inventions

13 New Non Fiction that will leave you spellbound!

Katie

Hey Kids!

There are only a couple of weeks left of spring. Why not spring on down to your local library and check out the latest new junior non fiction!

Read books where you can learn languages with Sesame Street, get spellbound with Harry Potter, read how Maui slowed the sun in English and Te Reo, get your STEAM on and so much more!

Enjoy!


Amazing Inventions.

Odd Science: Inventions is filled with weird and wacky facts that you’ve never heard before. Read about the trainers made of spider silk, wonder at the first record played in space and tell your friends about the robot built in 1937. There are facts about electricity being used as glue, facts about glow-in-the-dark cats and facts about nano-robots that can ‘swim’ inside the body during biopsies!

 


Video Game Creators.

With full-color illustrations and lively text, and chock-full of interesting facts, Awesome Minds: Video Game Creators tells the stories of these amazing men and women who turned a small hobby into a multimillion-dollar industry that changed the way we play and interact, from our living rooms to the arcades, on our computers to our hand-held devices. Awesome Minds: Video Game Creators is the perfect read for those with creative spirits, curious minds, and a love of technology and video games– Provided by publisher.

 


Learn a language with Sesame Street!

Welcome to Mandarin Chinese.

Sesame characters help readers learn Mandarin so they can connect with friends who speak the language. Welcoming words relating to everyday life and friendship give readers new language tools to become smarter, kinder friends.

 


Welcome to French.

Sesame Street characters help readers connect to new friends who speak French. Simple words and phrases relating to everyday life and a colorful approach help readers learn a new language to become smarter, kinder friends.

 


Welcome to German.

Sesame Street characters help readers learn German so they can connect with friends who speak the language. Welcoming words relating to everyday life and friendship give readers new language tools to become smarter, kinder friends.

 


Tales of Aotearoa: How Maui Slowed the Sun in English and Te Reo!

Re-tells the story of how Maui slowed the journey of the sun through the sky each day.

 

 

 

 


Wilma Rudolph.

Read all about Wilma Rudolph, the remarkable sprinter and Olympic champion. This moving book features stylish and quirky illustrations and extra facts at the back, including a biographical timeline with historical photos and a detailed profile of the athlete’s life.

 


Brilliant Bodies.

Prepare to laugh, marvel and learn with Brilliant Bodies. Jam packed full of facts about elements, organs, hair, feet and so much more!

 

 


Game logic : level up and create your own games with science activities for kids.

This book takes kids on a journey to discover the history of games, and then leads them from their initial idea for a new game through several iterations of a game all the way to playing the final version of a game they created. Explore the processes of both playing and creating games while developing critical and creative thinking skills that apply to tasks and concepts across academic fields. — adapted from back cover.

 


The Unofficial Harry Potter Spell book.

The Unofficial Ultimate Harry Potter Spellbook is a beautiful, elegantly designed reference that details all of the known spells cast in the Harry Potter films, books, video games and card games, as well as official Harry Potter spinoffs, such as Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Each spell is given its own entry including spell name, pronunciation details, a description of the spell effect, spell casting methods, wand movements, hand movements and vocalizations, plus primary sources in which the spell was used. Readers will also find trivia related to each spell, such as who it was used against, what the outcome was, or what a spell’s unusual history might be. There are more than 200 spells in all, plus suggestions for strategic spell use and methods for creating original spells.

 


Never too young! : 50 unstoppable kids who made a difference.

“Meet 50 super-inspiring kids! It’s never too early–and you’re never too young– to make a difference in the world! The amazing musicians, writers, scientists, athletes, activists, and other fascinating kids in this book accomplished great feats by the age of eighteen. They impacted people’s lives by coming up with new inventions, making art and music, competing in sports, and speaking out about important issues. Let their incredible stories inspire you to follow your dreams, achieve your goals, and strive for greatness now!”–Back cover.

 

 


Harry Potter. Spells & charms : a movie scrapbook.

Packed with inserts, concept illustrations, and behind-the-scenes photography, Harry Potter: Spells and Charms: A Movie Scrapbook is a guide to the spells and incantations of the Harry Potter films. A must-have collectible for all Harry Potter fans.


