#365PictureBooks 55. The Pirate who had to Pee by Tim Miller & Matt Stanton

Miller, T., & Stanton, M. (2013). The Pirate who had to Pee. Sydney, Australia: ABC Books.

ISBN: 978775432555
Pages: 32
Age Level: Early Childhood 0-6
Genre: Picture Book
Rating: 4 stars

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Pirate Pete had a need.  A really urgent need.  He had to Pee!  But there was a problem.  The toilet was out of order!  Oh No!  What is he going to do? 

Told in a very simple rhyme with one line of text per page, this is a humorous read-aloud for young children.  There is quite a bit of repetition making it an easy story for children to follow along and join in.






The computer generated illustrations are really bright.  The ocean in the background (and the puddles on the ship) have text within with all sorts of 'water' noises.  I'm sure you know what it's like when you really have to go, and your friends make 'encouraging' water noises to make you really really really need to go - so helpful!!!

I like this book.  It's simple, colourful and has two topics that young children like - Pirates, Peeing - and a nice easy rhyming text ... who could ask for more :-)   A cute and fun addition to your collection.  

I got my copy of The Pirate who had to Pee from the Taradale Primary School library where I work. 

You can find a copy at Napier Libraries.

#365PictureBooks 54. The Pet Itch by Elli Woollard, illustrations by Elina Ellis

Woollard, E., & Ellis, E. (2013). The Pet Itch. West Sussex, UK: Maverick Arts.

ISBN: 9781848861077
Pages: 32
Age Level: Early Childhood 0-6
Genre: Picture Storybook
Rating: 4 stars

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What Mossy the Monster most wanted to get in the whole wide world was a small PESTY pet.

Mossy reeeeeaaaaalllllyyyyy wants a pet Itch.  But his family think he is too young, and that pets are nasty, smelly and noisy.  They try to talk him into soft toys, imaginary pets and just looking at books with Itchs in them.  Mossy is having none of it!  He wants a real pet Itch!  He and his sister finally come up with a plan to trick his family into letting them keep a pet Itch.  But does it work???



Woollard's story of a young monster wanting a pet has been told in a humorous rhyme.  Children will be able to relate to the 'need' for a pet, whilst parents will be able to laugh at the antics the aunt, uncle & grandma get up to trying to talk Mossy out of his idea.  I know for sure that we've been down this 'road of denial' before we finally gave in to our 14 year old and allowed him to get a dog!  Kids .... they'll wear you down and twist you around in the end!

The fonts have been done with a mix of bold and capitalization to show emphasis in the rhyme.  And I love how his sister keeps butting in!

Ellis's illustrations add perfectly to the rhyming story.  The monsters are horribly cute, even the pet Itch ... well I don't know about the tutu!  The mixture of full page images and smaller images are done in bold bright colours.  This makes the monsters, done in a purply-brown hue, really stand out as the main focus.

A great read-aloud monster and pet book to add to your collection.  I can see some really creative class activities coming out of this book that I will get to display in the library :-)

I got my copy of The Pet Itch from the Taradale Primary School library where I work. 

You can find a copy at Napier Libraries.

#365PictureBooks 53. Happiness is a Watermelon on Your Head by Stella Dreis, text by Daniel Hahn

Dreis, S., & Hahn, D. (2013). Happiness is a Watermelon on Your Head. London, UK: Phoenix Yard Books.

ISBN: 9781907912054
Pages: 40
Age Level: Early Childhood 0-6 / Middle Childhood 7-12
Genre: Picture Storybook
Rating: 5 stars

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This is the story of three bitter, unhappy and miserable women - Miss Whimper, Miss Grouch & Miss Stern.  Their neighbour, Miss Jolly and her pet Melvin the boar, is always happy.  These three grumps try to find out her secret, and in the process learn that happiness can be a big sticky pink mess.  With the help of a teeny tiny watermelon food fight!  

Originally published in 2011 in Portuguese with the title A Felicidade e uma Melancia na Cebeca by Callis Editora.



