W końcu są tutaj! Z radością informujemy, że wiele nowych książek w języku polskim są dostępne pożyczyć w Bibliotek Miejskich w Wellington. Jeśli w domu mówicie po polsku, lub chciałbyście nauczyć się polskiego, te nowe książki dla Was i Waszej rodziny będą idealne do wspólnego czytania.
Czytajcie dalej znaleźć sześć naszych ulubionych nowych książek…
Mądra Mysz: Mam przyjaciela kucharza / Butschkow, Ralf
“Mój przyjaciel Stefan jest kucharzem i robi najlepsze spaghetti świata. Zanim jego danie trafią na talerze, trzeba najpierw kupić składniki, przygotować je, ugotować, przyprawić. A wszystko, co gotuje Stefan, jest bardzo zdrowe – nawet desery!” (Katalog)
Dinozaury / Benedetta, Nigelli
Dinozaury to kartonowa książka z serii Motoryka Smyka, która spodoba się najmłodszym dzieciom. Uczyć się wiele nowych słów, wysunić długą szyję brontozaura, odkryć, co na grzbiecie ma inny dinozaur, i sprawdzać, kto wykluje się z jaj. Ta książka to świetna zabawa!
Strażak Sam: Koncert w płomieniach / Tarnowska, Ewa
“Wieczorem, Mike i Elvis, najsłynniejszy rockandrollowy duet Pontypanty, mają dać koncert w mieście. Ale wybucha między nimi wielka kłótnia! Czy pokaz się odbędzie? Czy Samowi uda się pogodzić przyjaciół?” (Katalog)
Mruczęty : kot mikołaja / Rowland, Lucy
Ciepła i zabawna opowieść o kocie świętego Mikołaja. Mruczęty ma skłonności narkoleptyczne – zasypia wszędzie i o każdej porze. Pewnego dnia zasypia wśród prezentów, zawinięty w ozdobny papier, i trafia w nimi do sań. Na sanie dybie szajka złodziei! (Katalog)
Miś Tuliś piecze ciasteczka / Melling, David
“Miś Tuliś uwielbia pyszne miodowe ciasteczka, ale nagle jego miodek znika… Czy Tuliś da się przekonać owcom i spróbuje czegoś innego i nowego? A może nawet to polubi?” (Katalog)
Nasza podróż / Kubiak, Tadeusz
“Krótka wierszowana historia o podróży pociągiem. Są w niej kasa biletowa, perony i zawiadowca z gwizdkiem, opalana węglem lokomotywa, wagon posztowy i wagon sypialny… ale to nie wszystko! Tę książkę można nie tylko przeczytać, lecz także rozłożyć jak scenografię w teatrze. Z jednej strony zobaczycie wtedy mijane po drodze krajobrazy, z drugiej pociąg.” (Katalog)
They are finally here! We’re excited to announce that a range of new books in the Polish language are available to borrow from Wellington City Libraries. If you speak Polish at home, or would like to learn, these new books will be perfect for you and your family to read together.
Read on to find out about six of our favourite new books:
Mądra Mysz: Mam przyjaciela kucharza / Butschkow, Ralf
“My friend Stefan is a cook, and he makes the best spaghetti in the world! Before his meals hit the plates, you first need to buy the ingredients, prepare them, cook them, and season them. Everything that Stefan cooks is healthy — even the desserts!” (Translated from Catalogue)
Dinozaury / Benedetta, Nigelli Dinozaury is a board book in the series Smyk’s Motoryka, which are designed to appeal to the youngest children. Learn lots of new words, slide the Brontosaurus’ long neck back and forth, find out what another dinosaur has on its back, and see who is hatching their eggs. This book is so much fun!
