Te Reo & Maori Culture

Matariki books

admin

This week is Matariki -also known as Maori New Year. Want to find out more? Check out these marvelous Matariki books:

Daniel’s Matariki feast by Rebecca Beyer and Linley Wellington.

Daniel is a new boy at a school. His teacher Stacey introduces him to the other boys and they go and pick pumpkins from the school garden. Back inside the Teacher talks to the class about Matariki and the feast they are going to have if the pumpkins are ready.

The class talk to Daniel about Matariki and he goes home and talks about it with his family. His mother knew about Matariki as her Granny used to watch the sky for it. What happens next is really lovely.

 

 

Child of Aotearoa by Melanie Drewery, illustrated by Bruce Potter.

This is a very lovely story about the different Peoples coming to Aotearoa. It starts with the first Maori arriving and then goes on to other races arriving here.
People travelling through and settling here in Aotearoa. The sons and daughters of this land grow up and have children of their own and they grow up all Children of Aorearoa.

“The children grow and pass the line down to you. A line woven with many threads from other lands. Passed down through me to you — child of Aotearoa.”
This book has lovely pictures.

 

Matariki by Melanie Drewery

This is a story about a family who have a surprise visit from their Grandma. There is going to be a surprise happening for them and they have to wait and see. This is really exciting event happening the next day Matariki and the whole family are getting together for it. Matariki andthe special events are explained in this story.

Beautiful pictures and the book is available in both English and Te Reo.

 

The Treasure by Melanie Drewery illustrated by Bruce Potter.

This is the story of a mother telling her child about a beautiful teasure that she has. He has to try and guess it. Can you?

Beautiful pictures and a lovely story. We have it available in both English and Te Reo as Te Taonga.

Celebrate Matariki at Kilbirnie library!

wcl staff

Come along to these upcoming events at Kilbirnie library…

This Thursday 26th June at 3.30pm, the wonderful Kilbirnie School Kapa Haka Group is coming in to perform waiata for Matariki.

On Tuesday 1st July at 10.30am, Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ngā Mokopuna will be presenting a Matariki play.

Come along and celebrate Matariki with us! And don’t forget you can listen to Te Huihui o Matariki read online (in English and Te Reo) on our Downloads page.

 

Matariki, Myths and Space Storytimes at Cummings Park Library

admin

Matariki

Whakanuia Matariki, Whakanuia te Tau Hou Māori – Celebrate Matariki – Celebrate the Māori New Year!

Matariki starts this year on 28 June, but we are kicking off early with a special preschool storytime series all about Matariki, myths and outer space.

The series will run for four weeks at Cummings Park Library, Ngaio and starts on Wednesday the 11th of June at 10.30am.

Preschoolers are encouraged to bring along something creative they’ve made to do with Matariki, myths and outer space. It could be a star, a rocket ship, a woven kete, a taniwha, a Matariki kite or anything related to Ao Māori (Māori world) made with or without the help of parents and caregivers. All children who bring along art will receive a prize!

We would love to create a starry night sky out of the preschoolers’ art in the children’s area.

Matariki Storytime at Karori Library

admin

MatarikiWhakanuia Matariki, Whakanuia te Tau Hou Māori.

Ka timata a Matariki a tēnei tau a te Rātu 28 o Pipiri, heoi ka whakatō mātou i te kakano a te 10.30 i te ata, kei te wharepukapuka o Karori.

Nau mai haere mai ki a koutou katoa. Ka pāhekohekotia mātou mō ngā pakiwaitara, mō ngā waiata, ki te whakanui tēnei wā whakahirahira.

Celebrate Matariki – Celebrate the Māori New Year

Matariki starts this year on 28 June, but we are kicking off early with a special storytime on Tuesday 10 June at 10.30 at Karori Library

Come along to share stories and songs related to Matariki, and to learn about this very special festival.

Ideal for older preschoolers, but everyone is welcome.

