Graveyard Shakes: Kids’ Comics for Halloween!

Spooky season is upon us, and we just so happen to have you covered for some great reads from our comic and graphic novel collections.

If you like the idea of a witch who uses her cauldron to make pizza, an avenging-warrior-ghost-hog, or a girl who meets her new best friend by summoning a spirit at a seance tea party, then these are for you!

Junior Comics

Witches of Brooklyn [1] / Escabasse, Sophie
“Effie moves to Brooklyn to live with her strange aunt and soon discovers that she might be a witch.” (Catalogue)

Graveyard shakes / Terry, Laura
“When Katia runs away from her private boarding school her sister Victoria goes looking for her, accidentally stumbling into the underworld of a nearby graveyard inhabited by ghosts and a man named Nikola, who is preparing a sinister spell.” (Catalogue)
Séance tea party / Yee, Reimena
“After watching her circle of friends seemingly fade away, Lora is determined to still have fun on her own, so when a tea party leads Lora to discovering Alexa, the ghost that haunts her house, they soon become best friends.” (Catalogue)

Ghost hog / Weiser, Joey
“Truff is the ghost of a young boar, fueled by fury towards the hunter who shot her down. She has a lot to learn about her new afterlife, and thankfully the forest spirits Claude and Stanley are there to guide her! However, they soon find that her parents, along with their fellow animal villagers, have been kidnapped by the malicious mountain demon Mava! Truff wants to help, but… the hunter is finally within her grasp, and if she lets him go, she may never get her revenge! Is vengeance all that being a ghost is good for? Or is there something stronger keeping this little pig tethered to the living world?” (Catalogue)

Skull Cat. Book 1, Skull Cat and the curious castle / Shurtliff, Norman
“It’s Scully the Cat’s first day as the new garden-keeper at a spooky castle… but when everyone goes missing, is he brave enough to become a hero? Draw your sword and let’s find out! Even though the castle is an eerie place, full of dark secrets, Scully is excited to start his new job and prove himself to be a great gardener. But wait a minute… what happened to all his co-workers? Were they devoured by bloodthirsty vampires? Spooked by a love-struck ghost? Pranked by a comic-reading goblin? Enchanted by a sleepy sorcerer? Will Scully have to become the hero and uncover the truth behind Le Dark Chateau? He never signed up for this!!”– Publisher’s website.” (Catalogue)

Sorceline / Douyé, Sylvia
“For as long as she can remember, Sorceline has had a knack for the study of mythical creatures. Now a student at Professor Archibald Balzar’s prestigious school of cryptozoology, she’s eager to test her skills and earn a spot as one of Balzar’s apprentices. But for all her knowledge of gorgons, vampires, and griffins, Sorceline is mystified by her fellow humans. While she excels in her studies, she quickly clashes with her classmates, revealing her fiery temper. When one of her rivals suddenly disappears, Sorceline must set aside her anger and join the quest to find her. But the mystery only deepens, leading Sorceline on a journey far darker and more personal than she expected.” (Catalogue)

YA Comics

Unfamiliar. 1 / Newsome, Haley
“Young kitchen witch Planchette gets an incredible deal on a new house in a magical town. Turns out, there’s a reason: it’s haunted! After unsuccessfully attempting to get these unwanted ghosts to leave, she realizes the only thing to do is to help them with their problems. Along the way, she befriends a shy siren who hates being popular, a girl battling a curse, and a magically-challenged witch from a powerful coven.” (Catalogue)

Summer spirit / Holleville, Élizabeth
“Summer for Louise means sand, surf, and… the supernatural. Louise spends every summer at her grandma’s house with her older sister, cousins, and Rodin the dog. But, this year, her plans to relax and read comics on the beach are about to be turned upside down by a mischievous ghost, bored with being forced to haunt the same house. While the other girls are wrapped up in romance and teenage problems, Louise takes refuge with her new paranormal BFF, determined to escape the drama and just enjoy her summer break, something that is proving to be a lot harder than she anticipated.” (Catalogue)

The Okay Witch / Steinkellner, Emma
“Thirteen-year-old Moth Hush loves all things witchy. But she’s about to discover that witches aren’t just the stuff of movies, books, and spooky stories. When some eighth-grade bullies try to ruin her Halloween, something really strange happens. It turns out that Founder’s Bluff, Massachusetts, has a centuries-old history of witch drama. And, surprise: Moth’s family is at the center of it all! When Moth’s new powers show up, things get totally out-of-control. She meets a talking cat, falls into an enchanted diary, and unlocks a hidden witch world. Secrets surface from generations past as Moth unravels the complicated legacy at the heart of her town, her family, and herself.” (Catalogue)

Book Endings: The Way You Want Them to Be!

