New Non Fiction: A cure for the winter blues.

Well, boys and girls. We have finally entered into the coldest month of the year and have been and/or about to be hit hard with some miserable weather. Have no fair, the library has got a new range of Junior Non Fiction. Nothing but a little ‘Plants vs Zombies, a tribute to the arts and Angry Birds Star Wars and Lego redux!’ to cure the winter blues.

Image courtesy of Syndetics

Childrens book of cinema :  Explore the magical, behind-the-scenes world of the movies.

“Presents an introduction to the world of cinema. This title tells the story of cinema from silent films of yesteryear to the big blockbusters of today, covering the innovation of “talkies” as well as the revolution of technicolor.” – World Cat.

This book is every film buff’s (myself included) and budding film maker’s dream! It contains a lot of information about the history of film, actors and directors, (both past and present) From monsters (both scary and fun loving) to musicals, (like The Wizard of Oz) and wizards (Yep, even Harry Potter is mentioned) to westerns, this is true to its word taking you on a showstopping journey through the fascinating world of film. A great book to curl up to, with popcorn during winter.

 

 

Image courtesy of Syndetics

Oil Paints.

Here’s a book that  contains step-by-step guides show how to create a variety of projects using oil paints that is bound to unleash your inner artist. You may also like Watercolors and Acrylics,

 

 

 

 

 

Image courtesy of Syndetics

The Official Angry Birds Star Wars Joke Book.

A long time ago in a galaxy far far away. The bird rebels and the pork federation joined forces to find the funniest, craziest, zaniest jokes in the Star Ways history. Well did they complete their mission? “Hee Hee! Mwa Ha Ha Ha! Bleep Bleep!” Hmmm, I guess the words speak for themselves. Hands down, this is the funniest joke book voted by bird rebels,  pork federation and of course a local children’s librarian in the history of joke books, Angry Birds and Star Wars.  Most of the jokes in this book are Angry Birds Star Wars related. There are the odd jokes enclosed in this book that might be enjoyed by those with a sick and warped sense of humor. And believe it or not, there is the odd librarian joke, hmmm perhaps you might want to try it out on your local librarian, hee hee. Hope you enjoy this book… as much as I did.

But wait, there’s more!

 

Image courtesy of Syndetics

Super Interactive Annual 2014 Angry Birds Star Wars.

“Birds! Slingshots! Destruction! Feathers! Fun! This best selling Annual has it all. Join your favourite flock of characters on Piggy Island as the world of Angry Birds is brought to life in this fun and truly interactive Annual. Using your smartphone or tablet to zap the unique icons on the page reveals super interactive bonus features including exclusive stories, additional profiles and entertaining activities”–Publisher’s description.

Your one stop Angry Birds Star Wars entertainment is here! In the form of this awesome new addition to Wellington City Libraries. Puzzles, quizzes, drawing, games and… lets not forget Angry Birds Star Wars. Who could ask for more? This book is sure to keep children entertained, especially with all the yucky weather we have had lately.

 

 

Image courtesy of Syndetics

Plants vs Zombies : Books of Things.

Are we one the verge of the zombie apocalypse? Not yet. But it could happen… right? So best to be prepared. That’s where this book comes in. This book had all the entertainment, puzzles, games and quizzes to do to pass the time in the probably unlikely event of having to barricade yourself inside your own home to protect your precious brain parts from being gobbled up during a terrifying invasion of shuffling, plant-hating and frankly inconvienient zombies… and also perhaps another book to keep you entertained in the very likely event of having to barricade yourself indoors to protect your precious body from the terrifying cold and wet weather. Great for kids aged 9-12 years.

 

 

 

Image courtesy of Syndetics

The Lego Book.

You can never go wrong with Lego. For all you die-hard Lego fans, this is the No#1 book to read! Here is your chance to read the complete illustrated history of the LEGO products that discusses the origins of the company, and the evolution of bricks, figures, play themes, and related products; and features a time line that records the introduction of the first plastic bricks to the LEGO products of 2012.  I could spend hours looking at this book. Another awesome read that has the WOW factor and that will bring out every adult’s inner child. A definite 5 star rating!

Also check out LEGO play book : ideas to bring your bricks to life and The LEGO ideas book : unlock your imagination.

Also how about some recipe ideas? Check out this new series on recipes from around the world. The books from the Global Cookery series features recipes from India (Recipes from India), China, (Recipes from China), Italy (Recipes from Italy) and Mexico (Recipes from Mexico) A great way for kids to learn about the eating habits of various cultures and nutritional information. These books also featured recipes on your favourite takeaways like Pizza, Tandoori Chicken and Wanton soup. with these ideas, your parents will be able to save money on the weekly Friday night takeaways.

 

To finish off…

 

Image courtesy of Syndetics

Judith Kerr’s Creatures.

Here is a children’s art book and a biography all rolled into one which celebrates children’s author and illustrator, Judith Kerr’s life and work. As a child, I simply adored Judith Kerr’s picture books like the Mog series and The Tiger who came to tea. But after reading this book, I have fallen in love with Judith Kerr’s picture books all over again. This is another WOW factor book that is well deserving of a 5 star rating!

