Special Summer Reading Challenge Competition! Win some books!

Hope you have all been enjoying some of the wonderful sunny summer days and better still reading some of the fabulous books on our Summer Reading Challenge book list! Judging by the fantastic reviews that I have been reading, I know many of you have been wildly reading over the school holidays which makes me very happy! Now I know we all have a favourite books to read but I would really like to see some of the books being reviewed from the list that no one has reviewed yet soooo…. I’m going make a bit of an incentive for you. I have 5 books to give away for the first reviews I receive in on the following books, but you must have at least 3 sentences about the book in the review. They are all great reads and if you are a Harry Potter or a Northern Light fan you’ll especially enjoy these! Continue reading

Top 10 Childrens eBooks October 2017

Did you know there is a Scottish version of the David Walliams book Mr Stink? Translated by Matthew Fitt it’s called Mr Mingin, so you can  decode the way they talk in Scotland.  Your brains are marvellous things and in a few paragraphs it will all start to make sense.  And you’ll have some great words to try out on your family and friends =)

  1. Harry Potter series, by J. K. Rowling
  2. Diary of a Minecraft Zombie, by Russell Robinson
  3. The Volcano of Fire: Geronimo Stilton and the Kingdom of Fantasy Series, by Geronimo Stilton
  4. Gangsta Granny, by David Walliams
  5. Mr Stink, by David Walliams
  6. The Boy In the Dress, by David Walliams
  7. Ghosts, by Raina Telgemeier
  8. Diary of a Wimpy Kid, by Jeff Kinney
  9. Warriors series, by Erin Hunter
  10. The Heroes of Olympus series, by Rick Riordan

Top 10 Childrens comics September 2017

The results are in for the highest issuing comics … School antics and fantasy adventures are winners this time round.  The school holidays were a really popular time at the library and now the shelves are filling up again as people return their holiday reads.

There is a new smurf comic in the library collection!  Five short stories including how Smurflily came across the wall. What wall you want to know? You might have to reserve copy to find out because it’s quite a popular comic book!

Did you know that you can see the miniatures from the Thunderbirds series here in Wellington?  Weta Studio Tours will give you an idea of what your comic characters look like in 3 dimensions =)

  1. Big Nate, by Lincoln Peirce
  2. Pokémon, by Hidenori Kusaka
  3. Amulet series, by Kazu Kibuishi
  4. Garfield, by Jim Davis
  5. Peanuts, by Charles M. Schulz
  6. Adventure Time, by Ryan North
  7. The Smurfs, by Peyo
  8. Warriors series, by Dan Jolley
  9. Uncle $crooge and Donald Duck, by Don Rosa
  10. Thunderbirds, by Gerry Anderson

Wild About Reading! Summer Reading Challenge

Yes it’s nearly time to Slip, Slop, Slap and read, relax and rummage through some fantabulous books! Summer Reading Challenge is just around the corner and have we got some great reads lined up for you this Summer!!!

So for those of you new to this and a reminder to the rest of us who feel like last summer was ages and ages ago, here’s what it’s all about…

Down at Wellington City Libraries we have chosen some of our favourite books, and hopefully some of yours, to see how many of them you can get through between the 1st of December to the 31st of January 2018. There are 60+ books on our list so plenty of variety. The idea is to read a book from the list then go to the Kid’s Page on our website, click on the Kids Club and start writing reviews. Even better you get prizes as well! Also each review puts you in the draw for an amazing book bag full of exciting books and things. Don’t belong to the Kids Club yet? It’s easy to join online check out the Kids Page to find out how.

So here’s a little preview of what’s in store for you this summer!

Ever thought of having a raven as a pet? Well that’s what happened to Arabel when her Dad (a London Taxi driver) finds a raven in the middle of the road one night and brings it. From there the crazy wild adventures begin, who knew a raven could reek so much havoc. Read about Arabel and Mortimer ‘s hilarious antics in one of the 4 books in the Arabel and Mortimer series with fantastic illustrations by Quentin Blake.

 

The Doomspell by Cliff McNish is an amazing fantasy trilogy which are a must for all Harry Potter and Northern Lights fans! “Rachel has been having disturbing dreams that start to feel too real. Then one day, she and her brother are ripped through a wall in her house and transported to a dangerous world ruled by a manipulative witch and her ancient underlings.” – Publisher

 

 

Moa by James Davidson. I don’t know about you, but I love reading comics and summer for me is the perfect time to hang out in a hammock with a great big stack of them! Moa is a laugh out loud series and the perfect thing for those hot summer days. “Ride along with Kiwi and Possum on their side-splitting adventures battling mythical creatures and dangerous hunters in colonial New Zealand! This treasury collection contains all five issues of James Davidson’s acclaimed comic series Moa, sure to delight readers of all ages.” – Publisher.

