world languages

Chinese Language Week 2023 (English)

wcl staff

Read this post in Simplified Chinese!

Read this post in Traditional Chinese!

Da Jia Hao! Neih Hou! 大家好! 你好! This year, we are going to observe Chinese Language Week, a celebration that aims to raise the profile of Chinese languages in New Zealand, from the 17th of September to 23rd of September! Chinese languages are beautiful and special languages. The Chinese characters not only tell you how to say a word, but also show you its meaning. Even more incredible, is the history of written Chinese languages can be traced back to the Shang Dynasty (1766 – 1122BC). It is one of the oldest written languages in the world.

There are 302 dialects in the Chinese language, and different places have their own mother tongue. For example, you will hear Shanghainese in Shanghai, or Sichuanese in Sichuan. Most people in Hong Kong speak Cantonese, and in Taiwan, people use Taigi. If you go to Malaysia or Singapore, you’ll find people who speak Hokkien, Cantonese and Hakka! Here in New Zealand, most Chinese speakers use Yue or Cantonese, followed by Mandarin.

Chinese characters can be divided into Simplified Chinese characters and Traditional Chinese characters. Simplified Chinese characters were developed from Traditional Chinese characters. Simplified Chinese is written from left to right, just like English script. However, Traditional Chinese is written from right to left, and it should be read from top to bottom. Today, Simplified Chinese characters are widely used in China, Malaysia, Singapore, while Traditional Chinese characters are primarily used in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau.

Library Events

Mandarin Storytime – 10.30 – 11.00am, Sunday 17 September

Te Awe Library, 29B Brandon Street, Wellington. 

To celebrate Chinese Language Week we have a special preschool storytime in Mandarin – we’d love to see you there!

Pre School-Storytime in Mandarin – 10.30 – 11.00am, Wednesday 20 September

Newtown Library, 13 Constable Street, Newtown.

Fun stories, ancient poetry, songs and rhymes for children aged 4-8 years old with their caregivers.

Children’s Storytime in English and Mandarin – 11.00 – 12.00pm, Saturday 23 September

Karori Library, 247 Karori Road, Karori.

We are happy to announce a Chinese Storytime to celebrate Chinese Language Week of 2023. The session will be in Mandarin and English!

Get ready for engaging storytelling, ancient Chinese Tang poems, exciting songs that will entertain the whole whānau.

Chinese Calligraphy Workshop – 2.00 – 3.00pm, Saturday 23 September

Newtown Library, 13 Constable Street, Newtown.

Come and experience Chinese Calligraphy. Grind your own ink and use writing brushes for the first time. Let’s learn together.

Trilingual Storytime – 10.30 – 11.00am, Monday 25 September

Mervyn Kemp (Tawa) Library, 158 Main Road (Cnr Cambridge Street & Main Road), Tawa.

Celebrate Chinese Language Week with a special storytime in Cantonese, Mandarin, and English. Recommended for children aged 2+ years with their caregivers.

Trilingual Storytime – 10.30 – 11.00am, Tuesday 26 September

Johnsonville Library, 34 Moorefield Road, Johnsonville.

Celebrate Chinese Language Week with a special storytime in Cantonese, Mandarin, and English. Recommended for children aged 2+ years with their caregivers.

Traditional Chinese Painting ​ 国画体验 – 10.30 – 11.30am, Thursday 28 September

Johnsonville Library, 34 Moorefield Road, Johnsonville

Join us at the library to learn about and try your hand at traditional Chinese painting. Our expert will share his traditions and techniques with you, then you can try creating your own artwork! Recommended for children aged 8+ with their caregivers.

Traditional Chinese Painting ​ 国画体验 – 12.30 – 1.30pm, Thursday 28 September

Karori Library, 247 Karori Road, Karori

Join us at the library to learn about and try your hand at traditional Chinese painting. Our expert will share his traditions and techniques with you, then you can try creating your own artwork! Recommended for children aged 8+ with their caregivers.

Traditional Chinese Painting ​ 国画体验 – 3.00 – 4.00pm, Thursday 28 September

Te Awe Library, 29b Brandon Street, Wellington Central

Join us at the library to learn about and try your hand at traditional Chinese painting. Our expert will share his traditions and techniques with you, then you can try creating your own artwork! Recommended for children aged 8+ with their caregivers.

Books in English

To celebrate Chinese Language Week, do not forget to check our children’s collection. We have a wide range of books in the junior fiction and non-fiction section and picture books introducing Chinese customs and culture:

Dim sum, here we come / Lam, Maple
“Today is Sunday and that means its dim sum time with my whole family! I can’t wait to see everyone, especially Grandma. I’m going to eat lots of shrimp dumplings, rice noodle rolls, egg tarts, and my favourite–char siu buns. We will have to order enough for us all to share. So what are you waiting for? Dim sum, here we come!” (Catalogue)

Cang Jie : the inventor of Chinese characters / Li, Jian
“In ancient times under the reign of Yellow Emperor (about 2500 B.C.), people kept records by piling stones and tying knots. One day, Cang Jie, a historical official who tied knots to keep records under Yellow Emperor, unexpectedly made a big mistake. Feeling very guilty, he was determined to find out a better way for keeping records. […] In this multicultural children’s story, kids will find out that there is a story behind every Chinese character. Children will also learn about basic Chinese characters and how to make them.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

The Anchor book of Chinese poetry
“Unmatched in scope and literary quality, this landmark anthology spans three thousand years, bringing together more than six hundred poems by more than one hundred thirty poets, in translations-many new and exclusive to the book-by an array of distinguished translators. Here is the grand sweep of Chinese poetry, from the Book of Songs-ancient folk songs said to have been collected by Confucius himself-and Laozi’s Dao De Jing to the vividly pictorial verse of Wang Wei, the romanticism of Li Po, the technical brilliance of Tu Fu, and all the way up to the twentieth-century poetry of Mao Zedong and the post–Cultural Revolution verse of the Misty poets. […] The Anchor Book of Chinese Poetry captures with impressive range and depth the essence of China’s illustrious poetic tradition.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

All about China : stories, songs, crafts and games for kids / Branscombe, Allison
“Take the whole family on a whirlwind tour of Chinese culture and history with this award-winning, delightfully illustrated book complete with stories, activities, and games. This Chinese children’s book is perfect for educators and parents wishing to teach kids about this fascinating Asian country. 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.” (Catalogue)