6 New Non Fiction for the second week of the school holidays

Katie

Hey Kids! Check out more amazing new junior non fiction at the library that you must read before the end of the school holidays. Featured in this post are books that will help and inspire you to think, create and innovate in areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Arts. Also few books that will help you find your funny side and inspirational women that changed the world forever.

Enjoy!

image courtesy of syndeticsMinecraft Guide to Farming.

In Survival mode you’re constantly in need of food and other useful items. You can find all these things on your travels, but a true survivor knows the importance of setting up their own farming systems. The official Minecraft Guide to Farming will teach you about every aspect of farming. Ages 9+.

 

 


image courtesy of syndeticsRad Girls Can!

Rad girls can… indeed! This amazing book showcases an extraordinary and diverse group of women who set out to achieve the impossible and change the world forever.

 

 


image courtesy of syndeticsArt lab for little kids : 52 playful projects for preschoolers!

Want pre-schoolers to unleash their inner artist?, then this is the book for you! Packed with 52 fun and colourful exercises, this book offers parents and teachers a brand new source of creative art activities, where kids will learn to draw, paint, printmaking, creating sculptures and so many other cool activities. Highly recommended!

 


image courtesy of syndeticsLego Star Wars Ideas Book.

Find a galaxy full of LEGO Star Wars ideas to build – from activities and art, games and challenges, to practical makes and your very own inventions! LEGO Star Wars Ideas Book features imaginative play and building ideas using your own LEGO brick collection, from LEGO projects that take just a few minutes, to builds that take hours! Ages 7+.

 


image courtesy of sydneticsCalling all minds.

“Think. Create. Innovate.” “Temple Grandin explores how to experiment and how to think about science for young readers.”– Provided by publisher.

 

 

image courtesy of syndeticsKnock knock! : the biggest best joke book ever.

Open this book and open the door to giggles galore! Inside you’ll find more than 1,000 of the most hilarious knock-knock jokes and cartoons ever created–all specially curated by the editors at Highlights. This fully illustrated collection of fun is guaranteed to cause a serious laugh attack–again and again

 

8 New (and not so new) Non Fiction on Lego mania, innovative gaming and science trends!

Katie

Has the back to school blues finally sunk in? Have no fear, there’s more and exciting new non fiction in stock at your local library.

Featured in this blog post are books on the latest and innovative trends in the world of gaming, science and technology, not to mention an old favourite Pokémon, which has been reinvented, evolved and rebranded as Pokémon GO! Not to mention, Lego mania has been unleashed in the library once again with some new and not so new books on the original Lego Movie and the upcoming release of The Lego Batman Movie!  I for one am excited about The Lego Batman movie because this is where the world of Lego, DC comics, innovation, play and imagination comes together and opens you up to a world of endless possibilities, creativity and entertainment.

As I mentioned in a previous blog post, Lego Bricks has been applauded by teachers and parents as one of the best toys for learning, building creativity, and strengthening fine-motor skills, not to mention Lego Bricks are an open-ended toy, meaning they can become just about anything a child or adult imagines, including an educational tool. See more about this on  Inner Child Learning,

But enough about Lego, the 8 non fiction books featured in this post will keep you amused and entertained for hours and also will keep you informed and up to date with the latest trends and technological developments in the modern world.

Enjoy!

image courtesy of syndetics The Lego Batman movie : the essential guide.

To celebrate the upcoming release of The Lego Batman Movie, the spin off of The Lego Movie, which will released in NZ cinemas on the 6th of April just in time for the school holidays, the library has in stock for your viewing and reading pleasure, The Batman movie : the essential guide. This book will enable you to go behind the scenes and discover everything there is to know about The LEGO Batman Movie with this ultimate guide. Featuring the latest LEGO Batman set and mini-figures.

image courtesy of syndeticsWhile you’re at it, why not check out The LEGO movie : the essential guide. This guide will tell you need to know about the original LEGO Movie, including character profiles and location spreads from the upcoming movie.

image courtesy of syndeticsThe Lego Movie Handbook.

Seen the movie? (I haven’t – Naughty me!) Now is the time to read the movie handbook. Join Brickburg, Wyldstyle, Unikitty, Batman and the rest of the gang in reading this book where you will learn everything you need to know about the Lego Movie, including Stories from Bricksburg’s happiest residents, a special message from President Business and a never before seen episode of Where Are My Pants. Overall I enjoyed this book. It was very funny, humorous, gave me the opportunity to revisit and embrace my inner child and has inspired to go and see the movie.  Also check out the move trailer.

