robots – Kids' Blog

Become an inventor!

debbie18 January, 2017

If you could design and make something, what would it be? Something so amazing and fantastic that your friends are going to be sooooo jealous.

What about a robot that cleans your room or hover shoes that you could zoom around on. Maybe a small pill that has all your vegetables hidden inside (even broccoli) and when you swallow it, it tastes like chocolate or strawberries and cream.

This website has some great inventions that kids have designed and they have been turned into real products. I really like the scooter.

So get your thinking caps on and start creating. You might like to check out some of these great books to get you started.

Cool new children’s books coming soon

admin14 October, 2016

There are some awesome new kids fiction titles coming out in the next couple of months. While they haven’t landed on our library shelves yet, they’re already on our catalogue for you to reserve. The ones listed here are all sequels, so you can catch up with the rest of the series while you’re waiting for the new orders to arrive.

Double Down by Jeff Kinney – Diary of a Wimpy Kid #11.

The pressure’s really piling up on Greg Heffley. His mum thinks video games are turning his brain to mush, so she wants her son to put down the controller and explore his “creative side.”

As if that’s not scary enough, Halloween’s just around the corner and the frights are coming at Greg from every angle.

When Greg discovers a bag of gummy worms, it sparks an idea. Can he get his mum off his back by making a movie . . . and will he become rich and famous in the process?

Frenemies Forever by Rachel Renee Russell – Dork Diaries #11.

Nikki is spending a week at North Hampton Hills as part of the school transfer programme.

The good news is that NHH is super-cool and preppy.

The bad news is that Nikki’s nemesis MacKenzie started there two weeks ago!

But, faced with NHH queen bee Tiffany, who takes meanness to a whole new level, Nikki might need to work WITH Mackenzie if she’s going to survive the week! Can Nikki and MacKenzie overcome their differences and become BFFS … Best Frenemies Forever?!

Magnus Chase and the Hammer of Thor by Rick Riordan – sequel to The Sword of Summer.

Thor’s hammer is missing again . The thunder god has a disturbing habit of misplacing his weapon – the mightiest force in the Nine Worlds.

But this time the hammer isn’t just lost, it has fallen into enemy hands. If Magnus Chase and his friends can’t retrieve the hammer quickly, the mortal worlds will be defenseless against an onslaught of giants. Ragnarok will begin. The Nine Worlds will burn.

Unfortunately, the only person who can broker a deal for the hammer’s return is the gods’ worst enemy, Loki – and the price he wants is very high.

Rise of the Robot Army by Robert Venditti

Following on from Attack of the Alien Horde comes the second book in the Miles Taylor and the Golden Cape series, about an eighth grader who finds himself unexpectedly thrust into the role of real-life superhero.

His latest mission: to defeat an army of robots designed to destroy him!

5 Pixar Movies to watch these school holidays

Katie6 July, 2016

Just in time for the wintery-est of school holidays. With the release of Finding Dory, produced by Pixar Animation Studios and released by Walt Disney Pictures, why not go down to your local library and check out some other DVDs released by the same companies:

Finding Nemo (2003)

Go back to where it all began where Marlin goes on an epic quest from the great barrier reef to Sydney in order to find and save his son, Nemo, while meeting and encountering new friends on the way such as surfer turtles that live to 150 years old, vegetarian sharks who have regular meetings and of course, Dory herself!, a good-hearted and optimistic regal blue tang with short-term memory loss.

The Incredibles (2004)

Looking for a DVD where action, Superheroes and Disney are combined? Look no further, Check out The Incredibles, a movie that follows a family of superheroes who are forced to hide their powers and live a quiet suburban life. Mr. Incredible’s desire to help people draws the entire family into a battle with a villain and his killer robot.

Cars (2006)

A hot-shot race-car named Lightning McQueen gets waylaid in Radiator Springs, where he finds the true meaning of friendship and family. This is a movies that boys will enjoy, especially boys into cars and formula one racing.

WALL-E (2008)

In the distant future, a small waste-collecting robot named WALL-E, inadvertently embarks on a space journey, to reunite with new found friend, fellow robot named EVE, that will ultimately decide the fate of mankind.

Up (2009)

Seventy-eight year old Carl Fredricksen travels to Paradise Falls in his home equipped with balloons, inadvertently taking a young stowaway named Russell. This is the movie that came up with sayings and references such as ‘Adventure is out there!”, “the cone of shame.”, and where Kevin can be a girl’s name and Dogs can talk, not meaning woof, woof but actual words like: “My name is Dug. I have just met you, and I love you.”

New school year means new children’s fiction to try

admin1 March, 2016

We know you’re excited about the new school year school starting, and we reckon you should get excited about these new titles too! Give them a go; try something new!

