the hobbit

Top 10 Children’s eBooks November 2016

Dusty

Overdrive has had a revamp! Are you liking the new layout?

Finding great titles that you can down-load and read remotely is a great way to carry your own personal library around with you.  And it’s not going to squash your sandwiches like a dozen or so books would!  So who did library children love in November? Authors whose first names begin with J.  So if you’re a budding author, tried writing fan fiction maybe? And your name begins with J you could be in the Top 10 before you know it!  If your name doesn’t begin with a J don’t despair – some very good authors who nearly made it into the Top 10, Neil Gaiman  with Coraline and Francis Hodgson Burnett with The Secret Garden wrote popular books with really cool characters without a J anywhere in their names!

Our classic favourites have a new addition with Jaqueline Harvey’s Clemantine Rose, a girl who has a teacup pig! Unusual pets and great characters make this fun series to read through in the holidays.  Have a look at Jaqueline Harvey’s blog for a choclatey recipe to try at home

 

1.  Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, by J. K. Rowling, John Tiffany and Jack Thorne

2.  Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, by J. K. Rowling

3.  Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince ,by J. K. Rowling

4.  Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J. K. Rowling

5.  Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, by J. K. Rowling

6.  Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, by J. K. Rowling

7.  Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, by J. K. Rowling

8.  Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, by J. K. Rowling

9.  Clementine Rose and the Special Promise, by Jaqueline Harvey

10.The Hobbit, by J. R. R. Tolkien

Top 10 Children’s eBooks October 2016

Dusty

So what were the most popular eBooks for October online readers?  Classics, modern and old feature in the Top 10,  British authors, J. K. Rowling, Tolkien and Kenneth Grahame are leading with their adventures taking their characters through dangerous encounters. Valuable friendships are the magic ingredient to these tales.  So keep your friends close people, who knows when adventure will knock on your door!

 

1. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by Jack Thorne, John Tiffany and J. K. Rowling

2. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, by J. K. Rowling

3. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, by J. K. Rowling

4. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, by J. K. Rowling

5. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, by J. K. Rowling

6. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, by J. K. Rowling

7. The Bungalow Mystery : Nancy Drew Mystery series, by Carolyn Keene

8. The Hobbit, by J. R. R. Tolkien

9. The Wind in the Willows, by Kenneth Grahame

10. Rodrick Rules : Diary of a Wimpy Kid, by Jeff Kinney

 

Top 10 Children’s eBooks for August 2016

Dusty

Harry Potter has taken over the eBook world! The new Harry Potter story has people fascinated with the way it’s been written – just like the play! It makes the book a surprisingly quick read.  Which means we’re racing through the reserve list here in the library. Good news for all the fans out there.

There are some great plays here in the library if you like the script form that Harry Potter and the Cursed Child was written in.  Have you been inspired to put on a play of any of your favourite stories? How did it go? Let us know in the comments.

 

1. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, by J.K.Rowling

2. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, by J.K. Rowling

3. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, by J.K. Rowling

4. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, by J.K. Rowling

5. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, by Jack Thorn, John Tiffany and J.K. Rowling

6. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, by J.K. Rowling

7. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, by J.K. Rowling

8. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, by J.K. Rowling

9. The Hobbit, by J. R. R.Tolkien

10. The Jungle Book, by Rudyard Kiplong

Top 10 Children’s eBooks July 2016

Dusty

Travelling? Your library has your back! eBooks are available if you’re moving around the city, the country or around the world!

At the top of this month’s list are the tales of the well known wizarding school Hogwarts.  Four years ago a very dedicated lady built this incredible model out of Lego!  Check out the photos for the details inside and out.  But if you’re travelling and want to explore Hogwarts you could look through a virtual model.

 

Here’s your Top 10 list for July 2016

1. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, by J. K. Rowling

2. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, by J. K. Rowling

3. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, by J. K. Rowling

4. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, by J. K. Rowling

5. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, by J. K. Rowling

6. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, by J. K. Rowling

7. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, by J. K. Rowling

8. The Hobbit, by J. R. R. Tolkein

9. Old School: Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series, by Jeff Kinney

10. The Jungle Book, by Rudyard Kipling

Top 10 Children’s eBooks for June 2016

Dusty

The Jungle book has reached the Top 10 for eBooks! Looks like heaps of people might have watched the movie and wanted to find out about the book.

The characters in the Jungle Book have great names from the Hindi language.  The name of Mowgli’s wolf mother Raksha means protection and Shere Khan means Tiger leader.

Can you find out what some of the other names mean? Let us know in the comments.