Strażak Sam: Koncert w płomieniach / Tarnowska, Ewa
“This evening, Mike and Elvis, Pontypanty’s most famous rock-and-roll duo, are scheduled to give a concert at the port. But they are having a big fight! Will the show take place? Will Fireman Sam be able to bring his friends back together?” (Translated from Catalogue)
Mruczęty : kot mikołaja / Rowland, Lucy
This is a warm and funny story about Santa’s cat. Mruczęty will fall asleep anywhere, at any time. One day he falls asleep among the Christmas presents, wrapped up in wrapping paper, and ends up being a present on a sleigh with a gang of dastardly thieves! (Translated and adapted from Catalogue)
Miś Tuliś piecze ciasteczka / Melling, David
“Hugless Douglas loves delicious honey cookies, but suddenly his source of honey disappears… can he be persuaded to try something new and different? And maybe even like it?” (Translated from Catalogue)
Nasza podróż / Kubiak, Tadeusz
“This is a short story about travelling by train. In this book you’ll find a ticket office, platforms, a whistle operator, a coal-fired train, a post-coach, and a sleeping car — but that’s not all! This book is not just for reading, but can be spread out like a theatre set! On one side you’ll see the landscapes you pass along the way, and on the other, the body of the train.” (Translated and adapted from Catalogue)
This year Te Vaiaho o te Gagana Tokelau | Tokelau Language Week runs from Sunday 23 October to Saturday 29 October! Our theme for this year is
“Halahala ki vavau, kae ke mau ki pale o Tokelau” which means “To plan for the future is to understand the past.”
Several activities and events will hold throughout New Zealand. Let’s read these books, visit some websites, and celebrate together!
All About Tokelau
Tokelau means “North Wind”, is located about 500km north of Samoa, while the distance between Tokelau and New Zealand is around 3748 km. It used to call as “Union Islands” and changed to Tokelau Islands in 1976. Tokelau has three small tropical coral atolls, which are Atafu, Nukunonu, and Fakaofo. The population in Tokelau is around 1500 people. Their national languages are Tokelauan and English. (Source: UNOCHA)
Books
There are several books in our library collection that will let you know more about Tokelau! Let’s have a look!
Tokelau heroes / Riley, David
“Tokelau heroes presents inspirational stories of achievers who have Tokelauan ancestry.” (Catalogue)
Illustrated history of the South Pacific / Stenson, Marcia
“”The South Pacific is not only our geographic environment, it is also our cultural environment, and many New Zealanders trace their ancestry to Polynesian seafarers. This book is an introduction to the history of the South Pacific. A companion book to Illustrated History of New Zealand, also written by Marcia Stenson, it covers the following topics: geology and geography, the arrival of the first people to the Pacific, European exploration, war in the Pacific, political issues both historic and current.There is also specific information on these island groups: Cook Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia, Niue, Samoa, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu and the Polynesian outliers.”” (Catalogue)
We are excited to tell you this week is Uike Kātoanga’i ‘o e lea faka-Tonga, Tonga Language Week, from Sunday 4th September to Saturday 10th September.
This year, the theme is Ke Tu’uloa ‘a e lea faka-Tönga′ ‘i Aotearoa, Sustaining the Tonga Language in Aotearoa.
A series of activities and events will be running for the whole week. To find out more click the button below:
About Tonga
The Kingdom of Tonga has more than 170 islands! Some of the islands are the peaks of undersea volcanoes! Other Tongan islands are atolls, or islands in which coral reefs surround a shallow pool of water. Only 36 of the islands have people living on them.
The population in Tonga is around 100,000 people, 70% of whom reside on the main island, Tongatapu.
The islands are divided into three main groups: Tongatapu in the south, Ha‘apai in the center, and Vava‘u in the north. There are also isolated islands in the far north (the Niuas island group) and in the far south (‘Ata).
There are two official languages, Tonga and English.
The distance between New Zealand and Tonga is around 2,382km and it takes about three and a half hours to fly there.
At the 2018 census, 82,389 people living in Aotearoa NZ identified themselves as being part of the Tongan ethnic group. Head over to Te Ara Encyclopedia to learn more about Tonga identities and cultural contributions in Aotearoa!
Basic Tonga Greetings
Mālō e lelei – Greetings / Hello
Mālō e lelei – Greetings Everyone
‘Okú ke fēfē hake? – How are you (singular)?