 

Top 10 non-fiction for February

Dusty

Favourite facts children borrowed in February:

1.  Star Wars by David West Reynolds

2.  The LEGO book by Daniel Lipkowitz

3.  Ripley’s believe it or not!by Rosie Alexander

4.  Guinness world records 2013 by Craig Glenday

5.  Ara pūretaby Frances Goulton

6.  Pokemon black version & Pokemon white version handbook by Michael G. Ryan

7.  The horrible history of the world by Terry Deary

8.  Guinness world records 2014 by Craig Glenday

9.  Wow! dinosaur by Douglas Palmer

10.  The age of the dinosaurs (12 volumes) by Steve Parker

 

Writers Week events featuring children’s books, authors and illustrators

admin

The Festival of New Zealand is here! As part of the festival there is a whole week dedicated to books, reading, writing, authors and illustrators – it’s Writers Week!

It’s not just for adults though – there’s some cool children’s books, illustrators and writers that feature in the programme for the week. You might be interested in going along yourself, or have adults, friends and family who are keen. Here are some good picks:

Live Drawing with Leo Timmers – Monday 10th March, Cost $45

Practising illustrators keen to propel their work into hyperdrive are invited to a character development workshop with Belgian illustrator Leo Timmers (Who’s Driving?, Bang), who “gives his larger-than-life characters a rotundity that has them virtually rolling off the page” (New Zealand Listener).

 

 

Kei Reira Ngā Weriweri – Sunday 9th March, Cost $18

Engage all your senses with storyteller and teacher Te Kahureremoa Taumata and learn the translation of Maurice Sendak’s classic Where the Wild Things Are – possibly by heart.

 

 

 

Collected Stories of the Odd and Marvelous – Sunday 8th March, FREE

Some of New Zealand’s best writers read a quirky mix of tales and poems from a new anthology, The Curioseum: Collected Stories of the Odd and Marvellous. Bring the family to hear Joy Cowley, Kyle Mewburn, Jo Randerson, Dave Armstrong, Antonio Te Maioha and Elizabeth Knox share their magical, funny or provocative stories from this unique new collection for children – a collaboration between Te Papa Tongarewa Museum of New Zealand and Whitireia Creative Writing.

Weta Digital Presents the Desolation of Smaug – Saturday 8th march, Cost $18

In this enlightening session, Weta Digital insiders will talk about how they created Smaug and other amazing creatures and environments in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. Discover how visual effects artists blend art and science to help translate a beloved fantasy novel into a spectacular cinematic experience, and transform the New Zealand landscape into Peter Jackson’s vision of Middle-earth.

 

 

Jack Lasenby – Saturday 8th March, Cost $18

“Responsible adults may read my books, provided they sit an exam afterwards” says Jack Lasenby, one of New Zealand’s most popular children’s book authors. His writing is characterised by its honesty, vigorous language and adventurous spirit. Lasenby will join author Kate De Goldi for an entertaining talk about his award-winning books.

 

 

The Curioseum Overnight Adventure – Friday 7th March, Cost $100

Te Papa is offering a small group of 11 to 13-year-olds the chance to spend the whole night in the museum, exploring its collections and listening to stories by writers featured in the new book The Curioseum: Collected Stories of the Odd and Marvellous. These lucky kids can also write their own fabulous stories and create a book to take home. Dinner and breakfast are included, and on Saturday they can go to any exhibition in the museum for free.

 

Ulf Stark – Sunday 9th March, Cost $18

The author of around 30 books for children and young adults, Ulf Stark credits his mother with helping him to become a writer: “That’s how I came into contact with the great adventurers. Babar tramped around our sitting-room, Biggles flew among the cut-glass chandeliers…” Stark has also written film, TV and theatre scripts and won many prizes in Sweden and internationally. He has been nominated twice for the Hans Christian Andersen Award. Enjoy this “Astrid Lindgren of our time” of our time in Swedish, together with his translator and publisher in New Zealand Julia Marshall.

 

 

Check out the family events that are happening in the festival. It’s going to be great!

 

Te Reo translations of classic books

admin

Huia Publishers have recently released more Te Reo translations of classic children’s books.

Check them out:

Kei Reira Ngā Weriweri (Where the Wild Things Are) by Maurice Sendak, translated by Te Tumatakuru O’Connell

 

 

 

 

Kei te kīhini o te pō (In the Night Kitchen) by Maurice Sendak, translated by Brian Morris

 

 

 

 

 

Te mīhini iti kōwhai (The Little Yellow Digger) by Betty Gilderdale, translated by Brian Morris

 

 

 

 

Te Tanguruhau (The Gruffalo) by Julia Donaldson, translated by Brian Morris

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Non Fiction: Inspirational Lives, Animal Babies and Sendak in Maori.