Let’s make dumplings! : a comic book cookbook / Amano, Hugh
“Includes dumpling history and lore, this comic book cookbook invites readers to explore the big little world of Asian dumplings and proves that intricate folding styles and flavourful fillings are achievable in the home kitchen.” (Catalogue)

Chinese / Dickmann, Nancy
“This book takes a light-hearted look at the characters and creatures from the Chinese mythological stories. These myths come from different cultural groups, and they include stories about how the world came to be, as well as folk tales and stories with a religious message. The stories are full of gods, monsters, animals, ghosts and nature spirits. The book is structured as a ‘Who’s Who’ of the culture’s myths and legends and has a gossipy, informal tone, allowing the characters’ personalities to come through.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Chinese children’s favorite stories / Yip, Mingmei
“A collection of children’s legends and tales from China. This volume of beloved Chinese stories contains a delightful selection from the rich store of Chinese folklore and legend. Discover the many delightful animal characters as well as Chang-E, the famous Eight Immortals, and Guan Yin, goddess of compassion. Retold for an international audience, the beautifully illustrated stories will give children aged six to ten in other countries a glimpse into both the tradition and culture of China.” (Catalogue)

Books in Mandarin

We also have a good amount of books in Mandarin that can let you practice your Mandarin! Check out some of our favourites below, or visit the catalogue to find more children’s books in Chinese languages!

First words. Mandarin / Mansfield, Andy
“Bring the Mandarin language to life with this beautifully illustrated children’s book from Lonely Planet Kids, an imprint of Lonely Planet, the world’s leading travel guide and phrasebook publisher. Perfect for the whole family, First Words Mandarin features 100 words to use while travelling, from food and transport, to animals and weather. Each word is accompanied with a bold illustration and a simple pronunciation guide to make the vocabulary fun and easy to learn.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

The little monkey king’s journey = Xiao Wukong / Li, Jian
“Long, long ago, a little Monkey was born from an old magic stone which suddenly cracked open after lying in the sunlight and moonlight for thousands of years. Although he was an orphan, the Little Monkey was extremely talented. Fortunately, the Monkey King in the mountain adopted him. […] During his journey, with the help from the Immortal Turtle, the Phoenix, the Dragon King and the Immortal, the Little Monkey gained a powerful body. Could he eventually save the life of the Monkey King?” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Xia tian de cai hong = Summertime rainbow / Yang, Belle
“In this story presented in both English and Chinese, bunnies hop through the meadow on a beautiful summer day, spotting blue sky, white clouds, yummy green grass, and other colorful sights.” (Catalogue)

Home for Chinese New Year : a story told in English and Chinese / Wei, Jie
“The Chinese New Year is a time for family reunions. This Chinese children’s story tells a delightful trip with lots of cultural details along the way! Jia Jun’s Dad worked out of town all year around. Now it’s time for him to come home. He took a train, bus, three-wheeled motorcycle, ferry-boat and even walked for many miles. He finally made it home and had a reunion dinner with his family on New Year’s Eve. […] In a few days, Dad was ready to head back to work, but it was certain that Dad would be home again next year to celebrate the Chinese New Year with his family.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Xiao lao shu yu jin zhong zi = The little rat and the golden seed : a story in English and Chinese / Li, Jian
“Age range 5+ Learn how the clever Little Rat earned his place as one of the Chinese Zodiac Animals. This adorable Chinese-English bilingual children’s book tells the story of the Little Rat and the Grandpa — unlikely allies who embark on an adventure to find a golden seed. They encounter rough seas, fierce guards and tall mountains, but — in the end — bring home a golden rice seed and save the village from going hungry.” (Catalogue)

Start your own Chinese language adventure at the library today!

– Thanks to Wei Jing, Kirk & Isabel for creating this blog post

Chinese Language Week 2023 (Traditional Chinese Script)

Wei Jing Tan

Read this post in English!

Read this post in Simplified Chinese!

大家好！你好！我們將在即將到來的9月17日至23日慶祝紐西蘭中文週。舉辦紐西蘭中文週的目的是為了推廣中文學習。中文是一門優美獨特語言，而中文的特別之處在於，中文文字不止傳達了其發音，同時也承載了其涵義。更酷的是，中文的起源可追溯至商朝時期，大約公元前1766至1122年，為世界上最古老的語言之一。  

中文涵蓋了共302門的方言，而不同的地區會有不同的母語。舉例來說，在上海你會聽到上海話，在四川則有四川話。在香港，大家以粵語為主，台灣人則會說台語。如果你有機會到訪馬來西亞或新加坡，你會遇到會說廣東話，福建話，或客家話的華人。在紐西蘭，大部分的華裔都說廣東話，其次則是普通話。  

此外，漢字（中文字）還可以分為簡體字和繁體字。簡體字是從繁體字演化而來，閱讀方式就和閱讀英語一樣，從左到右。而繁體字則相反，排版通常為豎排排版，閱讀方式從右到左，從上到下。如今，中國，馬來西亞和新加坡以簡體字為主；而繁體字則見於台灣，香港和澳門。 

圖書館活動  

為了慶祝中文週，威靈頓圖書館舉辦了各式各樣的活動，歡迎大家一起來參加！ 

普通話故事會 – 早上10.30至11.00，9月17日，星期日  

提亞威圖書館 Te Awe Library, 29B Brandon Street, Wellington.  

為慶祝中文週，提亞威圖書館將舉辦特別的普通話故事會。我們的故事會將包括有趣和好玩的故事及詩詞韻律。建議2歲以上的兒童及其看護人參加。

普通話故事會 – 早上10.30至11.00， 9月20日，星期三  

Newtown圖書館 Newtown Library, 13 Constable Street, Newtown. 

在Newtown圖書館慶祝紐西蘭中文週。讓4-8歲的華裔兒童及家長體驗中文文化的魅力！其他中文與方言者歡迎！  

雙語故事會 – 早上11.00至下午12.00，9月23日，星期六  

Karori卡羅里圖書館 Karori Library, 247 Karori Road, Karori. 

在Karori圖書館，將有慶祝紐西蘭中文週的活動。活動內容有講故事、唐詩朗誦及展現中文流行樂與童謠，讓4-8歲的華裔兒童及家長體驗中文文化的魅力！其他中文與方言者歡迎！  

書法工坊 – 下午2.00至3.00，9月23日，星期六  

Newtown圖書館 Newtown Library, 13 Constable Street, Newtown. 

