Children’s New Titles August 2012 (arrived in July)

• Audio Visual
• Into Reading
• Non-Fiction
• Older Fiction
• Picture Books
• Younger Fiction

Audio Visual

Happy feet two [videorecording (DVD)], directed by George Miller.

Mumble, The Master of Tap, has a problem because his tiny son, Erik, is choreo-phobic. Reluctant to dance, Erik runs away and encounters The Mighty Sven, a penguin who can fly! Mumble has no hope of competing with this charismatic new role model. But things get worse when the world is shaken by powerful forces. Erik learns of his father's 'guts and grit' as Mumble brings together the penguin nations and all manner of fabulous creatures.

Camp Rock. 2, The final jam [videorecording (DVD)], directed by Paul Hoen.

Mitchie, Shane, Jason, Nate, and their friends return to Camp Rock for another fun-filled summer. They soon learn that Star Camp has also opened on the lake and has lured many Camp Rock instructors and campers away. When hotshot performer Luke Williams issues a challenge to see which camp has the greatest musical talent, everyone prepares for an all-out battle of the bands. The only catch is, the losing camp will close for good!

Horrid Henry [videorecording (DVD)] : the movie, directed by Nick Moore.

This British children's comedy is based on the bestselling books by Francesca Simon. Horrid Henry wages his constant battle against the tyranny of adults including his teacher Miss Battle-Axe, headmistress Mrs Oddbod and the Demon Dinner Lady - and that's before he even gets started on his holier-than-thou little brother Perfect Peter.

The Gruffalo's child [videorecording (DVD)], directed by Johannes Weiland & Uwe Heidschotter.

"One wild and windy night, the Gruffalo's child ignores her father's warnings and bravely tiptoes out into the snow in search of the Big Bad Mouse. She meets snake, owl and fox but no sign of the fabled mouse. He doesn't really exist... or does he?"--Container.

Kiwi kidsongs. 16 [sound recording].

Collection of songs intended for primary level with a Pacific theme. Includes seven songs about the Pacific as well as themed dance, composition and drama tracks. Book includes words and translations of songs and suggestions for activities. Suggested audience: primary, intermediate.

Surfer Jeff [videorecording (DVD)], the Wiggles.

Surfer Jeff sees the return of The Wiggles' original singer, Greg Page! Join the Wiggles on their most exciting adventure ever! Surfer Jeff is The Wiggles' most exciting adventure ever! Jeff meets Gino the Genie who grants him three wishes, so Jeff decides to visit exotic locations such as Abu Dhabi, London, Rome, Paris and Sydney's Royal Botanic Garden! With songs from around the world, children will be captivated by the magic of The Wiggles in their 21st year with 'Surfer Jeff'"--Container.

iCarly. iSpace out [videorecording (DVD)].

Carly and the crew venture to a training facility to test their space survival abilities. Can they hack being locked in a space pod for 36 hours? On top of this space madness, the Carly insanity continues as Sam decides to reveal a shocking secret, Gibby wants to fight Freddie, Carly and crew try to find Bigfoot, and so much more!

The penguins of Madagascar. Operation : Vacation [videorecording (DVD)].

Everyone's favourite zany penguins are out of the zoo and on the move in seven outrageous adventures. Join Skipper, Kowalski, Rico and Private as they embark on a high-seas expedition that's packed full of hilarious hijinks.

Thomas & friends. Wobbly wheels & whistles [videorecording (DVD)].

Chug along with Thomas for a wonderfully wobbly and wheel-spinning good time! Your favorite friend has bridges to cross and tracks to uncover in these exciting adventures. When Victor gets overloaded with too many tasks, can Thomas help him let out the steam? While trying to get Scruff as clean as a whistle, will Thomas have to get his own wheels dirty? Just when things seem to be rolling along, will Ol' Wheezy make a wobbly mess of Thomas' special delivery?

Charlie and Lola. You can be my friend [videorecording (DVD)].

Power surge [sound recording], Andy Briggs.

Schoolboy supervillain, Jake Hunter, has taken his seat on the Council of Evil, now he will exact revenge on the cruel world. But the cruel world has other plans, and they come in the shape of the Hero Foundation. Jake's not scared of the Hero Foundation. He even has a plan to turn it to the dark side. Until it gets a new member - Jake's own sister.

The prince of rags and patches [sound recording], Terry Deary.

A visitor comes to Marsden Manor, bearing letters from the dying Queen Elizabeth to James VI of Scotland. A man lies dead in Bournmoor Woods murdered. And Will Marsden, aided and abetted by Meg the serving girl, sets out to find the killer. Meanwhile Will is puzzling over the story of his Marsden ancestor who followed Richard III into battle, was mixed up in the mysterious deaths of the Princess in the Tower and whose meeting with a prince of rags and patches gives Will the vital clue he needs.

Torn [sound recording], Margaret Peterson Haddix.

Time travellers Jonah and Katherine arrive in 1611 to rescue missing child John Hudson, son of the explorer Henry Hudson, but just as the mutiny on the Discovery is supposed to start, Jonah and Katherine's knowledge of history is tested once again, and they fear that more is at stake than just one boy's life. Author's note includes facts about Henry Hudson's explorations.

The dark dream [sound recording], Nigel Hinton.

In this fourth Beaver Towers adventure, Philip and old Mr. Edgar set off on their travels so that Philip can learn how to use his powers to fight evil. But while they are away, the island itself is under threat from a strange creature named Retson. This time it is up to Baby B, the little beaver and Nick, the hedgehog, to save the day.

Monster mission [sound recording], Eva Ibbotson.

Three children have been kidnapped by some mysterious, mad aunts and panic is spreading. But Myrtle, Coral and Etta are far from killers, for they need the children to help them in a very caring mission. They are taken to a secret island where they love they new magical life. But danger is near.

Under the skin [sound recording], Catherine MacPhail.

Omar, a young asylum seeker, is picked on by Sam, a local boy. But Omar is nobody's victim and he gives as good as he

Scrum! [sound recording], Tom Palmer.

One boy, two codes ... How will he decide? When Steven's mother remarries and moves down south, Steven is torn between loyalty to his dad and a relationship with his mum's new husband. Maybe even worse, he might have to leave his beloved Rugby League behind for a new Rugby Union team.

The case of the gypsy good-bye [sound recording], Nancy Springer.

After fourteen-year-old Enola Holmes seeks the missing Duquessa Del Campo in the seedy underbelly of nineteenth-century London, she finally reaches an understanding with her brothers Sherlock and Mycroft.

Gangsta granny [sound recording], David Walliams.

Our hero Ben is bored beyond belief after he is made to stay at his grandma's house. She's the boringest grandma ever: all she wants to do is to play Scrabble, and eat cabbage soup. But there are two things Ben doesn't know about his grandma. 1) She was once an international jewel thief. 2) All her life, she has been plotting to steal the crown jewels, and now she needs Ben's help?

The worst thing about my sister [sound recording], Jacqueline Wilson.

Being a sister isn't always easy but what's the very worst thing about your sister? Marty and her sister Melissa couldn't be more different. Marty loves her Converse trainers, playing football, hiding in her secret den and helping her dad with his DIY. But Melissa loves Justin Bieber and all things pink, girly and pretty. The sisters can manage to live together, despite their occasional scraps but then Mum tells them they have to share a room. For Marty, having to share her bunk beds and lose her private sanctuary turns out to be the very worst thing about having a sister. But the girls soon discover that being too close for comfort can have unexpected consequences, and when an accident happens, the sisters realise they are closer than they thought.

Striker boy kicks out [sound recording], Jonny Zucker.

Hatton Rangers's new golden boy, Nat Dixon is still basking in the glow of his dramatic end to the last Premier League season when the team are invited to play in a mini-tournament in Spain. Nat is still on edge trying to hide the truth about his age from his team-mates and the outside world, especially when he fears it might have been leaked. And he soon discovers that his host family in Spain are covering up a secret of their own.

Cave baby [sound recording], Julia Donaldson ; [illustrated by] Emily Gravett.

"A hairy mammoth takes a cheeky little baby on a thrilling ride through a moonlit landscape populated by a sabre-toothed tiger, a leaping hare, a laughing hyena and even, just maybe, by a big brown bear"--From publisher. Suggested level: junior.

A bear called Paddington [sound recording], Michael Bond

"A bear on Paddington Station?" said Mrs Brown in amazement. "Don't be silly - there can't be." The Browns first met Paddington on a railway station - Paddington station, in fact. He had travelled all the way from Darkest Peru with only a jar of marmalade, a suitcase and his hat. The Browns soon find that Paddington is a very unusual bear. Ordinary things - like having a bath, travelling underground or going to the seaside become quite extraordinary, if a bear called Paddington is involved.

Sophie and the Shadow Woods. Omnibus 2 [sound recording], Linda Chapman & Lee Weatherly.

On her tenth birthday, tomboy Sophie learns she is the Guardian of a magic gateway between our world and the Shadow Woods. She must keep the human world safe from mischievous goblins, sprites and elves.

Slime Squad. Omnibus 2 [sound recording], Steve Cole.