Apples and Oranges - Kids Environment Kids Health - National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

Which would you choose?

Is the way a book ends important to you? Do you sometimes wish that you could write the ending so that the book finishes just the way you want it to? Or do you sometimes wonder what would happen to the story if the main character chose a different path to the one they did choose?

You sound like a perfect candidate for reading ‘choose your own ending’ books. These books give you alternatives.  They might say something like: “If you think this happens, turn to page XX, but if you want this to happen, turn to page XXX”.

Then everyone’s happy! You get the ending you want, and the hero or heroine gets to fight another day (or not, depending on what you choose!).

Oh the power! So… let’s get started:


If you like adventure non-fiction books with a you-choose ending, try these:

You Choose book series

Here are a couple of examples of action adventure books from this nail-biting series:

Could you escape a deserted island? : an interactive survival adventure / Hoena, B. A
“When an adventure at sea goes awry, the reader’s choices determine if survival is possible for two friends marooned on a desert island with a deflated raft and few supplies.” (Catalogue)

Surviving Mount Everest : an interactive extreme sports adventure / Hoena, B. A
“Since the beginning of time, we have been fascinated with heights. Mount Everest, therefore, is at the tip top of our fascination. In this tale, you call the shots in trying to conquer dizzying heights. Each decision becomes more important than the last as you climb higher and higher. Will you make it? Will you fall? Will you survive at all? YOU CHOOSE how this adventure ends. — back cover.” (Catalogue)


If you like adventure fiction, try these:

Choose Your Own Adventure book series

Here’s a couple of adventures you won’t want to miss the ending/s of:

House of danger / Montgomery, R. A
“You are a successful young detective, and the creepy Marsden residence and its missing owner have haunted you more than any other case. Maybe this is a sign you shouldn’t continue? Do you call in your best friends for support? Or perhaps you should turn to the police for help? Are you ready to take on mutant chimpanzees, time travel, and a counterfeiting ring to solve the case? House of Danger takes YOU on a thrilling adventure investigating criminal activity and a dark history in your town!” (Catalogue)

Journey under the sea / Montgomery, R. A
“Did the lost city of Atlantis really exist? Or is it just a myth? You are a highly experienced deep sea explorer, buut your search for the lost city of Atlantis is the trip of a lifetime. You must make choices necessary to go deeper, hoping one will lead you to your quarry, the mythical lost continent of Atlantis. Choose from forty-two possible endings.” (Catalogue)


Or maybe Sci-fi and fantasy is your jam?

Fighting Fantasy gamebooks

Starship Traveller / Jackson, Steve
“Sucked through the nightmare of the Seltsian Void, the starship Traveller emerges at the other side of the black hole into an unknown universe. You are the captain of the Traveller and her fate depends on you. Will you be able to discover the way back to Earth from the alien peoples and planets you encounter?” (Catalogue)

Spellbreaker / Green, Jonathan
“Rassin Abbey has guarded its arcane treasures for centuries. But when their Black Grimoire spellbook is stolen, the land of Ruddlestone is plunged into a crisis of epic proportions. Should the legendary Casket of Shadows be opened, the Infernal Beast will be unleashed to wreak its terrible carnage across the Old World.” (Catalogue)


Are you into your sports? These extreme sport adventures might be just for you:

You Choose: Surviving Extreme Sports

Surviving the Iditarod : an interactive extreme sports adventure / Jacobsmeyer, Nicki
“Set in the Alaskan wilds, the Iditarod is one of the most extreme races on the planet. As the musher and leader of a high-powered dog sledding team, choosing the right lead dog is just the first of your important decisions. From there, each choice you make will affect whether you come in first, fifth, last, or not at all. You choose how this adventure ends.” (Catalogue)

Surviving the Le Mans auto race : an interactive extreme sports adventure / Hoena, B. A
“The Le Mans auto race in France is a true test of endurance, and as you sit behind the wheel of a high-powered racecar, you’re in control. The decisions you make may take you across the finish line as a champion–or send you careening off course. Will you find a way to win–or even survive? YOU CHOOSE how this adventure story ends.” (Catalogue)

Wahine Disaster – 53 Years Later

Wahine sinking in Wellington Harbour

Wahine sinking in Wellington Harbour. Dominion Post (Newspaper): Photographic negatives and prints of the Evening Post and Dominion newspapers. Ref: EP/1968/1647/14-F. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/22327912

On the morning of 10 April 1968 one of New Zealand’s worst recorded storms hit Wellington. This storm produced freak winds of up to 230 km per hour around Cook Strait. The Christchurch–Wellington ferry Wahine was driven onto Barrett Reef, at the entrance to Wellington Harbour.

