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Children’s Comics and Graphic Novels: New Releases in October 2021

Katie

Spring is around the corner! Why not spring on down to Wellington City Libraries for some new children’s comics and graphic novels to keep you amused. So what are you waiting for? Come on down to your local branch and borrow the following:

image courtesy of syndeticsHarriet Tubman : toward freedom.

“Graphic biography detailing Harriet Tubman’s escape from slavery and her efforts with other abolitionists to rescue dozens of those still enslaved”– Provided by publisher.

image courtesy of syndeticsMagic tree house : dinosaurs before dark.

“Retells, in graphic novel form, the tale of eight-year-old Jack and his younger sister Annie, who find a magic treehouse which whisks them back to an ancient time zone where they see live dinosaurs.” (Catalogue).

image courtesy of Pup detectives [4] : ghosts, goblins, and ninjas!

“During a martial arts expo at Pawston Elementary, the sacred scroll of Bark-Jitsu is stolen. The pup detectives set out to crack their most puzzling case yet… because this one involves, ghosts, goblins, and a super stealthy ninja”– Provided by publisher.

IMAGE COURTESY OF SYNDETICSJop and Blip wanna know [1] : can you hear a penguin fart on Mars?, and other excellent questions.

“Join Jop and Blip as they follow their curiosity and investigate these seemingly odd questions using their own brand of logic, critical thinking skills, STEM knowledge, and humor. Can you hear a penguin fart on Mars? What if you wanted a dragon sandwich? Why do we need TWO ears?” (Catalogue).

image courtesy of syndeticsSurvive in the outdoors!

“In this volume of Maker Comics, First Second’s DIY graphic novel series, you’ll find step-by-step instructions for seven projects that will help you survive in the wild! Sophia and Alonso have been packed off to their grandpa’s for a fishing trip, and they’re dreading spending a whole day in the woods without any cell service. But Grandpa opens their eyes to the wonders of the outdoors, and its dangers — from tick bites to hypothermia. And when a sprained ankle delays their return to civilization, the kids have to learn not only how to perform forest-friendly first aid, but how to safely spend the night in the woods when you don’t have a tent! Prepare yourself before you set off on your next adventure! Whether you’re hiking in the wilderness or camping in your own backyard, Survive in the Outdoors! will equip you with the know-how you need. In this book, you’ll find step-by-step instructions on how to build a campfire, catch and clean a fish, make a shelter, and more!” (Catalogue).

image courtesy of syndeticsMarvel action. Avengers. Book 5, Off the clock.

“First, in order to stop Loki’s newest scheme, Thor and Ant-Man go… antiquing? Then, while visiting an elementary school, Captain America runs into the nefarious Trapster! With scores of children in peril, Cap must rely on the aid of none other than Squirrel Girl! And, after Thor and Cap’s difficulties, find out what the rest of the Avengers are up to on their day off! Chaos reigns as a fiendish villain makes off with one of Dr. Strange’s most powerful artifacts!”–Amazon.

 

 

 

Space Junk, Blood Moons and Annular Eclipses

Sue Jane
Gray and White Satellite

Satellite. Image: Pexels.com

"Space... The final frontier...
 These are the voyages of the Starship Enterprise.
 Its continuing mission:
 To explore strange new worlds...
 To seek out new life; new civilisations...
 To boldly go where no one has gone before!" 
(opening monoLogue from the TV series 'Star Trek: The Next Generation")

May and June 2021 are busy months in space. At the beginning of May, there was news that a large piece of space junk may hit New Zealand (it didn’t!), and on 26 May a super blood moon occurred. Then on 10 June an annular solar eclipse occurred.

So what on Earth is space junk, a super blood moon and an annular eclipse?

Space Junk

Everywhere humans go, we seem to leave rubbish behind… and space is no different! In the 60 years since man first managed to blast off and orbit the Earth, and so starting the space industry, we’ve managed to leave more than 500, 000 pieces of junk behind, which are larger than a a marble, orbiting around our planet. There are bits of used rockets, broken satellite parts, and even tools that astronauts may have lost during spacewalks. One of the biggest problems is that as the number of objects orbiting Earth increases, so do the chances of a collision. Even small pieces of junk can cause problems. Hurtling around Earth at speeds of up to 28,000km per hour, small pieces of space junk have the potential to cause damage to the International Space Station or the many satellites people on Earth rely on.