In these three stories the Slime Squad encounter giant, fire-breathing sock monsters, come face to face with Lord Klukk who is using some sort of ghastly gas to control the mind of Trashland's residents and tackle ghostly squids who have been glimpsed in waters round Trashland. The Slime Squad and their Slime-sub must investigate.

Terry Deary's pirate tales [sound recording], Terry Deary.

Four exciting, funny pirate stories based on historical events.

Penguin peril [sound recording] ; &, Turtle trouble, Sue Mongredien.

Penguin peril. The penguins have mysteriously disappeared from the icy seas and the mermaids are worried. Where can they be? Molly and her mermaid friend, Phoebe, search everywhere. Could the Dark Queen be behind the trouble?
Turtle trouble. Molly and her mermaid friend, Shanti, are on their way to a tropical island to rescue the turtles trapped there. But danger is lurking in the coral reef. And soon it's up to Molly to save the turtles and Shanti too ...

Agatha Parrot and the mushroom boy [sound recording], Kjartan Poskitt.

Helloooo! This story is about the time I was watching Sing Wiggle and Shine on TV (the worst talent show ever WAHOO love it love it) but my evil brother James nicked the TV remote so he could watch football instead. Don't worry, I got my own back!

A cat called Penguin [sound recording], Holly Webb.

Everyone thinks Penguin is a silly name for a cat, but Alfie thinks it's perfect. To Alfie, he's the best cat in the world.

Roar to the rescue! [sound recording], Ian Whybrow.

When a mysterious set of plastic dinosaur cards appear on his key-ring, Harry soon finds that he can call on an army of back-up dinosaurs. It only takes a rub with his finger to call up some monster-sized muscle!

Gobbolino the witch's cat [sound recording], Ursula Moray Williams.

The adventures of a very special kitten and his search for a home.

Into Reading

The monster crisp-guzzler, Malorie Blackman ; illustrated by Sami Sweeten.

At her new school, Mira discovers she has a very unusual teacher a teacher who turns into a real-life dragon when she eats crisps! This comes in very handy when the class run into trouble on a school trip to the seaside.

A creepy crawly story, Vivian French ; illustrated by Selina Young.

When naughty Wizz Bee and Buzz Bee come home without any honey, Queen Bee is very cross. Can they cheer her up with a story?

Poppy the pirate dog, Liz Kessler ; illustrated by Mike Smith.

Poppy is very excited to be going on holiday, especially when she is given a skull and crossbones scarf to wear. But life as a pirate dog at the seaside is trickier than she realises.

Florence the Friendship Fairy, Daisy Meadows.

Florence the Friendship Fairy makes sure everyone gets along but not any more, when goblins steal her three magic items! Kirsty and Rachel must get them back and restore harmony in this abridged and simplified version of the bestselling Rainbow Magic story.

Kylie the carnival fairy, Daisy Meadows.

Naughty Jack Frost is plotting to ruin the Sunnydays Carnival! He steals Kylie the Carnival Fairy's three magic hats, and without them, everything goes wrong. It's up to Rachel and Kirsty to set things right in this abridged, simplified version of the bestselling Rainbow Magic story.

Horrid Henry meets the queen, Francesca Simon ; illustrated by Tony Ross.

The Queen is coming to visit Horrid Henry's school. The real live Queen! Henry can't believe it. But when Miss Battle-Axe puts him in the back row, Henry is furious. Now how is he meant to find out how many TVs she has? Somehow Henry has to get himself noticed and show the Queen just how horrid he can be.

Mr P's naughty book, Francesca Simon ; illustrated by Pete Williamson.

Mr P's naughty book has the perfect punishment for every naughty act in the world. Each day Mr P's telephone rings with parents desperate for his advice. But the naughty book never seems to get it quite right with chaotic results!

Non-Fiction

Children of God : storybook Bible, retold by Desmond Tutu ; edited by Douglas C. Abrams.

Presents a collection of more than fifty Bible stories adapted by the Noble Peace Prize winner, focusing on the love that God has for all people and the need to practice charity and forgiveness toward all.

Jonah's whale, written by Eileen Spinelli ; illustrated by Giuliano Ferri.

A contented whale one day sees a ship tossed on the waves by a storm and obeys God's command to save a drowning man by swallowing him.

Brother William's year : a monk at Westminster Abbey, Jan Pancheri.

Brother William is a kind-hearted 14th-Century monk gardener at Westminster Abbey responsible for providing food for the other monks. This diary of his year shows what happens month by month in delightful words and pictures. There are decorative endpapers of the Abbey and gardens, an introduction to the Abbey of Westminster and a note on the life of Benedictine monks all meticulously researched, written and illustrated with warmth and humour by Westminster Abbey's very own Head Gardener.

Who will save my planet?, Maria Cristina Urrutia.

A wordless introduction to the impact human activities have on the planet offers juxtaposed spreads of unblemished versus abused examples of nature, from a sparkling waterfall beside a garbage-clogged river to a beautiful green parrot beside a dull-feathered, caged bird.

Transportation, written by Leon Gray and Ian Graham.

Presents a history of transportation from ancient humans using muscle to traveling in space and discusses different modes of transportation.

Filipino celebrations : a treasury of feasts and festivals, text by Liana Romulo ; illustrations by Corazon Dandan-Albano.

Brimming with vivid illustrations and rich cultural background, Filipino Celebrations makes major festivals such as Holy Week, Independence Day, Christmas and New Year come alive, together with family celebrations such as weddings, birthdays, baptisms, and a girl's debut into society. Each chapter discusses the history of the holiday; its cultural influences; how certain holidays are celebrated differently in different regions of the Philippines; special customs, foods, key words and phrases associated with the festivals; and more. Each chapter gives children a glimpse of the rich cultural heritage of this island nation. Activities such as games, songs, crafts and recipes invite children to participate in the fun. Filipino Celebrations engages the 5-11 age group in a way that is both informative and fun.

Celebrating Chinese festivals : a collection of holiday tales, poems and activities, Sanmu Tang ; [translation, Yijin Wert].

Uses stories and activities to explain different Chinese festivals and holidays, including Chinese New Year and the Mid-Autumn Festival.

The water dragon : a Chinese legend, retold in English and Chinese by Li Jian ; [translation, Yijin Wert].

A little boy, Ah Bao sets off in search of the Water Dragon, to save his village from a mysterious drought.

Fox tails : four fables from Aesop, Amy Lowry.

Four of Aesop's fables are combined in this tale about three animal friends who outsmart a tricky fox.

The elephant's friend and other tales from ancient India, retold and illustrated by Marcia Williams.

This is a treasure trove of Indian animal stories for children to enjoy again and again. These eight individual stories form a magical collection of India's best-loved animal folk tales.

Builder Goose : it's construction rhyme time!, Boni Ashburn ; illustrated by Sergio De Giorgi.

This title is suitable for ages 6 and under. With three dump trucks, an itsy-bitsy skid steer, and a host of other equipment, there's a whole lot of building going on here! Amusing construction-themed nursery rhymes each based on a Mother Goose favorite feature diggers, graders, crushers, cranes, jackhammers, forklifts, and wrecking balls. With bright, bold illustrations, this fun read-aloud should be a big hit with kids.

Help me learn addition, Jean Marzollo ; photographs by Chad Phillips.

Bright photographs of puppets, marbles, chicks, dogs, and other fun objects, a rhyming text, and a fun game help children learn to add. This book teaches children how to connect numbers with a value and introduces them to mathematical equations.

Moon, written by Jacqueline Mitton.

DK Eyewitness Moon is an exciting and informative guide to the amazing satellite that orbits our Earth and lights our sky at night. Stunning photographs offer a unique eyewitness view of the Moon, it's deep craters and waterless seas. Let your child discover all about our planet's nearest neighbour and the fifth largest satellite in the Solar System. They'll learn all about its gravitational pull and the hugely important effect on Earth's ocean tides. Then use the giant pull-out wall chart to decorate their room. Great for projects or just for fun, make sure your child learns everything they need to know about the Moon. Find out more and download amazing clipart images at our associated website.

A black hole is not a hole, Carolyn Cinami DeCristofano ; illustrated by Michael Carroll.

Introduces black holes, describing their physical features, how they were discovered, what causes them, and where they exist in space.

Eruption! : discovering New Zealand volcanoes, Maria Gill.

Introduces the science of volcanism and explains how it affects New Zealand's geography and geology. Suggested level: primary, intermediate.

My tourist guide to the prehistoric world, [written and edited by Sam Priddy].

Blast back in time when Earth was ruled by lumbering Triceratops and spiny Stegosauruses the prehistoric world will be a vacation destination to remember! "My Tourist Guide to the Prehistoric World" is the perfect way for armchair archeologists to learn about the land before time. Forget wading through heavy tomes and encyclopedias: here young readers will discover the secrets of dinosaurs, long-extinct plant-life, and other amazing aspects of the prehistoric world without feeling like it's hard work. The specially-commissioned images and photographs reveal amazing aspects of the prehistoric world, and, combined with a quirky guidebook detailing Things to see and What to pack, they create an out-of-this-century experience for all.

