New Titles Children' June 2016 (arrived in May 2016)

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

Audio Visual

Fairytale : story of the seven dwarves, film by Harald Siepermann.

Join all seven dwarfs for an adventure as big as they are small! It's the eve of Princess Rose's 18th birthday. Everyone in the kingdom has come to Fantabularasa Castle to celebrate including Snow White, the Seven Dwarfs, Cinderella and Red Riding Hood. But just before the stroke of midnight Bobo, the youngest dwarf, accidentally pricks the finger of Princess Rose (a.k.a. Sleeping Beauty) with a cursed needle and sends the kingdom into a century-long slumber! To find Rose's true love, Jack, to save her with a kiss, Bobo and the other six dwarfs must go on a treacherous journey, face a fiery dragon and outwit the jealous, scheming and evil witch, Dellamorta! This hilarious mash-up of the best classic fairy tales for young and old alike, features a winged dragon, a brave little dwarf, non-stop laughs and toe-tapping songs!

Jem and the Holograms, directed by Jon M. Chu.

Small-town girl Jerrica lives an unexceptional life; until she takes on a secret identity inspired by her music. She becomes Jem: the bold, stunning and absolutely fearless global superstar! But when it seems that she may lose touch with the things that really matter, Jerrica and her band of sisters begin a one-in-a-million journey, discovering that some talents are too special to keep hidden.

Norm of the north, directed by Trevor Wall.

A polar bear of many words, Norm's greatest gripe is simple: there is no room for tourists in the Arctic. But when a maniacal developer threatens to build luxury condos in his own backyard, Norm does what all normal polar bears would do: he heads to New York City to stop it. With a cast of ragtag lemmings at his side, Norm takes on the Big Apple, big business, and a big identity crisis to save the day.

Oddball, directed by Stuart McDonald.

An eccentric chicken farmer, with the help of his granddaughter, trains his mischievous dog Oddball to protect a penguin sanctuary from fox attacks in an attempt to reunite his family and save their seaside town.

Pixies, produced & directed by Sean Patrick O'Reilly.

Joe Beck has lost the love of his life thanks to a Pixie's curse and he now needs to figure out how to get his girl back, learn more about the mysterious Pixies, and undo a bad deed he did long ago.

Robo-dog, directed by Jason M. Murphy.

When Tyler's furry best friend tragically passes away, the whole Austin family are at a loss. To bring the bark back to their lives, Tyler's inventor Dad creates a new dog to take the old one's place - complete with mechanical powers and robotic abilities to keep everyone on their toes.

Snoopy and Charlie Brown : the Peanuts movie, directed by Steve Martino.

Dream big and laugh along with good ol' Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus and the rest of the beloved Peanuts gang as you've never seen them before - in a brand-new feature film from the imagination of Charles M. Schulz and the creators of Ice Age. Join everyone's favourite eternal optimist, Charlie Brown, as he embarks on a heroic quest, while his beagle pal Snoopy takes to the skies to pursue his archnemesis, the Red Baron. It's a hilarious and heartwarming adventure that proves every underdog has his day!

Space dogs : adventures to the moon, directed by Vadim Sotskov.

When the worlds most precious monuments disappear before everyones eyes, an unlikely team of two legendary Russian canine astronauts and a heroic American monkey, jet off to the dark side of the moon to investigate the mystery.

Spirit Riders, directed by Brian T. Jaynes.

Kacie is a seventeen-year-old girl struggling with guilt and anger after a tragic loss. When Kacie is arrested and sentenced to a work-release program at Spirit Riders, an equine therapy camp, she's clearly out of her element. However, she finds a kindred spirit in Blaze, a retired racehorse having difficulty adjusting to domesticated life. With the help of the ranch owner, Kacie helps re-train Blaze and, in the process, learns how to let go of her past and start moving forward.

The good dinosaur, directed by Peter Sohn.