在Newtown圖書館慶祝紐西蘭中文週。一起嘗試研墨執筆，體驗中國書法。

三語故事會 – 早上10.30至11.00，9月25日，星期一  

Tawa圖書館 Mervyn Kemp (Tawa) Library, 158 Main Road (Cnr Cambridge Street & Main Road), Tawa. 

為慶祝中文週，我們將舉辦特別的粵語、普通話和英語的三語故事會。建議2歲以上的兒童及其看護人參加。

三語故事會 – 早上10.30至11.00，9月26日，星期二

Waitohi強生威爾遜圖書館 Johnsonville Library, 34 Moorefield Road, Johnsonville.

為慶祝中文週，我們將舉辦特別的粵語、普通話和英語的三語故事會。建議2歲以上的兒童及其看護人參加。

書籍  

同時，大家也別忘了到圖書館借閱我們的兒童讀物。在我們的藏書裡，有一系列關於中華文化的書籍：

Dim sum, here we come / Lam, Maple
“Today is Sunday and that means its dim sum time with my whole family! I can’t wait to see everyone, especially Grandma. I’m going to eat lots of shrimp dumplings, rice noodle rolls, egg tarts, and my favorite–char siu buns. We will have to order enough for us all to share. So what are you waiting for? Dim sum, here we come!” (Catalogue)

Cang Jie : the inventor of Chinese characters / Li, Jian
“In ancient times under the reign of Yellow Emperor (about 2500 B.C.), people kept records by piling stones and tying knots. One day, Cang Jie, a historical official who tied knots to keep records under Yellow Emperor, unexpectedly made a big mistake. Feeling very guilty, he was determined to find out a better way for keeping records. […] In this multicultural children’s story, kids will find out that there is a story behind every Chinese character. Children will also learn about basic Chinese characters and how to make them.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

The Anchor book of Chinese poetry
“Unmatched in scope and literary quality, this landmark anthology spans three thousand years, bringing together more than six hundred poems by more than one hundred thirty poets, in translations-many new and exclusive to the book-by an array of distinguished translators. Here is the grand sweep of Chinese poetry, from the Book of Songs-ancient folk songs said to have been collected by Confucius himself-and Laozi’s Dao De Jing to the vividly pictorial verse of Wang Wei, the romanticism of Li Po, the technical brilliance of Tu Fu, and all the way up to the twentieth-century poetry of Mao Zedong and the post–Cultural Revolution verse of the Misty poets. […] The Anchor Book of Chinese Poetry captures with impressive range and depth the essence of China’s illustrious poetic tradition.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

All about China : stories, songs, crafts and games for kids / Branscombe, Allison
“Take the whole family on a whirlwind tour of Chinese culture and history with this award-winning, delightfully illustrated book complete with stories, activities, and games. This Chinese children’s book is perfect for educators and parents wishing to teach kids about this fascinating Asian country. 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.” (Catalogue)

Let’s make dumplings! : a comic book cookbook / Amano, Hugh
“Includes dumpling history and lore, this comic book cookbook invites readers to explore the big little world of Asian dumplings and proves that intricate folding styles and flavourful fillings are achievable in the home kitchen.” (Catalogue)

Chinese / Dickmann, Nancy
“This book takes a light-hearted look at the characters and creatures from the Chinese mythological stories. These myths come from different cultural groups, and they include stories about how the world came to be, as well as folk tales and stories with a religious message. The stories are full of gods, monsters, animals, ghosts and nature spirits. The book is structured as a ‘Who’s Who’ of the culture’s myths and legends and has a gossipy, informal tone, allowing the characters’ personalities to come through.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Chinese children’s favorite stories / Yip, Mingmei
“A collection of children’s legends and tales from China. This volume of beloved Chinese stories contains a delightful selection from the rich store of Chinese folklore and legend. Discover the many delightful animal characters as well as Chang-E, the famous Eight Immortals, and Guan Yin, goddess of compassion. Retold for an international audience, the beautifully illustrated stories will give children aged six to ten in other countries a glimpse into both the tradition and culture of China. – Publisher.” (Catalogue)

此外，我們也有不少中文書籍，能夠讓你從今天就能開始練習你的普通話哦！

First words. Mandarin / Mansfield, Andy
“Bring the Mandarin language to life with this beautifully illustrated children’s book from Lonely Planet Kids, an imprint of Lonely Planet, the world’s leading travel guide and phrasebook publisher. Perfect for the whole family, First Words Mandarin features 100 words to use while travelling, from food and transport, to animals and weather. Each word is accompanied with a bold illustration and a simple pronunciation guide to make the vocabulary fun and easy to learn.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

The little monkey king’s journey = Xiao Wukong / Li, Jian
“Long long ago, a little Monkey was born from an old magic stone which suddenly cracked open after lying in the sunlight and moonlight for thousands of years. Although he was an orphan, the Little Monkey was extremely talented. Fortunately, the Monkey King in the mountain adopted him. […] During his journey, with the help from the Immortal Turtle, the Phoenix, the Dragon King and the Immortal, the Little Monkey gained a powerful body. Could he eventually save the life of the Monkey King?” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Xia tian de cai hong = Summertime rainbow / Yang, Belle
“In this story presented in both English and Chinese, bunnies hop through the meadow on a beautiful summer day, spotting blue sky, white clouds, yummy green grass, and other colorful sights.” (Catalogue)

Home for Chinese New Year : a story told in English and Chinese / Wei, Jie
“The Chinese New Year is a time for family reunions. This Chinese children’s story tells a delightful trip with lots of cultural details along the way! Jia Jun’s Dad worked out of town all year around. Now it’s time for him to come home. He took a train, bus, three-wheeled motorcycle, ferry-boat and even walked for many miles. He finally made it home and had a reunion dinner with his family on New Year’s Eve. […] In a few days, Dad was ready to head back to work, but it was certain that Dad would be home again next year to celebrate the Chinese New Year with his family.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Xiao lao shu yu jin zhong zi = The little rat and the golden seed : a story in English and Chinese / Li, Jian
“Age range 5+ Learn how the clever Little Rat earned his place as one of the Chinese Zodiac Animals.This adorable Chinese-English bilingual children’s book tells the story of the Little Rat and the Grandpa — unlikely allies who embark on an adventure to find a golden seed. They encounter rough seas, fierce guards and tall mountains, but — in the end — bring home a golden rice seed and save the village from going hungry.” (Catalogue)

更多關於我們的圖書館中文書籍您可以點擊這裡 

那今天的分享就到這裡結束咯, 就從今天開始屬於你的中文學習旅程吧！

Chinese Language Week 2023 (Simplified Chinese Script)

Wei Jing Tan

Read this post in English!