Let's look at dinosaurs, Frances Barry.

Through large flaps and fold-outs, a question-and-answer narrative, and facts on each spread, readers learn how dinosaurs were born, what they ate, how they defended themselves, what sounds they made, how they lived, and what remains of them today.

Who needs an iceberg? : an Arctic ecosystem, Karen Patkau.

Introduces the land, water, animals, and plants of the Arctic regions.

Who needs a jungle? : a rainforest ecosystem, Karen Patkau.

Jungles are treasures for all of us, regardless of where we live. In Who Needs a Jungle? we learn about its vital role in providing us with oxygen, food, medicinal ingredients, and raw materials we use every day. Celebrating the world's diversity by presenting a different ecosystem: its land and water, its animals and plants. The art is brimming with creatures and ecological features, described in fact-filled notes at the end of the book and in a useful glossary and map.

Who needs a swamp? : a wetland ecosystem, Karen Patkau.

Presents the ecosystem of a wetland: its land and water, its animals and plants.

125 true stories of amazing animals.

This title features 100 true tales of animal friendships, heroes and antics; from Nicholas, the cat who travels the streets of New York on his owner's head to best friends, Sterling the duck and Cleo the dog, who share everything from their kennel to their food! Meet a kayaking sea otter, a penguin that became a knight, a bear that stole a family's car, and many more amazing animals. Embellished with heart-warming and funny photos plus the fun facts, this page-turner will entertain readers with stories about amazing pet tricks, surprising animal hybrids, wacky truth-is-stranger-than-fiction stories of animal mischief, and more. This title features full colour photographs to accompany every story plus information boxes, animal facts and fun lists to help kids learn more about the animal kingdom.

Real-size baby animals : discover the true sizes of your favorite animal babies!, [written by Marie Greenwood ; illustrations by Jenna Riggs].

Describes the shapes and sizes of different baby animals and provides facts about each.

Deadly predators, Camilla de la Bedoyere.

Discover a dangerous world and come face to face with the world's most terrifying animals, from deadly sharks and predators to monster reptiles and creepy crawlies.

Going to the desert.

Deserts are dry and immense landscapes. Find out about the amazing ways that animals survive in these unique habitats.

Look closer ocean, written by John Woodward ; illustrations by Gary Hanna.

Explores different perspectives of underwater ocean scenes from swimming through a swarm of poisonous jellyfish and a coral reef to coming face-to-face with a great white shark.

Giant squid : searching for a sea monster, Mary M. Cerullo with Clyde F.E. Roper.

Describes the science of the giant squid and the challenges in finding and learning about this cephalopod.

The beetle book, Steve Jenkins.

An illustrated introduction to a variety of beetle species with information on unique characteristics and how these insects have adapted to survive.

Ladybugs, Gail Gibbons.

Using simple text and colorful illustrations, this book describes the physical attribute, habits, and life cycle of the ladybug.

Going ape!, Eduardo Bustos ; illustrated by Lucho Rodriguez.

Presents an introduction to some of the world's primate species, with informative facts about such animals as chimpanzees, macaques, gibbons, baboons, orangutans, and gorillas.

Frog's breathtaking speech : how children (and frogs) can use the breath to deal with anxiety, anger and tension, written by Michael Chissick ; illustrated by Sarah Peacock.

Frog is very worried about a speech that he has to give in front of his frog class on breath, until his animal friends teach him their different methods of breathing and how they can help him reach certain states of mind.

ADHD in HD : brains gone wild, Jonathan Chesner.

ADHD in HD: Brains Gone Wild is a kinetic collection of frank personal stories of failure and success, hilarious anecdotes, wild ideas, and point-blank advice that will resonate with teens and young adults. While most books on the topic are written to parents and educators, this is written to hold the attention of the teen and young adult ADHD reader: more than 60 short essays, interesting topics, wacky illustrations all stamped with Jonathan's irresistible humor. The book addresses the four main characteristics of ADHD: hyperactivity, impulsivity, inattention, and indecisiveness. It provides positive advice about school, family life, social life, dating, careers, medicine, and how to be like Mr. T even if you don't have a Mohawk, lots of gold chains, or huge muscles. Jonathan Chesner's ADHD in HD is inspiring, upbeat, and fun and gives the unique perspective that ADHD isn't all bad it can actually be a blessing in disguise.

Cherry blossoms say spring, Jill Esbaum.

Looks at the life cycle of a cherry tree, the history behind the gift of the Japanese cherry trees to our nation's capital, and the association of cherry trees and spring.

Stay : the true story of ten dogs, Michaela Muntean ; photographs by K.C. Bailey and Stephen Kazmierski.

Traces the story of ten surrendered canines that were adopted and trained by renowned circus performer Luciano Anastasini, who helped them to develop their respective talents as proud and happy circus dogs.

Paddington's cookery book, Michael Bond ; recipes by Lesley Young ; illustrated by R.W. Alley.

Get your paws sticky with Paddington in this fun-filled family cook book! From bear-shaped cookies to marmalade sausages, with treats from around the world, there is something for everyone in this unique collection of recipes. The perfect gift for Paddington fans of all ages! Paddington has collected together all of his favourite recipes in this wonderful family cookbook. Try your paw at bear - faced party pizzas, sticky marmalade sausages, fizzy jelly, Aunt Lucy's guacamole, Mr Gruber's chicken paprika and Mrs Bird's beef stew. Packed full of anecdotes of Paddington's own hilarious kitchen experiences, along with memories of sampling various dishes, this book is every bit as fun to read as it is instructional! Tie on your apron, and get stuck in!

My grandma's kitchen, Louise Fulton Keats ; recipes by Margaret Fulton ; illustrations by Michelle Mackintosh.

My Grandma's Kitchen is both children's book and cookbook, featuring a fun rhyming story and whimsical illustrations, along with 30 of Margaret Fulton's much-loved recipes. The food is fresh, simple and perfect for making with children and will encourage them to get involved in cooking.

The best-ever birthday, Louise Fulton Keats ; recipes inspired by Margaret Fulton ; illustrated by Michelle Mackintosh.

Join Lulu, Grandma and Harry in the kitchen again, this time to help celebrate Lulu's birthday party with all sorts of delicious things, like butterfly cakes, brownies and mini strawberry creams. Lulu learns how to whisk and chop and measure...even beat egg whites for pavlova! Lulu and Grandma also blow-up the balloons, set up a cake stall and make a fruity punch. The Best-Ever Birthday Party is both children's book and cookbook, featuring a fun story and whimsical illustrations, along with 25 classic recipes. The food is fresh, simple and perfect for making with children. The Best-Ever Birthday Party is a book that children will love to read as well as use in the kitchen, and is perfect for encouraging them to get involved in cooking.

Art is every day : activities for the home, park, museum, and city, Eileen S. Prince.

An art project and activity book aimed at helping children and adults improve their basic understanding of art, this reference stresses art elements and principles, which in turn promote observation and discovery on a daily basis. Ideal for anyone wanting to bring meaningful, rich, and fun art experiences into children's lives, this work is stocked with 65 artsy activities for the home, park, city, or even museum. Projects include going on a photographic scavenger hunt in search of forms and shapes, writing an imaginary autobiography based solely on a museum portrait, and making a sand casting on a trip to the beach. The projects, which are accessible and require only free or inexpensive materials, are accompanied by a helpful index that categorizes projects by elements and principles.

Earth-friendly buildings, bridges and more : the eco-journal of Corry LaPont, written by Etta Kaner ; illustrated by Stephen MacEachern.

Introducing Corry Lapont: 12-year-old and aspiring green engineer. This dynamic title takes the form of Corry's scrapbook. It's a dazzling collection of postcards, brochures and other memorabilia documenting Corry's research into green design. Kid-friendly language explains the engineering behind some of the planet's most cutting edge towers, bridges, tunnels, domes, dams, dikes, locks and levees. These structures include the Vizcaya Bridge in Spain, where gondolas transport cars over the Nervion River, and the Channel tunnel, where trains speed between England and France in just 35 minutes. Readers will explore the environmental impact of structures, such as the pros and cons of dam construction and how rainwater can be used to cool buildings. Complex concepts are clarified with simple activities, as well as colorful drawings, fun facts and the occasional wisecrack from Corry's kid brother, Riley.

Spider-Man : inside the world of your friendly neighborhood hero, written by Matthew K. Manning with additional text by Tom DeFalco.

Traces Spider-Man's entire career from his high school beginnings as Peter Parker to his love affair with the enchanting Mary Jane.

Batman : the world of the Dark Knight, written by Daniel Wallace.

A fan's reference to Batman's entire career profiles his most significant adventures, allies, romances, and enemies while documenting how his character has evolved throughout the decades.

Children's picturebooks : the art of visual storytelling, Martin Salisbury with Morag Styles.