Wow!  I just love love love this book.  Stella Dreis' illustrations are fan-freaking-amazing!!!  I saw some artwork many years ago that this reminds me of, but I'm blowed if I can remember the artist ... aaaarrrrrggghhhh!!!!.  I would love to have some on my walls!

The illustrations are extremely bright and colourful and done in a surrealist style.  They have been depicted in an overly exaggerated way from their facial and body features, their expressions, through to the way they move.  I love their snobbish expressions as they strut around with the most hideously fantastic hats on their heads.

Hahn's rhyming text is a perfect match to Dreis's illustrations.  It has a catchy rhythm and mostly uses language that younger children can understand. 

What a fantastically imaginative and fun book to add to your collection.  The artwork is worth spending hours pouring over, and the rhyming story makes for a great read-aloud.  Even though it is supposedly for Early Childhood 0-6 year old children I personally think that Middle Childhood 7-12 year olds will appreciate this book more, both for the illustrations and the humorous rhyme.

I got my copy of Happiness is a Watermelon on Your Head from the Taradale Primary School library where I work. 

Woops, I couldn't find a copy at Napier Libraries.

Check out Goodreads for more reviews of Happiness is a Watermelon on Your Head.

#365PictureBooks 52. The Monsters' Test by Brian Heinz, illustrated by Sal Murdocca

Heinz, B.J., & Murdocca, S. (1996). The Monsters' Test. Brookfield, CT: The Millbrook Press.

ISBN: 9780761300953
Pages: 24
Age Level: Middle Childhood 7-12
Genre: Picture Storybook / Poetry
Rating: 3 stars

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The Monsters' Test is a bit of an oldie, but I have only just purchased it, and it's about monsters so I'm definitely going to review it. 



Kid's are always having friendly competitions - who is the tallest, the smartest, the prettiest, the fastest - and monsters are no different.  So when a group of the worst of them get together for an evening out, it's not surprising that they decide to have a contest to see which of them is the scariest looking.



Told in verse the Monsters' Test is more appropriate for upper primary and intermediate children.  The rhyme is catchy although not always easy to keep the rhythm up.  Each monster gets a chance to try and outdo everyone else with lots of heckling from the audience.

In keeping with the monster theme the background images are dark and full of suspense.  However the foreground images of the monsters have quite a lot of colour, and the creatures facial expressions and antics make this a book to laugh at and enjoy rather than be scared of.  It shows kids that, just like them, other 'creatures' have fun, make fun of each other, love competition and can be scared of the silliest things!!!

What a great book about Halloween.  I like it although I have to say the sometimes un-rhythmic verse has let it down ... hence only 3 stars.  It would be a great poem for senior students poetry competitions.  I must admit that it is currently catalogued in our system as 821:Poetry, but I'm thinking it will get more use in our Sophisticated Picture Book section so I'll be changing it before the spine label goes on this week.

I got my copy of The Monsters' Test from the Taradale Primary School library where I work. 

You can find a copy at Napier Libraries.

#365PictureBooks 51. Adorable Alice by Cassandra Webb, illustrated by Michaela Blassnig

Webb, C., & Blassnig, M. (2014). Adorable Alice. Frenchs Forest, Australia: New Frontier.

ISBN: 9781921928017
Pages: 32
Age Level: Early Childhood 0-6
Genre: Picture Storybook
Rating: 4 stars

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Alice loves to keep herself entertained in all sorts of creative ways, and everyday she likes to do something different.  With the help of her Teddy Bear, this week she is using her senses and wonders what it would be like to not speak, hear or smell.  And on Friday she covers her eyes and tries to recognise the people and places around her home using all her other senses. 

Webb uses language appropriate for younger children, and she has lots of descriptive language which is especially good for literacy in the junior primary school and with pre-school children.


Each of the senses that Alice uses is easily recognised or able to be explained to young children and can be made into an activity for them to try for themselves.

Blassnig's illustrations are beautifully done.  Done in soft watercolour, each page clearly shows Alice and her daily 'sense' adventure.  Her Teddy Bear has been depicted as a living bear and is always there giving Alice support and love.  The facial expressions on Alice and her family are realistic.  Young children will be able to relate to what is being read by using the visual clues in each image.