Read this post in Traditional Chinese!

大家好！你好！我们将在即将到来的9月17日至23日庆祝新西兰中文周。举办新西兰中文周的目的是为了推广中文学习。中文是一门优美独特语言，而中文的特别之处在于，中文文字不止传达了其发音，同时也承载了其涵义。更酷的是，中文的起源可追溯至商朝时期，大约公元前1766至1122年，为世界上最古老的语言之一。 

中文涵盖了共302门的方言，而不同的地区会有不同的母语。举例来说，在上海你会听到上海话，在四川则有四川话。在香港，大家以粤语为主，台湾人则会说台语。如果你有机会到访马来西亚或新加坡，你会遇到会说广东话，福建话，或客家话的华人。在新西兰，大部分的华裔都说广东话，其次则是普通话。 

此外，汉字（中文字）还可以分为简体字和繁体字。简体字是从繁体字演化而来，阅读方式就和阅读英语一样，从左到右。而繁体字则相反，排版通常为竖排排版，阅读方式从右到左，从上到下。如今，中国，马来西亚和新加坡以简体字为主；而繁体字则见于台湾，香港和澳门。 

图书馆活动 

为了庆祝中文周，惠灵顿图书馆举办了各式各样的活动，欢迎大家一起来参加！ 

普通话故事会 – 早上10.30至11.00，9月17日，星期日 

提亚威图书馆 Te Awe Library, 29B Brandon Street, Wellington. 

为庆祝中文周，提亚威图书馆将举办特别的普通话故事会。我们的故事会将包括有趣和好玩的故事及诗词韵律。建议2岁以上的儿童及其看护人参加。 

普通话故事会 – 早上10.30至11.00， 9月20日，星期三 

Newtown图书馆 Newtown Library, 13 Constable Street, Newtown.

在Newtown图书馆庆祝新西兰中文周。让4-8岁的华裔儿童及家长体验中文文化的魅力！其他中文与方言者欢迎！ 

双语故事会 – 早上11.00至下午12.00，9月23日，星期六 

Karori卡罗里图书馆 Karori Library, 247 Karori Road, Karori.

在Karori图书馆，将有庆祝新西兰中文周的活动。活动内容有讲故事、唐诗朗诵及展现中文流行乐与童谣，让4-8岁的华裔儿童及家长体验中文文化的魅力！其他中文与方言者欢迎！ 

书法工坊 – 下午2.00至3.00，9月23日，星期六 

Newtown图书馆 Newtown Library, 13 Constable Street, Newtown.

在Newtown图书馆庆祝新西兰中文周。一起尝试研墨执笔，体验中国书法。 

三语故事会 – 早上10.30至11.00，9月25日，星期一 

Tawa图书馆 Mervyn Kemp (Tawa) Library, 158 Main Road (Cnr Cambridge Street & Main Road), Tawa.

为庆祝中文周，我们将举办特别的粤语、普通话和英语的三语故事会。建议2岁以上的儿童及其看护人参加。 

三语故事会 – 早上10.30至11.00，9月26日，星期二 

Waitohi强生威尔逊图书馆 Johnsonville Library, 34 Moorefield Road, Johnsonville.

为庆祝中文周，我们将举办特别的粤语、普通话和英语的三语故事会。建议2岁以上的儿童及其看护人参加。 

书籍 

同时，大家也别忘了到图书馆借阅我们的儿童读物。在我们的藏书里，有一系列关于中华文化的书籍：

Dim sum, here we come / Lam, Maple
“Today is Sunday and that means its dim sum time with my whole family! I can’t wait to see everyone, especially Grandma. I’m going to eat lots of shrimp dumplings, rice noodle rolls, egg tarts, and my favorite–char siu buns. We will have to order enough for us all to share. So what are you waiting for? Dim sum, here we come!” (Catalogue)

Cang Jie : the inventor of Chinese characters / Li, Jian
“In ancient times under the reign of Yellow Emperor (about 2500 B.C.), people kept records by piling stones and tying knots. One day, Cang Jie, a historical official who tied knots to keep records under Yellow Emperor, unexpectedly made a big mistake. Feeling very guilty, he was determined to find out a better way for keeping records. […] In this multicultural children’s story, kids will find out that there is a story behind every Chinese character. Children will also learn about basic Chinese characters and how to make them.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

The Anchor book of Chinese poetry
“Unmatched in scope and literary quality, this landmark anthology spans three thousand years, bringing together more than six hundred poems by more than one hundred thirty poets, in translations-many new and exclusive to the book-by an array of distinguished translators. Here is the grand sweep of Chinese poetry, from the Book of Songs-ancient folk songs said to have been collected by Confucius himself-and Laozi’s Dao De Jing to the vividly pictorial verse of Wang Wei, the romanticism of Li Po, the technical brilliance of Tu Fu, and all the way up to the twentieth-century poetry of Mao Zedong and the post–Cultural Revolution verse of the Misty poets. […] The Anchor Book of Chinese Poetry captures with impressive range and depth the essence of China’s illustrious poetic tradition.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

All about China : stories, songs, crafts and games for kids / Branscombe, Allison
“Take the whole family on a whirlwind tour of Chinese culture and history with this award-winning, delightfully illustrated book complete with stories, activities, and games. This Chinese children’s book is perfect for educators and parents wishing to teach kids about this fascinating Asian country. 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.” (Catalogue)

Let’s make dumplings! : a comic book cookbook / Amano, Hugh
“Includes dumpling history and lore, this comic book cookbook invites readers to explore the big little world of Asian dumplings and proves that intricate folding styles and flavourful fillings are achievable in the home kitchen.” (Catalogue)

Chinese / Dickmann, Nancy
“This book takes a light-hearted look at the characters and creatures from the Chinese mythological stories. These myths come from different cultural groups, and they include stories about how the world came to be, as well as folk tales and stories with a religious message. The stories are full of gods, monsters, animals, ghosts and nature spirits. The book is structured as a ‘Who’s Who’ of the culture’s myths and legends and has a gossipy, informal tone, allowing the characters’ personalities to come through.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Chinese children’s favorite stories / Yip, Mingmei
“A collection of children’s legends and tales from China. This volume of beloved Chinese stories contains a delightful selection from the rich store of Chinese folklore and legend. Discover the many delightful animal characters as well as Chang-E, the famous Eight Immortals, and Guan Yin, goddess of compassion. Retold for an international audience, the beautifully illustrated stories will give children aged six to ten in other countries a glimpse into both the tradition and culture of China.” (Catalogue)