Children's picturebooks are the very first books we encounter, and they form an important, constantly evolving, and dynamic sector of the publishing world. But what does it take to create a successful picturebook for children? In seven chapters, this book covers the key stages of conceiving a narrative, creating a visual language and developing storyboards and design of a picturebook. The book includes interviews with leading children's picturebook illustrators, as well as case studies of their work. The picturebooks and artists featured hail from Australia, Belgium, Cuba, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, the UK and the USA. In this publication, Martin Salisbury and Morag Styles introduce us to the world of children's picturebooks, providing a solid background to the industry while exploring the key concepts and practices that have gone into the creation of successful picturebooks.

Show me a story! : why picture books matter : conversations with 21 of the world's most celebrated illustrators, compiled and edited by Leonard S. Marcus with a foreword by David Wiesner.

In compelling interviews by the acclaimed Leonard S. Marcus, twenty-one top authors and illustrators reveal their inside stories on the art of creating picture books. Max and Mickey; Miss Nelson; Pack, Quack, and Mrs. Mallard; Pigeon; Sylvester; John Henry; and a very hungry caterpillar these are just a few of the beloved picture book characters discussed in Show Me a Story. Renowned children's literature authority Leonard S. Marcus speaks with their creators and others twenty-one of the world's most celebrated authors and illustrators and asks about their childhood, their inspiration, their determination, their mentors, their creative choices, and more. Amplifying these richly entertaining and thought-provoking conversations are eighty-eight full-color plates revealing each illustrator's artistic process from sketch to near final artwork in fascinating, behind-the-scenes detail. Why do children love and need picture books so much? Recasting and greatly expanding on a volume published in 2002 as Ways of Telling, Leonard S. Marcus confirms that picture books matter because they make a difference in our children's lives.

Make with Maisy, Lucy Cousins.

Maisy loves to make-and-do! Paper lanterns, feather masks, food collages what will she make today? Painting and drawing, cutting and gluing Maisy's very first make-and-do book will keep little hands busy creating all kinds of wonderful things! Brimming over with simple, exciting and fun craft ideas, every spread is a feast for the eyes and blends together easy-to-follow instructions, classic Maisy illustration, and spectacular photos of the finished crafts all made by the inimitable Lucy Cousins herself! It's time to get making! This book includes 18 amazing activities! Everything from making a shoe box house to a magic wax painting! This is a book to return to, time and time again. It includes wipe-clean pages perfect for messy hands! This is a brand new style for Lucy Cousins! This title includes an amazing blend of photography and illustration that leaps right off the page.

Eco-friendly crafting with kids : 35 step-by-step projects for preschool kids and adults to create together, Kate Lilley ; with photography by Carolyn Barber.

Quirky, colourful and fun projects for pre-school kids and their parents to make together. Small children love crafting and creating, and it's educational as well as enjoyable - crafting can help develop fine motor skills and teaches small children to follow instructions and work alongside someone else. Kate Lilley's hugely popular blog, Minieco, grew out of her desire to teach her own kids to be resourceful and use what's around them for creative play. Parents and kids alike will love the 35 bold, colourful projects featured in the book and divided into sections that include Music, Nature, Sewing, Science and Recycling Bin. The final section contains a list of 50 quick boredom busters that harassed parents can pull out of the bag in an emergency!.

My art book : animals.

Introduces young children to the history and techniques of art through the appealing subject of animals through hands-on creative projects and by featuring depictions of animal masterpieces by famous artists and sculptors and explaining how the artists chose their particular subjects as well as the techniques they used.

The flying machine book : build and launch 35 rockets, gliders, helicopters, boomerangs, and more, Bobby Mercer.

Shows readers how to turn rubber bands, paper clips, straws, plastic bottles, and index cards into amazing, gravity-defying flyers. Each project contains a material list and detailed step-by-step instructions with photos. Mercer also includes explanations of the science behind each flyer, including concepts such as lift, thrust, and drag, the Bernoulli effect, and more.

Brave : the essential guide, written by Barbara Bazaldua.

Filled with movie stills, character photography and movie facts, the companion to the Disney/Pixar feature film, Brave, will take young readers along with Merida on her journey to battle against the forces of nature, magic and a dark ancient curse.

Star Wars : the ultimate visual guide, written by Ryder Windham ; additional material by Dan Wallace.

Provides detailed information about the six "Star Wars" films, discussing characters, plotlines, visual effects, merchandise, and video games.

The Olympics : a very peculiar history, written by David Arscott ; created and designed by David Salariya.

Get a head start on the most important athletic event in the world with The Olympics, A Very Peculiar History! From its beginnings in Ancient Greek antiquity, right up to its arrival in Great Britain, the home of so many modern sports and favoured pastimes, the Olympic Games have always been a grand and exciting spectacle. Sometimes it's hard to believe that the first recorded Olympic running race was held nearly 3,000 years ago. Even so, precious little has changed since. The athletes may now be fully-clothed, but that doesn't stop their speed and skills improving. New Olympic world records are beaten all the time. The Olympics, A Very Peculiar History gives an overview of the strange, the unbelievable and the downright bizarre events that have occurred over the many years this esteemed competition has seen. The book features amazing athlete statistics, biographies and records, and well as quirky stories, fascinating facts from the world of the Olympics.

Inside the olympics, Nick Hunter.

Reviews the history, development, achievements, personalities and controversies of the Olympic Games.

The games : the extraordinary history of the modern Olympics, Carole Wilkinson.

It is why we are transfixed by the Olympic Games every four years.The runner who hitched a lift in the marathon. The wrestling match that lasted twelve hours. The men and women who reflect the best and worst in all of us. The funny, bizarre and touching moments that people are still talking about. These are the highs and lows of the modern Olympics.

Fair weather trampers : in the New Zealand bush with the Cock & Bull Tramping Club, Julia Millen ; sketches by Barbara O'Reilly.

One summer morning a group of drinking mates set out for a short walk. Twelve hours later, exhausted and footsore, they straggle on to Makara Beach. So begins the story of the Cock & Bull Tramping Club. Inspired by their guiding spirit The Compleat Tramper, the Cock & Bull trampers embark on a series of adventures (and disasters) including battling a snow storm on Tongariro, being attacked by native falcons in the Nelson Lakes and slogging through the swamps of Stewart Island.

Just joking : 300 hilarious jokes, tricky tongue twisters, and ridiculous riddles.

Packed with the silly jokes that kids love including knock-knocks, tongue twisters, riddles, traditional question and answer jokes and more a fun-filled book will keep readers laughing page after page.

My book of jokes, illustrated by Bronwen Davies.

What time is it when an elephant sits on a fence? Time to get a new fence! A perfect first book of jokes for all young

Children's literature : a very short introduction, Kimberley Reynolds.

Children's literature takes many forms - works adapted for children in antiquity, picture books and pop-ups and now includes the latest online games and eBooks. This vast and amorphous subject is both intimately related to other areas of literary and cultural investigation but also has its own set of concerns, issues and challenges. From familiar authors including Beatrix Potter and Roald Dahl, classic books such as Pooh, Alice in Wonderland, and The Secret Garden, to modern works including Harry Potter and the Twilight series, this Very Short Introduction provides an overview of the history.

Water sings blue : ocean poems, Kate Coombs ; illustrated by Meilo So.

Come down to the shore with this rich and vivid celebration of the ocean! With watercolors gorgeous enough to wade in by award-winning artist Meilo So and playful, moving poems by Kate Coombs, Water Sings Blue evokes the beauty and power, the depth and mystery, and the endless resonance of the sea.

In the sea, David Elliott ; illustrated by Holly Meade.

Collects poems describing the many creatures living in the sea, from the sea horse to the blue whale.

Forgive me, I meant to do it: false apology poems, Gail Carson Levine ; illustrated by Matthew Cordell.

Inspired by William Carlos William's famous poem, This Is Just to Say, a collection of ironic apology poems imagines how tricksters really feel about the mischief they make.

Edgar Allan Poe's pie : math puzzlers in classic poems, J. Patrick Lewis ; illustrated by Michael Slack.

Borrows themes from famous poems and flips them on their head to create humorous verses and riddles in a collection of math-based problem-solving parodies.

Bookspeak! : poems about books, Laura Purdie Salas ; illustrated by Josee Bisaillon.

Presents a series of poems which pay tribute to the limitless worlds available through books, as characters plead for sequels, strut fancy jackets, and have a raucous party in the aisles after a bookstore closes for the night.

Every day's a dog's day : a year in poems, Marilyn Singer ; pictures by Miki Sakamoto.

A lighthearted treasury of canine-themed poems presents a year's worth of seasons and holidays as experienced by dogs and celebrates such special occasions as Hole Digging Day and the dreaded Visit to the Vet Day.

Out of this world : poems and facts about space, Amy E. Sklansky ; illustrated by Stacey Schuett.

Offers lyrically presented facts about space and with perspective illustrations and additional explanations in the margins.

Nasty bugs : poems, selected by Lee Bennett Hopkins ; illustrated by Will Terry.

A whimsical tribute to naughty and mischievous insects features sixteen pieces by children's poets.

What rhymes with sneeze?, Roger Stevens.