What if the asteroid that forever changed life on Earth missed and giant dinosaurs never became extinct? In this epic journey into the world of dinosaurs, an Apatosaurus named Arlo makes an unlikely human friend. While traveling through a harsh and mysterious landscape, Arlo learns the power of confronting his fears and discovers what he is truly capable of.

The great bear, directed by Esben Toft Jacobsen.

Jonathan, 11, usually spends his vacations alone with his grandfather who lives on the edge of a vast forest populated by mythical animals. This year his kid sister Sophie joins him. But it's not cool to be stuck with a little sister, so he does what he can to avoid her. He succeeds entirely too well: Sophie is kidnapped by a giant, 1000-year-old bear. Now, Jonathan has to venture into the heart of the forest to confront the strange beings that dwell there and rescue his sister.

The land before time. Journey of the brave.,

Littlefoot, a young Apatosaurus living in the verdant Great Valley, is eagerly awaiting the arrival of his father Bron, who returns to the valley with his herd once a year. However, he soon learns from a Nothronychus member of his dad's troupe named Wild Arms that his father became stranded in the wilderness when the "fire mountain" erupted, leaving the rest of the herd to go on without him. Embarking on a journey with his friends - Cera, Ducky, Petrie, and Spike - Littlefoot enters the Mysterious Beyond to try and rescue him on their own. After an encounter with a duo of "featherhead sharpteeth", and a disagreement between Littlefoot and Cera on which path to take, Littlefoot decides to go ahead alone, where he meets a Pteranodon named Etta who knows his father. When the two become trapped in a cave, she sings a song to lead him on his way, and he is eventually reunited with his friends as they continue their journey together with Etta into the harsh landscape. Meanwhile, the elder dinosaurs learn about their children's trek, and decide to go after them with two younger ones - Chomper and Ruby. They attempt to have Wild Arms guide them back to where Bron was last seen, but he faints at the mere sight of Chomper, a "sharptooth", and has to be carried, leaving Chomper to lead the way with his nose.Etta eventually leads Littlefoot and his friends to the fire mountain where they find Bron. They learn that he became trapped and separated from his herd when he went back to save Wild Arms, who was in danger due to his cowardly nature. Reunited with his father and the rest of the herd led by Chomper, the group extol the virtues of working together and finding bravery through companionship.

Songs for bubbas. 2, Anika Moa.

Adventure time. Stakes!.,

Eight part miniseries that focuses on fan favourite character Marceline. In this new adventure, Finn, Jake, and princess Bubblegum help Marceline the vampire queen face off against five powerful foes from her mysterious past, which have been unleashed by one of Bubblegum's science experiments. The miniseries also features a new song written by former Adventure Time storyboard artist and Steven Universe creator Rebecca Sugar, entitled 'Everything stays.'

Be cool, Scooby-Doo! Season one, volume one.,

The Scooby gang is back with a modern comedic twist on the beloved classic. With high school over and one last summer to live it up, the gang hits the road in the Mystery Machine, chasing fun and adventure. But monsters and mayhem keep getting in the way.

Danger Mouse. Mission: improbable.,

Duty has called, and the world's greatest secret agent has delivered as Danger Mouse explodes into all new action packed adventures to protect London, multiple parallel universes and Willesden Green from the villainous machinations of the evil Baron Greenback. Danger Mouse without Penfold is like chalk without cheese and as our two best friends take on all manner of mind-blowingly absurd missions they are aided, abetted and aggravated by a menagerie of allies and adversaries. More breath-taking, more dangerous and more Penfold hiding behind the sofa than ever before.

Dinosaur train. Explore outdoors!,

Buddy and his family and friends love heading into the great prehistoric outdoors for fun and adventure! In Explore Outdoors, Buddy and his siblings Tiny, Shiny, and Don, plant sycamore trees with their grandparents and learn how clouds are formed from Mr. Conductor. They find unique birds to study and sketch on the Dinosaur Train and discover the beauty of stalactites and stalagmites that have formed deep inside a cave. The Pteranodon family is always ready to explore new places and learn new things!

