10 New Non Fiction: Heroes-Gaming-Mythology-Programming Winter Madness at the library!

School holidays are around the corner and Wellington City Libraries is bursting with Junior Non Fiction on their shelves for your viewing pleasure and entertainment. All the resources you need to get schooled up on folklore, mythology, coding, computer programing and much, much more! Let the heroes-gaming-mythology-programming winter madness at the library begin!

Enjoy!

image courtesy of syndeticsDC Comics Super Heroes: The Awesome Guide.

“Ever wondered where Superman got his powers, or how The Flash became so speedy? Or why Wonder Woman flies an Invisible Jet, and why Batman has so many cool vehicles? All the answers and more can be found in this totally awesome guide to LEGO DC Comics Super Heroes. Discover the origins of the Justice League and their secret identities. Gasp at the amazing superpowers and learn all about their incredible collections of gadgets and vehicles. Who will win the fight between good and evil? It’s time to find out!”

 

image courtesy of syndetics

The amazing book of Marvel Spider-Man.

Now that you have had your DC fix, why not have some Marvel for added measure. Check out this amazing book on Spiderman, his friends and foes. A great resource to have on hand just in time for Spiderman: Homecoming. Check out the trailer down below.


image courtesy of syndeticsTimeline : a visual history of our world.

Translated from the Dutch. Originally published under the title ‘Tijdlijn’.

 

 

 

Multicultural Stories from…

image courtesy of syndetics India.

A collection of traditional stories retold from the folktales and epics of India, including “Dead Man Walking,” “Valmiki–the Highway Poet,” and “The Goddess with her Hands Full.”

 

 

 

image courtesy of sydneticsWest Africa.

From the flesh-eating ghosts to the fearsome Sasabonsam Monster and the tale of a man named Hate-to-be-contradicted, these exciting stories are about tricks and magic, cunning heroes and wicked villains, and the threats of terrifying ghost.

 

 

image courtesy of syndeticsMinecraft: Guide to Exploration.

The mysterious world of Minecraft is just waiting to be explored. But danger lurks around every corner and survival can prove difficult for even the bravest adventurer. The official Minecraft Guide to Exploration from Mojang will help you to survive and thrive. You’ll learn how to find resources, craft equipment and protect yourself from hostile mobs. Discover which biomes to avoid when starting out, how to build a mob-proof shelter and where to look for naturally-generated structures laden with loot. With insider info and tips from the experts at Mojang, this is the definitive guide to exploration and survival in Minecraft.

image courtesy of syndeticsPokémon Encyclopedia.

“This up-to-date, comprehensive encyclopedia features: fascinating facts and figures about Pokémon and their world; the definitive reference for key characters, battles and places; every region, including Kalos; Pokémon life lessons; Ash’s story, his friends … and enemies!”–Back cover.

 

image courtesy of syndeticsCool mythology : filled with fantastic facts for kids of all ages.

This fun book is a fascinating introduction to world mythology, broken up into handy bite-sized chunks. It covers all the main world mythologies, including Sumerian, Incan, African, Native American, African, Egyptian, Persian, Hindu, Norse and, of course, Greek and Roman, including the famous Olympians (Zeus, Hera, Poseidon and others). It begins with a selection of creation myths from different cultures (for example the Dreamtime of Aboriginal Australian mythology) and delves into individual stories from mythology, such as Perseus meeting Medusa and Pandora’s box. It covers fantastical mythological creatures from the fearsome Manticore from Persian legend to the modern-day Yeti, plus giants, dragons and the Phoenix. It explores mythological places like Atlantis and various versions of the afterlife, from the idyllic Arthurian Avalon to the rather less pleasant Yomi, the dark and gloomy underworld of Japanese mythology. Ancient myths are still relevant to today’s society, explaining traditions and giving lasting moral lessons.

image courtesy of syndeticsCoding Games in SCRATCH.

Coding computer programs is one of the most valuable skills for anyone to have. Written for children with little to no coding experience, Coding Games with Scratch guides children through building platform games, puzzles, racers, and 3-D action games. Schools have incorporated computer coding into their curriculum, beginning as early as kindergarten to ensure students understand the languages and uses of computer coding. The step-by-step guides are simple and easy to follow with Minecraft-style pixel art. Children will learn essential coding skills while having fun and creating games to play with their friends. The many different styles and types of games are covered, such as classic and arcade games. When people learn to code in Scratch, they learn important strategies for solving problems, designing projects, and communicating ideas. Coding Games with Scratch empowers children to be creative and to have fun while teaching them practical real-life skills. Great for ages 9 to 12 years old and great to have on hand for the ‘Meet The Robots’ event at your local library.