Like poems? Love rhymes? Then this is the book for you! Stuffed with brilliant rhyming poems written by Roger Stevens, with the help of some classic and contemporary poets from Gerard Benson to Hilaire Belloc, this book is all about celebrating the rhyme. It's packed with fascinating facts about how different kinds of rhymes work, and there's a bonus section full of tips and tricks on how to write brilliant rhyming poems. Packed with fantastic rhymes and all kinds of verse, this great collection by Roger Stevens takes the reader on a rhyming, rhythmic journey to discover just how fun messing about with rhymes can be.

How people lived, written by Jim Pipe ; illustrations by Zack McLaughlin.

Takes the reader on a journey not only from prehistory to the present (and beyond), but also moves the scene around the globe. Through the stunning, full spread packed artwork, readers can follow the early migration route of humans, taking in the wonders of the Mayans, Ancient Egypt, and Rome, visit a thronging festival in 12th century China, witness the colonists settling in America, and join a crowded street market in Delhi.

Bon appetit! : the delicious life of Julia Child, Jessie Hartland.

A picture book biography of Julia Child, the famous chef.

Temple Grandin : how the girl who loved cows embraced autism and changed the world, Sy Montgomery.

An authorized portrait about Grandin's life with autism and her groundbreaking work as a scientist and designer of cruelty-free livestock facilities describes how she overcame key disabilities through education and the support of her mother.

On two feet and wings : one boy's amazing story of survival, Abbas Kazerooni.

I was not aware that I was crying until I saw the tears hit my shoes. Even with all the lights at the airport, the night outside looked dark and the air seemed thick. I wiped my eyes and tried to figure out what I could do. I was alone in a foreign land at the age of nine, and I did not speak the language. I was, quite simply, terrified. Close to his tenth birthday, Abbas has to leave his parents and friends to escape Tehran. The Iran-Iraq War is at its bloodiest. The ayatollahs, the rulers of Iran, have reduced the age of recruitment into the army. If Abbas doesn't leave soon, he will have to go to war. In the strange and often frightening city of Istanbul, Abbas has to grow up fast. Living alone for twelve weeks in a rundown hotel, he has to learn to live by his wits, and watch his back. Will he ever get his dream visa to England? This page-turning story about the courage of one small boy, based on true events, is as gripping as any novel.

Japan, Susan Crean.

Each title looks at each country through a variety of themes such as location, landscape and climate, population and health, settlements, family life, religion and beliefs, education and learning, employment and economy, industry and trade, farming and food, transport and communications, leisure and tourism and environment and wildlife.Includes maps, statistics panels and simple graphs and charts; and a topic web showing links with this series to other subject areas.

India, Tim Atkinson.

Each title looks at each country through a variety of themes such as location, landscape and climate, population and health, settlements, family life, religion and beliefs, education and learning, employment and economy, industry and trade, farming and food, transport and communications, leisure and tourism and environment and wildlife.Includes maps, statistics panels and simple graphs and charts; and a topic web showing links with this series to other subject areas.

Taketakerau : the Millennium Tree, Marnie Anstis ; illustrated by Patricia Howitt.

Uses a story format to introduce factual information. "A child listens to Koro and Grandma as they weave a tale about the life and times of the ancient puriri tree Taketakerau, the settlement and development of New Zealand, and world events that happened over the last 2000 years"--Publisher information. Taketakerau still lives! It grows in a stand of native bush in the Hukutaia Domain, ten kilometres inland from Opotiki, in the Eastern Bay of Plenty. Suggested level: primary, intermediate.

Older Fiction

Tiger wars, Steve Backshall.

Saker is a member of the Clan, a clandestine group offering child renegades for hire to the highest bidder. The Clan are like brothers, but once you're a member you can never leave - ever. Each member of the Clan has their own animal identity and corresponding tattoo, each is an expert in jungle law, survival and the ways of animals in order to make them better spies, thieves or assassins. Saker's latest assignment takes him to India to bring down the men who protect tigers. He's being employed by a Chinese overlord who specialises in poaching for tiger farms and tiger organs for high priced medicines. But something happens to make Saker change sides and now he's on the run from his predatory brothers. They're hunting him down and they're professionals. He meets fifteen year old Sinter, a spoiled rich girl, who is running away from an arranged marriage, and their uneasy friendship will eventually form an unshakeable bond, as together they face adventure and danger as two young eco-warriors in a truly threatening world. In the spirit of Willard Price for today's readers, Tiger Wars is the first in DEADLY presenter Steve Backshall's high-octane adventure series, The Falcon Chronicles, which introduces Saker and Sinter on a quest to right some of the horrific wrongs perpetrated against wildlife around the planet. As they rescue tigers or mountain gorillas, thwart shark finners and cyanide fishers, rainforest exploiters and canned hunters, they come face to face with the world's most fascinating, majestic and lethal creatures.

The Paragon prison, Derek Benz & J.S. Lewis.

In Book 3, the children awake to find a world just like theirs. They discover that they have been transported to an alternate reality with some key differences: all the bad things that the Griffins experienced in their own world never happened. This world is near perfect! But the Griffins realize that there's no place like home. They decide to face off with Von Strife in order to find a portal back to their dimension, and, after a battle in which the universe is nearly destroyed, the Griffins declare their final victory and find a way back home.

The forgotten echo, Henry Chancellor.

Tom's old enemy, Don Gervase Askary, is up to his evil tricks again and Tom knows he has to try and stop him. As he sets off on another exciting adventure, in and out of time and travelling to places far and wide, Tom encounters danger from every side. Things he sees in the future could have a devastating impact on his life and the lives of those he loves. But is the future set in stone? Or can Tom's actions now rewrite the future and make for a happier ending? As Tom sets out on a near-impossible mission, he is helped by friends old and new, but in the end it will all come down to him and whether he can defeat Don Gervase Askary and his beetle army. This breathtaking climax to the Tom Scatterhorn trilogy will grip readers from the first page to the last-get ready for a non-stop adventure!

The viewer, Gary Crew & Shaun Tan.

Young Tristan, a curious boy who rescues all sorts of objects from the rubbish dump, finds an old Viewmaster in its elaborate box, complete with a set of disks. He finds that these represent the ages of humankind, seen as a cyclical structure in which patterns of growth and decay are repeated. Tristan becomes more and more drawn into the world of the disks, and eventually disappears. The book is full of metaphors and symbols of seeing and watching, circularity and never-endingness, in a complex, fantastical tale.

The Spook's blood, Joseph Delaney ; interior illustrations by David Wyatt.

Time is running out for Thomas Ward. His final battle against the Fiend is drawing near, and the Spook's apprentice has never felt more alone in his task. Isolated and afraid, the Fiend is set to send the greatest of his servants against him - Siscoi, a Vampire God more ferocious than anything he has yet faced. Tom must risk his life to prevent the evil beast from entering this world, even as he learns that the final destruction of the Fiend may involve a sacrifice more terrible than he can imagine.

Sword Mountain, Nancy Yi Fan.

Can dandelion and her raptor friends save Sword mountain? Nancy Yi Fan, the "New York Times" bestselling author of "Swordbird," is back with her richly imagined fantasy bird world. On her sky-born day, Dandelion is injured and separated from her parents. The exiled musician prince, Fleydur, comes to her rescue and brings her to the Castle of Sky. But the court life of the golden eagles is still dominated by rigid traditions and intrigue, and now a new threat is looming. As flying, swordplay, and music enter her life, Dandelion will have the chance to show that a valley eaglet can be a true princess and a heroine, too. Bravery, equality, and the gift of music triumph over all.

Summer on the moon, Adrian Fogelin.

Thirteen-year-old Socko and his mother leave their cramped, unsafe inner city apartment and move to a house in a new suburban development where they plan to care for Socko's crotchety great-grandfather, but when they arrive they discover that the rest of the homes are unfinished, they are the only residents of Moon Ridge Estates, and that trouble has followed them.

After, Morris Gleitzman.

In the fourth part of Felix's story, continuing his adventures in World War Two, he faces perhaps his greatest challenge to find hope when he's lost almost everything, including his parents. As Europe goes through the final agonizing stages of the war, Felix struggles to reconcile hatred and healing. He's helped by a new friend, but if he should lose her as well.

The hero's guide to saving your kingdom, written by Christopher Healy ; with drawings by Todd Harris.

Prince Liam. Prince Frederic. Prince Duncan. Prince Gustav. You've never heard of them, have you? These are the princes who saved Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Snow White, and Rapunzel, respectively, and yet, thanks to those lousy bards who wrote the tales, you likely know them only as Prince Charming. But all of this is about to change. Rejected by their princesses and cast out of their castles, Liam, Frederic, Duncan, and Gustav stumble upon an evil plot that could endanger each of their kingdoms. Now it's up to them to triumph over their various shortcomings, take on trolls, bandits, dragons, witches, and other assorted terrors, and become the heroes no one ever thought they could be. Debut author Christopher Healy takes us on a journey with four imperfect princes and their four improbable princesses, all of whom are trying to become perfect heroes--a fast-paced, funny, and fresh introduction to a world where everything, even our classic fairy tales, is not at all what it seems.