Doc McStuffins. Pet vet..,

Welcome to the new "McStuffins Veterinary Clinic!" Because not all toys can talk, Doc needs to use all her skills to figure out what's wrong and make them feel better; just like a real veterinarian! Join Doc as she fixes Findo so he can fetch again, untangles Farmer Mack's adorable baby goats, and adopts a furry friend and much more!

Dora and friends. Feel the music!,

We save the music! Dora and friends form a pop band for a charity concert, but suddenly, Dora's guitar string breaks! Help them save the day by finding Mama Musica in Music Land!

Dora the Explorer. Dora's dinosaur journey.,

Travel back to the Time of Dinosaurs with Dora, Boots and even Diego to save Baby Jaguar. Then, join Dora on three more missions to bring home a sleepy baby bear, rescue magical animalitos and get Benny back in time for the big Rainforest Talent Show. Vamonos!

Fireman Sam. Norman on the loose.,

Norman and James are playing Superheroes. Norman is Norman-Man and James is his sidekick Atomic Boy. But when Atomic Boy executes the perfect rescue on more than one occasion, Norman-Man is determined to be the best Superhero in town!.

LEGO Nexo knights. Season 1, volume 1.,

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Mickey's monster musical.,

Put on your favorite Halloween costume and get set for a spooktacular full-length adventure. Visit the creaky castle of kindly "Count Mickula" and help your Clubhouse pals solve a puzzling riddle: Who, or what, is making a curious clanging, banging noise? With the right Monster Mouseketools and help from YOU, this mystery will soon be history! Then, enjoy two more exciting episodes as you search for pirate treasure with Captain Mickey and don your dungarees for delightful fun down on the farm. Packed with singing, dancing, laughter and surprises, Mickey's Monster Musical is a high-spirited treat that can't be beat.

Octonauts. Jumpin' jellyfish!,

Equipped with a fleet of aquatic vehicles, the Octonauts rescue amazing sea creatures, explore incredible underwater worlds, and often save the day before returning safely to their home base, the Octopod. In these episodes Peso gets trapped inside a giant Comb Jelly; Shellington gets trapped in the middle of a massive jellyfish bloom, and the team try to reunite a seahorse with its missing mate.

Peg + Cat. Pirates ahoy!,

Follow the adorable, spirited Peg and her sidekick Cat as they embark on adventures, solve problems together, and learn foundational math concepts and skills. In each episode, Peg and Cat face A REALLY BIG PROBLEM, a messy funny crisis they must somehow solve without totally freaking out!

Play school. Humpty's big adventure.,

Determined not to fall off the wall again, Humpty Dumpty sets out on a thrilling adventure to discover different ways we can balance and move our bodies. In each episode Humpty tries out a different discipline, from soccer to yoga and dance. Humpty's Big Adventure is action-packed and full of ideas to get children up and moving!

Rabbids invasion. Rabbidmobile.,

Get ready for mayhem and mischief in this set of hilarious and ridiculous adrenaline-pumping escapades with the Rabbids! The Rabbids invasion has begun and they never neglect to drive innocent bystanders out of their mind! Their classic disruptions vary from disturbing an old man#s window-cleaning and driving an annoyed hitchhiker crazy to inadvertently causing commotion for a hunky lifeguard and wreaking havoc on mallgoers and workers in a supermall! Give the Rabbids even an ordinary item and they will cause chaos! Everything from a vending machine and a photo booth kiosk to a drive-thru intercom and an alarm clock is a new and exciting discovery for the Rabbids! Don't miss when the Rabbids cause a scene in an art museum, try desperately to get frozen food boxes out of a grocery store, interfere with a wedding, run amuck in an airport and more!

