Non-Fiction - ANZACS

NZ Writer and Illustrator

Philippa Werry, illustrated by Bob Kerr

Best Mates

New Holland Publishers 2014  $19.99pb 32pp

ISBN 978 1 8696 6441 4

Themes: ANZACS/ Friendship/ Gallipoli Campaign

Three young Kiwi boys were mates  - they lived on the same street, went to the same school, played together and grew up together. Then they all went off on a big adventure. They went off to war. Philippa Werry and Bob Kerr have collaborated here to bring a graphic picture in simple but telling words and stunning illustrations of the Gallipoli Campaign, of friendship and of the Australian, New Zealand and Turkish soldiers who were involved.

A double page spread at the end of the book gives much extra and useful information.

There is something here for such a wide range of children  - from the very young up to intermediate age  - and just in time for ANZAC Day on April 25^th. .

Year 1– 8/ Age 5-12

Philippa will be going to Gallipoli on April 14^th as part of the Gallipoli Volunteer Programme. See her blog http://goingtogallipoli.blogspot.co.nz for news of her preparation for the trip and her travels.

Bob, who lives in Wellington, works in a studio in the old Berry & Co building in Cuba Street, a place where the young soldiers went to have their photos taken before they left to go to war.

Bob has also visited Gallipoli.

Acknowledgements to New Holland Publishers for this information about Pippa and Bob.

Non-fiction - Younger Readers

NZ Writer & Illustrator

Diane Newcombe, illustrated by Melissa Anderson Scott

A Is For Auckland

Random House, 2013  $22.00 48pp

ISBN 978 1 7755 3558 4

Themes:         Alphabet books/ Auckland, NZ

Girl and Bird whirl cheerfully around the Auckland area sharing its treasures in pithy text and look, then look again illustrations. Three pages at the back of the book expand on the text making this a valuable resource about the region. This is a book that will be used at many levels and for a variety of reasons – basic information/ craft ideas/ as a catalyst for children in other centres to produce their own alphabet books…

Preschool up/ Age 4 up 



Note: This is another casualty of My Move. It was published in November but just surfaced this morning.  

Non-Fiction 6 and up

Indian Writer (living in the UK) and UK Designer

Anita Ganeri, designed by Cathy Tincknell

First Animal Encyclopaedia

A & C Black, 2013  $24.99hb  64pp

ISBN 978 1 4088 4252 2

Themes:  Animal life

Each animal in this title is given a full page spread and there is an ‘awesome’ box with a little known fact about the animal. A good index and glossary.

Stunning photos fill these fact packed pages which will be enjoyed by a wide age range.

This is a good browsing book as two visiting 6 year olds (girls) showed me this afternoon.

 

Year 2 up/ Age 6 up plus ESOL

Non-Fiction

Released Yesterday 25.10.13

NZ Writer and Illustrator

Finlay Macdonald, illustrated by Lynley Dodd with photos from various sources

The Life and Art of Lynley Dodd

Penguin Books 2013  $50.00hb 208pp

ISBN 978 0 1435 6796 7

Themes:         Biographies/ Authors and Illustrators - children’s books - biographies

At last here is the full story of the small girl who grew up in the magic surroundings of the Kaingaroa Forest in the middle of the North Island, New Zealand.  She became a household name world wide beginning with the first picture book about Hairy Maclary (and friends) published in 1983.  The book is as much a visual record as well as a text one with wonderful insights into the actual writing and illustrating process. It seems many aspiring writers think that writing the text for a picture book (to say nothing of producing the illustrations) can be virtually tossed off over a long weekend. I wish every one of these writers would read the chapter A beginning, an end and a plan to see what is really involved.  It could be up to a year’s work or more until perfection is reached and even then, this amazing woman who has brought so much pleasure to so many children, is never totally satisfied. Finlay Macdonald has written an extremely readable text and highlights the vital partnership between publisher (Ann Mallinson) and artist. It is a handsome book and one that will be treasured.

Adult (but of interest to all ages for various reasons).

Non-Fiction

NZ Writer and Photographer

Nicholas Brockelbank, with photos from Nigel Beach

Nic’s Lunchbox

Scholastic  2013  $10.00pb  32pp

ISBN 978 1 7754 3190 9

Themes:         Children as cooks/ Recipes

His first recipe book, Nic’s Cookbook, sold 120 copies in 30 minutes at the bookshop where it was launched last October. Now Nic has produced another book of recipes that are fun for children to make and to EAT. The recipes are simple, sensitive to issues like the No Nut Ban and the cheerful photos of Nic in his trade mark black and white checked apron as he concentrates on stirring, chopping and sometimes tasting, makes you realize this is a book that is going to be good to use.