‘Oku ou sai pē, mālō – I am fine, thank you
New FREE Tonga Language Learning App
Check out this new app ‘MA’AU: Learn through Bathtime’. You can learn Tonga, Gāgāna Sāmoa and Fijian languages. There are songs, quizzes and colouring!
Learning Tongan Language through bathtime
If you want to learn more about them you can visit their website. https://maau.co.nz/
Visit your local library and have a look at our amazing books to learn more about Tonga cultures and practice the language in the Tonga collection for kids. All our branch libraries have children’s collections in Tonga language.
If you don’t have a library card, you can sign up for free!
Rise of the To’a / Tatafu, ‘Alisi
“Describes the culture behind the Tongan national rugby league team, Kau To’a, Mate Ma’a Tonga, MMT, and features profiles on each of the players. Also tells the fictional story of Toko, who overcomes his fears and grows in self confidence.” (Catalogue)
Fish for mufti day : a story from the Islands of Tonga / MacGregor, Jill
“To raise money for the Mufti Day donation Siokatame and his friends collect seafood and sell it to people in their village.” (Catalogue) The secret cave = Koe ‘ana fakapulipulí / Riley, David
“Naua was an expert fisherman who found an underwater cave. Naua had a feeling his cave would be helpful one day. And so it did. Find out what happened in The Secret Cave – Koe ‘Ana Fakapulupuli, a Tongan legend retold by David Riley”–Back cover.” (Catalogue)
Of course you can! = ‘Io te′ ke lava / Hinge, Karen
“Jeremy is starting at a new school. He’s not too sure about how he will fit in. But the other students make him welcome and every time he thinks he can’t do something they say … “Of course you can!” That is until the day they go to the swimming pool.”–Back cover” (Catalogue)
That’s a wrap! Let’s enjoy the Tonga Language Week 2022 together! Mālō ‘aupito.
Sāmoa Language Week |Vaiaso o le Gagana Sāmoa will be celebrated this year from Sunday, 29 May 2021 until Saturday, 4th June 2022. This is a chance for all New Zealanders to celebrate Sāmoan language, Sāmoan culture in New Zealand and around the world, and promote the use of Sāmoan language in schools, at work and at home.
Did you know that nearly 4% of New Zealanders are Sāmoan? That’s almost 200,000 people! Gagana Sāmoa is the 3rd most spoken language in Aotearoa, New Zealand!
Sāmoa has a unique historical relationship with New Zealand. It is the only country that New Zealand has a Treaty of Friendship. The Treaty of Friendship between Sāmoa and New Zealand is like a mutual project to support Tagata Sāmoa (Sāmoan people) to have better opportunities. Being proud of your language is such an important part of feeling proud of your culture.
This year’s theme for Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa is:
Fa’aāuāu le Folauga i le Va’a o Tautai – Continue the Voyage with Competent Wayfinders of the Ocean.
2022 is also a significant year for the Samoan community, being the 60th anniversary of Samoa Independence. Communities are organising activities to commemorate this milestone, which coincides with Samoa Language Week.
Events for Samoa Language Week
As part of Samoa Language Week, there will be a Pasifika Pool Party! Find out more about the council events here.
Our friend the wonderful librarian Lewis from Johnsonville Library presents a special story in English and Gagana Sāmoa, How Do You Say ‘Thank You’? by Karamia Müller. Many thanks to the publisher Beatnik Publishing for allowing us to share this story!
Read a cool blog from the National Library by Samuel Beyer, which has links to more resources!
You can also visit your local library and borrow some amazing books to learn more about Samoan culture, and practice the language. All our libraries have Samoan books and Newtown Library has the biggest collection! If you don’t have a library card- you can sign up for free. If you are worried about fines- just talk to the staff, they can help.
Author and Publisher Dahlia Malaeulu lives in Wellington and has written and published lots of Samoan books. You can read her blog about how Losi the Giant fisherman was shaped by her son Mase who has Autism.
Samoan heroes / Riley, David
“A collection of inspirational stories of achievers who have Samoan ancestry. It includes: contemporary heroes like Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, Troy Polamalu, Judge Ida Mālosi, Savage and Associate Professor Donna Adis; historical figures like Emma Coe, Tamasese, Salamāsina and Lauaki; legends like Sina, Tiʻitiʻi and Tigilau”–Back cover.” (Catalogue). Also available as an eBook.