Sofia the First. Dear Sofia-- a royal collection.,

For the first time ever, find four of the favourite Disney princesses on one dazzling Sofia the First DVD! Join Sofia on a daring adventure with Mulan in the Kingdom of Wei Ling, soar through the skies with Jasmine on a magic carpet ride, and learn important lessons about friendship and life's true gifts from Belle and Tiana. It's packed with endless fun, enchanting music and heart, plus two more magical episodes.

Sonic Boom. Season 1, volume 1, The sidekick.,

The speedy blue hedgehog gets a new look in this comedy/adventure series that sees him battling a familiar foe with sidekick Tails and pals Knuckles, Amy and Sticks. The gang tries to ward off the evil plans of Dr. Eggman, who is hellbent on taking over the world. Sonic faces regular battles with Eggman's henchmen, including loyal robots Orbot and Cubot, evil interns, and giant, robotic monsters.

SpongeBob SquarePants. Glove world forever.,

Join SpongeBob SquarePants and his best pal, Patrick Star as they spend one last glorious day at their beloved Glove World amusement park before it shuts down forever! Don't miss the fun as SpongeBob and Patrick bravely face the Fiery Fist -o Pain and get stuck in the eerie Tunnel of Glove. Plus, you'll get to see SpongeBob embrace his abrasive side, fail his driving test (again) and much more.

Tashi. The ogre games.,

In a brand new world where nothing seems familiar, how do you survive and thrive? Luckily for city slicker Jack, his new best friend Tashi is the perfect guide through this topsy-turvy world. He can also depend on the whimsical Lotus Blossom to help navigate them all through tricky situations! Giants, mummies, ghosts, witches, bandits, demons, dragons... Tashi, Jack and Lotus Blossom are ready for anything!

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. S3, v4, Revenge!,

It's Turtle time! Leo sneaks into Shredder's lair, Donnie loses his intelligence, Raph makes an unlikely alien friend, aand the Turtles are lured into deadly traps. Then, when word hits the street that the Kraang are back, the brothers discover an even greater threat coming their way!

The jungle book. Season 2, Volume 1.,

Based on the classic adventure story by Rudyard Kipling, The Jungle Book tells the stories of the 'man-cub' Mowgli, raised in the tropical jungle of Seeonee, Central India, by a pack of wolves. The series explores how Mowgli lives and survives in the jungle, where his only companions are animals - Baloo the wise bear, his best friend Bagheera the black panther, and (sometimes!) the mighty Kaa the rock python.

The jungle book. Season 2, Volume 2.,

Based on the classic adventure story by Rudyard Kipling, The Jungle Book tells the stories of the 'man-cub' Mowgli, raised in the tropical jungle of Seeonee, Central India, by a pack of wolves. The series explores how Mowgli lives and survives in the jungle, where his only companions are animals - Baloo the wise bear, his best friend Bagheera the black panther, and (sometimes!) the mighty Kaa the rock python.

The jungle book. Season 2, Volume 3.,

Based on the classic adventure story by Rudyard Kipling, The Jungle Book tells the stories of the 'man-cub' Mowgli, raised in the tropical jungle of Seeonee, Central India, by a pack of wolves. The series explores how Mowgli lives and survives in the jungle, where his only companions are animals - Baloo the wise bear, his best friend Bagheera the black panther, and (sometimes!) the mighty Kaa the rock python.

The jungle book. Season 2, Volume 4.,

Based on the classic adventure story by Rudyard Kipling, The Jungle Book tells the stories of the 'man-cub' Mowgli, raised in the tropical jungle of Seeonee, Central India, by a pack of wolves. The series explores how Mowgli lives and survives in the jungle, where his only companions are animals - Baloo the wise bear, his best friend Bagheera the black panther, and (sometimes!) the mighty Kaa the rock python.