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT JUDITH KERR:

– She was born in Berlin.

– Her family fled to Switzerland when Hitler seized power.

– She failed a diploma in book illustration.

– Her husband, Tom Kneale was a famous British screenwriter.

– Her daughter, Tacy Kneale made creatures for the Harry Potter films.

 

Painting like Michelangelo at Johnsonville Library

Johnsonville Library enjoyed an action packed renaissance inspired school holiday activity today.

We tried our hand at painting like Michelangelo, crawling under the tables to create our masterpieces underneath.  We made wonderful stain glass windows and everyone had a hand in making a beautiful fresco painting along the wall.

Here is a taste of our masterpieces in the making.

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Michelangeloweb Michelangeloweb1 Michelangeloweb3 Michelangeloweb4 Michelangeloweb5 Michelangeloweb6 Michelangeloweb7

Paint Like Michelangelo at Karori Library

Karori Library had a fantastic School Holiday activity this July School Holidays! The kids learnt how Michelangelo painted during the Renaissance Era – on his back. He did this when he painted his amazing ceiling pieces. So the kids had a go themselves. They painted the interiors of teepees – the ceilings of tables and the walls and roves of the canvases. The kids got straight into it and painted scenes from some of their favourite stories including Harry Potter! Come check out the art in Karori Library! We have some talented kids in our community!

 

The School Holidays are here!

Check out these great ideas for FREE things to do at your local Wellington City Library…

Poster Small

 

Paint like Michelangelo!

Have a go at painting like a renaissance artist during the holidays. Don’t forget to wear your old clothes. (Free and perfect for 7-12 year olds)

Central Library: Wednesday 9th July, 11am – 12noon

Island Bay Community Centre: Tuesday 15th July, 10.30am – 11.30am

Karori Library: Wednesday 16th July, 11am – 12noon

Miramar Library: Thursday 17th July, 11am – 12noon

Johnsonville Library: Thursday 17th July, 11am – 12noon

 

 

IMG_7347Books Go Arty, with Kyle Mewburn

Check out the amazing sculptures on show at the Central Library during the school holidays. Each sculpture is based on a book by Kyle Mewburn and created by a primary or intermediate school class from a Wellington City School. Take part in the scavenger hunt, and gran an entry form for the Crafty Kyle Competition. More info here. (Exhibition is free and open to view at the Central Library during opening hours).

Central Library: All day, every day

 

 

 

Gamesfest Evenings at Central Library

Every Wednesday evening at the Central Library there will be a variety of games set up at the central Library for everyone and anyone to play. To grab some family and friends and come along for some warm wintery indoor fun. Aim for a Scrabble high score, or show your hand in your favourite card game! (Free, all ages, games available 5.30pm – 7.30pm)

Central Library: Every Wednesday 5.30 – 7.30pm

 

 

Mini Wormfarms at Karori Library

You’re invited to join in this fun session on worms and all the good work they do for us and our planet. Together we’ll take a closeup look at how worms can turn our food scraps into useful compost, and learn how to build our very own mini-worm farm. So come along and get friendly with worms!

Registration required: Please phone Karori Library or inquire at the front desk.

Cost: Free. Koha to the Trust is appreciated.

Karori Library: Thursday 17th July 6.30 – 7.30pm

 

 

A5 Flyer ENGLISH frontKōhunga Kōrero – Whāngaia tō Tama Toa ki te pānui pukapuka

Pakiwaitara, rotarota, waiata hoki i te reo Māori mō ngā kōhungahunga.

Get your superhero hooked on stories! Storytimes in te reo Māori

Cummings Park (Ngaio) Library: Monday 14th July, 10.30am

Johnsonville Library: Tuesday 15th July, 2pm

 

 

 

Preschool Storytime and Baby Rock & Rhyme

These popular programmes for under 5s will continue to run during the school holidays. Check out the event calendar or ask at your local library for dates at times.

 

Check out the Library event calendar, or Kids’ What’s On web page for more information.

 

New Non Fiction: Lego Mania and World Cup 2014 Winter-fest.

Lego Fanatics, brace yourself. There are two awesome books to read that will inspire your Lego creativity… and addiction. Believe it or not, according to Inner Child Learning,  Lego Bricks have been applauded by teachers and parents as one of the best toys for learning, building creativity, and strengthening fine-motor skills. Lego Bricks are an open-ended toy, meaning they can become just about anything a child or adult imagines, including an educational tool.

 

image courtesy of syndetics

Cool Creations in 35 Pieces.

There is only one word to describe this book – WOW! This is definitely to book that will bring out your inner child (note for parents/adults) and inspire your creativity. Sean Kenney will take you on a journey by showing you 75 models he has constructed by just using a minimum of 25 Lego pieces. Who have thought you could create things like a camera, an electric guitar, a bat and a frog out of Lego pieces? After reading this book, I am beginning to regret not keeping my own Lego sets from childhood. Great for ages 4 to 8 years.

 

 

image courtesy of syndetics

The 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.