The case of the good-looking corpse, Caroline Lawrence.

P.K. Pinkerton is back in the second book of this whip-crackingly brilliant series set in America's Wild West. The death of sadistic desperado Whittlin Walt has created an opening for 'Chief of the Comstock Desperados'. Several young gunfighters are battling it out in the saloons and streets of Virginia City, and against this backdrop of gunmen, gamblers and cowboys, P.K. Pinkerton, Private Eye, is having trouble drumming up business. Nobody seems to take a 12-year-old detective seriously! Then a servant girl named Martha begs P.K. for help. She witnessed the murder of her mistress a hurdy girl and the killer knows it. Now he is after her. Martha gives P.K. a description of the killer and a cryptic clue, but then she disappears. Can P.K. solve the case and find Martha before the killer does?

Unforgotten, Tohby Riddle.

A breathtakingly beautiful book which, like Shaun Tan's The Arrival, will move and delight readers of all ages. Reading this book is like being quietly ushered into another dimension by winged strangers, a place beyond the tread of normal earth-bound language. Ephemeral as a feather, timeless as a rock, and as true as both, Unforgotten is a magical experience.

A boy and a bear in a boat, Dave Shelton.

A boy and a bear go to sea, equipped with a suitcase, a comic book and a ukulele. They are only travelling a short distance and it really shouldn't take long. But then their boat encounters 'unforeseeable anomalies'. Faced with turbulent stormy seas, a terrifying sea monster and the rank remains of The Very Last Sandwich, the odds soon become pitted against our unlikely heroes. Will the Harriet, their trusted vessel, withstand the violent lashings of the salty waves? And will anyone ever answer their message in a bottle? Brilliantly funny and tender, this beautiful book maps the growth of a truly memorable friendship and tells the story of how, when all becomes lost, the most unexpected joys can be found.

The storm makers, Jennifer E. Smith ; illustrated by Brett Helquist.

When twins Ruby and Simon's parents move the family from their cozy home in Chicago to a ramshackle farm in the middle of nowhere the only thing on Ruby's mind is: when can we move back home? With miles of empty fields surrounding them, Ruby and Simon are growing apart, and Ruby doesn't know how to stop it. That is, until strange occurrences begin happening on the farm sudden gusts of wind, rain storms, and even tornado warnings that seem eerily timed to Simon's emotions. When a stranger shows up and tells the twins that Simon is a Storm Maker part of a clandestine group of people entrusted with controlling and taming the weather and that he is in great danger, Simon and Ruby discover a world of adventure lurking behind the backdrop of peaceful fields and farms. Soon Ruby and Simon are racing against the clock as they try to master Simon's powers in time to stop a rogue Storm Maker's dangerous and potentially deadly plans.

Jake and Lily, Jerry Spinelli.

Jake and Lily are twins and have always felt the same like two halves of one person but the year they turn eleven and Jake begins hanging out with Bump Stubbins, everything changes.

Time snatchers, Richard Ungar.

Caleb's blinders are off. The small group of orphans who were also "adopted" by Uncle used to feel like family, but the competition to be the top time snatcher and the punishment for failure has gotten fierce. Time traveling to steal valuable objects can be a thrill, but with bully Frank trying to steal his snatches, his partner Abbie falling for Frank's slimy charms, and Uncle's plans to kidnap innocent kids to grow his business, Caleb starts thinking about getting out. But Uncle's reach extends to any country in any time period, and runaways get the harshest punishment of all. Caleb can steal just about anything from the past, but can he steal a family for the future?

The second spy, Jacqueline West ; illustrated by Poly Bernatene.

After plummeting through a hole in her backyard and finding herself once again in the room of mysterious jars, eleven-year-old Olive unwittingly releases two of Elsewhere's biggest, most cunning, most dangerous forces.

Blood brothers, Carole Wilkinson.

The year is 325. The powerful Han Dynasty is a distant memory and tribes of barbarian soldiers fight over what was once the Empire. It is a dangerous time. Kai is 465 years old a teenager in dragon years. He is searching for the person predestined to be his dragonkeeper. Kai's search has led him to a Buddhist novice named Tao. But Tao is certain he is not the one; he has no interest in caring for a difficult dragon. He believes his path lies in another direction. But Tao must learn to listen to the voice within himself and that no journey ever reveals its true purpose until it is over.

Mind if I read your mind?, Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver.

With Moorepark Middle School's annual Speak Out Challenge approaching, Billy Broccoli plans to demonstrate mind reading with the help of his ghost friend Hoover Porterhouse, but when Billy starts spending more time with his new teammates than with Hoover, he may lose his secret weapon.

Picture Books

Bedtime.

Intends to stimulate your busy toddler's curiosity through simple rhyming text, touch-and-feels and flaps, as they begin to explore the wider world around them. This title is designed to familiarise toddlers with a practical, reassuring bedtime routine, helping them to wind down and prepare for bed in a fun, interactive way.

Dinosaurs.

Simple text and photographs with tactile patches introduce dinosaurs to young readers.

Jungle animals.

Helps to teach your child all about animal families. This title includes coverage that ranges from a delightfully, dotty jaguar, an iridescent tree frog to a hairy orang-utan and a tough-billed toucan. It helps to encourage your child's early learning and language.

My big book of trucks & diggers.

Bulldozers! Excavators! Dump trucks! All of the very biggest trucks are in here. This book offers an up-close look at ten amazing machines that dig, scoop, lift, and more. Toddlers will also learn the words for all of the very important parts that help the big trucks and diggers go.

Nursery.

Intends to stimulate your busy toddler's curiosity through simple rhyming text, touch-and-feels and flaps, as they begin to explore the wider world around them. This title is designed to familiarise toddlers with the sort of activities and daily structured routine they might experience at nursery.

The giant's loo roll, Nicholas Allan.

This rip-roaring, read-aloud delight follows a giant's toilet roll as it goes on a crazy journey through town, leaving havoc in its wake. What will the townsfolk do with all the enormous sheets of paper? They could build a paper plane, or make 100s of pairs of pants. But will there be any paper left for the giant in his time of need?

The terrible suitcase, Emma Allen, Freya Blackwood.

What do you do when it's your first day of school and your mum gives you a terrible suitcase instead of a red backpack with yellow rockets and a silver zipper? Well, first you get mad. MAD! Then you use your imagination to build a rocket ship and escape with all your new friends.

Babies, babies, babies!, Catherine and Laurence Anholt.

Babies love eating, babies love playing, babies love laughing. This new book by Catherine and Laurence Anholt is packed with everything that babies love best. There's even a game for parents and babies to play together as they read: a special funny bunny is hiding in the illustrations. Can you find him? With colourful, appealing illustrations and an upbeat, rhythmic text, this book is a perfect gift for all little ones and their parents.

Big brothers don't take naps, Louise Borden ; art by Emma Dodd.

Little brother Nick lists all the wonderful things his big brother does with him, preparing him to greet the new baby.

Wait and see, Tony Bradman and Eileen Browne.

It's Saturday, and Jo has some pocket money to spend. So Jo and her mum go shopping, while Dad stays at home to make lunch for them all. But what should she spend her money on? She'll have to wait and see.

Brush your teeth, Max and Millie, Felicity Brooks ; illustrated by Desideria Guicciardini ; designed by Hanri van Wyk.

Max and Millie illustrate how to brush one's teeth properly and explain the importance of dental hygiene.

Eat up, Max and Millie, Felicity Brooks ; illustrated by Desideria Guicciardini ; designed by Hanri van Wyk.

This is a delightful series for the very young, with simple, humorous stories encouraging good behaviour and good manners. This title deals with the issue of fussy eating and food refusal, and aims to promote good eating habits in toddlers. Simple but engaging text makes these titles easy and enjoyable to read to very young children.

That dog at the beach!, Janene Cooper ; illustrated by Evie Kemp.

A delightfully warm story about a little girl and her unruly, but loyal and loveable best friend who isn't like all the other

Millie's special something, written by Tania Cox ; illustrated by David Miller.

Big, bad Reggie loves to scare Millie. It's fun. But not for Millie. It's frightening! Her friends each have a special something to make them feel brave. So why doesn't she? Or does she? Millie's Something Special is a book that will resonate with all children.

Croc and Bird, Alexis Deacon.

Side by side on the sand sat two eggs. With a crack and a rip, the brothers hatch, and out comes a bird and a crocodile! But they can't be brothers can they?

The pros & cons of being a frog, Sue deGennaro.

Finding the right animal wasn't easy. It was Camille who finally gave me the idea of being a frog! Frogboy and Camille are best friends but they are very different. Camille speaks in numbers and Frogboy likes to dress up. With Camille's help he finds that dressing up as a frog is perfect for him, but when he tries to convince his friend to be a frog too, his plan goes terribly wrong.

Slinky Malinki, early bird, Lynley Dodd.

"Slinky Malinki likes to wake up very early in the morning. He thinks his family should too, but do they agree?"--Back cover.

Too many elephants in this house, Ursula Dubosarsky ; pictures by Andrew Joyner.

