Information books, poetry & folktales - Holiday Reading 2008

All dogs have ADHD, Kathy Hoopmann
New title from the author of All Cats have Asperger Syndrome. Using images and ideas from the canine world, this book explores a variety of traits, such as being restless and excitable, getting easily distracted and acting on impulse, that may be recognisable to those who are familiar with ADHD.
coverThe Antarctica book : living in the freezer and The shark book : fish with attitude, Mark Norman
Fantastic colour photography make these well-designed, imaginative books come alive.
Ape, Martin Jenkins
Orang-utan, Chimp, Bonobo, Gorilla - the great apes are some of the biggest animals on our planet. This book shows how the humans impact on the lives of these rare species.
(NZ) Atoms, dinosaurs & DNA : 68 great New Zealand scientists, Veronika Meduna and Rebecca Priestly
By presenting the life and work of each scientist in chronological sequence, this book also charts the history of science in New Zealand over the past two centuries. Atoms, Dinosaurs & DNA is based on a major science exhibition, curated by the authors at the National Library of New Zealand in 2006.
Back and beyond : New Zealand painting for the young and curious, Gregory O'Brien
A follow-up to Welcome to the South Seas: Contemporary New Zealand Art for Young People, Back and Beyond, featuring works painted during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, this new book features art by a number of contemporary painters and printmakers, all of them seasoned travellers across time and space. Moa, angels, rugby players, insects and aunts, the bush and the beaches all play starring roles in this bird's-eye view of New Zealand painting.
Beowulf : a tale of blood, heat, and ashes, [retold by] Nicky Raven
A modern, illustrated retelling of the Anglo-Saxon epic about the heroic efforts of Beowulf, son of Ecgtheow, to save the people of Heorot Hall from the terrible monster, Grendel.
coverEncyclopedia of Immaturity
The complete guide of how to not grow up … ever!
Follow the line around the world, Laura Ljungkvist
Follow the line from the camels of the Sahara Desert to the blue whales of Greenland, from the giraffes of Kenya’s grasslands to the kangaroos of Australia’s outback.
Glass slipper, gold sandal : A worldwide Cinderella, Paul Fleischman
Paul Fleischman and Julie Paschkis craft the many versions of the story of Cinderella from around the world, from Ireland to Zimbabwe, into one hymn to the rich variety and the enduring constants of our diverse cultures.
coverGood masters! Sweet ladies! voices from a medieval village, Laura Amy Schiltz and Robert Byrd
A collection of short one-person plays featuring characters, between ten and fifteen years old, who live in or near a thirteenth-century English manor.
Winner of the 2008 Newbery Medal.
(NZ) How to eat a huhu grub, Nick Turzynski
A clever collection of stories, articles and activities aimed specifically at New Zealand kids. Information includes how to make an origami water bomb, how to spot native trees, what to do if you're stranded in the bush, how to play marbles and how to make paper planes that really fly.
(NZ) Illustrated History of New Zealanders at war, Marcia Stenson
In-depth information about the involvement of New Zealanders in warfare, from pre-European tribal warfare to the musket wars, from the New Zealand wars to the Boer War, from conflict in Vietnam to peacekeeping in the Pacific.
Imaginary Menagerie : a book of curious creatures, Julie Larios and Julie Paschkis
A collection of poems and painting, which features centaurs, mermaids, trolls, hobgoblins and other curious creatures.
(NZ) Learn to skateboard with Luka, Lee Peta
At only 8 years old, Luke Peta is one of New Zealand's youngest professional skateboarders. In this book, he covers all aspects of skateboarding, including safety, the parts of a skateboard, maintenance and some simple riding manoeuvres to try. Fully illustrated with text in Maori and English.
coverMy village : rhymes from around the world, [collected by] Danielle Wright
A collection of verses for young children, originating from 22 different countries. Original languages and phonetic versions are included.
(NZ) Piano Rock : a 1950s childhood, Gavin Bishop
Memoirs of Gavin Bishop's childhood days growing up in Kingston beside Lake Wakatipu. Bishop recalls his boyhood spent building huts, eating girdle scones and marmite sandwiches, going to school on a horse and catching eels.
Read me out loud! : a poem to rap, chant, whisper or shout for every day of the year, chosen by Paul Cookson and Nick Toczek
There are raps, performance poems, chants, playground rhymes, action verses, poems to join in with, poems from different cultures, monologues, dialogues, loud poems, quiet poems, poems with sound effects and poems with actions. You can read them any way you want as long as it is Out Loud!
Simpson and his Donkey, Mark Greenwood
A poignant account of the story of John Kilpatrick Simpson and how he and his donkey, Duffy, rescued over 300 men during the campaign at Gallipoli.
Sisters & brothers : sibling relationships in the animal world, Steve Jenkins and Robin Page
Did you know that anteaters are always only children and that nine-banded armadillos are always born as identical quadruplets? Learn about different brothers and sisters throughout the animal kingdom.
The wall : growing up behind the Iron Curtain, Peter Sís
Through annotated illustrations, journals, maps and dreamscapes, Sís shows what life was like for a child who loved to draw, proudly wore the red scarf of a Young Pioneer, stood guard at the giant statue of Stalin, and believed whatever he was told to believe.