Also check out:

image courtesy of syndeticsComputer coding games for kids.

Your kids will be building computer games and learning code in no-time with ‘Computer coding games for kids’. Kids can enter the world of programming in this illustrated guide packed with step-by-step explanations showing kids how to build all types of games, from puzzles and racers to 3D action games. The perfect way to introduce a reluctant child to coding, ‘Computer coding games for kids’ shows kids how to have fun with Scratch by creating games. Simple instructions and graphics breakdown coding with Scratch so kids learn all the code they need to build, play and share their favourite games with friends.

image courtesy of syndeticsHelp your kids with computer coding : a unique step-by-step visual guide, from binary code to building games.

This unique guide is full of fun exercises and helpful tips that will help children learn all aspects of coding. Step-by-step explanations make the complex art of programming clear, teaching the basics of JavaScript, Python, and C++. Eventually building to more advanced projects, Help Your Kids with Computer Coding will have children and parents alike creating their own games, apps, 3-D models, animations, and websites in no time. 

6 New Non Fiction on Lego, Pokémon, heroes and some good old movie trailers thrown in for good measure.

The Easter break and school holidays are here. Time for some Wellington City Libraries kids blog entertainment!

This post is dedicated to the world of lego, Pokémon, heroes and some good old movie trailers to feed and curb your big screen entertainment.

Enjoy!

image courtesy of syndeticsThe Batman Movie: The Making of the Movie.

Calling all Lego and Batman fanatics!  Brace yourself… there’s another hot new non fiction book where the world of Lego, DC Universe and Da da da da da da da…Batman colides! The LEGO Batman Movie: The Making of the Movie tells the inside story of how Warner Bros. and the LEGO Group joined creative forces to bring Batman’s brick world to life. Also features exclusive insights from the filmmakers, animators, and LEGO designers. This book is in a word – COOL!

Also check out The Batman movie : the essential guide, where you can 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 minifigures. image courtesy of syndetics

Also feel free to check out the latest movie trailer to The Lego Batman Movie, man oh man, after watching it multiple times, I still think it’s hilarious, especially when the Joker experiences a case of rejection and heartbreak from Batman, hmmm do I detect of hint of would-be bromance on the Joker’s part?

image courtesy of syndeticsAwesome Lego Creations with bricks you already have.

Turn your pile of lego bricks into a day of fun!… especially when it’s a cold and miserable day. This book holds 50 new robots, dragons, race cars, planes, wild animals and other exciting projects to build imaginative worlds

 

 

image courtesy of syndeticsPokémon: Classic Collector’s Handbook.

Pokémon: Classic Collector’s Handbook describes the concept of the Pokémon battle, and presents descriptions of the original 151 Pokémon available to catch in the game.

 

 

 

image courtesy of syndeticsThe librarian who measured the earth.

This book describes the life and work of Eratosthenes, the Greek geographer and astronomer who accurately measured the circumference of the Earth. This story is a celebration of curiosity and a tribute to the questing mind.

 

 

imgae courtesy of syndeticsA childs introduction to Greek mythology : the stories of the gods, goddesses, heroes, monsters, and other mythical creatures.

This book presents an introduction to Greek mythology, discussing the roles of gods and goddesses, as well as the adventures of heroes and mythical beings.

 

Also check out the trailer for The Boss Baby. It is in a number words, funny, hilarious, innovative and where the lines of sibling rivalry are crossed and taken to the extreme. However instant sibling rivalry must soon be put aside when Tim, the older brother discovers that Boss Baby is actually a spy on a secret mission, and only he can help thwart a dastardly plot that involves an epic battle between puppies and babies.

7 New Non Fiction to get your hands on…before the school holidays.

Brace yourselves! Wellington City Libraries has more new non fiction in stock for your reading pleasure. It’s a good time to get hold of them now, especially with the school holidays around the corner. A mixture of fact and fun based books that will keep you amused and entertained. Enjoy!

image courtesy of syndeticsAtlas of Everything.

Navigate the world like never before. Featuring over 50 maps of the world – one on every page – this unique atlas includes facts and figures on almost everything you’d want to know. From Nobel Prize winners and popular names, to endangered species and active volcanoes, the combination of maps and infographics makes this the perfect book for children to find out information in a quick and easy way, and remember it. Includes information on the origins of humans, ancient civilisations, the fashion industry, music around the world, film, sport, art and design, politics, the natural world, architecture, animal migration, oceans, natural disasters and space, to name just a few topics in this fact-filled book.