此外，我们也有不少中文书籍，能够让你从今天就能开始练习你的普通话哦！

First words. Mandarin / Mansfield, Andy
“Bring the Mandarin language to life with this beautifully illustrated children’s book from Lonely Planet Kids, an imprint of Lonely Planet, the world’s leading travel guide and phrasebook publisher. Perfect for the whole family, First Words Mandarin features 100 words to use while travelling, from food and transport, to animals and weather. Each word is accompanied with a bold illustration and a simple pronunciation guide to make the vocabulary fun and easy to learn.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

The little monkey king’s journey = Xiao Wukong / Li, Jian
“Long long ago, a little Monkey was born from an old magic stone which suddenly cracked open after lying in the sunlight and moonlight for thousands of years. Although he was an orphan, the Little Monkey was extremely talented. Fortunately, the Monkey King in the mountain adopted him. […] During his journey, with the help from the Immortal Turtle, the Phoenix, the Dragon King and the Immortal, the Little Monkey gained a powerful body. Could he eventually save the life of the Monkey King?” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Xia tian de cai hong = Summertime rainbow / Yang, Belle
“In this story presented in both English and Chinese, bunnies hop through the meadow on a beautiful summer day, spotting blue sky, white clouds, yummy green grass, and other colorful sights.” (Catalogue)

Home for Chinese New Year : a story told in English and Chinese / Wei, Jie
“The Chinese New Year is a time for family reunions. This Chinese children’s story tells a delightful trip with lots of cultural details along the way! Jia Jun’s Dad worked out of town all year around. Now it’s time for him to come home. He took a train, bus, three-wheeled motorcycle, ferry-boat and even walked for many miles. He finally made it home and had a reunion dinner with his family on New Year’s Eve. […] In a few days, Dad was ready to head back to work, but it was certain that Dad would be home again next year to celebrate the Chinese New Year with his family.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Xiao lao shu yu jin zhong zi = The little rat and the golden seed : a story in English and Chinese / Li, Jian
“Age range 5+ Learn how the clever Little Rat earned his place as one of the Chinese Zodiac Animals.This adorable Chinese-English bilingual children’s book tells the story of the Little Rat and the Grandpa — unlikely allies who embark on an adventure to find a golden seed. They encounter rough seas, fierce guards and tall mountains, but — in the end — bring home a golden rice seed and save the village from going hungry.” (Catalogue)

更多关于我们的图书馆中文书籍您可以点击这里

那今天的分享就到这里结束咯, 就从今天开始属于你的中文学习旅程吧！

New Programme: Cuentacuentos – Storytimes in Spanish

Isabel Echeverria

Buenas noticias! We are happy to announce a new programme called Cuentacuentos! These storytimes are delivered entirely in Spanish!

This is a perfect opportunity to practice your Spanish, so get ready for engaging storytelling and exciting activities that will entertain the whole whānau.

Starting from 2nd September, join us at Te Māhanga, Karori Library on the first Saturday of the month at 11am. Mark your calendar!

Books in Spanish

Whether you are a beginner or looking to expand your knowledge, we have got you covered! Wellington City Libraries are proud to offer a compelling collection of Spanish language materials, from books and magazines to language learning resources.

Follow the catalogue links to reserve the books you would like to the library branch of your choice! We have Spanish language books for young people and learners available at all of our library branches. The largest Spanish collections for young people are available at Karori Library, Johnsonville Library, Kilbirnie Library and Te Awe Brandon Library in the CBD.

For adult readers, we have large Spanish collections at Arapaki Manners Library, Johnsonville Library and Karori Library, with even more available to reserve!

Do you want to practice some phrases, read a story in Spanish? Check out these titles and get ready to say “estoy listo.”

First words

First words in Spanish / Grée, Alain
“Help your child to learn their first words in Spanish with this beautifully presented, interactive learning resource. Shown alongside colourful and appealing illustrations, the words are grouped into child-friendly themes such as colours, numbers, animals, food, holidays and shopping…” (Adapted from Catalogue)
Spanish
“Get the whole family prepared for and excited about an upcoming trip by learning 100 travel-relevant Spanish words – from food and transport, to animals and weather… The perfect first step in learning the Spanish language and encouraging children to be curious about the world around them.” (Adapted from catalogue)

Animales
“This illustrated book for little children stimulates learning the names of animals.” (Catalogue)

Chapter books

Diario del wimpy kid : Un renacuajo / Kinney, Jeff
“Greg records his sixth grade experiences in a middle school where he and his best friend, Rowley, undersized weaklings amid boys who need to shave twice daily, hope just to survive, but when Rowley grows more popular, Greg must take drastic measures to save their friendship.” (Catalogue)

Hombre Perro y Supergatito / Pilkey, Dav
“Hombre Perro está de regreso, ¡y esta vez lo acompaña un compinche felino! El dúo tendrá que salir al rescate de una glamorosa estrella de cine desaparecida. ¡Una aventura perfecta para Hombre Perro y Supergatito! When a new sitter arrives and a movie star goes missing, Dog Man and Cat Kid investigate…” (Catalogue)

All-time Classics

Un pez, dos peces, pez rojo, pez azul / Seuss
“A story-poem about the activities of such unusual animals as the Nook, Wump, Yink, Yop, Gack, and the Zeds.” (Catalogue)

Donde viven los monstruos / Sendak, Maurice
“A naughty little boy, sent to bed without his supper, sails to the land of the wild things where he becomes their king.” (Catalogue)

Originally in Spanish

A veces el bosque.. / Nogués Otero, Alex
“A veces el bosque canta y es canció n. Otras, duerme. A veces el bosque sueñ a con fuego o inventa la lluvia y los paraguas. El bosque a veces bromea. A veces, imagina que eres un gigante.Un libro para leer en la corteza de los á rboles y en los misterios de tu mirada.” (Catalogue)

Gilda : la oveja gigante / Urberuaga, Emilio
“Gilda, la oveja gigante, tiene que escapar de la montaña en la que vive. Al llegar a la gran ciudad vivirá una increíble aventura. Pero, ¿encontrará Gilda un nuevo hogar?” (Catalogue)

Gustavo : el fantasmita timido / Drago, Flavia Z
“Conoce a Gustavo. Él es un fantasma y como a cualquier ser paranormal le encanta hacer lo que le es normal: atravesar paredes, hacer volar objetos y brillar en la oscuridad. También le encanta tocar el violín. Pero Gustavo tiene un problema. Él es muy, muy tímido, y aunque su deseo más grande es tener amigos, nunca se ha atrevido a hablarle a ninguno de los monstruos en su pueblito. Con el Día de Muertos cerca, ¿se atreverá Gustavo a dejar que lo vean?” This picture book is about finding the courage to make friends.” (Catalougue).