How do we clean up space?

At the end of their mission, modern satellites are designed to burn up in the Earth’s atmosphere or move out of the way of active satellites. However, older satellites remain in space. One idea for cleaning up these satellites is to use a net to capture them. Another method is to grab the old satellites with harpoons and reel them in. They would then send them to burn up in Earth’s atmosphere.

500+ Free Rocket & Space Illustrations - PixabayBut bigger things like space stations and larger spacecraft might not entirely burn up before reaching the ground. However,  operators can plan for the final destination of their old satellites to make sure that any debris falls into a remote area. This place even has a nickname—the Spacecraft Cemetery! It’s in the Pacific Ocean and is pretty much the farthest place from any human civilisation you can find.

Technology is always changing and evolving, and NZ aerospace company RocketLab is developing reusable rockets that can be retrieved and used again. It’s still a work in progress, but hopefully soon this will become the norm!

Super Blood Moon

The larger looking, red coloured moon that occurred on 26 May 2021 was caused by the rare combination of a lunar eclipse and the moon being at its closest point to earth in its orbit. The last time a Super Blood Moon occurred in Aotearoa was in 1982.

Annular Solar Eclipse

Perfect Ring of Fire - Annular Solar Eclipse | Mid-eclipse, … | FlickrA solar eclipse happens when a planet or a moon gets in the way of the Sun’s light. An annular solar eclipse happens when the Moon covers the Sun’s centre, leaving the Sun’s visible outer edges to form a “ring of fire” or annulus around the Moon. The annular solar eclipse that occurred on 10 June was best seen in the Northern Hemisphere (Aotearoa is in the Southern Hemisphere).

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How DO Things Work?

Kath Read

Kia ora!  Have you ever looked at a machine and wondered how it works?  Or wondered how things in space work?  What about inside your body?  There are so many questions about the world!

Well, the good news is we have lots of kids books that explain and describe the inner workings of all sorts of interesting topics.  You name it, we’ve got a book to tell you how it works.  To get you started, we’ve selected a few interesting books for you to choose from.  But there are plenty more available to satisfy your curiosity.

Motorbikes / Oxlade, Chris

Find out all of the workings of some of the most amazing motorcycles.  This easy to read book breaks down many of the parts and what they do, with bright, clear illustrations.

What’s inside a black hole? : deep space objects and mysteries / Solway, Andrew

“This astronomy series looks at different aspects of the universe we live in.” (Catalogue)

Inside the bees’ hive / Ang, Karen

“Hundreds of buzzing worker honeybees build a yellow structure called a comb inside a tree trunk. The comb is made up of many small, six-sided rooms that the bees make out of wax. These rooms, called cells, will be used to hold baby bees and sweet, gooey honey. Welcome to the bees’ hive! ” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Spacecraft / West, David

“Learn all about spacecraft, from the first space capsules to space planes and space shuttles.  Find out something amazing about each vehicle and then turn the page to see it sliced in two where its innermost secrets will be revealed.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

What’s eating you? : parasites – the inside story / Davies, Nicola

“There is one group of creatures who live on or in the bodies of other animals – in skin, hair, fur, feathers, blood, guts, livers, hearts and lungs. They are parasites. Uncover the secrets of their amazing life-cycles and dare yourself not to scratch or groan as you read.” (Catalogue)

Aircraft / Graham, Ian

Find out how all kinds of aircraft work and how they are laid out inside.  Lots of clear illustrations and information on different types of aircraft.

