We’re all familiar with cute animals, and especially cute animals saying funny things. But sometimes we tire of cuteness (well, not really), and need to look at really ugly dogs. And vote for the ugliest! It’s not often that an opportunity like this presents itself. (My vote went for Pee Wee Martini.)
(Cute bunny inside!)
The giant squid that was caught last year is currently being defrosted at Te Papa. Excitingly, you can watch it defrost in real-time here from cameras in the ‘tank and dissection room’. There is also a blog detailing the event. Eventually the squid will be put on display. Awesome.
Kym, Children and Youth Services and list-making Specialist, has an interest in books about vampires and werewolves. Here’s her Top 10 young adult fiction titles about people who like biting other people:
The population of the world’s deadliest creature – the box jellyfish – is increasing. These are very different to the jellyfish we find washed up on the beach; these things have four brains, 24 eyes, and 8 foot long tentacles of death. And they swim around in massive packs. Packs of death.
If you like the idea of oceanic horrors, you may like the classic stories of H. P. Lovecraft, whose Cthulhu tales have been influencing popular culture for decades (Hellboy, for example, or maybe Cloverfield). They were written in the early part of last century but still frighten.
This year the Wellington branch of the New Zealand Society of Authors (NZSA/PEN) is joining forces with Wellington City Libraries to devote a week (25th to the 29th of February) to banned children’s books.
What’s on offer?
*Monday 25 February, 7.30pm – 9.00pm at the Wellington Arts Centre, 61 Abel Smith Street. Gold coin entry.
For: Rt Hon Rodney Hide, Tony Simpson, Janice Marriott
Against: Rt Hon Judith Tizard, Bernard Beckett, Aimee McNaughton
Adjudicators: members of Wellington College and Sacred Heart College debating teams.
The previously untitled sixth book in Darren Shan’s creepy Demonata series has a title; Demon Apocalypse. If you’ve been following the series and want to reserve this copy, which should be in circulation soon, click here.