Ready for your language adventure?  ¡nos vemos en la biblioteca!

Wikin te Taetae ni Kiribati 2023

Stephen Clothier

Kam na bane ni mauri! Welcome to Wikin te Taetae ni Kiribati | Kiribati Language Week 2023. Tungaru, the main language of the i-Kiribati people, is spoken by over 100,000 people across the 33 islands and atolls of Kiribati — and by around 1500 people here in Aotearoa. i-Kiribati people are an important part of our community in Aotearoa, with over 3,000 people of Kiribati heritage calling our islands home, about 310 of whom live in Wellington. (Source: 2018 Census)

This year, the theme for Wikin te Taetae ni Kiribati is:

“Ribinan, karikirakean ao kateimatoan ara katei ma ara taetae ni Tungaru.” | “Nurture, enhance and sustain the Tungaru language and culture.”

Help us celebrate this special time for the community by learning more about the unique culture, language and history of Kiribati through the books and other resources below!

Books

Check out some of these books from our children’s section from and about Kiribati, and in te taetae ni Kiribati:

I want to read and speak Kiribati / Ewels, Kinaua
“Kiribati-English primer. Kiribati is a Pacific nation which straddles the equator. […] Most of the children in New Zealand use English as their language. Some children are encouraged to use Kiribati at home but still do not write the language because they do not have a written text. This book will assist children in New Zealand and Kiribati to become bi-lingual.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Nui’s unique heritage = Nui iloga e kakateke / Sioni, Alamai
“Describes how the people of two different Pacific cultures, I-Kiribati and Samoan, came together on Nui, Tuvalu.” (Catalogue)

Tareima’s string / MacGregor, Jill
“Tareima, who lives in Kiribati, shows how she makes string from the fibres of coconut husks, and describes what the string is used for. Contains some Kiribati words and glossary. Suggested level: primary.” (Catalogue)

Te ano / MacGregor, Jill
“Describes the traditional game of Te Kabwe, as played in Kiribati, and how two young girls weave a new ball (ano) out of pandanus leaves when the old one is worn out.” (Catalogue)

Micronesia / Guile, Melanie
“Discover what life is like in Micronesia as you read about its history, language, customs and traditions. Find out about Micronesia’s best known landmarks and its unique plants and animals. Learn about life in the towns and the country, and environmental problems, such as rising seas. Ages 8+.”(Catalogue)

Beginnings and endings with lifetimes in between / Mellonie, Bryan
“Have you ever wondered why a butterfly lives for only a few weeks? Or why a tree lives for hundreds of years? You may have been sad when someone in your family, or a favourite pet became sick and died. There is a beginning and an ending to everything that is alive. In between is a lifetime.” (Adapted from Catalogue)


Rising seas : flooding, climate change and our new world / Thomas, Keltie
“The Earth’s oceans are on the rise. Since 1900, global sea levels have risen steadily each year to a global average of about 8 inches (20cm) today, and they’re still rising. By 2100, the sea could climb as much as 14 feet (4.3m) to 32 feet (9.75m). Rising Seas: Flooding, Climate Change and Our New World gives youth an eye-popping view of what the Earth might look like under the rising and falling water levels of climate change. Photographs juxtapose the present-day with that same area’s projected future. The shocking images will help them understand the urgency for action. Key issues in today’s news will be better understood, such as the 2015 Paris Protocol in which the world agreed to limit temperature increases to 2 degrees Celsius (ideally 1.5 degree).” (Catalogue)


Also, visit this link to find even more books about Kiribati at your local library.

More Resources

Check out the following websites to find out more about the atolls and islands of Kiribati and this beautiful country’s culture, language and history:

Nowe książki w języku polskim!

Stephen Clothier

Read this post in English!

W końcu są tutaj! Z radością informujemy, że wiele nowych książek w języku polskim są dostępne pożyczyć w Bibliotek Miejskich w Wellington. Jeśli w domu mówicie po polsku, lub chciałbyście nauczyć się polskiego, te nowe książki dla Was i Waszej rodziny będą idealne do wspólnego czytania.

Te książki są w tej chwili na półce w Bibliotece Te Awe, ale możecie je też zamówić przez katalog online, wyszukując „Polish Language Readers” lub „Children 491.858.”

Czytajcie dalej znaleźć sześć naszych ulubionych nowych książek…

Mądra Mysz: Mam przyjaciela kucharza / Butschkow, Ralf
“Mój przyjaciel Stefan jest kucharzem i robi najlepsze spaghetti świata. Zanim jego danie trafią na talerze, trzeba najpierw kupić składniki, przygotować je, ugotować, przyprawić. A wszystko, co gotuje Stefan, jest bardzo zdrowe – nawet desery!” (Katalog)

Dinozaury / Benedetta, Nigelli
Dinozaury to kartonowa książka z serii Motoryka Smyka, która spodoba się najmłodszym dzieciom. Uczyć się wiele nowych słów, wysunić długą szyję brontozaura, odkryć, co na grzbiecie ma inny dinozaur, i sprawdzać, kto wykluje się z jaj. Ta książka to świetna zabawa!