As they did with the first book, Nic and Scholastic are donating 50% of the royalties to the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Year 3 up / Age 7 up

WHAT A DAY FOR THE BOOK WORLD IN NEW ZEALAND.

First on our screens this morning came the great news that last night in Auckland at the Arts Foundation Award  ceremony, Gavin Bishop was honoured with the Ann Mallinson Award for illustration.  Then almost before we had had time to finish our breakfast coffee the news came through that New Zealander Eleanor Catton had won the Man Booker prize for her novel The Luminaries. At 28, Eleanor is the youngest writer to win the prize in its history. 


Photo of Gavin Bishop thanks to Random House

Non-Fiction

NZ Writer and Photographer

Meg Lipscombe

Tui: A Nest in the Bush

Craig Potton Publishing 2013   $29.99hb          120pp

ISBN 978 1 8775 1791 4

Themes:  New Zealand birds /Photo diaries/ Tuis

On a spring morning in 2011 Meg Lipscombe noticed a tui vanishing into a bush in her garden with a twig in its beak. She discovered that a nest with two freckled eggs inside could be seen  - and photographed - from her balcony. This was the beginning of 37 days of intense observation and gives us an unique picture of the growth and development of the chicks. The book is aimed at adults but the simple text and careful photography (which really tells the story) means it can be used and appreciated by quite young children.

Meg Lipscombe was given a Fellowship from the Photographic Society of New Zealand in recognition of the excellence of this series of tui photographs.

Adult (but suitable for all ages)

Non-fiction

NZ Editor

Crissi Blair

New Zealand Children’s Books in Print 2012-2013

Silvertone    2013    $20.00     88 pages

ISBN 978 0 4732 4999 1

Here is the annual ‘list’ of all the New Zealand books for children from birth to secondary school that were in print at the end of 2012 plus a large selection of books now available in 2013. ‘List’ is a very weak word to describe this cornucopia of books that is eagerly waited for from year to year and greeted with admiration for its editor who must have spent so many hours compiling it. The whole production is carefully set out so that accessing material is simple. Some schools and colleges I know encourage their students to leaf through it to find new treasures that can then be followed through on the school computer. This year Crissi Blair advises, so that all schools can have a chance to see it, she has decided to make it freely available in digital format. Go to:

 http://issuu.com/crissiblair/docs/nzcbip12-13_digital)

You can purchase a hard copy by emailing books@silvertone.co.nz and it will be sent to you with an invoice.

Teacher Reference Material

Non-Fiction

NZ Writer & Illustrator

Anne Hunter, Illustrations by Dave Gunson
One Little Fantail

Scholastic    2013   $19.50pb  32 pages

ISBN 978 1 7754 3138 1

Themes: New Zealand birds/ Stories in rhyme

Dave Gunson, with his wonderful quirky but never comical illustrations and Anne Hunter with her all embracing rhymes, have worked together to create this book about well and not so well known New Zealand birds. There is useful information about the twelve birds as well as their Maori names and a whole page full of their feathers.

Preschool up / Age 4 up

Please note I am entering this as Wellington is being racked by earthquakes so if there are any boo-boos please forgive me. I will pick them up as I look at it when things are calmer.

Non-Fiction

NZ Writer & Designers

Maria Gill, cartoons by Malcolm Evans

Running The Country – A look inside New Zealand’s government

New Holland    2013   $24.99pb  48 pages

ISBN 978 1 8696 6396 4

Themes: Parliamentary procedures/ Prime Ministers – New Zealand

We have waited a long time for a book about New Zealand government written at a level for younger readers and this book will fill that big need. At first glance there seems to be almost too much on each page but once you understand the layout it is very easy to find your way around as the pages stick to a regular pattern. A timeline from 1250 to 2018 (!) sits along the bottom of each double spread and the ‘click here’ feature shows a variety of useful websites. For me one of the outstanding features of the book was the series of cartoon profiles by Malcolm Evans. Unlike many political cartoonists he has honed in on the more benevolent and vulnerable look of his subjects (except possibly for Richard Seddon) and I felt unexpected warmth toward even those who do not comply with my own political outlooks.