This is just an adorable book.  What a simple and clever way of explaining to children about their senses, or helping them understand other people with disabilities.  A great addition to your home or school collection.

I got my copy of Adorable Alice from the Taradale Primary School library where I work. 

You can find a copy at Napier Libraries.

#365PictureBooks 50. Clementine's Walk by Annie White

White, A. (2013). Clementine's Walk. Frenchs Forest, Australia: New Frontier.

ISBN: 9781921928475
Pages: 32
Age Level: Early Childhood 0-6
Genre: Picture Storybook
Rating: 4 stars

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Clementine is bored and decides she wants to go outside in the sunshine for a walk.  She makes messes everywhere as she bumbles her way around the whole family trying to find someone to take her.  But they are all too busy to take her for a walk.  Poor Clementine.  When everyone is finally ready to go they can't find Clementine anywhere!  Where can she be hiding? 

What a gorgeous story.  It has a simple rhyming text and uses language that is aimed at it's younger audience.




The illustrations tie in perfectly with the text and are just beautifully done.  They have quite an 'old-fashioned' look to them.  Done on a pale cream background your eye is drawn to the main focus - Clementine and her antics in trying to get the family to take her for a walk.  Clementine has been shown as a scruffy looking happy dog ... well until she gives up because everyone is too busy.  The illustrations are quite realistic looking, while being done nice and simply and not too complicated for younger children to relate to.  They show the energy and chaos that is part of having a pet dog.  

The end papers are just lovely.  The front shows a trail of Clementines mess, while the back has a map of Clementine's walk when the family eventually takes her out.

The rhyme and the story make this is a beautiful book for reading aloud whether you have a pet or not.  It is also a good title to have in your classroom or library for Year 1 students.   

Teacher notes are available for this Clementine's Walk.

I got my copy of Clementine's Walk from the Taradale Primary School library where I work. 

You can find a copy at Napier Libraries.

#365PictureBooks 49. Te Pakiwaitara O Cape Kidnappers: The story of Cape Kidnappers, story re-told by Patrick Sherratt, illustrations by Sophie Blokker

Sherratt, P., & Blokker, S. (2013). Te Pakiwaitara O Cape Kidnappers: The story of Cape Kidnappers. Napier, New Zealand: Te Mata Kidergarten.

ISBN: 9780473242343
Pages: 24
Age Level: Middle Childhood 7-12
Genre: Picture Storybook / NZ Fiction / Myths & Legends
Rating: 5 stars

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Te Pakiwaitara O Cape Kidnappers tells the story of  an historical event that happened when Captain James Cook was exploring New Zealand in 1769.  It takes place at Rangiika, on the southern side of Cape Kidnappers, which is also know as the tip of Matau-o-Maui (the fish hook of Maui) who in Maori legend fished up the North Island of New Zealand.  Many years later this significant landmark continues to be called Cape Kidnappers and is a popular tourist attraction (Back Page). 

Patrick Sherratt's retelling of this local legend has been done simply enough for younger children to follow, and yet in a way that is very much like many traditional Maori Myths & Legends.


Each double-page spread has the legend on the left page with the beautifully depicted illustration to go with it on the right.

Sophie Blokker's illustrations are just freaking amazing!  Her computer generated graphical images depict the characters in a manga style.  Her coastal scenes although slightly cartoonish appear as if you are looking out at the scene yourself.  With the use of bright bold colours this book is a visual feast for the eyes.


This is a fantastic addition to your collection, whether it is as a read-aloud, part of your Maori Myths & Legends collection or in among the picture books collection.  A great local history book for those of us in Hawkes Bay.

This is the second book that Te Mata Kindergarten have published with artist Sophie Blokker.  The first book tells the the legend of Te Mata O Rongokako the Sleeping Giant which is a prominent land mark and Maori legend in Havelock North (Back Page). 