Strażak Sam: Koncert w płomieniach / Tarnowska, Ewa
“Wieczorem, Mike i Elvis, najsłynniejszy rockandrollowy duet Pontypanty, mają dać koncert w mieście. Ale wybucha między nimi wielka kłótnia! Czy pokaz się odbędzie? Czy Samowi uda się pogodzić przyjaciół?” (Katalog)

Mruczęty : kot mikołaja / Rowland, Lucy
Ciepła i zabawna opowieść o kocie świętego Mikołaja. Mruczęty ma skłonności narkoleptyczne – zasypia wszędzie i o każdej porze. Pewnego dnia zasypia wśród prezentów, zawinięty w ozdobny papier, i trafia w nimi do sań. Na sanie dybie szajka złodziei! (Katalog)

Miś Tuliś piecze ciasteczka / Melling, David
“Miś Tuliś uwielbia pyszne miodowe ciasteczka, ale nagle jego miodek znika… Czy Tuliś da się przekonać owcom i spróbuje czegoś innego i nowego? A może nawet to polubi?” (Katalog)

Nasza podróż / Kubiak, Tadeusz
“Krótka wierszowana historia o podróży pociągiem. Są w niej kasa biletowa, perony i zawiadowca z gwizdkiem, opalana węglem lokomotywa, wagon posztowy i wagon sypialny… ale to nie wszystko! Tę książkę można nie tylko przeczytać, lecz także rozłożyć jak scenografię w teatrze. Z jednej strony zobaczycie wtedy mijane po drodze krajobrazy, z drugiej pociąg.” (Katalog)

New Books in Polish!

Stephen Clothier

Read this post in Polish!

They are finally here! We’re excited to announce that a range of new books in the Polish language are available to borrow from Wellington City Libraries. If you speak Polish at home, or would like to learn, these new books will be perfect for you and your family to read together.

These books are currently on the shelf at Te Awe Library, but you can also order them through the online catalogue by searching for “Polish Language Readers” or “Children 491.858.”

Read on to find out about six of our favourite new books:

Mądra Mysz: Mam przyjaciela kucharza / Butschkow, Ralf
“My friend Stefan is a cook, and he makes the best spaghetti in the world! Before his meals hit the plates, you first need to buy the ingredients, prepare them, cook them, and season them. Everything that Stefan cooks is healthy — even the desserts!” (Translated from Catalogue)

Dinozaury / Benedetta, Nigelli
Dinozaury is a board book in the series Smyk’s Motoryka, which are designed to appeal to the youngest children. Learn lots of new words, slide the Brontosaurus’ long neck back and forth, find out what another dinosaur has on its back, and see who is hatching their eggs. This book is so much fun!


Strażak Sam: Koncert w płomieniach / Tarnowska, Ewa
“This evening, Mike and Elvis, Pontypanty’s most famous rock-and-roll duo, are scheduled to give a concert at the port. But they are having a big fight! Will the show take place? Will Fireman Sam be able to bring his friends back together?” (Translated from Catalogue)

Mruczęty : kot mikołaja / Rowland, Lucy
This is a warm and funny story about Santa’s cat. Mruczęty will fall asleep anywhere, at any time. One day he falls asleep among the Christmas presents, wrapped up in wrapping paper, and ends up being a present on a sleigh with a gang of dastardly thieves!  (Translated and adapted from Catalogue)

Miś Tuliś piecze ciasteczka / Melling, David
“Hugless Douglas loves delicious honey cookies, but suddenly his source of honey disappears… can he be persuaded to try something new and different? And maybe even like it?” (Translated from Catalogue)

Nasza podróż / Kubiak, Tadeusz
“This is a short story about travelling by train. In this book you’ll find a ticket office, platforms, a whistle operator, a coal-fired train, a post-coach, and a sleeping car — but that’s not all! This book is not just for reading, but can be spread out like a theatre set! On one side you’ll see the landscapes you pass along the way, and on the other, the body of the train.” (Translated and adapted from Catalogue)

Vaiaso o le Gagana Sāmoa 2022

Zoe Miller

Samoan Language Week Banner

Tālofa Lava! 

Sāmoa Language Week | Vaiaso o le Gagana Sāmoa will be celebrated this year from Sunday, 29 May 2021 until Saturday, 4th June 2022. This is a chance for all New Zealanders to celebrate Sāmoan language, Sāmoan culture in New Zealand and around the world, and promote the use of Sāmoan language in schools, at work and at home.

Did you know that nearly 4% of New Zealanders are Sāmoan? That’s almost 200,000 people! Gagana Sāmoa is the 3rd most spoken language in Aotearoa, New Zealand!

Sāmoa has a unique historical relationship with New Zealand. It is the only country that New Zealand has a Treaty of Friendship. The Treaty of Friendship between Sāmoa and New Zealand is like a mutual project to support Tagata Sāmoa (Sāmoan people) to have better opportunities. Being proud of your language is such an important part of feeling proud of your culture.

This year’s theme for Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa is:

Fa’aāuāu le Folauga i le Va’a o Tautai – Continue the Voyage with Competent Wayfinders of the Ocean.

2022 is also a significant year for the Samoan community, being the 60th anniversary of Samoa Independence. Communities are organising activities to commemorate this milestone, which coincides with Samoa Language Week.

Events for Samoa Language Week

As part of Samoa Language Week, there will be a Pasifika Pool Party! Find out more about the council events here.

Our friend the wonderful librarian Lewis from Johnsonville Library presents a special story in English and Gagana Sāmoa, How Do You Say ‘Thank You’? by Karamia Müller. Many thanks to the publisher Beatnik Publishing for allowing us to share this story!

Find Out More:

You can also visit your local library and borrow some amazing books to learn more about Samoan culture, and practice the language. All our libraries have Samoan books and Newtown Library has the biggest collection! If you don’t have a library card- you can sign up for free. If you are worried about fines- just talk to the staff, they can help.

Awesome Samoan books in our collection:

Losi the Giant fisherman : Samoan myths and legends pick a path collection / Malaeulu, Dahlia
Losi the Giant was the greatest fisherman across all the moana. A mischievous and loyal friend to sea creatures and all humans, Losi will always be remembered as the hero who brought taro, the food of the Gods’, to Earth.

Author and Publisher Dahlia Malaeulu lives in Wellington and has written and published lots of Samoan books. You can read her blog about how Losi the Giant fisherman was shaped by her son Mase who has Autism.

Available from Mila’s Books!

Also, read this really interesting article on the Spinoff!

Samoan heroes / Riley, David
“A collection of inspirational stories of achievers who have Samoan ancestry. It includes: contemporary heroes like Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, Troy Polamalu, Judge Ida Mālosi, Savage and Associate Professor Donna Adis; historical figures like Emma Coe, Tamasese, Salamāsina and Lauaki; legends like Sina, Tiʻitiʻi and Tigilau”–Back cover.” (Catalogue). Also available as an eBook.