See inside weather and climate / Daynes, Katie

Filled with facts from how hurricanes and floods happen to how global warming is affecting the Earth’s climates. This is a lift-the-flap book that introduces readers to the science of weather. The work is filled with facts from how hurricanes and floods happen to how global warming is affecting the Earth’s climates.” (Catalogue)

How cities work : explore the city inside, outside and underground / Hancock, James Gulliver

“From the sewers to the skyscrapers, this book takes young readers to the heart of the city.  Get ready to explore the city in a whole new way. This innovative book for younger readers is packed with city facts, loads of flaps to lift, and unfolding pages to see inside buildings and under the streets.  Discover where people live and peek behind closed doors to see what’s going on in houses and apartments, or why not find out about what goes on underneath the streets you walk on every day? (Adapted from Catalogue)

Running the country : a look inside New Zealand’s government / Gill, Maria

“What does the government do to keep New Zealand running smoothly? How does parliament work and what is the job of the MPs? From the Bill of Rights to the way we vote, from parliamentary headquarters to the local council — and everything in between — Maria Gill explains our system of government. You will discover facts about laws, our currency, voting at the elections and the role of the media. There are fascinating profiles of New Zealand leaders, illustrated by cartoonist Malcolm Evans, along with photographs, amazing statistics and useful ‘google this’ Internet links to find out more.” (Catalogue)

The fantastic body : what makes you tick & how you get sick / Bennett, Howard J

“Jam-packed with fun facts, cool diagrams, and gross stories, and written by a successful, practicing pediatrician, this fun and comprehensive reference book with DIY projects is ideal for kids who want to know more about the mysterious stuff going on inside their bodies.” (Catalogue)

How computers work / Hubbard, Ben

“Ever wonder what goes on inside your computer? Take a look into how processors, networks and more are all connected.” (Catalogue)

Inside of a dog : what dogs see, smell, and know / Horowitz, Alexandra

“From an animal behaviorist and dog enthusiast comes an adorable guide to understanding how our canine friends see the world. Want to know what dogs are thinking? What they feel, and what they can spell with that great big nose of theirs? Here’s your chance to experience the world nose first, from two feet off the ground. What do dogs know, and how do they think? The answers will surprise and delight you as dog owner and scientist Alexandra Horowitz explains how our four-legged friends perceive their daily worlds, each other, and us. This book is as close as you can get to knowing about dogs without being a dog yourself.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

8 New Non Fiction to get your paws on.

Katie

Hi Kids!  Get your paws on the latest new junior non fiction at Wellington City Libraries! Read all about the stories and secrets of some of history’s most heroic hounds! Enhance your LEGO skills! Also, find out how to travel the world in 50 ways!

Enjoy!

image courtesy of syndeticsRebel Dogs! Heroic Tales of Trusty Hounds.

Get your paws on the stories and secrets of some of history’s most heroic hounds! An engaging collection packed with over 30 real-life dogs, including film stars with fur, hounds that love to help, superstars of science and war heroes – these rebel dogs are the stars of their own stories. With incredible fur-raising facts on record-making dogs, marvellous mutts in literature, internet-sensation pups and much, much more – this beautiful book is perfect for pup fans of any age. Rebel Dogs is the perfect gift for any pup lover, all year round!

 


The Know-Nonsense Guide to Measurement.

Provides an introduction to the basic concepts of measurement, including common units of measurement, how to convert from one unit to another, and the difference between measures used in the United States and the metric system.

 


Record- Breaking Brick Vehicles.

There’s no stopping him: Joachim Klang, bestselling author of more than eleven titles on building with LEGO? bricks, is as enthusiastic and inventive as ever! He has thought up lots of stunning and exciting new projects over the years, which can be built with bricks from your own home collection. This new volume features the most fascinating and extraordinary record-breaking vehicles ever created – not just cars, but also ships and airplanes from well-known TV shows and movies. Each model comes with the usual easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions.


Around the world in 50 ways.

“Set off from London and travel across the globe. Then try to make it back! In Lonely Planet Kids’ Around the World in 50 Ways, kids choose their favourite routes and transportation, from tuk-tuks and sleds, to steamboats and hot-air balloons. They’ll visit famous cities and exotic, far-flung places – and learn amazing facts about each destination along the way. But they’ll need to be careful: not every path will take them where they want to go!”–Publisher’s website.

 


Smart Charts series.