As a special treat, why not check out the latest The Lego Batman Movie trailer here.

image courtesy of syndeticsGaming Live!

Want to watch the BEST gamers in the world but don’t know where to start? This guide enables you to watch the pros in action as they teach you how to dominate your favourite games! A must have resource for the avid gamer!

image courtesy of syndeticsPokémon Go!

The world of Pokémon and mobile games collides with Pokémon GO! The Ultimate Unauthorized Guide. This book is a must-read companion to the hit mobile game that has taken the world by storm.  This guide includes everything you need to know about Lures, PokéBalls, Eggsand much more.

image courtesy of syndeticsThis Book Thinks You’re a scientist!

The title does justice to the information contained within this book.  Read this book and learn all the tricks of the trade of what is essential to becoming a scientist, which includes look, ask questions, wonder and test your ideas. You’ll also do things scientists don’t necessarily do: eat your experiments, levitate paper clips and play a drinking straw like an oboe. There are even portable laboratory pages for you to experiment on, so that by the end, you’ll know how to invent your own fun ways of finding out about the world. Overall, this book is a must have read for the avid scientist enthusiast! 

image courtesy of syndeticsMistakes that worked: The World’s familiar inventions and how they came to be.

Do you know how many things in your daily life were invented by accident? SANDWICHES came about when an English earl was too busy gambling to eat his meal and needed to keep one hand free. POTATO CHIPS were first cooked by a chef who was furious when a customer complained that his fried potatoes weren’t thin enough. Coca-Cola, Silly Putty, and X rays have fascinating stories behind them too! Their unusual tales, and many more, along with hilarious cartoons and weird, amazing facts, make up this fun-filled book about everyday items that had surprisingly haphazard beginnings.

image cpurtesy of syndeticsHow Super Cool Stuff Works.

Discover the mind-blowing high-tech inventions of the future in How Super Cool Stuff Works. Contained in this book are incredible images that reveal the secret to inner workings of everything from drones and supercomputers to underwater hotels and flying cars. In short, this book features a futuristic world I don’t think anyone saw coming.

 

Can you change the world?

debbie

If you could do three things to change the world, what would they be? What could you invent or do that would have a big impact on how we live in the world. Hopefully it would be something for good.

If we look way, way back in history one of the most important inventions would be the wheel. Imagine life without the wheel. No cars or bikes, no cogs and gears inside machines. With so many uses for wheels in the world it could be considered one of the most important inventions of all time. Can you think of anything that has had a bigger impact?

Now consider plastic –  its lightweight, cheap, tough, difficult to break and doesn’t rot. No wonder it has been used in so many products. But because it doesn’t rot, rubbish tips are full of plastic not to mention our oceans and it will take hundred of years to break down.  So even though it has been considered a great invention it is also causing a huge problem for our planet. Wouldn’t it be great if we could change the way we use plastic or invent a way that we can dispose of it that is environmentally friendly.

Take a look of these books that showcase some of the greatest inventions by man and put your thinking caps on and Change the World.

 

Become an inventor!

debbie

If you could design and make something, what would it be? Something so amazing and fantastic that your friends are going to be sooooo jealous.

What about a robot that cleans your room or hover shoes that you could zoom around on. Maybe  a small pill that has all your vegetables hidden inside (even broccoli) and when you swallow it, it tastes like chocolate or strawberries and cream.

This website has some  great inventions that kids have designed and they have been turned into real products.  I really like the scooter.

So get your thinking caps on and start creating. You might like to check out some of these great books to get you started.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7 new children’s non fiction to make learning fun

Katie

Chess Endgames For Kids.

Master the art of chess by reading this book and learn vital skills and a few key endgame techniques will dramatically increase your confidence, as you  will understand what positions to aim for and which to avoid.

 

 

Guinness World Records 2016.

Contains thousands of records that span every field of human and non-human endeavors, including science and technology, animals, sports, geography, arts and entertainment, education, hobbies and pastimes, unusual rituals, and many others. Guinness World Records 2015 is crammed with new and updated records, and never-before-seen photography.

 

LEGO minifigure year by year : a visual history.

Check out this amazing book jam packed full of visual history, fantastic photographs and profiles of more than 2,000 minifigures and other Lego characters.