 

1. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, by J. K. Rowling

2. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, by J. K. Rowling

3. The Hobbit, by J. R. R. Tolkein

4. The Jungle Book, by Rudyard Kipling

5. The Lost Hero: The Heroes of Olympus Series, Book 1, by Rick Riordan

6. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, by J. K. Rowling

7. The Son of Neptune: The Heroes of Olympus Series, Book 2, by Rick Riordan

8. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, by J. K. Rowling

9. Cabin Fever: Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series, Book 6, by Jeff Kinney

10.Dog Days: Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series, Book 4, by Jeff Kinney

Top 10 Children’s eBooks April 2016

Dusty

Fantasy and adventure are the picks for those that read electronically.  You can stream or download titles easily using the Library apps from Borrow Box or Overdrive.  Where will your adventure take you?

Theme parks can recreate the magic of locations created in the imagination of authors and give you a taste of what it’s like to wander around in them. Universal Studios has recreated Daigon Alley and Hogsmeade complete with wands, butter beer and a fire breathing dragon atop of Gringotts.  Now the challenge is on! what amazing location in a book or comic would you like to see recreated? Let us know in the comments below.

 

1. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, by, J.K.Rowling

2. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, by, J.K.Rowling

3. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, by, J.K.Rowling

4. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, by, J.K.Rowling

5. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, by, J.K.Rowling

6. The Hobbit, J. R. R. Tolkien

7. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, by, J.K.Rowling

8. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, by, J.K.Rowling

9. The Ugly Truth: Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series, by Jeff Kinney

10. Mission Hurricane: The 39 Clues: Doublecross Series, by Jenny Goebel

Top 10 Childrens eBooks March 2016

Dusty

Get the jump on your mates for the school holidays. eBooks from overdrive are a great way to make sure you get all the books in a series. David Walliams has some collections to download. So if the book you’re looking for is out from your local library, check the eLibrary collections just in case.

Jeff Kinney rules the countdown for March, think you’re a fan? Well, a group of people in Minneapolis made a musical they like it so much!

 

Here’s your top 10:

1.  The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien

2.  The Ugly Truth: Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series, Book 5, by Jeff Kinney

3.  Billionaire Boy, by David Walliams

4.  Ratburger, by David Walliams

5.  The Third Wheel: Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series, Book 7, by Jeff Kinney

6.  Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, by J.K.Rowling

7.  Surf’s Up Geronimo! & The Wild, Wild West: Geronimo Stilton Series, Books 20 and 21, by Geronimo Stilton

8.  Cabin Fever: Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series, Book 6, by Jeff Kinney

9.  Last Straw: Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series, Book 3, by Jeff Kinney

10.The Son of Neptune: The Heroes of Olympus Series, Book 2, by Rick Riordan

Top 10 Children’s e-Books January 2016

Dusty

The new year’s e-books have some really popular titles.  It’s great to know that if you really want o read something you can get hold of a copy through your library, or your library’s online portal. Harry Potter is as strong as ever in this medium (pretty popular since we started the e-book Top 10).  J.K. Rowling has written a play with Jack Thorn and John Tiffany, Harry Potter and the cursed child, opening in London in July this year.  It’s great to have an evolving story unfold since the last book came out.

Have you ever written a story or play with some of your favourite characters? Let us know in the comments.

1. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, by J.K.Rowling

2. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, by J.K.Rowling

3. Mr. Popper’s Penguins, by Richard Atwater

4. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, by J.K.Rowling

5. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, by J.K.Rowling

6. The Crown of Ptolemy: Percy Jackson & The Kane Chronicles Crossover Series, Book 3, by Rick Riordan

7. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, by J.K.Rowling

8. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, by J.K.Rowling

9. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, by J.K.Rowling

10. The Hobbit, by J. R. R. Tolkien

Top 10 Children’s E-books November 2015

Dusty

There is some great world building to be found in November’s favourite E-books.  From doyenne J. K. Rowling to the venerable Tolkien and November’s favourite author Cat Winters  These writers have created detailed, believable worlds, that have come to influence the way we think of magic and incorporate it into our own lives.  Do you have a favourite magical writer? Let us know your favourite authors in the comments.

Great variety in November’s top ten; the spooky intrigue of Harry Potter and In the shadow of the Blackbirds is offset set by some great laughs and doodles from Big Nate author Lincoln Pierce and David Walliams bringing his comedy talents to the page.

 

  1. In the Shadow of Blackbirds by Cat Winters
  2. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J. K. Rowling
  3. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J. K. Rowling
  4. Big Nate and Friends by Lincoln Peirce
  5. Captain Underpants and the Big, Bad Battle of the Bionic Booger Boy, Part 2: The Revenge of the Ridi by Dav Pilkey
  6. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J. K. Rowling
  7. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J. K. Rowling
  8. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
  9. Billionaire Boy by David Walliams
  10. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J. K. Rowling

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

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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!