The kids at Tawa library storytime enjoyed a visit from the Encore! School of Music this week to help celebrate New Zealand Music month.
About 40 kids and parents had fun playing instruments, singing, dancing and even using toys and puppets to music.
Check out our great pictures. We have lots of budding musicians in the making.
Well summer’s nearly over, but fear not. Wellington City Libraries has a new range of non fiction in the Children’s collection for your enjoyment and pleasure. This month’s blog post pays tribute to fine arts and inspirational lives.
Here you will find a list of books on fine arts that can give you ideas on activities, like drawing, whether it’s drawing a picture or creating your own graphic novel; playing a musical instrument, even if it happens to be a guitar made from a cardboard box and helping you find a hobby (or a talent).
What about reading about a celebrity who has become famous for their achievements and contribution to writing and entertainment industries, such as Music, Film and Television. There are two new books published from the series, Inspirational Lives that focuses on influential people and key figures in the public eye. Who knows, maybe reading about their inspiring lives may inspire you to follow your creative dreams and goals.
Fine Arts Series:
More Fine Arts:
Eco-friendly crafting with kids.
Sometimes children prefer to play with household objects, like a cardboard box rather than the latest (and sometimes expensive) toy. This new and exciting read provides 35 bold, fun and colorful projects designed for preschool children up to five years old that can give you ideas on making and creating toys and games with simple household objects. Possible toys and games include making play dough, creating musical instruments, like a box guitar and invisible ink. Accompanied with easy step by step instructions and photographs showing exactly how to create this amazing and gorgeous toys and games.
Telling the story in your graphic novel.
Like graphic novels? Interested in creating your own? You can learn how to draw a graphic novel by reading this book from the “How to draw your own graphic novel” series. This book shows you how to plan scenes that will create a sense of drama and excitement in your story and different kinds of panels to create the perfect mood.
Now that you have Telling the story in your graphic novel to create your setting, what about adding characters into the mix? Particularly fantasy characters like an orge, goblin or a zombie? Or perhaps musical, punk and naughty fairies? This book contains 96 pages of step by step instructions on how to draw everything from a fairy to a vampire.
Crafting and drawing not your talent? What about playing a musical instrument? Did you know playing the piano (or any instrument) is considered a fine art. Check out this new non fiction book from the Usbourne series on how to play the piano.
Interested in learning the piano? This book will keep beginner pianists happily entertained while learning new skills and aquiring information about the music. You will learn to play all the songs you know so well which includes The grand old Duke from York, London Bridge is falling down and Silent Night. You can also listen to the tunes in this book on the Usbourne Quicklinks website.
Inspirational Lives.
Discover more about famous people in the Inspirational Lives series.
We all know her as the best selling author of the Harry Potter series, but what don’t you know? Read the latest and revised biography of J.K. Rowling and find out everything you have ever wanted to know about her: Her childhood, her inspiration for writing and how Harry Potter came to life. You find information on tips to be a writer, an insight on how J.K. Rowling spends her day and a quiz that can show you if you have what it takes to be an author.
The moment you’ve all been waiting for! The latest and revised biography of Simon Cowell, the man we know for his blunt and often controversial criticisms, insults, wisecracks about contestants (and his own mother!) and dubbed Mr. Nasty on talent TV shows like American Idol is now available at Wellington City Libraries! Read all about Simon Cowell, the global music mogul and creator of popular television music competition shows of The X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent and find out facts and information that you never thought you knew about him, for example he once swapped his father’s handkerchief in his father’s suit pocket for his mother’s best knickers and how Michael Jackson inspired him with the idea that TV had the potential to sell music.
Here’s some new non fiction for the New Year.
Lighting Our World: A Year of Celebrations.
Whether its setting off fireworks in celebration of a historic day or lighting a lantern in remembrance of a loved one that has passed away, every culture has its unique set of customs. Filled with beautifully detailed illustrations, Lighting our world shines a light on familiar and unusual festivals that are celebrated each month of the year. Learn about holidays celebrated around the world from the one’s you know, like Easter, Halloween, Christmas and Hanukkah to the less known, like Las Fallas, Buddha’s birthday and Obon: Festival of the dead.
On Stage Theater Games and Activities for Kids.
Think you got what it takes to be an actor? Or you have a speech to prepare for and want to boast your confidence? Then with this exciting new read, all the world’s your stage. On Stage Theater Games and Activities for Kids is filled with acting and theater games that help children learn how to express themselves with their voices and bodies, as well as enhance children’s self esteem and manage public speaking fears. Also filled with games and activities to cover basic theater vocabulary, puppetry and pantomime, sound effects, costumes, props, and makeup.