I got my copy of Te Pakiwaitara O Cape Kidnappers: The story of Cape Kidnappers from the Taradale Primary School library where I work. 

You can find a copy at Napier Libraries.

Find out more about Sophie Blokker's illustrations.

#365PictureBooks 48. Phylys the Farm Truck by Christine Fernyhough & Susan Elijas, photography by John Bougen

Fernyhough, C., & Elijas, S. (2013). Phylys the Farm Truck. Auckland, New Zealand: Random House.

ISBN: 9781775535096
Pages: 32
Age Level: Early Childhood 0-6
Genre: Picture Storybook / NZ Fiction
Rating: 4 stars

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Meet Phylys.  She's the shiny new farm truck at Castle Hill Station.  Will she be tough enough to get the jobs of a high-country farm done, or will she be to pretty to try?  And how are the animals on the station going to treat her? 

Christine Fernyhough & Susan Elijas have presented us with a humorous rhyming read-aloud about the every-day happenings on a working farm.  The verse reminds me of The Man from Snowy River (Yes I know it's Australian and this is a New Zealand story) but it's rhythm and language just has a 'down home' feel.

Interspersed with the actual verse are rhyming one-liners from the farm animals which add beautifully to the story.

The illustrations remind me of one of those felt boards that we had as a kid.  You could create & re-create your own 'story' by adding felt characters, buildings, vehicles, trees etc to a felt back-board.  Hours and hours and hours of fun was had.

Susan & Sam Elijas have taken John Bougen's photos, and with the use of collage have designed each spread in a way that is eye-catching.  Their humorous depiction of an everyday occurrence in the farming community is brilliant.  

What a great read-aloud with so many fantastic things to spot on each page.  Keep your eyes open for the little pink mouse who can be seen on each page getting up to all sorts of mischief.

I got my copy of Phylys the Farm Truck from the Taradale Primary School library where I work. 

You can find a copy at Napier Libraries.

Find out more about Christine Fernyhough here.

Check out Graham Beattie's blog post about Phylys the Farm Truck.

#365PictureBooks 47. Caterpillar Butterfly by Vivian French, illustrated by Charlotte Voake

French, V. (1993). Caterpillar Butterfly. London, UK: Walker Books.

ISBN: 9781406312775
Pages: 32
Age Level: Early Childhood 0-6 / Middle Childhood 7-12
Genre: Non-fiction
Rating: 4 stars

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Caterpillar Butterfly is part of Walker Books Nature Storybooks collection.  Although this and Big Blue Whale (from yesterday's review) have been around for quite a while, they are still a great example of non-fiction narrative books for our younger readers, and provide relevant information on their chosen topic. 

Vivian French tells us the story of when she was a young girl and she and her grandfather watched a family of caterpillars turn into butterflies.  It clearly describes what the different stages are that she is observing, and is presented in a way that younger children can understand.

The book is told in two parts - Vivian's story which is the main text, and lots of facts about the life-cycle of a butterfly, how to tell the difference between them, and the types of food the caterpillars like to eat.

Voake's illustrations are done in muted tones, predominantly green and yellow, on a pale yellow washed background.  The text fits in and around the images of Vivian, her grandpa and the plants that the caterpillars are living on.

My only disappointment is that the text used for the facts is quite hard to read.  Students will struggle to decipher it if they are reading it on their own.  The main body of text has been presented nice & clearly, using double-line spacing and with a language that children will understand.

There is also a simple index at the back, which has been presented on a page of different butterflies and their common names. 

A lovely read-aloud for pleasure with your child or to explain about the life-cycle of a butterfly.  It is also a brilliant teaching tool for use with non-fiction narrative, and descriptive text, particularly for the teachers of our year 3 & 4 students.

I got my copy of Caterpillar Butterfly from the Taradale Primary School library where I work. 

Oops, I couldn't find a copy at Napier Libraries.

#365PictureBooks 46. Big Blue Whale by Nicola Davies, illustrated by Nick Maland

Davies, N. (1997). Big Blue Whale. London, UK: Walker Books.