That was just a sneak peak of what’s in store for you over the holiday season and guess what there are another 57+ books to choose from! So keep an eye out at your local library and on our website for the Wild About Reading: Summer Reading Challenge booklet.

What: Wild About Reading: Summer Reading Challenge booklet

When: Available at your local Library from 18th November 2017

Step into Spring with this great selection of new kids fiction from your Library!

Image courtesy of SyndeticsRubies and Runaways by Janine Beacham

“During a service at Yorke’s Cathedral, a young boy bursts in, declaring that his sister has been kidnapped. Soon Rose finds herself tangled up in a mystery involving fake antiques, a maodorous factory and a secret society of chimney sweeps. Tea is brewing and so is murder…” – back cover.

 

Image courtesy of SyndeticsArchie Greene and the Raven’s Spell by D.D Everest

Archie Green and his friends have been rewritng the magic spells contained within books, but someone is using their power for evil.

 

 

 

Image courtesy of SyndeticsRowan Oakwing by E.J Clarke

“There’s a strange magic to London parks. When the sun sets and the gates are closed, tiny winged creatures come to life. The only way to meet them is to become one. And if you become one, there’s no way back. Rowan cries herself to sleep in Hyde Park and wakes up ten centimetres tall, with tiny oak-leaf wings. She’s about to go on an adventure in the hidden world of fairies and foxes. But Rowan’s quest will be perilous, with fearsome enemies at her heels. If she wants to get home, she’ll need to find the courage she never knew she had, and discover powers she’d never even imagined …” — Back cover. 

 

Image courtesy of SyndeticsLet’s Pretend We Never Met by Melissa Walker

If it were up to Mattie Markham, there would be a law that said your family wasn’t allowed to move in the middle of the school year. After all, sixth grade is hard enough without wondering if you’ll be able to make new friends or worrying that the kids in Pennsylvania won’t like your North Carolina accent. But when Mattie meets her next-door neighbor and classmate, she begins to think maybe she was silly to fear being the “new girl.” Agnes is like no one Mattie has ever met — she’s curious, hilarious, smart, and makes up the best games. If winter break is anything to go by, the rest of the school year should be a breeze. Only it isn’t, because when vacation ends and school starts, Mattie realizes something: At school Agnes is known as the weird girl who no one likes. All Mattie wants is to fit in (okay, and maybe be a little popular too), but is that worth ending her friendship with Agnes?

Roald Dahl Day on 13th September!

image courtesy of syndeticsRoald Dahl Day strikes again on September 13th, marking 101 years since his birth! So let’s celebrate!image courtesy of syndetics

How to celebrate?

  • Read about his remarkable life. Read Boy, that presents  humorous anecdotes from the author’s childhood which includes summer vacations in Norway and an English boarding school, and Going Solo, that tells the story of his adventures as an adult, first in Africa, then learning to be a wartime fighter pilot and discover what led him to becoming the world famous author that he is known as today.
  • Visit the Roald Dahl website, where you will find  information about Roald Dahl as well as activities, games and quizzes.
  • Check out the blog post on 11 ways to celebrate Roald Dahl Day. Ideas include spotting a Roald Dahl character in LEGO and uncovering a Roald Dahl emoji.
  • Download your Roald Dahl Day 2017 party pack, whether you’re celebrating at the library, at home, in school or out and about.
  • Get crafty and whip up a delicious feast inspired from Roald Dahl’s novel. For more ideas, click here.
  • From 7th September, Roald’s last story, Billy and the Minpins, will be available in a brand new edition, illustrated for the last time by Quentin Blake.
  • Read and relive your favourite Roald Dahl stories. Wellington City Libraries holds a huge array of Roald Dahl books, including The BFG, Matilda, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and movies for your reading pleasure. Also check out this previous blog post for ideas on what are great  Roald Dahl movies to watch.image courtesy of syndetics

New Roald Dahl books just added to the library collection include: Rhyme Stew, a series of plays adapted from Dahl’s popular stories which include The Twits, The BFG and James and the Giant and much more!

 

 

 

image courtesy of syndeticsimage courtesy of syndetics

image courtesy of syndetics

image courtesy of syndetics

Top 10 Children’s Fiction July 2017

The school holiday meant heaps of books going to people’s homes from our libraries.  So which ones did they like best?  There are three solid favourites for childrens reading, Diary of a wimpy kid, Tom Gates and the Storey Tree house series where the floors keep getting more intriguing! The New Diary of a Wimpy Kid is set for release of November 7, 2017. Place your reserves to at the front of queue in November =)

Roald Dahl of BFG fame was also a great holiday favourite.  Three of his books are in the top ten!  Did you know that you can find out which Roald Dahl character by height, if you visit the Road Dahl museum in Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire – so if you’re not fully grown you can go through several versions!  I wonder who you would be?