Sammael’s Wings by Hilton Pashley

“Everything Jonathan loves is threatened. His angel father is wounded and lost, and his demon mother is missing in Hell. When his great-aunt Sammael, an archangel, returns from exile, Jonathan finally has a chance to bring his family back together. But a terrible new enemy wants to create chaos and fear throughout the universe, and he needs Jonathan’s wings to do it. Jonathan must go through Heaven and Hell to save them all…”–Back cover.

A Galaxy Too Far Away by Jamie Thomson

Harry was just an ordinary teenage boy from Croydon when he was abducted by aliens and accidentally became the captain of their starship. His quest to get back home to Earth continues – but now he’s acquired an alien ‘son’ and a new spacecraft, and he’s being pursued by an eight-foot robot bounty hunter.

The Swish of the Curtain by Pamela Brown

When seven bored children discover an abandoned chapel in their home town, they decide to renovate it and to form the Blue Door Theatre Company. The talented and resourceful group soon discover that they are serious about their theatrical ambitions, but will their parents stand in their way?

The Power of Poppy Pendle by Natasha Lowe

Ten-year-old Poppy will do anything to realize her dream of becoming a baker, although her parents insist she attend Ruthersfield, the exclusive girls school for witchcraft, where she excels despite her dislike of magic. Includes baking tips and recipes.

Pieces of Why by K.L. Going

Twelve-year-old Tia lives in a white slum in New Orleans with her mother, and her whole world revolves around singing in the gospel choir with her best friend, Keisha–but when practice is interrupted by a shooting outside the church, and a baby is killed, Tia finds that she cannot sing, and she is forced to confront her feelings about her incarcerated father who killed a girl in a failed robbery years before.

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

Katie12 June, 2014

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Robot, clone, dragon and alien’s stories! New Children’s Fiction to grab.

wcl staff19 May, 2014

The great escape, by Judy Brolin

Meet Archie the cat, Sparky the mouse and Flo the bird – three pets built by a brainy professor to be the perfect robo-friends!

But without him, their quiet life is turned upside down. The mechanical marvels are forced to leave their house and use all of their special robot powers to survive the dangers of the outside world!

The right base for a robot is hard to find, but could a school full of children be the new home they are looking for?

Age 8 and +

Game of clones, by M.E. Castle

Fisher Bas was able to track down his gone-Hollywood clone – two- but only with the help of Amanda Cantrell. Now “Three” and Dr. X remain on the loose. If Fisher is going to stop his secret from getting out, he’ll have to figure out a cover for his brother clone and keep Three from helping Dr. X take over the world.

Easier said than done, though. Two’s true identity can no longer be concealed after a disastrous school dance, and then crazy things start happening at Wompalog Middle School. Turns out Three has come to Palo Alto bent on eliminating Fisher and Two. The boys will have to join forces with their friends and an unlikely ally- with hilarious consequences – to stop Three and his clone army. The future of Fisher and Two’s hometown depends on it.

Age 9 and +

Opal Moonbaby forever, by Maudie Smith

Martha’s best friend is an alien. Opal Moonbaby can move things with her eyes, make popcorn fountains, and travel all over the world in her very own spaceship. Martha can’t imagine life without her.

But Opal’s time on Earth is almost at an end. They have one final summer together. So why is Opal acting so strangely all of a sudden?

A madcap story of friendship, fun- and aliens!

Age 8 and +

The story of Owen, dragon slayer of Trondheim, by E.K.Johnston

Valiant at heart, hopeless at algebra, last in a long line of legendary dragon slayers. Though he had few years and was not built for football, he stoof between the town of Trondheim and creatures that threatened its survival.

There have always been dragons. As far back as history is told, men and women have fought them, loyally defending their villages. Dragon slaying was a proud tradition.

But dragons and humans have one thing in common: an insatiable appetite for fossil fuels. From the moment Henry Ford hired his first dragon slayer, no small town was safe. Dragon slayers flocked to cities, leaving more remote areas unprotected.

Such was trondheim’s fate until Owen Thorskard. At sixteen, with dragons advancing and his grades plummeting, Owen faced impossible odds – armed only with a sword, his legacy, and the classmate who agreed to be his bard.

Age 10 and +

Factory Made

debbie11 March, 2013

Mrs Bartolotti has a bad habit of ordering things – things that she usually doesn’t need. One day something incredible and very unexpected arrives in the post. It’s Conrad a factory made seven year old boy who is perfect in every way. He is very well-behaved, polite, clever and follows all the rules.

It doesn’t take long for Conrad and Mrs Bartolotti to grow to love each other but when the factory realises that he’s been delivered to the wrong address Conrad has already decided that he doesn’t want to go back.

Together Mrs Bartolotti and Conrad along with his new friend Kitty have to hatch a plan which involves re-educating Conrad to behaving more like a normal child.

This is great fun read with an exciting conclusion to the story! A must read!

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