 

 

 

image courtesy of syndetics

Lego Star Wars: The Visual Dictionary.

Ah, you can never have enough Star Wars… and Lego! This visual dictionary presents the Star Wars line of LEGO action figures and playsets, detailing a history of the toy line and how each playset connects to the events in the Star Wars films. As always, when it comes to Star Wars and Lego, it always delivers on its promise of providing  facts and information that will keep kids amused and entertained for hours. Great for kids aged 7 years and over.

 

 

image courtesy of syndetics

Zoobots : wild robots inspired by real animals.

Zoobots! Yes, you heard right! This is a great book to read if you want to learn about robots inspired by animals and robot engineering. Contains great images and interesting facts. Even included images and information on a robot that can infiltrate human society with deceptively lifelike appearance and behavior.

 

 

 

 

image courtesy of syndetics image courtesy of syndetics

Watercolors.

This book is enclosed with lively text and step-by-step instructions that will show kids on how to complete various watercolor art projects. Great for kids who is interested in perfecting their technique in watercolor painting.  My personal favorite art projects enclosed in this book are the dot flower bouquet and Stylish Mr. Fox. You will also like Acrylics, if you are interested in creating a variety of projects using acrylic paints.

 

image courtesy of syndetics

Record Busters: World Cup Football.

2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil is only days away.  Why not take the opportunity to come on down to the library and grab all the books that tell your everything you need to know about the history and past games that too place during the FIFA World Cup, like Record Busters: World Cup Football. This is a fantastic book to read that contains stunning photos and amazing record-busting facts about the top teams and greatest players of the biggest football competition in the world.

 

 

 

New Non Fiction: Amazing Series.

 

Art Smart.

Two new books, Paint it! and Make it!  from the Art Smart series has made it to our library shelves. With the school holidays just around the corner, why not check out these awesome new non fiction books, each complete with 12 inspiring projects to try out and get inspired on making  a puppet, sock snake, dino doorstop, (in Make it!) and different painting techniques such as watercolor acrylic and sgraffito (in Paint it!) I thought the project ideas in the books were fantastic, especially the activities for creating your own Picasso self portrait in Paint it! and the get well card project in Make it! These projects are a great way to beat the boredom busters during the school holidays and even better during a rainy day!

 

     

Disgusting & Dreadful Science.

Prepare to be grossed out! Prepare to be shocked and amazed! Prepare to be gut wrenched! Prepare to be enlightened! Boys and girls, the newest (and greatest) resources are here to help you with your science homework (and questions) and ideas for science fair experiments! In Ear-Splitting Sounds, you will learn the awful truth about all the yucky, painful,  disgusting and dreadful aspects of sound, not mention there are some equally gross, but interesting photos contained in this book. Gut-Wrenching Gravity contains even more disgusting facts about gravity! Covers everything from blackouts caused by g-forces to toilet-troubles in space. Glaring Light covers all the most disgusting and dreadful aspects of light. Finally Electric Shocks covers everything you need to know about the most disgusting and dreadful aspects of electricity, like whizzing electrons and static shocks to flying flies and freaky frog legs.

 

    

Animal Family Albums.

You will find books about Cats, Dogs and Horses and Ponies from this series at your local library. Each title in the Animal Family Albums series feature information about all favorite pets and animals which includes descriptions of popular breeds, facinating facts about wild relatives and a quiz to help you discover which breed you would be. The book about cats was a fantastic read. I learned a lot of interesting facts, especially  about Russian Blue cats , which are considered to be good luck and the Manx cats, which are born with either no tail or a short stumpy tail. The book about dogs contained facts about how pet dogs are descended from wolves, and like their ancestors, they like living in packs, which is made up of its human family. It was very interesting to learn while reading about horses and ponies, wild horse herds are normally led by a female and how the herds include other females, foals, a stallion and a few young males.

 

      

World Cultures.

Feel like taking an amazing journey and exploring all the different cultures the world has to offer? There are four new books exploring the  Maasai, Bushmen of Southern Africa, Polynesians and Maori  culture, from the World Culture series. These books are great resources to use that takes an educational look at cultures that are struggling to maintain their traditions in an ever-changing world, so these books are great to use if you are doing an assignment or homework on exploring issues and oppression within different cultures. Each book unveils the traditions, myths and social activities of each culture. Also includes bibliographical references and index. Great for ages 4 to 12 years.

Paint Like Monet!

Have you been to the Monet exhibition at Te Papa yet? I’m going tomorrow. There are some amazing paintings there at the moment. Don’t wait! The exhibition finishes on the 17th of May. Check out the Te Papa website for information.

 

If you’re really into art but you don’t have a lot of time (or any paint!) you could have a go at painting like Monet on the Te Papa site. It’s really fun – you can pick one of your own photos and then convert it to an impressionist-looking artwork. Give it a go!

 

Finally, if you’re after information on Monet and other impressionists check out our library catalogue for heaps of books:

Find out about art history

Read about paintings

Check out books on how to paint

Read books about famous artists (and also New Zealand artists)

And much more!

 

(Thanks to Magalie for the paint like Monet link.)