When the ship hit the reef, one of its propellors was knocked off and an engine was damaged. The Wahine could no longer be steered properly so it drifted into the harbour before leaning to starboard (nautical term for the right side of a ship). Because of the heavy list (another nautical term for a ship leaning dangerously in the water), only four of the eight lifeboats could be launched, and most of the inflatable life rafts flipped in the savage seas.

The Wahine finally capsized at 2.30 p.m. Most deaths occurred on the Eastbourne side of the harbour, where people were driven against sharp rocks by the waves. Of the 734 passengers and crew, 51 died that day, another died several weeks later and a 53rd victim died in 1990 from injuries sustained in the wreck.

It remains one of New Zealand’s worst maritime disasters, after the wreck of SS Penguin in 1905.


Want to know more?

Wellington City Libraries Heritage pages have got loads of info, photos and footage from that fateful day: https://wcl.govt.nz/heritage/wahine

Other useful sites are:

Many Answers

Museums Wellington

Christchurch City Libraries


Want to read all about it?

No safe harbour / Hill, David
“Stuart and his twin sister Sandra are coming home to Wellington on the ferry. Stuart knows he’ll enjoy the trip – he’s a good sailor. But it’s April 1968 and the ship is the Wahine. As the tragic events unwind Stuart and Sandra must battle to stay alive. A vivid and compelling picture of the Wahine’s last hours.” (Catalogue)

 

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Top 10 Children’s Comics Summer 2018

There are some fantastic new additions to some great comic series here in the library.  It’s great to see they have been so popular with readers over summer.

Bad Guys author Aaron Blabey is heading into the movie making business! Yes his award winning talents have caught the eye of DreamWorks Animation who have brought him along for the ride as executive director.  One of my favourites of his is The Ghost of Miss Annabel Spoon.  I know it sounds serious for a funny writer and illustrator of books but it’s good!

What was your favourite comic over the Summer? Let us know in the comments. In the meantime, here are the Top 10 most popular over summer:

  1. Garfield, by Jim Davis
  2. Big Nate, by Lincoln Pierce
  3. Amulet, by Kuzu Kibuishi
  4. Peanuts, by Charles M. Schulz
  5. Smurfs, by Peyo
  6. Pokemon, by Hidenori Kusaka
  7. Tintin, by Herge
  8. The Bad Guys, by Aaron Blabey
  9. My little pony, by Ted Anderson
  10. Adventure time, by Ryan North

Top 10 Childrens eBooks October 2017

Did you know there is a Scottish version of the David Walliams book Mr Stink? Translated by Matthew Fitt it’s called Mr Mingin, so you can  decode the way they talk in Scotland.  Your brains are marvellous things and in a few paragraphs it will all start to make sense.  And you’ll have some great words to try out on your family and friends =)

  1. Harry Potter series, by J. K. Rowling
  2. Diary of a Minecraft Zombie, by Russell Robinson
  3. The Volcano of Fire: Geronimo Stilton and the Kingdom of Fantasy Series, by Geronimo Stilton
  4. Gangsta Granny, by David Walliams
  5. Mr Stink, by David Walliams
  6. The Boy In the Dress, by David Walliams
  7. Ghosts, by Raina Telgemeier
  8. Diary of a Wimpy Kid, by Jeff Kinney
  9. Warriors series, by Erin Hunter
  10. The Heroes of Olympus series, by Rick Riordan

Become a ghost catcher!

Got a problem with Ghosts?

Then we can help!

Specialists in the business with over 150 years’ experience, we can fix all your paranormal problems.

No job is too big, too small or too scary – same day service and no nasty chemicals!

Call the Ghost Club now on 555-SPOOK.

 

In the Haunted School, Angeline and Edgar have to go to their Senior School Sleepover, but Angeline is dreading having to talk to the other kids.

The night goes wrong when a ghost appears in the dormitory where they are camped out. Their classmates are terrified – and Principal Primm is not happy!

With the aid of Ghost Club, Angeline and Edgar must find out who the ghost is so they can help her. But first they have to convince their principal that kids can be ghost-catchers too, and they have to avoid Travis the bully, who is spying on them – causing trouble wherever they go.

 

New Non Fiction for August – Maths and Science from Usbourne, Science Crackers and many more series.

Having trouble with Maths and Science at school? Here are some new books that can help.

New Non Fiction on Mathematics:

The Usborne Illustrated Dictionary of Maths.