Go with the flow and take a piece of the pie in this exciting real-life series. Explore topics such as the weather, animals, space, and plants and use our Smart Charts to see the world by numbers. How much rain falls in the UK every year? Which animals eat the most–and sleep the least? How many people ride the New York Subway every day? Get data-driven answers to all this and more in this colorful and engaging series.

 

 

 

 

 

10 New Junior Comics and Graphic Novels.

Katie

Hey Kids!

Wellington City Libraries has some new comics and graphic novels in the children’s collection. Why not spring on down to your local library, during the last couple of weeks of August, and borrow them before they’re all gone!

Enjoy!

image courtesy of syndeticsMs. Marvel : metamorphosis.

“Love is in the air in Jersey City as Valentine’s Day arrives! Kamala may not be allowed to go to the school dance — but Ms. Marvel is! Which is bad news for… Loki? Then, when a mysterious stranger arrives in Jersey City, Ms. Marvel must deal with — a crush! Prepare for drama! Intrigue! Romance! Suspense! Punching things! Plus: see what happens when S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Jemma Simmons goes undercover at Kamala’s school! And Ms. Marvel shares her first amazing, spectacular team-up with Spider-Man! But when the Marvel Universe enters its last days, can Kamala summon the will to keep on fighting the good fight? Maybe with a pep talk from her idol, Captain Marvel!” — Back cover.


image courtesy of syndeticsI am Neil Armstrong.

“A biography of Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon.”– Provided by publisher.

image courtesy of syndeticsTeen Titans Go! Falling Stars.

The latest adventures of the Teen Titans include Robin hoping that his dental routine saves him from making a dreaded trip to the dentist and Raven and Cyborg creating a pair of spooky-looking leggings from a pattern in one of Raven’s arcane books.

image courtesy of syndeticsSnoopy Party Animal.

A collection of Peanuts comic strips featuring Snoopy and the rest of the Peanuts gang.

image courtesy of syndeticsNathan Hale’s hazardous tales [2] : big bad ironclad! : a Civil War steamship showdown.

“Big Bad Ironclad! covers the history of the amazing ironclad steam warships used in the Civil War. From the ship’s inventor, who had a history of blowing things up and only 100 days to complete his project, to the mischievous William Cushing, who pranked his way through the whole war, this book is filled with surprisingly true facts and funny, brave characters that modern readers will easily relate to”–Publisher’s web site.

image courtesy of syndeticsBe Prepared.

A misfit girl and her brother attend summer camp, where they struggle with primitive plumbing, snobby tentmates, and boys-versus-girls competitions.

image courtesy of syndeticsThe Smurfs 3 in 1: The Purple Smurfs, The Smurfs and the Magic Flute and the Smurf King.

Collects the first three Smurf graphic novels in one volume.

image courtesy of syndeticsThe Smurfs 3 in 1: The Smurfette, The Smurfs and the Egg and the Smurfs and the Howlibird.

The beautiful and enigmatic (not to mention blue) Smurfette makes her debut in this collection of the original Smurfs comics by Peyo. Known in America primarily for the hit 80s animated TV series and the hit movies, many Smurfs fans don’t realize that the Smurfs originally appeared in comics. Now the Smurfs are back in SMURF-TASTIC comic adventures. Featuring the classic stories “The Smurfette”, “The Smurfs and the Egg”, and “The Smurfs and the Howlibird” and many more!

image courtesy of syndeticsBig Nate A Good Old Fashioned Wedgie.

Nate endures a series of middle school hijinks and adventures while dealing with his crush on his baseball team’s new pitcher.


image courtesy of syndeticsMagic Jack and the Goblin King.

“Like a bolt from the blue, Jack’s little sister Maddy is gone – carried into another realm by an ogre. When Jack and Lilly follow Maddy’s captor through the portal, they are ready for anything… except what they find waiting for them in the floating crossroads between worlds. Even the power of their magic plants may not be enough to get them back to earth alive. Alone and injured, Jack and Lilly must each face their own monsters – as well as giants who grind the bones of human children to feed their “beast” and a fearsome goblin king in the sewers down below. But when Jack finds himself in a tough spot, help comes from the most unlikely person: the goblin king!” –page [4] of cover.

 

 

8 New Non Fiction to read in Term 3.

Katie

Hey Kids!