In Eric's house there were too many elephants in the living room, in the kitchen, in the bathroom, even in his bedroom! The elephants take up a lot of space, but Eric loves every one of them. So when his mum says they have to go, Eric comes up with a clever solution to a very BIG problem. From the creators of The Terrible Plop comes this delightfully energetic story, full of fun and exuberance.

Revenge of the Dinotrux, Chris Gall.

Stuck in a museum where they are poked, prodded, studied, and shaken by visitors, the Dinotrux, unearthed prehistoric ancestors of today's trucks, take revenge when Tyrannosaurus Trux discovers chewing gum all over his claws.

I spy on the farm, Edward Gibbs.

Down on the farm there are many colourful and noisy animals to spy. Look through the spyhole and use the clues to guess; then turn the page to reveal the animal. Watch as toddlers quickly become engaged in the game joining in with the animal noises, learning colours and eventually recognising the letter and its sound. It's interactive, it's educational, but ultimately it's great fun!

Archie, Domenica More Gordon.

Archie is a dog with an interest in making clothes in this enchanting wordless picture book. Archie leads a quiet life with his faithful pet - until one day, he gets a sewing machine and discovers a remarkable talent for tailoring. Word spreads, the phone starts ringing, and soon every dog in the park wants to wear his co-ordinating canine couture. Flounces, frills, florals, stripes - there's something for everyone, pedigree or mutt, dachshund or Weimaraner, even highly-connected corgis.

Goldie and the three penguins, Chris Gurney ; illustrated by Sarah Nelisiwe Anderson.

While on a walk, Goldie smells the irresistible aroma of fresh fish and chips. Since there's no one home at the Penguin household, she goes in and helps herself. Dad's food is too hot, Mum's is too cold ...but guess what? Baby's is just right! A fun Kiwi retelling of the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Suggested level: junior, primary.

The frog footy player, words by Chris Gurney ; pictures by John Bennett.

In this version of the Grimm Brothers' The Frog Prince, Kiri kicks her footy into the pond. It is retrieved for her by Archey the frog, who in return demands to sit on a soft pillow, eating chocolate fish and watching the rugby on the big-screen TV! Kiri's annoyance turns to surprise then joy, when, in the excitement of winning the game, she kisses Archey and he turns into an All Black!. Suggested level: junior.

The gift box, Rohan Henry.

Ollie becomes frustrated with his best friend Benjamin when, no matter how many clues Ollie gives him, Benjamin cannot figure out what Ollie's mother calls

What can you see, Spot?, Eric Hill.

What can you see Spot? There are lots of fun things to see in Spot's world. Each page is full of things that your toddler will recognise - from boats to butterflies and clouds to cats. This book is great for widening your child's vocabulary; encouraging them to talk and improve their visual recognition. Spot goes for a walk, has fun at the beach, visits the farm and sees a mouse in his house! This fun and colourful book for toddlers is filled with classic Eric Hill illustrations on every page, with a mirror surprise to enjoy on the final page.

The little dinosaur, Catriona Hoy, Andrew Plant.

In a time before Australia existed, a little dinosaur with big eyes roamed the Antarctic forests, nibbling on cycads and ginkgoes. One day the little dinosaur fell and hurt her leg. She struggled to keep up with her herd. Time passed and the world changed, but the discovery of the little dinosaur's leg bone millions of years later, meant she would not be forgotten.

Bea at ballet, Rachel Isadora.

Bea and her friends have fun attending a toddler ballet class.

123, [illustrated by Cecilia Johansson].

This is a revised format of this colourful introduction to numbers and counting. The double pages cover the numbers 1 to 10. Touchy-feely patches throughout will help young children explore the concept of number and the die-cut, touch-and-count holes will reinforce this. It is full of delightful illustrations which will appeal to young children.

The unexpected crocodile, Kim Kane & Sara Acton.

Peggy's family is hosting a barbecue for their neighbours, the Dawsons. Peggy isn't too sure about those Dawson boys. But she's delighted when an unexpected crocodile invites himself to tea with unexpected consequences!

Florentine and Pig have a very lovely picnic, Eva Katzler ; illustrated by Jess Mikhail ; recipes and crafts by Laura and Jess Tilli.

Welcome to the magical world of Florentine and Pig! Join them on their adventures as they discover the glorious world of friendship, frolics & food. Florentine and Pig are going to celebrate a lovely sunny day by having a picnic. Florentine puts on her thinking cap and comes up with a delicious menu, including treats like apple and carrot muffins only to realise that Pig ate the last of the apples! Pig knows what he has to do when he spots three perfect apples at the top of the tree in the garden. Pig is intrepid and Pig is brave, but how good a climber is he? A near disaster is averted, and Florentine and Pig get to work making a very lovely picnic indeed. Families can join in the cooking fun by following the recipes at the back of the book.

The worst princess, Anna Kemp, Sara Ogilvie.

Once upon a time, in a tower near you, Lived a sad princess; the Princess Sue. Some day, she sighed, my prince will come, But I wish he'd move his royal bum. But when Princess Sue's prince finally does arrive, he's not quite what she had in mind. Find out how the feisty princess escapes the clutches of her twit of a prince in this funny twist on the traditional princess tale.

Ballerina swan, Allegra Kent ; illustrated by Emily Arnold McCully.

Sophie the swan joins a ballet class and works hard to earn a part in the end-of-year performance of Swan

Golden domes and silver lanterns : a Muslim book of colors, Hena Khan ; illustrated by Mehrdokht Amini.

In simple rhyming text a young Muslim girl and her family guide the reader through the traditions and colors of Islam.

I see the sun in Nepal, written by Dedie King ; illustrations by Judith Inglese ; [translated by Chij Shrestha ; Devanagari script by Kanchan Burathoki and Chij Shrestha].

Depicts one day from dawn until night in one child's life in the small village of Bandipur, Nepal.

My adventure island, Timothy Knapman ; illustrated by Sarah Warburton.

Here on my island, I do as I please. I splash in the puddles and climb all the trees. I swing through the branches, I fly through the sky, and end up face down in a massive mud pie! Your adventure island is a magical place where anything can happen. With a bit of imagination, this is a brilliantly funny tale of mischief and mayhem.

Duck, sock, hop, Jane Kohuth ; illustrated by Jane Porter.

The music is ringing, and the sock hop is swinging! But, oh, what a mess these ducks will be bringing! Jane Porter's spirited illustrations capture perfectly these rocking, sock-wearing ducks in a tongue-twisting, toe-tapping read-aloud sure to inspire dancing.

Trucks, [models by Jo Litchfield].

Each double page shows a scene with a different truck, including dump trucks, desert rescue trucks and fire engines with simple explanations of how they work. This title is illustrated with the charming models of Jo Litchfield.

Taea nga whetu, na Dawn McMillan nga korero i tuhi ; na Keinyo White nga pikitia ; na Ngaere Roberts nga korero i whakamaori.

On a walk together Isaac does his best to explain colour to his blind friend Luke using sensation and touch. Suggested level: junior.

The somethingosaur, Tony Mitton ; illustrated by Russell Ayto.

An adorable little creature hatches from an egg and goes searching for his mother among the dinosaurs in this energetic, fun-filled picture book by award-winning picture book creators Tony Mitton and Russell Ayto.

Hide & seek, Il Sung Na.

When the animals play hide and seek, Elephant finds everyone but Chameleon, who has hidden so well no one can find him.

The best singer in the world, Ulf Nilsson ; [illustrated by] Eva Eriksson.

"A sweet, funny picture book about overcoming stage fright, being brave, and embracing your talents"--From publisher. Suggested level: junior.

I know a wee piggy, Kim Norman ; pictures by Henry Cole.

A cumulative, rhyming tale of an ordinary pig who leaps out of his boy's arms at a state fair and wallows in color after color, turning himself into a work of art.

Lillibutt's big adventure, Maris O'Rourke ; illustrated by Claudia Pond Eyley.

Lillibutt was lonely. Lillibutt was bored. In this engaging and strikingly illustrated picture book, finally a young girl takes Lillibutt on the adventure of her life: a long pilgrimage on the Camino walkway from France to Spain.

Louise builds a house, Louise Pfanner.

Louise decides to build a house. But not just any house this will be the perfect home, with all her favourite things.

Colours, Jillian Phillips.

Panda and Monkey are playing together. Panda has a blue car. Brrmm, brrmm! Join Panda and Monkey as they play with their toys, read a story, brush their teeth and snuggle up in bed learning colours along the way. Preschool children will love the happy learners series, created especially for them, with chunky pages and a tab-index that's perfect for little hands.

Numbers, Jillian Phillips.

Bunny is going shopping with Mouse. They take one basket, and off they go! Join Bunny and Mouse as they shop for fruit, vegetables and sweet treats - and learn numbers along the way Preschool children will love the happy learners series, created especially for them, with chunky pages and a tab-index that's perfect for little hands

Opposites, Jillian Phillips.