ISBN: 9781406312577
Pages: 32
Age Level: Early Childhood 0-6 / Middle Childhood 7-12
Genre: Non Fiction
Rating: 5 stars

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Big Blue Whale is part of Walker Books Nature Storybooks collection. 

Nicola Davies uses a non-fiction narrative style to tell the story of the Big Blue Whale,using language that younger children can understand.  She also includes little snippets of facts (in bold and a different font to stand out) within most of the pages that add to the story unfolding.

Like any good non-fiction book it includes an index at the back.  This has been presented in a way for children learning about non-fiction book layout to understand, and includes a reminder to look at both kinds of words within the book - the story and the facts. 

Nick Malland's illustrations have been done in a background of muted tones with the main image being in black ink using a variety of fill techniques.  They are simple and yet quite stunning.  

The images of a young boy and girl (the narrators?) have been used throughout the book to give an indication of size, and shows just how big the Blue Whale is.

This book is perfect as a read-aloud for pleasure with your child or to explain about the largest whale around.  It is also a brilliant teaching tool for use with non-fiction narrative, and descriptive text.  I have been asked to purchase a selection of this Nature Storybooks series as they are particularly useful to the teachers of our year 3 & 4 students.

I got my copy of Big Blue Whale from the Taradale Primary School library where I work. 

You can find a copy at Napier Libraries.

#365PictureBooks 45. Lifesize Ocean by Anita Ganeri, illustrated by Stuart Jackson-Carter

Ganeri, A., & Jackson-Carter, S. (2014). Lifesize Ocean. London, UK: Kingfisher.

ISBN: 9780753436349
Pages: 24
Age Level: Middle Childhood 7-12
Genre: Non Fiction
Rating: 5 stars

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Wow!  This is an amazing non-fiction book that uses photography to show ocean creatures in their natural environment at at their actual size.   

Taking us on a visual journey through our oceans, starting with the smallest of creatures - Copepods & Pygmy seahorses, and continuing through to our biggest creatures - North Pacific giant octopus & Blue whale, children will be able to get an understanding of just what size these creatures really are.

It is a great tool to use for visual comparisons and size perception, as well as enabling children to actually see what these creatures look like (or at least part of them looks like).

The photography is accompanied by a brief description of each creature.  The language used is appropriate for our younger school students, whilst still providing information in a way that our senior students will be able to use.  The text enhances the images, drawing your eye to points of interest in each scene.

The book ends with two double-page spreads of animal facts giving you more information on the creatures in this book.  Things such as their habitat, length, diet, and lifespan, as well as an amazing fact about each creature.  They also use a photo of a diver as a visual comparison against the sea creatures size.

Two other great visual comparison, size perception and Actual Size books that we have in our library are Actual Size and Prehistoric Actual Size by Steve Jenkins.  These are great teaching tools, and just awesome and awe-inspiring to look at.

I got my copy of Lifesize Ocean from the Taradale Primary School library where I work. 

You can find a copy at Napier Libraries.

Books with libraries. Just how many am I going to review?

I've reviewed a few picture books lately and a lot of them seem to have some great library scenes in them.  Just for a laugh I thought I'd keep track of which ones they are during my #365PictureBook reviews.  Not that I'm a fan of libraries or anything - yeah right!  Librarian and book lover through and through here.

What do Werewolves do when it's not Halloween? by Heath McKenzie
- Awesome Zombie library scene.

Chu's Day by Neil Gaiman, illustrated by Adam Rex
- Chu visits the library with his mum, and then creates complete mayhem in there later when he sneezes at the circus.  

Odd Duck by Cecil Castellucci, illustrated by Sara Varon
- Theodora visits the library and takes out all the racy and unused titles (My kind of duck!)

Use your Imagination (But be careful WHAT you WISH for!) by Nicola O'Byrne
- The Big Bad Wolf pretends to be a librarian, and convinces the rabbit to use his imagination to write a story.