Doctor Who: The Official Doctionary.
Do you ever have moments when you wonder what someone else is talking about, especially if that someone happens to be Doctor Who talking about the Blinovitch Limitation Effect and regeneration? Not to fear, In this book, the Doctor takes you through all those tricky Time Lord words and phrases to teach you everything you need to know for travelling through time and space in the Time And Relative Dimension In Space (TARDIS) with him. The Doctor’s dictionary is the essential book for all budding time travelers and intergalactic companions. Great for ages 7 to 12 years and anyone who is a fan of Doctor Who.
Horrible Science: House of Horrors.
Welcome to the House of Horrors! This book isn’t about just any house, it’s about your house and its uninvited guests. You will read and learn all the revolting facts like what bugs eat their own poo, how many litres of wee can a mouse produce a year and why you would hire a giant centipede that will be enough to scare you out of your own house and put you off your food… for life!
This biography is a tribute to a little known but much loved member of the Harlem Renaissance elite, Florence Mills, a performer whose story may have faded from the history books, but whose influence resonated long after she sang her last song. Florence Mills’ story includes coverage of her youth as a child of former slaves, her singing and dancing performances that inspired songs and entire plays, and the struggles with racism that prompted her advocacy of all-black theater and musicals.
Julie Andrews’ Treasury For All Seasons: Poems and Songs to Celebrate the Year.
We remember her as Mary Poppins and Maria from The Sound of Music, but now Julie Andrews and her daughter, Emma Walton Hamilton have put together this beautiful book of poems and songs that celebrate every moment of the year. This keepsake collection includes poems written by famous poets such as Robert Frost, Emily Dickinson, Walt Whitman and even some written by Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton that will encourage an early love for poetry.
As School’s drawing to a close, here are some new exciting reads to keep you busy during the holidays.
New from Lonely Planet:
Not for Parents U.S.A. Everything you ever wanted to know.
Planning a trip to the USA over Christmas? 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 the USA? A 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.
New from National Geographic Kids.
Angry Birds Playground Animals.
Have you ever wanted to play Angry Birds and learn all about animals around the world at the same time? Angry Birds Playground Animals makes that possible! The Angry birds have lost their precious eggs, thanks to those pesky pigs and they need YOU to help them. On this quest to find the eggs, you will also find information about about various animals, like jaguars, desert horned lizards, great hammer-head sharks, black swans and polar bears. Also learn about the animals’ habitats which includes rain forests, deserts, oceans, grasslands and the Arctic. Also full of activities and quizzes to test your knowledge.
New from Eyewitness:
Interested in zoology and ecology? Experience all the action of the rain forest and encounter the teeming animals and plants of the tropical rain forest by reading Jungle, from the Eyewitness series. This would also serve as a great companion guide alongside How to be a world explorer and Angry Birds Playground Animals .
Interested in the history of shipping disasters? How about learning more about the detailed descriptions of the Titanic, including its accommodations, a retelling of its sinking in the North Atlantic in April, 1912, and amazing facts like the Titanic was carrying 5,986 tonnes (6,598 tons) of coal to New York and there were only two bathtubs for more than 700 third class passengers. A Great resource for ages ranging from to intermediate to junior secondary age.
Find your Talent.
Whether you want to start your own blog, start a band or make a film, this new series, Find you Talent will tell you everything you need to know about developing your skills and ambition into a brilliant hobby or even a glittering career. Start a Blog is full of ideas that will inspire you to create your own blog, Start a Band will help make your dream band become a reality and Make a Film will give you ideas that will inspire you to make your every own short film.
Mean Machines.
This high impact series features information about the world’s fastest, biggest and meanest machines. Roar into action with the world’s fastest, weirdest and most cutting edge vehicles with the Mean Machines series! Supercars brings you up to speed with amazing facts about the latest and greatest cars known including Lamborghini Miura and Ferrari 599 GTB. You will find out all you need to know about high-tech war planes and super-fast record-breaking planes like the X43-A in Superplanes and Superbikes gives you everything you need to know about concept bikes like the Dodge Tomahawk and record-breaker like the fastest bike in the world, the Top Ack Attack Streamliner.
Also new:
My Polar Animals Journal : In Search of Polar Bears, Penguins, Whales and Seals.