Fanene Peter Maivia : son of Samoa / Riley, David
“Fanene Peter Maivia – Son of Samoa is the remarkable story of the first Polynesian to become a star of professional wrestling. Fanene’s life began in Samoa and he took Samoa to the world. He was a pioneer who inspired some of the greatest wrestlers the world has known, including his own grandson, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.”–Publisher’s description.” (Catalogue). Also available as an eBook.
Brush up on your geography and history with…
Samoa / Aiono-Iosefa, Sarona
“Did you know that the English word ‘tattoo’ is supposedly derived from the Samoan word ‘tatau’? Find out about the traditional methods still used by Samoans to apply the amazing tattoos worn by many of the islands’ people today. In this book you will discover that an ‘ie toga is a beautiful and intricate fine mat, woven by Samoan women and used as highly prized gifts, which are made and given to celebrate important occasions. You can also study the climate, population, social structure and political history of the thirteen islands that make up the beautiful countries of American Samoa and independent Samoa (formerly Western Samoa).” (Catalogue).
Samoa & Tuvalu / Guile, Melanie
This book contains information about the history, culture and people of Samoa and nearby Tuvalu. A great book to have just in time for Samoan Language week. Learn some simple words and phrases
Tālofa lava: Hello (formal)
Mālō le soifua: Hello/Good health
‘O ā mai ‘oe? How are you? (to one person only)
Manuia fa‘afetai: Good, thank you
Manuia le aso: Have a great day
Tōfā soifua: Good bye (formal)
Faʻafetai lava ma ʻia manuia tele le Vaiaso o le Gagana Sāmoa!
Thank you and have a very blessed Sāmoan Language Week
We hope you have been enjoying the virtual storytime videos that our staff have been sharing recently through our YouTube channel ✨
Today, we would to highlight a couple of these awesome storytimes in languages from our communities, and share some of our favourite books in Spanish & Mandarin!
Firstly, the wonderful Blanca and Isabel from Karori Library share a sweet story called ¡Me Rompí la Trompa! by Mo Willems:
Up next, Qiyu and Joseph at Arapaki Manners Library share a bilingual telling of the fantastic Ruru’s Hangī written by Chris Gurney and translated by Juechen Shao:
Almost all of our branches have children’s books available in Chinese, Spanish, German, French, and Samoan (along with English and Te Reo Māori). Many more languages are available at branches across our system! Here is a picture of the recently updated languages section at Karori Library, ātaahua!
Karori Library has books in Arabic, Chinese, French, Filipino, German, Greek, Japanese, Russian, Spanish, and languages of the Pacific for you to enjoy!
Chinese language book picks from Khadro
Our wonderful librarian Khadro at Newtown Library has chosen some of her favourite books in Chinese to share with us today. We also love the beautiful decorations on the wall at Newtown Library, celebrating Chinese language and culture.
This book explores the complexity of colours and all of the ways they enrich our everyday lives, from the yellow of the stars to the splashes of indigo in the sky!
Take a short flick through the jungle, the swamp and the outback to explore all of the different ways wildlife catch the Z’s. from the seagulls squawking at the beach to the Giraffes that lounge the safari.
Bear and Duck have one mission: get back home safely. But what happens when they take a few bad turns?
Spanish language book picks from Rogelio
Our librarian Rogelio at Arapaki Manners Library has also chosen some of his favourite Spanish-language books for kids to share. Find more recommendations for wonderful children’s books in Spanish on our blog: ¡Nuevos libros en español! | New Books in Spanish!
Gustavo : el fantasmita timido / Drago, Flavia Z
“Conoce a Gustavo. Él es un fantasma y como a cualquier ser paranormal le encanta hacer lo que le es normal: atravesar paredes, hacer volar objetos y brillar en la oscuridad. También le encanta tocar el violín. Pero Gustavo tiene un problema. Él es muy, muy tímido, y aunque su deseo más grande es tener amigos, nunca se ha atrevido a hablarle a ninguno de los monstruos en su pueblito. Con el Día de Muertos cerca, ¿se atreverá Gustavo a dejar que lo vean?” (Catalogue).