Between the Pages by Joan van Loon, illustrated by Chantal Stewart
- This is a story that celebrates the pleasure of reading

Doggy Ditties from A to Z by Jo van Dam, illustrated by Myles Crawford
- This book of poetry is written by a Kiwi Librarian ... working at two primary schools :0)

#365PictureBooks 44. What do Werewolves do when it's not Halloween? by Heath McKenzie

McKenzie, H. (2013). What do Werewolves do when it's not Halloween? Lindfield, Australia: Scholastic.

ISBN: 9781742838793
Pages: 24
Age Level: Early Childhood 0-6 / Middle Childhood 7-12
Genre: Picture Storybook
Rating: 4 stars

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Just what do Werewolves and all the other supernatural creatures get up to when it's not Halloween?  Do they hide in dark closets, or do they get up to mischief?  Join Heath McKenzie as he takes you for a romp through the lives of your favourite ghouls, ghosts and spooks, and find out just what Werewolves do after Halloween. 

With a rollicking great rhyme and a funky font this is a great picture book to share with young and old kids alike.  Older kids will 'get' the humour of it more-so than the pre-school kids, but I can see them laughing their way through story time if you read this with them.

McKenzie's illustrations are just so awesome as well.  He uses humour in his images to turn what some people find scary (monsters) into a hilarious twist on our own relaxation activities.  There are so many great things to see on each page that I can't choose a favourite.  I just love them all so much.  I've got to admit though that I'm quite partial to the library scene!

This is a wicked-cool addition to your collection, especially if like me you are a fan of all things supernatural.  And maybe after reading this, those kids that are usually scared of things that go 'bump' in the night won't be so scared any more :-)

I got my copy of What do Werewolves do when it's not Halloween? from the Taradale Primary School library where I work. 

Oops I couldn't find a copy at Napier Libraries.

Check out Heather McKenzie's website on how she came up with the idea for What to Werewolves do when it's not Halloween?

72276 Website Reviews

As part of the requirements for our 72276 Children's & Young Peoples' paper, our third assignment asks us to review (in no more than 60 words) approximately 20 websites, and then post it on our blog.  So here is my final task of my final assignment of my final paper in my L5 Diploma in Information and Library Studies.  WooHoo!

Task 2:­ Bookmarking favourite websites and resources

Annotated List

This list of 19 websites has been separated into the following categories for easier referral:

• Reviews of literature and information resources for children and young people

• Awards

• Organisations involved in the promotion of reading and literature

• Publishers and booksellers

• Fiction reading and reviews for primary school children

• Fiction reading and reviews for teenagers

• Information resources for primary school children

• Information resources for teenagers

• Other websites I found interesting or useful.

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1)    Reviews of literature and information resources for children and young people – a New Zealand website and an overseas website

The Pulse/te Auaha. (n.d.). About the Pulse/te Auaha. Retrieved January 20, 2015 from http://thepulse.org.nz/About/

Overview

The Pulse is a website ‘by, for, and about young people living in New Zealand, but especially 13 to 18 year olds living in Christchurch and Canterbury’ (The Pulse/te Auaha, n.d., para. 1).  This service has been provided by Christchurch City Libraries and has the backing of the Canterbury District Health Board and City Council.  It provides information and links to all sorts of things relevant to teenagers from book reviews to courses, music to cooking and careers.  

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Books for keeps - the children’s book magazine online. (n.d.). Retrieved January 20, 2015 from http://booksforkeeps.co.uk/

Overview

This is a bi-monthly magazine that reviews children’s books, provides articles on all aspects of writing for children and focuses on a different author or illustrator each issue.  You can view the magazine in its entirety online or read the book reviews, which are split into age ranges, on the website.

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2)   Awards

Association for Library Services to Children: A division of the American Library Association. (2014). Book and Media Awards. Retrieved November 13, 2014 from http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia

Overview

This is the book and media awards page on the ALSC website.  It provides links to the ALSC awards that are announced every January, highlighting the current year’s winners, and providing information about the award and on past years winners.  Awards such as the Caldecott Medal, Newbery Medal and Geisel Award are among the listed. 