 

image courtesy of syndeticsMini hacks for Pokémon go players. Catching : skills, tips, and techniques for capturing monsters.

An unofficial guide for Pokémon Go players. You’re on the hunt for all 151. Some are easy, others are super hard and elusive. Mini Hacks for Pokémon GO Players: Catching focuses on strategies to help build your Pokémon collection. Includes tips and techniques on: Ball tossing—how to perfect the curve ; What type of Poké Balls you need for specific monsters ; How to most effectively use Razz Berries ; Where you are most likely to find and capture specific types ; The scoop on Lures and Incense to boost catchability and catch all of the mini hacks for Pokémon GO players!

 

image courtesy of syndeticsThe book of wildly spectacular sports science.

“Why does a knuckleball flutter? Why do belly flops hurt so much? Why would a quarterback prefer a deflated football? Here are 54 all-star experiments that demonstrate the scientific principles powering a wide variety of sports and activities–and offer insights that can help you improve your own athletic skills. How does a black belt karate chop her way through a stack of bricks? Use Popsicle sticks to understand why it’s possible and learn the role played by Newton’s second law of motion. Does LeBron James really float through the air on the way to a dunk? Use a tennis ball, a paperback book, and the help of a friend to understand the science of momentum and the real meaning of hang time. Using common household objects, each project includes step-by-step instructions, tips, and a detailed explanation of how and why the experiment worked. It’s a win-win.”–Amazon.com.

 

image courtesy of syndeticsGaming record breakers.

“Become an expert gamer with facts and records about the top consoles and games at your fingertips. Discover marathon game sessions, world-record high scores, best-selling games and the most expensive gear available in this must-have gaming guide”–Back cover.

 

 

image courtesy of syndeticsWhat is poetry? : the essential guide to reading & writing poems.

Over many years as a working poet, Michael Rosen has thought a great deal about what poems are, what they can do and the pleasure that comes from writing and reading poetry. In this invaluable handbook, he shares this knowledge and experience in book form for the very first time. Starting with a detailed analysis of a number of classic poems, he offers a real writer’s guide to writing and performing poems, as well as a wealth of technical information and tips. He then takes a fascinating look at a selection of his own poems and explains how and why he wrote them. Complete with an appendix of poets and useful websites, and beautifully illustrated by award-winning artist Jill Calder, this is the only guide to poetry children and teachers will ever need.

 

image courtesy of syndeticsNatumi Takes the Lead.

A heart warming true story about a shy orphan elephant Natumi, who is rescued by a team from the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, an orphanage for baby elephants. At the shelter, Natumi hides behind keepers’ legs to watch the other elephants at the shelter. But soon, she meets several other orphans, and the eight of them play together in the surrounding bush. As the babies become closer and more like a real family, they need a leader, someone they can trust. Can Natumi grow into this role? Join the herd to find out what happens when they travel back into the wild. Overall a fantastic story and must read for the budding animal enthusiast.

 

image courtesy of syndeticsAll about Japan : stories, songs, crafts and more.

A cultural adventure for kids, All About Japan offers a journey to a new place–and ways to bring it to life! Dive into stories, play some games from Japan, learn some Japanese songs. Two friends, a boy from the country and a girl from the city, take us on a tour of their beloved land through their eyes. They introduce us to their homes, families, favourite places, school life, holidays and more! Beyond the fun and fascinating facts, you’ll also learn about the spirit that makes Japan one-of-a-kind. This is a multicultural children’s book for families to treasure together.

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

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.

 

Top 10 children’s comics for July 2016

 Garfield is sooo comfortable in the middle of the the Top Ten.  Cozily squished between Pokemon and the strange world of Adventure Time.

Has your life been affected by Pokemon Go? The app that has got everyone hunting all around Wellington to add to their collection?

The library is a hotbed for Pokemon activity. The rare Meowth was found at the Central Library only a few days ago! Who have you found at a library? Let us know in the comments.

1. Big Nate, by Lincoln Peirce

2. Peanuts, by Charles M. Schulz

3. Tintin, by Herge

4. Pokemon by Hidenori Kusaka

5. Garfield, by Jim Davis, adapted by Cedric Michiels

6. Adventure time, by Ryan North

7. Asterix, by Goscinny and Udzero

8. Amulet, by Kazu Kibuishi

9. Chi’s sweet home, by Kanata Konami

10. The Smurfs anthology, by Peyo