Interested in wildlife photography? Then have a read of this new animal journal by Steve Bloom. This book is complete with journal entries, amazing photographs of polar bears, penguins, whales and seal in the Arctic and Antarctica and packed full of amazing facts about the animals, for example a male polar bear weighs up to 545 kg (the weight of 7 men) and a humpback whale can live to about 50 years old. Steve Bloom also offers tips of taking wildlife photographs, creative projects to help you have fun with the photos and develop your camera skills.
Did you know that carrots used to be purple? How long does it take for food to reach your stomach? Does eating crusts really make your hair curly? Find all the answers to these questions and more in this amazing new read. The Love-able character, Horrid Henry takes you on a weird, wonderful, hilarious and horrid journey on everything you have ever wanted to know about… food.
Princess : The Essential Guide (Revised editon).
If you are a fan of Disney Princesses (like I am) and you loved the book, Princess : The Essential Guide first published in 2008 with Princess Aurora on the front cover, then you are going to love this this new edition fabulous updated edition of this guide to the best loved fairy tale princesses of all time! Experience the magic of Disney with this guide to the best loved fairy tale princesses of all time! This guide provides in-depth information on all six favorite Disney princesses, that includes Snow White, Cinderella, Aurora, Ariel, Belle, Jasmine, Mulan, Pocahontas, Tiana and Rapunzel. Fully illustrated, the book is full of cut-away artwork and scenes from the Disney films and provides a view of the princesses’ magical worlds, ‘where dreams really can come true’.
Hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Did you know that the word ‘carol’ is from a Greek world meaning sing and dance. The first carols were sung in Europe thousands of years ago but they were not the traditional Christmas carols that we know today. They were pagan songs, sung at the Winter Solstice celebrations as people danced round stone circles. Carols used to be written and sung during all four seasons, but only the tradition of singing them at Christmas has really survived.
Today carol singing is very popular and we celebrate the Christmas season with carols in church, singing in the street and coming together to celebrate in the popular ‘Carols by Candlelight’ services that are held all over the country and the world.
Why not have a go at learning a new Christmas Carol this year. You can find the music and the words in many of the Christmas books at your library. You can also check out some music CD’s to sing along with.
Interested in having a career in the music industry, then this is the book for you! Part of the series: The Music Scene, this book explores the changes in modern music though the post-war decades from rock n roll (Elvis Presley) and folk music (Bob Dylan and Simon and Garfunkel) through to punk (The Sex Pistols), Indie pop (Green Day)and the enormous changes in technology today that have transformed the music world today. Also check out other book in the series: The Music Industry, Music, Fashion and Style and Performing Live.
Also check out
King Arthur is the ultimate English hero. King of Camelot, Head of the Knights of the Round Table and wielder of the magic sword, Excalibur! Richard Brassey explores the history, the mystery and the legendary figures that populate the myths about King Arthur, including Morgan La Fay, Merlin and the evil Mordred. Richard Brassey’s unique gift for extracting truth from myth in a concise and insightful way makes this book the perfect introduction to King Arthur for young readers – and confused tourists!
Learn to Speak Fashion is about the ideas, skills and the fun behind thinking creatively about what you and others choose to wear. This book is the perfect guide to find tips on creating fashion from top designers, models and stylists. Also if you think you got what it takes to be a fashion designer? Then have a read of The Young Entrepreneurs Club: Fashion. All the information you need to becoming the next big thing in the fashion industry is in this exciting new read from the series: Young Entrepreneurs’ Club.
Basketball: From tip-off to slam dunk – the essential guide.
A comprehensive guide on how to play basketball. You find in this exciting new read everything you need to know about how to get started, improve your playing style and hints and tips to help you master the sport.
Fairy Things to Stitch and Sew.
Love fairies? Love sewing? Love arts and crafts? Then this is the book for you!, especially if you’re looking for ideas this year for Christmas gifts. This enchanting book from the Usborne series is teeming with delightful projects which includes making fairy collages, bags, cards and pillows.
New non-fiction! Get it now!
1D : One Direction : behind the scenes.
The wait is finally over for anyone who is a fan of One Direction! 1D presents a collection packed with never before seen photos, exclusive interviews and fascinating facts. Get behind this scenes and find out everything you ever needed to know about Harry, Niall, Liam, Louis and Zayn!
Oh My Gods! : a look it up guide to the gods of Mythology.
Oh My Gods is a Look-it-up guide to Greek Mythology. Read all you need to know about the about the gods of Greek Mythology from Apollo to the main man Zeus himself! You will also read about Olympians taking on the Titans to rule the world, a dad swallowing his kids to keep the peace, the original party animal rocks it like it’s 1999 BCE and Hades welcoming you to the underworld where guests stay for eternity.
