(We have lots of other Easter craft books and websites to check out in our Kids Catalogue too)

Chinese New Year

admin 1 Comment

Chinese New Year falls on Sunday February 10 this year. It’s the most important traditional Chinese holiday. In China, it is also known as the ‘Spring Festival’.

The date of Chinese New Year changes every year as it is based on the lunar calendar. The dates usually range between late January and late February.

While the western calendar is based on the earth’s orbit around the sun, the lunar calendar that China and most Asian countries uses is based on the moon’s orbit around the earth. Chinese New Year always falls on the second new moon after the winter solstice.

Chinese New Year celebrations traditionally run for 15 days: from Chinese New Year’s Day, the first day of the first month of the Chinese calendar to the 15th day of the first month, also called the Lantern Festival.

This year is the Year of the Snake, also called Junior Dragon by Chinese people.

The Chinese Zodiac is a rotating cycle of 12 years, which consists of 12 signs: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig, with each year represented by an animal.
Chinese New Year is celebrated by eating special New Year food, such as nian gao or sweet sticky rice cake and savory dumplings – which are round and symbolize never-ending wealth. People will travel home from far away to have a family reunion. The biggest feast is on Chinese New Year’s Eve where pork, fish, chicken, duck and dumplings will be consumed. People set off fireworks, visit friends and relatives, give out lucky money, deliver good wishes and hang lanterns.People born in the Year of Snake are believed to be intelligent, cute, charming, aware, elegant, mysterious, cunning, and passionate.

The origin of the Chinese New Year Festival is thousands of years old and varies from teller to teller, but all include a story of a terrible mythical monster called Nian, an extremely cruel and ferocious beast who preyed on villagers on New Year’s Eve. Nian (年) is also the Chinese word for “year.” To ward Nian away, villagers made loud noises with drums, set off fireworks, hang out red-paper couplets on the doors because Nian is said to fear the color red, the light of fire, and loud noises.