Top 10 Children’s non-fiction January 2016

 

Minecraft is still a heavy hitter in the new year library factual favourites! There are new releases of old titles with updates and few new tricks and a few newer titles. Take a look at the Hour of code tutorials – there’s one for minecraft!  Star Wars isn’t placing as highly as I would of thought with the new movie release, but you guys have been on holiday so I guess some delayed reaction is understandable.

The movie industry influence is extending with the Marvel character guide. Looking for backstory information? Looking for stats and powers of your Marvel superheroes and super villains? Then this book will give you the answers!

1.   Minecraft, by Stephanie Milton, Paul Soares, Jordan Maron and Joe Bolder

2.   Star Wars, by Dvaid West Reynolds

3.   Minecraft hacks master builder, by Megan Miller

4.   Minecraft : Redstone handbook, by Nick Farwell

5.   Minecraft. Construction handbook, by Matthew Needler and Phil Southam

6.   The LEGO ideas book, by Daniel Lipkowitz

7.   Star Wars rebels, by Adam Bray

8.   Minecraft blockopedia, by Alex Wiltshire

9.   Marvel Avengers : the ultimate character guide, by Alan Cowsill

10. Guinness world records 2016, by Craig Glenday

Top 10 Childrens comics for January 2016

Summer holiday reading has introduced a lot of children to the popular characters of the comic universe.  Classics and new comers have been celebrated in the first top 10 for 2016. The characters from Peanuts, Asterix and Batman have inspired movie makers.  Take a look in the children’s dvd collection for the latest Asterix adventure, The Mansion of the Gods in French and English, and head to the movies for Peanuts.

1. The complete Peanuts, by Charles M. Schulz

2. Big Nate, by Lincoln Peirce

3. Pokemon, by Hidenori Kusaka and illustrated by Satoshi Yamamoto

4. Garfield, by Mark Evanier and Jim Davis

5. Adventure time, by Ryan North

6. Amulet, by Kazu Kibuishi

7. Asterix omnibus by Goscinny and Udzero

8. Chi’s sweet home, by Kanata Konami

9. The Batman adventures, by Kelley Puckett

10. Warriors, by Dan Jolley

 

Top 10 Children’s non-fiction titles in July 2015

The creative types are storming their way through the LEGO and Minecraft books in the children’s collection. Those curious about the animal kingdom and the Marvel Avengers universe have also racked up some heavy borrowing from the non-fiction areas.  The Marvel Avengers has a great character list, 207 heroes and villains listed in alphabetical order for any queries you have from the comics or movies.  If these popular titles are out in your library you can request a copy or maybe we can lend you an eBook copy.

1. Minecraft hacks master builder, Megan Miller

2. The LEGO ideas book, by Daniel Lipkowitz

3. Star Wars, by David West Reynolds

4. Minecraft, by Nick Farwell

5. Star Wars character encyclopedia, by Simon Beecroft

6. Lego Star Wars by Simon Beecroft

7. Minecraft, by Matthew Needler

8. First big book of animals, Catherine D. Hughes

9. Marvel Avengers, by Alan Cowsill

10. Minecraft, by Stephanie Milton

Top 10 children’s non-fiction for May

There’s a varied set of popular facts whisking out the library door for autumn time reading. World War One fascination has continued from the ANZAC centenary with some great books.  Philippa Werry, a NZ Post book awards Children’s finalist has created a great store of facts and stories surrounding ANZAC day in her book and her blog.  Star wars and minecraft still have a special place in the Top 10 – of course they do

1.  Minecraft, by Stephanie Milton

2.  Star Wars, by David West Reynolds

3.  Minecraft hacks master builder, by Megan Miller

4.  The LEGO ideas book, by Daniel Lipkowitz

5.   Star Wars character encyclopedia, by Simon Beecroft

6.  Minecraft,  by Nick Farwell

7.  Anzac Day, by Philippa Werry

8.  World War I, by Simon Adams

9.  Marvel super hero character encyclopedia, by Scott Peterson

10. See inside the First World War, by Rob Lloyd Jones

New Non Fiction: Made up of heroes, phonies, mammals and the dead.

image courtesy of syndetics

Marvel super hero character encyclopedia.

This is a book for all your Marvel fans. Check out this amazing A to Z guide to the Super Heroes of the Marvel Universe – from Ant-Man to Wolverine, and everyone in between! The guide gives detailed descriptions of everyone’s favourite characters including their origins, powers and secret identities. Full of trivia and fun facts on more than 100 heroes, this exciting book is sure to delight Marvel fans, young and old!