Thunderbirds are go! Volume 3.,

From their hidden island base in the south Pacific, the five Tracy Brothers pilot remarkable, cutting-edge Thunderbird vehicles from the depths of the oceans to the highest reaches of space--all for one purpose: to help others in need. International Rescue's identities may not be widely known, but their heroism is legendary. Even the devious schemes of mysterious international criminal "The Hood" can't weaken their resolve, or stop them from battling the dangers of the year 2060. Supported by mechanical genius Brains, stealthy operative Kayo, their jet-setting London agent Lady Penelope--and her loyal driver Parker--Scott, Gordon, Virgil, John and Alan Tracy live for these three words: Thunderbirds Are GO.

Thunderbirds are go! Volume 4.,

From their hidden island base in the south Pacific, the five Tracy Brothers pilot remarkable, cutting-edge Thunderbird vehicles from the depths of the oceans to the highest reaches of space--all for one purpose: to help others in need. International Rescue's identities may not be widely known, but their heroism is legendary. Even the devious schemes of mysterious international criminal "The Hood" can't weaken their resolve, or stop them from battling the dangers of the year 2060. Supported by mechanical genius Brains, stealthy operative Kayo, their jet-setting London agent Lady Penelope--and her loyal driver Parker--Scott, Gordon, Virgil, John and Alan Tracy live for these three words: Thunderbirds Are GO.

Voices in stone, Emily Diamand.

Ghosts, clairvoyants, UFO-hunters and the paranormal collide . . . Isis, the daughter of a charlatan psychic, can see ghosts - including that of her dead little sister, Angel. Gray is the son of a UFO-chasing conspiracy theorist. The two became friends over the summer, when they fought a deadly ghost together. So why is Gray now ignoring Isis at school? On a field-trip to a local mine, the pupils are 'accidentally' coated in dust, which has very odd side- effects . . . Could this be related to the ley lines and standing stones which have been calling to Isis with strange, ghostly voices? The secretive and powerful Organisation know the truth, but can Isis and Gray find out what's really happening, and save a life, with the help of two ghosts?

Goblins, Philip Reeve.

Young Skarper has always been a different sort of goblin, more interested in knowledge and information than eating and throwing rocks, and it gets him into trouble--but it may also be the key to saving Clovenstone from a dark sorcerer.

Harry Potter and the half-blood prince, J.K. Rowling.

'In a brief statement on Friday night, Minister for Magic Cornelius Fudge confirmed that He Who Must Not Be Named has returned to this country and is once more active. "It is with great regret that I must confirm that the wizard styling himself Lord - well, you know who I mean - is alive and among us again," said Fudge.' These dramatic words appeared in the final pages of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. In the midst of this battle of good and evil, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince takes up the story of Harry Potter's sixth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, with Voldemort's power and followers increasing day by day.

Grandpa's great escape, David Walliams.

Jack's Grandpa wears his slippers to the supermarket serves up Spam a la Custard for dinner and often doesn't remember Jack's name. But he can still take to the skies in a speeding Spitfire and save the day. An exquisite portrait of the bond between a small boy and his beloved Grandpa this book takes readers on an incredible journey with Spitfires over London and Great Escapes through the city in a high octane adventure full of comedy and heart.

Bananas in pyjamas. Surf's up.,

Rat in a Hat is up to his old tricks again with those lovable Bananas in Pyjamas and their friends the Teddies.

The Julia Donaldson collection.,

Follow the swallow: When Apollo the swallow flies to Africa, Chack the blackbird wants to send him a message. But Africa is far away. Can a jumpy dolphin, a grumpy camel, a greedy crocodile or a playful monkey help to deliver the message?

Diary of a wombat and other stories, written and read by Jackie French.

Jackie French is an award-winning author whose books are adored by children and parents alike. She is the Australia Children's Laureate for 2014-2015 and is Senior Australian of the Year for 2015. To celebrate these fantastic achievements, this special audiobook contains five of her most-loved children's books.

The Sue Hendra collection.,

Meet Barry, the fish with fingers, No-Bot, the robot with no bottom, and many more weird and wonderful characters in The Sue Hendra Collection! You will get lost in the colour and crazy worlds that the bestselling picture book author has created.