 

 

 

Historium.

Welcome to the museum! Here you will find a collection of objects from ancient civilisations. Objects of beauty, functionality, war, life, death and burial. As you wander from room to room, explore the magnificence of what civilisations have left behind over thousands of years of human history! Great for ages 8 to 12 years old.

 

 

Neil Armstrong and travelling to the moon.

Fly to the moon and back with Neil Armstrong and travelling to the moon. Read all about hoe Armstrong trained for his mission, what he found on the moon and what astronauts eat in space.

 

 

 

The World’s Craziest records.

Feel like a change from Guinness World Records or Ripley’s believe it or not, then check this exciting book  that describes some of the craziest, silliest, and most extraordinary records achieved by people around the world.

 

 

The World’s Oddest Inventions.

Describes some of the oddest, strangest, and most bizarre inventions from around the world

 

 

 

3 new non fiction: Inventions, quiz whizzes and a fairy tale as you have never seen it before

Katie

Walt Disney’s Cinderella.

This is Cinderella as you have never seen it before. The story of Cinderella has been told over and over, but has never been touched by the magic found in this book. This book captures the essence of Cinderella perfectly. The story is beautifully told, with equally beautiful and eye catching illustrations.

 

Quiz whiz. 4, 1,000 super fun mind-bending totally awesome trivia questions.

Ready to absorb mind blowing facts and test your intellect? Then check out this amazing book jam-packed full of brain tickling multiple choice and true or false questions. This book also presents one thousand trivia questions and answers on various subjects, from biology and technology to mathematics, history, and popular culture, including innovative map, photographic, and game show quizzes.

 

Genius! The Most Astonishing Inventions of All Time.

Read this book and check out all you need to know about the great (and sometimes surprising) inventions that created our 21st-century world, and the brilliant, and often brave, inventors who dared to think the unthinkable and do the impossible. From Archimedes machine for carrying water up hill, to Edisons electric light bulb; from the Wright brothers first powered flight to the Saturn V space rocket; from Gutenbergs printing press to Tim Berners-Lees creation of the worldwide web each gripping story of invention, struggle and perseverance is told in fascinating detail. Great for kids around the age of 9+ with an interest in technology, science and history.

 

 

Back to school with New Non Fiction.

Katie

image courtesy of syndeticsRipley’s Believe it or not: Special Edition 2015.

Yep, Believe it or not, The fascinating files of Robert Ripley are back and jam packed with more creepy facts and crazy feats than ever before, which proves there’s nothing stranger than the truth. Don’t believe me? Read the book and read all about how a pygmy goat likes to take pony rides, a parrot who refuses to take off his jumper and a 14 year old girl who has run marathons on seven continents.

 

Inventions in 30 seconds.image courtesy of syndetics

Ever wanted to know things in just 30 seconds. Brace yourself… because there is a book that tells you everything and anything you need to know about inventions in just 30 seconds. Read Inventions in 30 seconds and discover fast-track facts and information about 30 inventions it’s hard to imagine living without. Best back to school read you must get your hands on!

Epic Rubber Band Crafts.image courtesy of syndetics

Who would have thought a simple item like a rubber band could be such an innovative craft idea when creating headbands, bracelets and so much more. Read this book and check out 15 amazing projects for sensational rubber band accessories which will allow you to take your rubber band skills to the next level with more bands, more techniques, more looms and more awesome! A fantastic book to keep you entertained during the summer holidays.

Moses : the true story of an elephant baby.image courtesy of syndetics

If you have a weakness for baby animals, then this is one book (and Librarian’s Choice!) you must read. Read and learn all about elephants, how to protect them and read all about (and meet) Moses, an orphaned elephant baby from Malawi, Africa, who is curious, loving, and full of mischief! Overall a beautiful, heart warming story that can be enjoyed by everyone!

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

Katie

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.

 

Outrageous Inventions

wcl staff

There have been some pretty outrageous inventions over the last 150 years. One example would be a ladder for spiders to climb out of the bath. How about spectacles for chickens to stop them from pecking each other’s eyes? There are also accidental inventions such as the sandwich which was made by the cook of a busy John Montagu’s who was too busy to eat a proper meal.  If you’d like to find out more check out the book Outrageous Inventions by John Townsend at the children’s non fiction area today.