¡Hermanos! / Bonilla, Rocio
“Un libro fantástico para hablar del amorodio entre hermanos. Un relato muy original y divertido que se lee en ambos sentidos. ¡Tener un hermano es muy molesto! Parece un mono, siempre haciendo payasadas. ¡Tener una hermana también es un rollo! Todo le parece mal y no me deja jugar a lo que quiero. Pero, a veces, los hermanos son una gran ayuda y juntos viven momentos muy divertidos. Quizás, tener un hermano o una hermana no está tan mal. Pero, ¿ser tres hermanos? ¡Eso sí que no!” (Catalogue)
The boy who touched the stars = El niño que alcanzó las estrellas / Hernández, José M.
“Juan Marcos is eager to continue his studies in the United States and rents a room from family friends living in El Barrio, or Spanish Harlem. Soon, he has a job wrapping packages at a department store that pays as much as he made teaching high school at home. As he interacts with the Puerto Rican community in New York, he witnesses the problems his compatriots encounter, including discrimination, inadequate housing, jobs and wages. Despite these problems, friendships and romances bloom and rivalries surface, leading to betrayal and even attempted murder!” (Catalogue)
Tālofa Lava! Samoa Language Week will be celebrated this year from Sunday, 30 May 2021 until Saturday, 5th June 2021. The event aims to raise awareness of the Samoan language, celebrate Samoan culture in New Zealand and around the world, and promote the use of Samoan language in schools, at work and at home.
This year’s theme is “Poupou le lotoifale. Ola manuia le anofale” which means “Strengthen the posts of your house, for all to thrive”.
For more information on events and ideas on how to celebrate, visit the following websites:
“Contains over 1000 commonly used words, and words needing further explanation are given in English and Samoan sentences to aid comprehension. Word lists include parts of the body, telling the time, colours, numbers, days of the week and months of the year” (Catalogue)
“The Samoan Picture Dictionary is an excellent resource for people beginning to speak or write Samoan. It contains over 1000 commonly used words, and words needing further explanation are given in English and Samoan sentences to aid comprehension. Wordlists include parts of the body, telling the time, colours, numbers, days of the week and months of the year.” (Catalogue)
“These bilingual books are ideal for beginning learners of Samoan, with simple language and stories, and illustrations that support the text. Each book has a glossary that gives a clear English translation of the Samoan text. All of the books have been translated into Samoan by Ainslie Chu Ling So’o who is a language consultant specialist at the Ministry of Education, Sport and Culture in Samoa.” (Catalogue)
Search the catalogue here for other books to brush up your Samoan language skills.
“A collection of inspirational stories of achievers who have Samoan ancestry. It includes: contemporary heroes like Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, Troy Polamalu, Judge Ida Mālosi, Savage and Associate Professor Donna Adis; historical figures like Emma Coe, Tamasese, Salamāsina and Lauaki; legends like Sina, Tiʻitiʻi and Tigilau.” (Catalogue) Also available as an eBook.
Fanene Peter Maivia : son of Samoa.
“Fanene Peter Maivia – Son of Samoa is the remarkable story of the first Polynesian to become a star of professional wrestling. Fanene’s life began in Samoa and he took Samoa to the world. He was a pioneer who inspired some of the greatest wrestlers the world has known, including his own grandson, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.” (Catalogue) Also available as an eBook.
“Did you know that the English word ‘tattoo’ is supposedly derived from the Samoan word ‘tatau’? Find out about the traditional methods still used by Samoans to apply the amazing tattoos worn by many of the islands’ people today. In this book you will discover that an ‘ie toga is a beautiful and intricate fine mat, woven by Samoan women and used as highly prized gifts, which are made and given to celebrate important occasions. You can also study the climate, population, social structure and political history of the thirteen islands that make up the beautiful countries of American Samoa and independent Samoa (formerly Western Samoa).” (Catalogue).