Katie

Electrical Wizard: How Nikola Tesla Lit Up The World.

Move over, Thomas Edison! Nikola Tesla takes center stage as the man responsible for lighting our lives with electricity! Here is the story of the ambitious young man who brought life-changing ideas to America, despite the obstructive efforts of his hero-turned-rival, Thomas Edison. From using alternating current to light up the Chicago World’s Fair to harnessing Niagara to electrify New York City and beyond, Nikola Tesla was a revolutionary ahead of his time. Fantastic resource to use for science homework on electricity and a project on a famous scientist.

FACT: Technology such as remote controls, fluorescent lights, X-rays, speedometers, cell phones, even the radio all resulted from Nikola Tesla’s inventions.

 

Helen Keller’s Best Friend, Belle.

Helen Keller has been a truly inspiring icon. Having lost sight and hearing ability at a very young age and with the help of a teacher named Anne Sullivan, Helen learned how to communicate and became an inspiration to the nation when she learned to read Braille, use sign language and even speak. This book tells the story of her unique and special relationship with a devoted Great Dane named Belle, who was a faithful companion to Helen throughout her younger years and got her through (literary) the darkest and loneliest time of her life. Great for ages 4 to 7.

FACT: Pets can provide excellent social support, stress relief, helps children develop and other health benefits like improving your mood, lowering blood pressure and improves immunity.

 

101 Animal Babies.

Prepare to be bombarded with cuteness. If you have a weakness for baby animals (like I do), then you are going to love this book. This book provides  information about over one hundred baby animals and their parents, including chameleons, sloths, and elephants.  Learn interesting and amazing facts such as sloth babies are born in trees, jackal pups babysit their siblings and koala joeys are cousins to kangaroos.

 


Is this Panama?

Sammy, a young Wilson’s warbler, wakes up one frosty August morning near the Arctic Circle, he instinctively knows that it’s time to make his first migratory journey south to Panama. But there’s one problem — where’s Panama? Overall I loved this book! A captivating tale of adventure and discovery as Sammy embarks on his first solo migratory journey south to Panama, while encountering other animals making a similar journey on the way. A great story to educate children on how birds and animals migrate. This is one story you have to read from start to finish if you want to find out whether Sammy makes it to Panama.

 

   

Kei Reira Nga Weriweri (Where the Wild Things Are) and Kei Te Kihini O Te Po (In The Night Kitchen).

The award-winning much-loved children’s picture books Where the Wild Things Are and In The Night Kitchen have now translated into te reo Maori!, which still retains the simplicity and imagination of Maurice Sendak’s wonderful stories. Now is your chance to relive the same lively, creative stories where we join Max on his  adventure to ‘where the wild things are’ where  ‘wild rumpuses’ take place, and the pleasure of things returning to normal and Mickey’s dream of falling into cake mix and flying in a plane of bread dough to find milk for the cake batter ‘in the night kitchen’.

 

You may also like Te Tanguruhau, (The Gruffalo), The Māori language version of the children’s picture book, The Gruffalo about a clever mouse who uses the threat of a terrifying creature to keep from being eaten by a fox, an owl, and a snake, only to have to outwit that creature as well.

Just in time for Race Relations Day that takes place each year on the 21st March.

 

What’s on today – Monday 7th October

admin

Welcome to the October school holidays! Can you believe there’s only one more school term left this year?!

Week Two!

Here’s whats happening today:

 

Kohunga Korero – Storytime in te reo Maori:

Newtown Library at 10.30am

 

Storytimes:

Tawa Library at 10.30am

Ruth Gotlieb (Kilbirnie) Library at 10.30am

Karori Library at 10.30am

Older siblings are welcome during the school holidays.

 

Check out our Kids Events page for more information about what’s happening for children in your library.

Matariki at Tawa Library

debbie

Tawa Library had fun with pois, porotiti (Maori musical instrument) and stick games at our July holiday programme.

First up librarian Brigid read us The fish of Maui along with some other great Maori legends. Then we all had a go at fishing up some Maori place names which we had to place on a map of New Zealand. It was fun trying to work out where they all went.

We then had heaps of fun learning how to play the stick game. We learnt lots of different moves and we had sticks flying everywhere.  Even the parents joined in for that.

Check out our pictures.