Elephant and Owl are playing outside. Elephant's boots are clean. Oops! Owl's boot's are muddy. Join Elephant and Owl as they play in the park, on the slide and on the see-saw and learn opposites along the way. Preschool children will love the happy learners series, created especially for them, with chunky pages and a tab-index that's perfect for little hands.

Shapes, Jillian Phillips.

Kitty and Bunny are playing. They have a round ball. The ball goes boing! Join Kitty and Bunny as they play with all their toys and learn shapes along the

Pom Pom where are you?, Natalie Jane Prior, Cheryl Orsini.

An energetic and joyous story about a little dog with a big sense of adventure. Pom Pom lives with his family in a tall building in Paris. He longs to see more of the world, and one day his wish comes true. Pom Pom is whisked away from his family, and taken on an exciting journey through the city. And so the reader is transported through the iconic and wonderful sights of Paris, a beautiful introduction for children to the wonders it holds.

What to do if an elephant stands on your foot, Michelle Robinson ; pictures by Peter H. Reynolds.

Advises the reader on how to handle encounters with various animals in the jungle, where a mistake while avoiding one can attract the attention of another.

Meow!, [written by Dawn Sirett].

Can you find Stripy Cat's friends hiding under the flaps? Watch out-they might jump out at you!

Forest, illustrated by Jess Stockham.

Let's Explore the forest! Can you find the animals who live here? Whose ear is that? Whose tail? Let's lift the flap and find out! Peek-a-Boo!

Jungle, illustrated by Jess Stockham.

Let's explore the jungle! Can you find the animals who live here? Whose beak is that? Whose foot? Let's lift the flap and find out!

Safari, illustrated by Jess Stockham.

We're on safari, but all the animals are hiding! Whose tail is that? Whose paw? Let's lift the flap and find out! Peek-a-Boo!.

Lily and the fairy house, Jane Tanner.

Lily knows that fairies live near the gum tree. She has created a fairy house with a rose petal bed and a gum leaf table, and today she is preparing a fairy party. But will the fairies come and play? Lily and the Fairy House is pure wish-fulfilment, a magical fairy book for girls of all ages. The perfect companion to the bestselling Isabella's Secret. Unfold the cover to find your very own fairy poster!

Edge of the world, Ian Trevaskis, Wayne Harris.

Nobody smiled in the village near the edge of the world. The wind blew cold, snow lay thick on the ground and each day the villagers went about their lives with heavy hearts. That was until the day Toby McPhee sailed out to the very edge of the world and found just what was needed to bring joy back to their lives.

Me and my cat, Ekaterina Trukhan.

From playing games to eating dinner and reading their favourite bedtime story, this little girl and her cat do everything together. And they're always there to help each other out because that's what best friends do. A funny, heart-warming story about a very special friendship.

Backseat A-B-see, Maria van Lieshout.

In this alphabet book, a child sees road signs from A to Z from the backseat of a car.

Living with mum and living with dad : my two homes, Melanie Walsh.

This is a reassuring and simple story about separation for the very youngest children. Mum and Dad don't live together anymore, so sometimes this little girl lives with her mum and her cat, and sometimes she lives with her dad. She has two bedrooms and two sets of toys, but she takes her favourite toys with her wherever she goes. This simple, warm lift-the-flap book with bold and colourful illustrations is a reassuring representation of separation for the youngest children. Melanie Walsh visits the changes in routine that are familiar to many children that live with separate parents and are loved by both. It is ideal for very young children who divide their time between separated parents. This is a reassuring and positive representation of what can often be a difficult time for young children. It contains simple, straightforward text, large flaps and bold graphic illustrations.

That's not my hamster, [written by Fiona Watt ; illustrated by Rachel Wells].

This is a delightful, brand new title in the award-winning "That's Not My..." series which has sold X million titles world-wide. You'll find hamsters with soft paws, squashy cheeks and a furry tummy, along with the familiar mouse inside this chunky board book. Rachel Well's colourful illustrations, along with the tactile touchy-feely patches have never-ending appeal for delight babies and toddlers. The textural patches and the descriptive words help to develop babies' and toddlers' sensory and language development.

The emperor's new clothes horse, Tony Wilson ; illustrated by Sue deGennaro.

The Emperor has won almost every horse race in the kingdom all except one. 'I'd trade all these trophies for one Cristobel Cup!' When two brilliant international trainers claim to have found the fastest racehorse for the Emperor, it sounds like his wish will finally come true! But is it the perfect horse? A wonderfully witty take on the classic tale of The Emperor's New Clothes.

A long piece of string, William Wondriska.

Follows a piece of string through images that correspond to the letters of the alphabet.

Mom, it's my first day of kindergarten!, Hyewon Yum.

A five-year-old boy, ready and eager on his first day at "the big kids' school," must calm his very worried mother.

Younger Fiction

Lone Pine, Susie Brown & Margaret Warner ; illustrated by Sebastian Ciaffaglione.

When a soldier on a World War I battlefield sends a pine-cone home to his mother, he could not know that his simple gift would become a symbol of history and remembrance. Susie Brown and Margaret Warner's sensitive text is evocatively illustrated by Sebastian Ciaffaglione, and tells a story that is about both personal experience and a nation-defining event.

The day of the Dreader, Cressida Cowell.

The Isle of Berk is being stalked by a deadly sea dragon called the BIG DREADER, fires are ravaging the forests and the Hairy Hooligans are trapped on the island without any food! All except Toothless who has found a stash of eggs that he plans to keep all to himself...But not if the BIG DREADER has anything to do with it!

Two for one, Kate DiCamillo and Alison McGhee ; illustrated by Tony Fucile.

If you're looking for two marvellous companions, who will make you hug the page with delight, look no further than "Bink and Gollie"! The state fair is in town, and for Bink and Gollie utter opposites and best friends, three comical adventures await!

Just Grace and the flower girl power, written and illustrated by Charise Mericle Harper.

Although disappointed at not being chosen to be the flower girl in her best adult friend's wedding, third-grader Grace plans a special surprise for the big day.

Letters to Leo, Amy Hest ; illustrated by Julia Denos.

In a series of letters to her new dog, fourth-grader Annie Rossi relates her daily exploits and remembers her mother.

Amazing Esme and the sweetshop circus, Tamara Macfarlane ; illustrated by Michael Fowkes.

Esme is seriously bored of all the work and practice her mother keeps insisting she does in order to perfect her circus performance. So when an idea forms in Esme's head of adding some fun animals to her performance, she knows just who to call her cousins at Maclinkey Castle who have all manner of odd pets. With little rehearsal Esme and her act perform on the high wire. But disaster strikes and her co-stars tumble to the ground. Donk won't wake up and now everyone in town thinks that Circus Miranda is cruel to animals. What can Esme do to stop the crowds from leaving the circus? The answer lies in her punishment of being made to run the lowly sweet treats stand and being banned from performing. With a little bit of maple syrup, chocolate, caramel and a dash of teamwork, surely the kids can tempt the crowds back?

The great piratical rumbustification, Margaret Mahy ; with pictures by Quentin Blake.

All across the city, the pirates are getting restless and long for a party. So when a retired pirate comes to babysit for the Terrapin family, they are in for quite a surprise.

Dako-snappysaurus, Kyle Mewburn ; illustrated by Donovan Bixley.

Arg goes hunting with his dad and the older Neanderthals. They stop at a beach where everyone falls asleep. When Arg wakes up he notices that his dad has floated off and a dinosaur is about to have him for breakfast. Can Arg save his dad from the hungry dakosaurus? Suggested level: primary.

Lily chases lost dreams, Elizabeth Pulford ; with illustrations by Aki Fukuoka.

Lily wants to earn a Silver Star, but to receive it each of the first-year angels have to earn ten points through doing good deeds. In order to earn some good deed points, Lily offers to take the mischevious twins, Ella and Bella, to Angel Holly, but they make it very difficult. On the way to Angel Holly they are distracted by Melody playing the flute. Melody is supposed to deliver a box of dreams from the Dream Chamber to the Posting Station. Lily sees an opportunity to earn even more good deed points by delivering the dream box for Melody, but the dreams escape from the box, and it takes Lily, Ella and Bella a whole lot of effort to catch the slippery dreams and put them back into the box. Suggested level: junior, primary.

Lily gets in a pink pickle, Elizabeth Pulford ; with illustrations by Aki Fukuoka.

The Cherub Cat show is looming and Lily decides to enter her cat, Petal. But Professor Glumbo wants Frumplepuss, his mean ugly cat, to be part of the cat show as well and Lily is torn. How can she save hurting anyone's feelings? Meanwhile it is wings washing day. Lily is given the responsibility of cleaning Professor Glumbo's reserve wings, but Lily doesn't realise she's washed a red handkerchief with the wings, turning them pink! Suggested level: junior, primary.

The second forever, Colin Thompson.

When Peter and his friend Festival destroyed the book called How to Live Forever so it could no longer work its spell, they didn’t know it would have disastrous consequences. Now, Peter's world is in the worst drought ever - and Festival's world, inside the museum, is drowning. The only solution is to re-create the book. Can they reverse the water flow? And if they re-create the evil book, can they hide it so it can never be read again?