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Christchurch City Libraries : Nga Kete Wananga-o-Otautahi. (2015). Literary prizes and book awards. Retrieved January 20, 2015 from http://my.christchurchcitylibraries.com/literary-prizes/

Overview

The literary prizes and book awards page on the Christchurch City Libraries page links you to a vast selection of book awards, both national and international.  Awards are separated into categories within New Zealand and International.  This enables viewers to easily select the award they are after.  Books are also linked directly to the library catalogue search.

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3)   Organisations involved in the promotion of reading and literature

Booktrust. (2015). About Us. Retrieved January 21, 2015 from http://www.booktrust.org.uk/about-us/

Overview

Booktrust is an independent charity whose aim is ‘to create a society of people who are motivated to read and who see themselves as readers whatever level that might be’ (Booktrust, 2015, para. 3).  They have tips, programmes and news for parents, teachers and librarians.  Books can be searched by Title or Author and an advanced search is offered.  Information is categorised by sector or age group and there are links to research reports undertaken by Booktrust.

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International Digital Children’s Library - a library for the world’s children. (n.d.). Mission. Retrieved January 31, 2015 from http://en.childrenslibrary.org/about/mission.shtml  

Overview

The International Digital Children’s Library (ICDL) is a non-profit organisation whose aim is to provide free online access to over 10,000 children’s books from all over the world in more than 100 languages.   Their mission ‘is to support the world’s children in becoming effective members of the global community – who exhibit tolerance and respect for diverse cultures, languages and ideas – by making the best in children’s literature available online free of charge’ (The International Digital Children’s Library, n.d., ‘Mission Statement’).  The website has been designed with and by children to make finding and reading books child friendly.  There are also activities and resources for parents and teachers to promote a love of reading. 

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4)   Publishers and booksellers

The Children’s Bookshop. (2015). Welcome. Retrieved November 13, 2014 from https://childrensbookshop.circlesoft.net/pages/403-Welcome

Overview

There are so many great publishers’ websites, both nationally and internationally, and the booksellers in New Zealand are second to none. One fantastic bookseller is The Children’s Bookshop in Kilbirnie, Wellington.  John’s radio reviews are great to listen to, while their regular newsletter sent to schools is full of information on new and recent books along with a key message each time.

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Random House New Zealand. (n.d.). About. Retrieved January 31, 2015 from http://www.randomhouse.co.nz/about/

Overview

Random House New Zealand’s website provides access to book reviews, author information, news, events, competitions, games and the ability to purchase directly online.  The young reader’s selection is separated into kids, teens and teachers with further groupings in each to make finding books simple.  They have ‘a strong commitment to junior and young adult fiction, as well as non-fiction for young readers’ (Random House New Zealand, n.d., para. 3).

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5)   Fiction reading and reviews for primary school children

Ellis, S. (2015). Home. Retrieved January 31, 2015 from http://365picturebooksblog.wordpress.com/ 

Overview

#365PictureBooks is a blog by a local fellow-librarian (and ex primary school teacher) started with the intention of posting a picture book review a day for 2015.  The blog reviews new and old picture books that she has sourced from, predominantly, the local library.  These reviews are more relevant to an adult reader. 

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The Children’s Book Review. (2015). About. Retrieved February 1, 2015 from http://www.thechildrensbookreview.com/about

Overview

The Children’s Book Review is a US based website devoted to children’s literacy and was ‘named one of the ALSC (Association for Library Services to Children) Great Web Sites for Kids’ (The Children’s Book Review, 2015, para. 1).  Books are categorised by age and genre, and the reviews are more appropriate to an adult reader.  They have author spotlights, and interviews, giveaways and a link to their own bookshop.

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6)   Fiction reading and reviews for teenagers

Teen Reads. (2015). Home. Retrieved November 13, 2014 from http://www.teenreads.com/

Overview

This is an American website which has reviews for, and by, teenagers among other things.  The reviewers join the teen board for a period of 6 months.  There are also reading lists, regular features and review on books coming soon.  Reviews can be viewed by title, author, genre or date. 