  1. Diary of a wimpy kid (series), by Jeff Kinney
  2. Tom Gates (series), by Liz Pichon
  3. Storey treehouse (series), by Andy Griffiths
  4. Where’s Wally? by Martin Handford
  5. The enormous crocodile, by Roald Dahl
  6. Matilda, by Roald Dahl
  7. George’s marvellous medicine, by Roald Dahl
  8. The Secret Seven, by Enid Blyton
  9. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, by J.K. Rowling
  10. Demon dentist, by David Walliams

Top 10 Children’s Fiction May 2017

So the Heffley family are taking over the internet! And the movie theatre! And the Library… well they can be found everywhere, you can even make your own Heffley family!

Here’s one I created earlier =)

Do you want to become the expert on Diary of a Wimpy kid? Right here, you can find quizzes, crosswords and activities all based on Greg Heffley! (Find out the answers first and then impress your friends =) It’s not cheating – it’s research!)

So how are the other favourites looking? Fun, dramatic fantasy and clever detecting all play a part in this May list.

 

  1. Tom Gates series, by Liz Pichon
  2. Diary of a wimpy kid series, by Jeff Kinney
  3. Storey treehouse series, by Andy Griffiths
  4. Harry Potter series, by J K Rowling
  5. Where’s Wally? by Martin Handford
  6. The Secret Seven, by Enid Blyton
  7. Fantastic beasts and where to find them, by J K Rowling
  8. Gangsta Granny, by David Walliams
  9. Dirty Bertie series, by Alan MacDonald
  10. Demon dentist, by David Walliams

 

 

How do you think these measure up? Let us know in the comments =)

Some exciting new kids fiction books for you to enjoy!!!

Here’s an exciting selection of the newest Kids Fiction books to hit the shelves at your local library!  Get your homework done and snuggle up warm with your duvet and one of these!

The Lost Staff of Wonders by Raymond ArroyoImage courtesy of Syndetics

When the storied Staff of Moses responsible for summoning the plagues of ancient Egypt vanishes from the museum in Perilous Falls, Will Wilder is suspect number one. As the river runs with blood, sharp-toothed frogs surround his home, and clouds of swarming gnats choke the streets, Will must rely on his supernatural ability, everything he learned from his training, and help from his friends, siblings, and Great-Aunt Lucille to find the missing staff and unmask the hidden evil before time runs out for all of them.

Image courtesy of SyndeticsBattle of the Heroes by Kate Forsyth

The quest comes to an end as Tom, Quinn, Elanor and Sebastian return to Wolfhaven with their four magical beasts and the gifts they bear. Will they be in time to stop Lord Mortlake’s deadly plot?

 

 

The Worst Years of My Life by James PattersonImage courtesy of Syndetics

Rafe Khatchadorian has enough problems at home without throwing his first year of middle school into the mix. Luckily, he’s got an ace plan for the best year ever, if only he can pull it off. With his best friend Leonardo the Silent awarding him points, Rafe tries to break every rule in his school’s oppressive Code of Conduct. Chewing gum in class – 5,000 points! Running in the hallway – 10,000 points! Pulling the fire alarm – 50,000 points! But when Rafe’s game starts to catch up with him, he’ll have to decide if winning is all that matters, or if he’s finally ready to face the rules, bullies, and truths he’s been avoiding.

Image courtesy of SyndeticsChitty Chitty Bang Bang Over the Moon by Frank Cottrell Boyce

When Big Ben takes off like a rocket after the World Cup, it takes a visit to the moon and the help of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’s previous owners, the Pott family, to save Chitty and Little Harry.

 

 

Stick Cat by Tom WatsonImage courtesy of Syndetics

While admiring the view of the city from his friend Edith’s apartment, Stick Cat notices that Hazel, the bagel maker, is in danger across the alley, and he devises a plan to rescue her.

 

Top 10 Children’s eBooks March 2017

Dowloading popular titles is great way to read though your favourite authors, or make sure you get to read all the books in a series.  You can reserve an eBook – just like a regular shelf one.  So when someone has finished their loan or returns the eBook you can read it.  Books that are movies are really popular at the moment with the likes of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, being enjoyed by library e-users.

Do you have a favourite? if you had to choose the book or movie as the best which would pick?

  1. Harry Potter eBook series, by J. K. Rowling
  2. The Hunger Games eBook Series, by Suzanne Collins,
  3.  Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, by Jack Thorne, John Tiffany and J. K. Rowling
  4.  The Mortal Instruments eBook Series, by Cassandra Clare
  5. Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, by Ransom Riggs
  6. The Twits, by Roald Dahl
  7. Rodrick Rules: Diary of a Wimpy Kid, by Jeff Kinney
  8.  James and the Giant Peach, by Roald Dahl
  9. The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me, by Roald Dahl
  10. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, by J. K. Rowling