Mathematics is the study of the relationship between size, space and quantity using numbers and symbols. If you are struggling with maths at school, then this is the book for you. This book contains over 500 definitions of all the key terms and concepts; more than 300 useful illustrations and diagrams; over 100 worked examples; comprehensive cross-referencing and detailed index and internet links for recommended websites. This book covers all areas including arithmetic, algebra, fractions and measurement. The book is divided into four areas which covers sections on numbers; shape, space and measures; Algebra and handling data.

 

Maths Dictionary by Carol Vorderman.

Stuck on sums or multiplication? Need a hand with homework? Then this is the book for you. This book takes you through everything you need to know to get ahead in primary school maths. Read all about. Also check out by Carol Voderman,  

Easy Peasy Times Tables. This book takes you through basic times tables up to ten, with an owl calculator that lets you check all the answers. Good for younger children.

What is Maths by Tracey Steffora.

Want to know how you use maths in everyday life? This is the book for you. This is a fantastic picture book that introduces young children to the basic concepts in Maths and how maths is applied around the world. This book covers all basic areas of maths, including shapes, patterns, adding, subtracting and measuring. Also includes notes for parents and teachers. Recommended for a junior level.

Edgar Allan Poe’s Pie by J. Patrick Lewis

Poetry + Math = A tasty treat!

Like puzzles? Want to brush up on Maths, English and poetry at the same time? This is the book to read! Renowned poet, J. Patrick Lewis borrows themes from famous poems and flips them on their head to create humorous verses and riddles in a collection of math-based problem-solving parodies. The poems included by by famous poets including Edward Lear, Walt Whitman, Emily Dickinson and Edgar Allan Poe. This book do include all answers to the poem/math problem.) Information about all poets whose poems have been assembled in this book is also included.

New Non Fiction on Science from the Usbourne series:

What’s Chemistry all about by Alex Firth and Dr. Lisa Jane Gillespie.

What’s inside an atom? Which chemicals make us happy? Why does water change into steam? You will find all the answers to these questions in this new book from the Usbourne series. You will find out what chemistry is about; how it works, why chemistry is useful and a whole lot more! There is also lots of cool experiments to carry out. Recommended for a junior and intermediate level.

 

 

 

 

What’s Physics all about by  Kate Davies.

Why is the sky blue? How did the universe begin? Where does electricity come from? You will find all the answers to these questions in this new book from the Usbourne series. You will find out what physics is about; how it works, why physics is useful and a whole lot more! There is also lots of cool experiments to carry out. Recommended for a junior and intermediate level.

From the Science Crackers series:

Bubbling Biology by Steve Parker.

Why do some plants have flowers? What is the largest living thing? How fast can a shark swim? You will find all the answers to these questions in this new book from the Science Crackers series. You will find out how plants, animals, and microscopic organisms live, grow and survive. There is also lots of cool experiments to carry out.

Fizzing Physics by Steve Parker.

What shape is a magnetic field? How can you see with sound? How many colors are in a rainbow? You will find all the answers to these questions in this new book from the Science Crackers series.  Discover the incredible facts behind colour, sound and energy.

Awesome Astronomy by Raman Prinja.

How many stars are there? How can you talk to aliens? What happens when a start explodes? You will find all the answers to these questions in this new book from the Science Crackers series. Discover the incredible facts of how you can study the night sky and learn about its billions of stars and galaxies.

Kids’ Review by Samuel

39 Clues #1: The Maze of Bones by Rick Riordan

Two orphans who think that they are nobodies, find out at their grandmother’s funeral that in their family name – Cahill – there lies more power and mystery than in any other. The power-source is scattered around the globe in a form of 39 clues(thus giving the series its name). Amy and Dan Cahill think they have what it takes to find the clues. Do they? Do you? This is the first book in the heart-racing and explosive 39 Clues series. 4 stars.

Review by Samuel of Karori

Kids’ Review by Samuel

Conspiracy 365 #1: January by Gabrielle Lord

Accused of shooting his uncle, and putting his younger sister into a coma, innocent teen fugitve Callum Ormond’s life is spinning out of control! Ever since his dad went to Ireland, bad things keep happening to Cal. Chased by two power hungry criminal gangs, sleeping in drains, and with only two friends whom he can rely on, Cal really knows what life is like on the run. A great book for reading ages 10-13. Peace Out. 5 stars.

Review by Samuel of Karori

Kids’ Review by Emily

Warriors Book #1: Into the Wild by Erin Hunter

I love this book. It is the first of the fantastic Warriors series. Rusty is a kittypet. He has strange dreams about going into the forest at the edge of his owner’s property. He meets Greypaw first, then Bluestar, leader of ThunderClan. He joins the clan, and you should read what goes next. 5 stars.

Review by Emily of Newlands