This book contains information about the history, culture and people of Samoa and nearby Tuvalu. A great book to have just in time for Samoan Language week.
“Celebrate Samoan language week and get into the Polynesian spirit by watching Disney’s Moana! The film follows the journey of a spirited teenager named Moana as she meets the once-mighty demi-god Maui, and together they traverse the open ocean, encountering enormous fiery creatures and impossible odds.” (Catalogue)
“Moana is the 56th animated feature from Disney, an ocean adventure about a teenaged girl from a tribal community on a mystical island in the South Pacific. Its soundtrack offers both 45 minutes of score and a set of original songs co-written by a trio of musicians with impressive pedigrees. Highlights include “We Know the Way,” sung by Miranda and Foa’i, and the soaring “How Far I’ll Go,” delivered by Auli’i Carvalho in the title role, with a second version by Canadian pop singer Alessia Cara. Among other names appearing on the soundtrack are Dwayne Johnson, who sings “You’re Welcome” as Maui, and Jermaine Clement of Flight of the Conchords, who sings “Shiny” as the menacing crab Tamatoa. Closing out the song portion of the album and bringing listeners back to contemporary reality are Jordan Fisher and a rapping Miranda in a reprise of “You’re Welcome.” ~ Marcy Donelson.” (Catalogue).
Also check out these YouTube clips from the movie soundtrack: “How far I’ll go” and “You’re Welcome!”
Tālofa Lava! Samoa Language Week will be celebrated this year from Sunday, 24 May 2020 until Saturday, 30 May 2020. The event aims to raise awareness of the Samoan language, celebrate Samoan culture in New Zealand and around the world, and promote the use of Samoan language in schools, at work and at home. This year’s theme is “Tapena sou ōso mo lau malaga” — “Prepare yourself a gift for your travels”.
For more information, on events and ideas on how to celebrate, visit the following websites:
“Contains over 1000 commonly used words, and words needing further explanation are given in English and Samoan sentences to aid comprehension. Word lists include parts of the body, telling the time, colours, numbers, days of the week and months of the year”–Publisher information.
The Samoan Picture Dictionary is an excellent resource for people beginning to speak or write Samoan. It contains over 1000 commonly used words, and words needing further explanation are given in English and Sāmoan sentences to aid comprehension.
Would you like to listen in Te Reo, English (or both!) to this story woven with magic, love and adventure?
The Seven Stars of Matariki / Te Huihui o Matariki by Toni Rolleston is a beautiful book to read about Matariki. It’s available in English, and te reo. Check out the videos below.
You might want to keep practising your New Zealand Sign Language AND your Te Reo! Learn some more sign by watching 19 year old Tuhoi Henry (Te Uri o Hau).
Then, you could borrow the book Matariki and keep improving your signing. Ka rawe!
Pop over to the Wellington City Libraries and explore our Tamariki section here
You will find some great tools to help you improve your Te Reo.
In 2019, Eid begins on Tuesday 4 June and ends on Wednesday 5 June. People traditionally greet each other on the day with the phrase “Eid Mubarak”, which means ‘blessed celebration’. Check out these books to find out more about this important international celebration.
Journey with George and his friend Kareem as they celebrate Eid. Together they try special treats, create baskets for others who have less money than they do and look for the crescent moon. This board book includes snappy rhyme that will appeal to school children.
Share with Samira and her family a day of fasting during Ramadan and feel her excitement as she sees the new moon. Practise your Arabic, your English, or even better, both! Eid al-Adha
Explore Muslim culture through these clear explanations, and beautiful photographs. This non-fiction book will help you to become bilingual and multilingual too!
Mądra Mysz: Mam przyjaciela kucharza / Butschkow, Ralf
Dinozaury / Benedetta, Nigelli
Strażak Sam: Koncert w płomieniach / Tarnowska, Ewa
Mruczęty : kot mikołaja / Rowland, Lucy
Nasza podróż / Kubiak, Tadeusz
As part of Samoa Language Week, there will be a Pasifika Pool Party! Find out more about the council events 