Year 6 up/ Age 10 up
(useful too for secondary students as a general overview)

NON FICTION

NZ Writer and Illustrator

Dave Gunson

The New Zealand Wildlife Activity Book

New Holland    2013   $24.99pb    64pages

ISBN 978 1 8696 6389 6

Themes: Mask making/ New Zealand wild life/ Out of door activities

There must have been so many hours of work in putting this book together with its hundred of ideas for activities in the out of doors aimed at creating a deeper understanding of our diverse wildlife and with a big emphasis on having fun and enjoying it all. Although the book looks as though it is aimed at individual children there is ample scope for teachers and leaders to photocopy pages and use them as the basis for many outdoors project. This just arrived in my box yesterday and I can’t wait to have an opportunity to try it out with a group of ‘conservation’ kids!

Preschool up / Age 4 up

A Little Throwaway News

I had a great time in the Rangitikei at the beginning of the week including a visit to the small but charming Bulls Public Library where every centimetre of space has been well utilised. I also visited National Library in Palmerston North and it was good to catch up with librarian friends there.  I didn't get to do white water surfing but did walk along beside the river.

I was sad though that having initially ‘run away’ from shaky quaky Wellington to get a couple of good night’s sleep, my motel was night beside the arterial road and I was awake all night (s) to the noise of long haul trucks, lorries and what sounded like unoiled tractors.

 

Entrance to National Library Palmerston North

Non-Fiction and some Storylines News

-->

Australian Writers and Photographers

Laklak Burarrwanga and others

Welcome To My Country

Allen & Unwin   2013   $23.99pb         209 pages

ISBN 978 1 7433 1396 1

Themes: Arnhem Land/ Australian Aboriginal rights/ Australian Aboriginal life and culture/

Laklak Burarrwanga and her large family are Yolnu people. They live in a thriving community at Bawaka in Arnhem Land in a place rich with story in the rivers, the trees, the hills and the rocks. Laklak’s story (she is now an elder in the community) has been built up over the years with the help of interpreters and includes her long walk across Arnhem Land as a child and her people’s fights for their children to have quality schooling. The book is illustrated with excellent colour photographs which could be the basis for many spin-offs for younger children.

Year 8 up/ Age 12 up

STORYLINES 2013 is nearly here!

(This is part of the Storylines new logo) 

Dunedin Saturday 10^th August

Christchurch Sunday 11^th August

Wellington Saturday 17^th August

Kaitia Saturday 17^th August

South Auckland Saturday 17^th August

Auckland Sunday 18^th August

(Google Storylines 2013 for details of programmes and venues)

I am on the Wellington planning committee and at our latest meeting this week we discussed a special deal on extra large  teddy bears that were being offered by The Warehouse. We are not totally sure how we are going to use him in the programme yet but I was detailed off to buy him this afternoon. He is a big bear and he seemed so intelligent and companionable as I drove him home that I felt I should actually be engaging him in a little small talk. He is now lying on the bed in the rather cold spare room – I just hope he doesn’t expect to come out and watch TV tonight in front of the fire…I am sure there are some scary stories (including adult) about Toys That Come to Life. I will be waiting for the soft pad pad of large paws.

 

Non-Fiction

-->

NZ Writer, Illustrators and Photographers

Fifi Colston, illustrations from the author and various other sources

Wearable Wonders

Scholastic    2013   $21.00pb    88 pages

ISBN 978 1 7754 3158 9

Themes: Crafts/ Wearable art

The annual show of the World of Wearable Arts is famous the world over and the creator of this book, Fifi Colston, has been involved in it from the beginning. In this colourful and very easily accessed book (good index, table of contents and banner headlines), Fifi shows how to make an amazing number of many forms of wearable art - nearly all achievable even by bumble-fingered people like myself.  There is a real emphasis on recycling and the ideas can be expanded and used again and again in a classroom situation. The style of the text is friendly- almost like having a cheerful conversation with the writer.     

 Year 6 up/ Age 10 up (to adult)

The book was launched out at Kilbirnie at the Children’s Bookshop last night and here Fifi, suitably dressed for the occasion, signs copies for Susan Price (The Susan Price Collection.)

For detailed information about Fifi and her achievements just Google her name and also see her Facebook Page:

https://www.facebook.com/creativefifi

A Happy 30th Birthday to Hairy Maclary

(see today's The Dominion Post (Wellington) for  an interesting article about him and his creators - page A15) 

 ‎