Experiencing the back to school blues? Check out the latest new non fiction at your local library to read during Term 3 where you can learn, be entertained and have fun all at once! Check out books on ancient worlds, official guides to the latest movie releases, science, innovation, creativity and much, much more!

Enjoy!

image courtesy of syndeticsAncient Greece.

Read all about Ancient Greece in this engaging nonfiction book, complete with black and white interior illustrations, will make readers feel like they’ve traveled back in time. Covers information such as what ancient Greeks did for fun to the gods and goddesses they worshipped, and more.

 

 

 

image courtesy of syndeticsJurassic World: From DNA to Indominus Rex!: An Augmented Reality Book.

 

This new title features a brilliant overview of the Jurassic Park trilogy and Jurassic World, and includes genetically engineered, terror-inspiring dinosaurs from the whole series, including new profiles for Tyrannosaurus rex, Indominus rex, Velociraptor, and much more!

 

 

image courtesy of syndeticsThe Space Race.

“When people think about the space race, things like astronauts and the Soviet Union may come to mind. But why was there a race, and who won anyway? Prepare to blast back and find out! Discover everything from what happened during the Cold War to the moon landing and more. And find out interesting, little-known facts such as how even animals have traveled to space and how not all space explorers are called ‘astronauts.'”– Book jacket.

 

 


image courtesy of syndetics

Brain lab for kids : 52 mind-blowing experiments, models, and activities to explore neuroscience.

“Brain Lab for Kids is an interactive and hands-on book that takes readers on an exciting journey into the functions of the brain through enlightening experiments and creative activities.”– Provided by publisher.

 

 

image courtesy of syndeticsThe Lego Neighbourhood book.

Provides complete step-by-step instructions for multistory buildings, recliners, and traffic lights constructed with LEGO pieces. A must have book for lego fans.

 

 

 

 

image courtesy of syendticsMangoes & Bananas.

An Indonesian folktale about Kanchil the mouse deer and Monyet the monkey accompanied by art in the traditional Kalamkari style of Indian textile painting.

 

 

 

IMAGE COURTESY OF SYNDETICSAll about China : stories, songs, crafts and games for kids.

Travel from the stone age through the dynasties to the present day with songs and crafts for kids that will educate them about Chinese language and the Chinese way of life.

 

 

 

image courtesy of sydneticsSolo, a Star Wars story : the official guide.

A visual guide to the movie offers a behind-the-scenes look into the lives of Han Solo, his allies and enemies, along with information on the planets, vehicles, and aliens he encounters.

Check out the Solo, a Star Wards story movie trailer down below:

 

 

 

International Asteroid Day

debbie

Did you know that there is an International Asteroid Day?

Asteroid Day aims to raise awareness about asteroids and what can be done to protect the Earth, its families, communities and future generations from a catastrophic event.

It was co-founded in 2014  by Dr. Brian May an astrophysicist and rock legend, Danica Remy  president of B612 Foundation, Rusty Schweickart an astronaut and Grig Richters a German filmmaker.

Following on from this the United Nations General Assembly officially declared June 30th each year as the International Asteroid Day.

June 30 was chosen because it marks Earth’s largest asteroid impact in recorded history, the Siberia Tunguska event, which occurred on the 30 June 1908 and devastated over 2,000 km2 of forest, an area the size of any major city today.

A declaration was created called the 100X Declaration where scientist and technologist who support the idea of saving the earth from asteroids were asked to sign. But the really cool thing is that everyone has the opportunity to sign. To date the 100X Declaration has been signed by more that 22,000 private citizens.

There is heaps of information, resources, movies, videos, fun stuff plus the countdown until June 30 on the official International Asteroid Day website so check it out. And don’t forget we also have lots of information and books in the library.

 

 

 

 

Space and Science Festival – see you there!

admin

Celebrate New Zealand TechWeek 19 – 27th May!

Wellington City Libraries will be at the Space and Science Festival at Onslow College on 19th May. We will have all our robots and programmable toys there for you to have a go with, and lots of Lego! There will be mBots, Spheros, Dash, Ozobot and more. You can even say hello to one of our Nao Robots (and they will say hello back)!