The Alison Lester collection.,

My farm: This is a story of a memorable year, the year of the palamino pony. `My Farm' gives a vivid picture of a child's life on the land.

The Margaret Mahy collection.,

These are stories of boundless imagination, exuberant characters, magical language and priceless humour. The Margaret Mahy Collection contains six favourite Mahy stories narrated by Margaret herself.

Knitbone Pepper, ghost dog and the last circus tiger, Claire Barker.

Knitbone Pepper is a friendly ghost dog, haunting the crumbling Starcross Hall with a gaggle of other ghostly pets. When Knitbone and his beloved owner Winnie invite the circus to Starcross, the spooks are so excited! But amidst the magicians, the acrobats and the clowns, Knitbone senses something beastly in the big top.

The Jonny Duddle extravaganza, Jonny Duddle.

The Johnny Duddle Extravaganza features the following adventures: The Pirate Cruncher: A mysterious old pirate tells a tavern of salty seadogs about an island bursting with hidden treasure. But once they set sail, he also mentions that it is guarded by the terrible Pirate Cruncher ... The King of Space: Rex may look like an average six-year-old, living on his parents' moog farm and going to mini intergalactic citizen school, but he knows he's destined to become the King of Space! Gigantosaurus: His feet go stomp! His jaws go crunch! In the blink of an eye you ll be his lunch! All young dinosaurs are warned about the scary Gigantosaurus ... The Pirates Next Door: Meet the Jolley-Rogers - a pirate family who is moving to Dull-on-Sea, a quiet seaside town, while they fix up their ship - who soon has the whole neighbourhood gossiping.

The Cleo stories, wriitten and read by Libby Gleeson.

Meet Cleo, a little girl with a big imagination. In the first Cleo story, Cleo desperately wants a necklace. Her parents say special presents are only for birthdays, but Cleo doesn't want to wait. In the second story, it's her mum's birthday and Cleo doesn't know what to give her, until she has the best idea of all. In the third story, Cleo's best friend is away, her parents are busy, and there's nothing to do but count raindrops, or tidy her room. Just when she thinks she'll never cheer up, Cleo has an idea. In the final story, Cleo longs for a pet but her mum and dad say no. Perhaps the answer is hidden somewhere unexpected.

Shaun the Sheep. On the ball, written by Martin Howard.

It's a sunny afternoon on Mossy Bottom Farm, and competition between the sheep and the pigs is almost as hot as the weather as they play a new game called Piggy Stomp. May the best tail win!

Shaun the Sheep. The beast of Soggy Moor, written by Martin Howard.

What's that howl? Is it Shaun the sheep playing one of his pranks? The Farmer practising his trombone? Or is it a ... beast? Can Shaun and Bitzer come up with a plan to catch the beast ? or are they all doomed?

Pigsticks and Harold and the incredible journey, Alex Milway.

Pigsticks and Harold set off on a journey to the Ends of the Earth armed only with a sense of adventure (Pigsticks'), common sense (Harold's), and a lot of cake. They pick their way through jungles, trek across deserts and climb a huge mountain, but the Ends of the Earth are always just out of reach.

Pigsticks and Harold and the Tuptown thief, Alex Milway.

There is a thief on the loose in Tuptown, and the annual Butterfly Ball will be cancelled unless someone is brought to justice. Luckily, Pigsticks has crime-fighting in his blood and a magnifying glass in his hand. Will Detective Pigsticks and his keen-eyes assistant Harold solve the crime? And can they do it in time to save the Butterfly Ball?

The spaghetti tangle, Alexander McCall Smith.

John and Nicky would love to eat chips, chocolate cake, and spaghetti but Aunt Rebecca, who looks after them, only eats health food - until one day John and Nicky enter a competition.

The unicorn's horn, Claire Taylor-Smith.

Hattie B returns to the Kingdom of Bellua where wicked King Ivar has taken the magic from a unicorn's horn! Only Hattie can make the special medicine the unicorn needs - can she find the ingredients before it's too late?