RSPCA Bumper Book of Pets and other Animals.
Do you love animals? Then this is the book for you! You will find all the information you need about animals from pets to farmyard friends. See all the animals you love come to life in all shapes and sizes in the amazing, new HUGE bumper book. Learn amazing facts like most tortoiseshell or tabby cats are female, while ginger cats are male and pet owners are generally healthier and happier than non pet owners.
Did you know that Orangutans are great apes and are closely related to humans, having in common 97% of DNA? You will learn this fact and more by reading this amazing new book all about Orangutans. Learn lotst of amazing facts and information about orangutans, like their name means “person” (orang) of the “forest” (hutan) in the Malay language and a baby orangutan stay with their mother for eight or nine years until the next baby is born. A good books for primary school age.
Prepare to be completely grossed out! This Book covers all the NASTITIEST habits of the most disgusting creatures on the planet.
Alexander the Great: Man, Myth or Monster.
Who was Alexander? Myth or man? God or devil? He claimed to be Zeus’ son and even in his own lifetime wild legends sprang up about him. Above all, Alexander was a hero – brave, wily, handsome and inspiring. This part-illustrated biography skilfully interweaves accounts of Alexander’s battle campaigns with legends from each newly conquered country. From Greece and Egypt to Persia and India, the stories of the great mythical heroes Achilles, Gilgamesh, and many others echo Alexander’s own charmed life.
This month we have a wide variety of new titles. Something for everyone. Whether your interest is experiments, learning the guitar or just rubbish, we have the book for you!
This book is totally rubbish / illustrated by Nik Afia.
“Meet Meggie, Rose, Oscar and Bentley. They are having a ‘totally rubbish day’ where they will reuse oodles of things and invent new stuff to play with. They’re doing this to help the environment and to become eco superheroes.” (Book Cover) One of the best books on recycling activities that I’ve seen. Great for Years 2 to 5.
First guitar tutor / Terry Burrows ; text adapted by Stephen Cole.
This book gives you tips on how to choose your first guitar and how to play it, even if you’re left handed! Great for years 5 and up.
Electric motor experiments / Ed Sobey.
“How do motors work? Using the experiments in this book, learn how to build and use your own motor! See how motors work in cars and boats. Find out what other cool things motors can do.” (Book cover) My favourite is the motor boat made out of the milk carton. Try it out! Great ideas for science fair projects here too. Perfect for all budding engineers years 2/3 and up.
I can remember World War II / Sally Hewitt.
In this book six people remember and tell you about their experinces of living through World War ll. Hear from a land girl, a child, a prisoner of war and a navy commando what is was really like. I love this book because the great layout and cool photos, cartoons and posters helped me easily learn heaps about the war. Perfect if you are interested in the Second World War and are Year 4 or up.
Terezín : voices from the Holocaust / Ruth Thomson.
This book explores the lives of Jewish people in one of the most infamous of the Nazi transit camps. Through inmates’ secret diary entries and artwork along with interviews done after the war, we get a clear picture of exactly what life was like for them in this camp. An informative read for anyone studying or interested in the Holocaust.
What’s for dinner? : quirky, squirmy poems from the animal world / Katherine B. Hauth ; illustrated by David Clark.
Eating is a matter of life and death for us all, but it can also be weird, surprising, or just plain gross. Enjoy these twenty-nine poems which are all about the unusual and sometimes gruesome ways animals eat. Warning – do not try these eating habits at your own dinner table!
Everything you need to know about animals / Nicola Davies.
Did you know that the Peregrine falcon is the fastest animal/bird on earth, recorded at speeds of 270km/hour! This book is crammed with fantastic facts, illustrations and creative activities you can do at home.
I have always wanted to learn the guitar and the other day I found this great book called Guitar for Beginners. It has everything you need to learn the guitar from scratch. There are clear instructions and pictures that show you exactly what to do. What’s the best way to hold the guitar, how to pluck and strum the strings and there is even some great tunes to learn. So why not have a go? With a little practice you will be amazed at what you can achieve!
Some of you have put your New Zealand music knowledge to the test and you’ve done our New Zealand Music Quiz! Excellent! The rest of you: don’t miss out on your chance to win a prize. The quiz is here – don’t miss out!
You can also get to it from the kids’ index page.
Have a look at the New Zealand Music Month website to find out more about, well, music in New Zealand.
Good luck and go to it!