There will be heaps of cool companies, scientists, and tech experts at the Space and Science festival, including a scientist and astronaut from NASA. Take a look at the full list and programme to find out more.

See you there!

 

Star Wars Day at the Library… and May the forth be with you.

Katie

Attention all Jedis, Bounty Hunters and Rebels! Star Wars Day is happening again on May the Forth which is observed and celebrated by fans of the Star Wars franchise. While you’re at it, why not relive and check out the latest non fiction, (as well as Fiction, Audio CDs and movies,) all related to anything and everything from the Star Wars universe!

Enjoy!… and may the forth be with you!

image courtesy of syndeticsThe last Jedi : the visual dictionary.

This book presents a guide to the characters, droids, aliens, and creatures of “Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” with details on costumes, weapons, and accessories.

 

 

 

Image courtesy of syndeticsStar Wars: Chronicles of the force.

This up-to-date companion to LEGO “Star Wars,” contains detailed information about the latest sets and minifigures and is illustrated with extensive photography. Ideal for Star Wars and Lego fans!

 

 

image courtesy of syndeticsStar Wars: Graphics.

Unravel the secrets of the Star Wars universe with this illustrated infographic book. Explore the final battles and explore the new planets. Read about the characters’ journeys and learn the hierarchy of the First Order.

 

 

image courtesy of syndeticsStar Wars, the last Jedi : incredible cross-sections.

Illustrations peel back high-tech layers to reveal the cockpits, engines, hyperdrives, and construction secrets of twelve vehicles from the Star Wars feature film, “Star Wars, Episode VIII, The Last Jedi.”

 

 

image courtesy of syndeticsStar Wars: Character Encyclopedia.

Go on a journey through the Star Wars galaxy, and learn all about its brave heroes and deadly villains. Meet a host of loathsome creatures, weird aliens, and loyal droids from the Star Wars saga.

 

 

 

image courtesy of syndeticsStar Wars: the 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.

 

 

 

image courtesy of syndeticsStar Wars: Complete Vehicles.

For any fan who wants to explore the inner workings of the spaceships and vehicles of all six Star Wars movies, comes this fascinating expanded edition of a fan favourite, now with new cross-section artworks and a wealth of new photos.

 

 

5 New Non Fiction for your reading pleasure!

Katie

Hey Kids! More new non fiction in the Wellington City Libraries collection for your reading pleasure! Featured in this post are books about lego (and space!), awesome science projects good for your brain, where the world of mathematics and computers collides and much, much more!

Enjoy!

image courtesy of syndeticsBrick by Brick: Space.

What’s better than space or building with LEGO bricks? Building amazing space projects out of your LEGO bricks, of course! Brick by Brick Space provides more than twenty-five amazing projects to build with your LEGO bricks. Follow the easy step-by-step instructions to create space stations, satellites, planets, rocket ships, and more.

Also check out Brick by brick dinosaurs.

 

image courtesy of syndeticsCan I touch your hair? : poems of race, mistakes, and friendship?

Irene Latham, who is white, and Charles Waters, who is black, present paired poems about topics including family dinners, sports, recess, and much more. This relatable collection explores different experiences of race in America. Great for ages 8 and up. Just in time for Race Relations Day.

 

 

image courtesy of syndeticsAttack on Circuit City.

Hot from the Maths Quest series, check out Attack on Circuit City, where you must thwart the attacks using your statistical knowledge. Finding the answers enables readers to advance through the story, learning more about maths – focusing on statistics – with every step they take. Clues are dotted along the way, and wrong turns will direct readers towards the right answer! Action, adventure and mathematics all rolled into one amazing book!

 

image courtesy of syndeticsBrain Lab for kids.

“Brain Lab for Kids is an interactive and hands-on book that takes readers on an exciting journey into the functions of the brain through enlightening experiments and creative activities.”– Provided by publisher.

 

 

 

image courtesy of syndeticsMy first ballet class : a book with foldout pages!

A cute little interactive book for young children that features foldout pages and use photographic images to detail the basic dance instructions involved in ballet.