 

image courtesy of syndetics

Born in the Wild: Baby Mammals and their parents.

Brace yourself for cuteness! This book is filled with information about every baby mammal, from a tiny harvest mouse ‘pinky’ to a fierce lion cub, needs food, shelter, love, and a family. Also filled with illustrations of some of the most adorable babies in the kingdom and goes into full detail of the traits that all baby mammals share and proves that, even though they’re born in the wild, they’re not so very different from us, after all” Overall a very enjoyable read.

 

image courtesy of syndetics

Famous phonies : legends, fakes, and frauds who changed history.

“Famous Phonies: Legends, Fakes, and Frauds Who Changed History is the first in a new nonfiction middle grade series that will explore the underbelly of history, making you question everything you thought you knew about history’s finest. It’s perfect for the history buff, the reluctant reader, or that kid who loves the strange and unusual.”

I never thought I would see this day where they finally publish a book on all the famous legends, fakes and frauds who changed history. If you are in the mood for a little controversy, then check out this amazing book which allows you to see a different side of the famous historical figures you know and admire and all the gory details of their dirty secrets and scandals that shape their phoniness.

A must read book!

 

The day of the dead = El dia de los muertos.image courtesy of syndetics

This book tells the story of two children as they celebrate their ancestors on the vibrant holiday: The day of the dead. With sugar skulls, sweet-smelling marigold petals and joyful songs, Hispanic families welcome back ancestors on this holiday. Complete with lush college and lyrical text in both English and Spanish, this wonderful picture book creates the perfect introduction to this festival (and perhaps also to the Spanish language)

Another must read book!

 

image courtesy of syndeticsThe beach they called Gallipoli.

Many books have been written about the battles of Gallipoli; the men who went to war and what they faced, the letters, and the tears of those left behind. But this is a book about Gallipoli, the place, and what happened on Gallipoli Beach from April – December 1915. Created by the award winning duo, Australian Children’s Laureate, Jackie French, and renowned artist and illustrator, Bruce Whatley, this powerful and moving book highlights an almost forgotten aspect of Gallipoli: the land itself. This is more than a book about ANZACS; this is a book about and for all of the nationalities who fought at that cove, not matter what side they were on. This is one book to get your hands on and read just in time for ANZAC day.

 

 

 

Top 10: DVDs for November

Looking for something to watch? Try one of these, the top 10 most popular DVDs for November. (Actually, just for fun, this month we’ll post the top 24 DVDs – lots to chose from!)

1. Strawberry Shortcake series

2. Dino Dan series

3. Ninjago, masters of Spinjitzu series

4. The cat in the hat knows a lot about that! series

5. My little pony, friendship is magic series

6. Dinosaur train series

7. Thomas & friends series

8. The Garfield show series

9. Babar and the adventures of Badou series

10. Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated series

11. Hotel Transylvania

12. Wreck-It Ralph 

13. Escape from planet Earth

14. The little mermaid 

15. Rise of the guardians 

16. Brave

17. Ice age

18. Madagascar

19. Shaun the sheep series

20. Oz the great and powerful

21. The Avengers, Earth’s mightiest heroes! series

22. Arthur Christmas

23. Horrid Henry

24. Room on the broom

 

 

Top 10 DVDs for October

I know the weather’s getting nicer, but it’s still fun to curl up inside with a good DVD every so often. Chose one of these – they’re the most popular for October:

1. Dino Dan

2. Strawberry Shortcake

3. Ninjago, masters of Spinjitzu

4. The cat in the hat knows a lot about that!

5. Dinosaur train

6. Thomas & friends

7. The Garfield show

8. My little pony, friendship is magic

9. Babar and the adventures of Badou

10. The Avengers, Earth’s mightiest heroes

 

Top 10 DVDs for August

Here are the most popular DVDs for August. Something to watch in the upcoming school holidays, maybe…?

1. Dino Dan series

2. Strawberry Shortcake series

3. The cat in the hat knows a lot about that! series

4. Ninjago, masters of Spinjitzu series

5. Dinosaur train series

6. Thomas & friends series

7. The Garfield show series

8. My little pony, friendship is magic series

9. Babar and the adventures of Badou series

10. The Avengers, Earth’s mightiest heroes

 

New Non Fiction for the school holidays: Absolute Gems, animal adventures, eating like a dinosaur and learning how to be a superhero.