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bookzone4boys. (n.d.). About Me. Retrieved November 13, 2014 from http://bookzone4boys.blogspot.co.nz/p/about-me.html

Overview

The Book Zone (For Boys) is a blog that reviews books that may appeal to boys.  The authors mission ‘is to raise awareness of the vast wealth of ‘boy-friendly’ books’ (bookzone4boys, n.d., ‘Welcome to the book zone’).  The blog also includes author interviews, guest posts and competitions. The author is based in the United Kingdom.

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7)   Information resources for primary school children

Britannica School. (n.d.) Primary Home. Retrieved January 31, 2015 from http://school.ebonline.co.nz/levels/primary

Overview

Britannica School Primary is a subscription based online encyclopaedia that is free to all schools in New Zealand, via EPIC on the Te Kete Ipurangi website.  The encyclopaedia is student friendly providing information on a variety of topics, and a student zone with activities that help reinforce skills in reading, writing and maths.  There is a teacher link that provides curriculum based tools and a user guide.

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Centre for Literacy in Primary Education. (2015). About Us. Retrieved February 1, 2015 from https://www.clpe.org.uk/page/5

Overview

The Centre for Literacy in Primary Education (CLPE) ‘emphasises the importance of children’s literature in enabling children to become confident and enthusiastic readers and writers’ (The Centre for Literacy in Primary Education, 2015, para. 1).  They are a UK based independent charity.   Their website provides resources and booklists for libraries, teachers and parents.  There is a lot of useful information on here for international schools, although the packs provided are only for UK based schools.

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8)   Information resources for teenagers

AnyQuestions.co.nz Uia Ngā Pātai.co.nz. (n.d.). Home. Retrieved January 31, 2015 from http://anyquestions.co.nz/

Overview

AnyQuestions.co.nz is a website that offers homework help to students during after-school hours.  Its aim is to provide guidance in finding the answers students need, rather than providing the actual answer to their question.  Uia Ngā Pātai.co.nz is the Te Reo Māori website for kura kaupapa.  It also provides a link to ManyAnswers.co.nz with commonly asked questions.

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New Zealand History Ngā korero a ipurangi o Aotearoa. (2014). Information about this website. Retrieved January 31, 2015 from http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/about-this-site

Overview

This is a useful website for research as it provides information and resources on our history.  There are four tabs providing information in a drill down style: Topics, Events, People and Places, and three broad themes highlight different aspects of ‘Culture and society’, ‘Politics and government’ and ‘War and society’.  There is a large image and media collection, biographies and a ‘today in history’ link.     

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9)   Other websites I found interesting or useful

School Library Association of New Zealand Aotearoa Te Puna Whare Mātauranga a Kura. (n.d.). Home. Retrieved 15 December, 2014 from http://www.slanza.org.nz/

Overview

The School Library Association of New Zealand Aotearoa Te Puna Whare Mātauranga a Kura (SLANZA) offers support to, and by, school and public librarians and staff around New Zealand.  Contact information for each region is available for anyone needing advice from the local representative.  The resources tab has relevant resources from SLANZA and other institutions.  Links are provided to other school library associations and journals.

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National Library of New Zealand Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa: Services to Schools. (n.d.). About. Retrieved January 31, 2015 from http://schools.natlib.govt.nz/about

Overview

National Library is part of the Department of Internal Affairs and the ‘Services to Schools (S2S) provides resources, expertise, programmes and services to support literacy, learning, school libraries and their services’ (National Library of New Zealand Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa: Services to Schools, n.d., para. 1).  They have an advisory service, a link to the National Library of New Zealand catalogue, access to images and videos, and an online community for networking and support.

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Gill, M., & Orman, L. (n.d.). Home. Retrieved December 27, 2014 from http://kidsbooksnz.blogspot.co.nz/

Overview

KidsBooksNZ is a blog that reviews and promotes children’s books written by New Zealand authors.  They also attempt to provide information on how the books fit into the school curriculum.  Maria is a primary school teacher, and Lorraine is a retired librarian and a book reviewer.