Fanene Peter Maivia : son of Samoa / Riley, David
“Fanene Peter Maivia – Son of Samoa is the remarkable story of the first Polynesian to become a star of professional wrestling. Fanene’s life began in Samoa and he took Samoa to the world. He was a pioneer who inspired some of the greatest wrestlers the world has known, including his own grandson, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.”–Publisher’s description.” (Catalogue). Also available as an eBook.

Brush up on your geography and history with…

Samoa / Aiono-Iosefa, Sarona
“Did you know that the English word ‘tattoo’ is supposedly derived from the Samoan word ‘tatau’? Find out about the traditional methods still used by Samoans to apply the amazing tattoos worn by many of the islands’ people today. In this book you will discover that an ‘ie toga is a beautiful and intricate fine mat, woven by Samoan women and used as highly prized gifts, which are made and given to celebrate important occasions. You can also study the climate, population, social structure and political history of the thirteen islands that make up the beautiful countries of American Samoa and independent Samoa (formerly Western Samoa).” (Catalogue).

Samoa & Tuvalu / Guile, Melanie
This book contains information about the history, culture and people of Samoa and nearby Tuvalu. A great book to have just in time for Samoan Language week.
Learn some simple words and phrases

  • Tālofa lava: Hello (formal)
  • Mālō le soifua: Hello/Good health
  • ‘O ā mai ‘oe? How are you? (to one person only)
  • Manuia fa‘afetai: Good, thank you
  • Manuia le aso: Have a great day
  • Tōfā soifua: Good bye (formal)

Faʻafetai lava ma ʻia manuia tele le Vaiaso o le Gagana Sāmoa!

Thank you and have a very blessed Sāmoan Language Week

Gasav Ne Fäeag Rotuạm Ta: Rotuman Language Week 2022

Zoe Miller

Noaʻia ʻe mḁuri gagaj ʻatakoa! Welcome to Gasav Ne Fäeag Rotuạm Ta | Rotuman Language Week 2022.

Poster courtesy of the Ministry for Pacific Peoples.

What is Rotuman Language Week?

New Zealand is the only country in the world where the languages and culture of our Pasifika cousins are celebrated. Fäeag Rotuạm, the Rotuman language, is the first of nine Pasifika language weeks this year, and it runs from the 8th May – 14th May 2022. Rotuma Day itself was on the 6th of May.

Where is Rotuma you ask? The main island of Rotuma is about 13km by 4km and is about 580km from Fiji’s capital, Suva. Rotuma is a dependency of Fiji, so Rotumans will usually speak Fijian and English too! There are about 2000 Rotumans living on the island, and 10,000 living in mainland Fiji and globally.

More information about Rotuma Day and the history of Routma can be heard in this article from Radio NZ.

This year’s theme for Gasav Ne Fäeag Rotuạm Ta is:

Vetḁkia ‘os Fäega ma Ag fak hanua – Sustaining our Language and Culture.

In these times, when it sometimes feels like things are just moving too fast, we think this is a wonderful idea to reflect on.

So how do you speak Rotuman?

Well, Rotumans roll their ‘R’s and pronounce ‘G’ with a smooth ‘ing’ sound, similar to how ‘ng’ is pronounced in te reo Māori.

Here are some key phrases in Rotuman [Row-too-man]:
• Noa’ia [Noah-e-yah]= Hello, greetings.
• Ka ‘äe tapen? [Car eh tar-pen] = How are you?
• Gou lelei fḁiåksia [Ngou leh-lay for-yak-see-yah] = I am well thank you.
• Figalelei [Fee-nga-leh-lay] = Please
• Fḁiåksia [Foyak-see-yah] = Thank you
• Hanis ma röt’åk [Hah-niece mah röt-ack] = Sorry
• La’ ma ḁlalum [Lah mah aw-lah-loom] = Goodbye (only to those leaving)
• Fu’ ma ḁlalum [Foo mah aw-lah-loom] = Goodbye (only to those staying)

Find more words and phrases in this language guide produced by the Ministry for Pacific Peoples.

The Ministry for Pacific Peoples provides great resources and information about our Pasifika languages and cultural events. Visit the official NZ Rotuman Language Week Facebook page, and the official website, for more information about Rotuman Language Week 2022!

Arabic Language Day and New Books in Arabic!

Zoe Miller

ٱلسَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ!

The 18th of December marks the United Nations Arabic Language Day. Did you know that there are over 300 million native Arabic speakers worldwide?

This makes the Arabic language one of the most widely spoken languages in the word.

It is spoken by a diverse range of people across the African continent and the Middle East, including Sudan, Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, and many more. At Wellington City Libraries we’re lucky enough to offer our community a wide selection of books in Arabic for everyone to enjoy!

Here is our librarian, Khadro, showing us two more brand new Arabic books in the Newtown Library collection:

A smiling librarian, wearing a colourful facemask and hijab, is holding two beautiful picture books in Arabic. Behind her, you can see the children's world languages collection at Newtown Library, with lots of books in colourful shelving and comfortable seats nearby.

Our friendly librarians love helping you find good books to read!

Here are some of our favourite books for children in Arabic. Click on the title to find out more. If the book you want is in a library that is too far away, you can click ‘Place Reserve‘ to have it sent to a library which is closer, where you can pick it up.

Mā arwaʻ al-ṭaʻām = Food, food, fabulous food / Clynes, Kate
A fun story about the diversity of food and all the ways it enriches our lives. Food brings people together from all walks of life and is a great way to connect with each other.

Ikhtalafat fa-tamayyazatu / Nājim, Alāʼ Saʻd

Our Differences are Distinguished: This story is a dive into everything that makes us different and unique. Through music the characters of this book learn that there are different ways to express themselves.

Time to pray = Awqāt al-ṣalāh / Addasi, Maha

This story follows young Yasmin as she learns about one of the core tenants of her religion: prayer. It also teaches Yasmin the importance of family and community.

Samakat qaws qazah = The rainbow fish. / Pfister, Marcus

Leaning to share your beauty with others makes everyone shine. This classic tale is now available in English and Arabic for new and native Arabic speakers to enjoy.

Ayyuhā al-dub al-asmar, ayyuhā al-dub al-asmar mādhā tará? / Martin, Bill

I see a bear, what about you? A fun rhyming book that covers all the bases, from magical blue horses to cute purple cats. This book has it all.

Click here to see more Arabic children’s books at Wellington City Libraries

Joining the Library is free! You can take these books home for three weeks and then get some new ones! If you would like to learn more, here is some information about how to join the library, written in Arabic.