Well another term has ended and the school holidays are here.  Luckily for you, Wellington City Libraries has stocked up on precious gems also known as new non fiction books to keep the boredom busters at bay, especially with all the cold and miserable weather we have had lately.

This month’s blog post introduces you to instruction manuals on how to be a superhero (or an evil genius) and how to eat like a dinosaur, books that features some of the cutest animals on the planet, fairy tales around the world and traveling back in time to visit ancient historical lands, monuments and important figures that changed the world forever.

101 Things to do to become a Superhero… or evil genius.

Well kids, there has finally been a book released that many evil geniuses would attempt to destroy. 101 Things to do to become a Superhero… or evil genius. that not only tells you  all about the 101 things to do to become a Superhero… or evil genius, but probably what  Superman, Batman, Spiderman and every superhero you know and heard of had to go through while they were superheroes in training. And excellent timing with the school holidays coming up and the release of the movie, Man of Steel. 101 Things to Do to become a Superhero has been praised on Amazon as “an absolute gem.” The book includes information on what you need to transform yourself from mere mortal into exciting, dynamic total superhero material. So what you are you waiting for, don’t waste time as a mere mortal, begin your transformation today.

 

 

An Illustrated Treasury of Scottish Folk and Fairy Tales.

Ready for another “absolute gem?” If you are bored with Fairy tales, Greek mythology and enjoyed Spellbound: Tales of Enchantment from Ancient Ireland, a collection of Irish Folk Tales a reviewed in a previous post? How about a dose of Scottish Folk Tales? Check out this  wonderful treasure filled with stunning illustrations that holds a collection of eleven stories that brings Scottish folk tales and tradition to life. Fantastic themes of magic and enchantment that are that will make you EVEN more spellbound! Great for kids aged 6 to 9 years, who love adventure, romance and talking animals.

Also check out Nessie the Loch Ness Monster.

 

 

A little book of sloth.

Brace yourself for cuteness! If you have a weakness for cute, baby animals (like myself), then cozy up with adorable baby sloths in this irresistible photographic picture book during the school holidays! British filmmaker and sloth expert Lucy Cooke has produced this book that takes you behind the scenes of what goes on at Avarios Sloth Sanctuary in Costa Rica, the world’s largest sloth orphanage. Complete with with  hilarious, heart-melting photographs of sloths (Babies and Adults – A couple of charming photos of sloths dressed in oneises!), you will get to know the delightful residents of the at Avarios Sloth Sanctuary and become more knowledgable of the laziest and one of the cutest animals on the planet. A delightful addition to our libraries and a treat for adults and children during the school holidays.

WARNING: Baby sloths can be highly addictive. Prepare yourself for cute overload.

 

 

 The secrets of stonehenge.

In the mood for some time travel? Travel back in time 5,000 years and more to relive the mysteries and secrets of one of the greatest ancient monuments in the world! You will discover the very first henge, dug out with antler-horn picks and find out about the Amesbury Archer, buried with his archer’s wrist-guard and flint arrowheads. This is a great resource that can help you with your homework and answer every question you ever wanted to know about Stonehenge, for example why was this amazing monument erected? How did our Stone-Age ancestors bring such massive stones to the site from so far away? How did they raise the enormous stones to their upright positions? What was Stonehenge used for, and who lived around the site?

 

 

Eat like a Dinosaur: Recipe and guidebook for gluten-free kids.

This is a book that parents should have if they have children that suffer from gluten intolerance and food allergies. In Eat Like a Dinosaur, you will find over a 100 kid-approved recipes and projects that are free of grains, dairy, soy and refined sugar that will steer your child toward meats, vegetables, fruits, nuts and healthy fats. For those with food allergies, the top 8 allergens have been visually marked on each recipe for children to self-identify recipes that may contain eggs, nuts, fish, or shellfish.

 

 

The Romans: Gods, Emperors and Dormice.

This book is great resource that gives children a basic introduction to the history of the rise and fall of the Roman empire. Blended with illustration and text in the form of a graphic novel, you will read and find out who Romulus and Remus were, discover what happened to Julius Caesar and experience life what happened during the times of Ancient Rome.

 

 

 

 

Funny Bums.

Ever wanted to find out why some animals have funny bums? This is a fantastic picture book  for younger children answer this question and gives insight to the rear ends of animals that comes in many shapes and sizes. None of them are boring and maybe some that funny. Great book to use as a learning tool and for a laugh. Great for primary school age.