Into Reading

The jaguar and the javelin, A.H. Benjamin and Yuliya Somina.

Jaguar is brilliant at just about any sport except for the javelin! For some reason he can't quite get the hang of it, no matter how hard he tries! That is, until he discovers the perfect javelin. Maybe the Olympic gold medal is possible.

Elsie and the magic biscuit tin, Phil Earle ; illustrated by Jamie Littler.

Elsie's always known that there's something a little bit magical about her Grandma's biscuit tin, and when she discovers that it can grant wishes, there's only one thing she wants chocolate! But Elsie's wish to turn everything she touches into chocolate (even Grandma!) soon causes chaos. Can she get the magic biscuit tin to grant her one last wish to help change everything back?

Seals, Thea Feldman.

Introduces beginner readers to a variety of seals from different habitats, to the largest and the smallest. It includes facts about swimming and diet, and explains how a seal pup starts life, and grows to adulthood.

Hippo's high dive, Damian Harvey and Andrew Painter.

Hippo knows she is going to have to pull off something spectacular to impress the diving judges. As she climbs up to the highest diving boards she can't help feel she has forgotten something important.

Meerkat's Marathon, Damian Harvey and Steve Brown.

Meerkat is taking part in the longest running race the marathon! He is so small, how will he complete such a big race? He soon realises he'll need some help!

Meet the knights, written by Julia March.

Meet a group of brave knights as they embark on an epic adventure to stop a villainous jester and his band of monsters from taking over the kingdom. Learn about the exciting realm of Knighton and what it takes to graduate from Knights' Academy, go on thrilling quests, and engage in heroic battles against beastly, magical monsters.

Monster battles, written by Julia March.

The Nexo Knights of Knighton defend their kingdom from Jestro and his monsters.

The night-time knight, John McLay ; illustrated by Martin Brown.

When Harry and Oats hear strange noises in the castle they set off to explore only to find treasure, shields and yet more knightly adventures in store for them both!

The fairy treasure hunt, Daisy Meadows.

Join the Jewel Fairies for a very special adventure!

Rattlesnake's relay race, Laura North and Leo Antolini.

Rattlesnake is so determined to win the race, he wants to gobble up the other runners! Porcupine, Octopus and Parrot will have to be quick to avoid being eaten.

Lizzie Lizard's long jump, Enid Richemont and Inna Chernyak.

Lizzie Lizard is great at leaping! She knows she can win the Long Jump if she can get in enough practice. Can she leap her way out of danger from some hungry animals?

Sid's red car, Hilary Robinson ; illustrated by Beccy Blake.

Every time that Sid drives off in his car, he hears squeaks. Whatever can be causing all the noise? Perhaps Mummy Cat has an

Dance! Dance! Underpants!, Bob Shea.

Ballet Cat and her friend Butter Bear have practiced a dance to perform for an audience, but Butter Bear will need a lot of encouragement to try the super high leaps.

Horrid Henry's stinkbomb, Francesca Simon ; illustrated by Tony Ross.

Horrid Henry makes a stinkbomb that becomes a weapon in a deadly intrigue between two double agents, creates chaos in his team project, accepts an invitation to a sleepover and acquires a pet tarantula.

Feet!, Barrie Wade ; illustrated by Rockets Cartoon.

Fast feet, slow feet, cold feet, hot feet animals have all sorts of feet and some have none at all!

Ana Anteater goes for gold, Karen Wallace and Andy Rowland.

Ana Anteater has a special skill: synchronized swimming! Along with her friends she whirls and twirls around the water so when the Olympics comes to town she has to enter!

Non-Fiction

How to be a blogger and vlogger in 10 easy lessons, Shane Birley.

Children can master a new digital talent creating blogs, vlogs, and podcasts in 10 easy lessons! Each stage is fully illustrated with step-by-step illustrations and photographs, so children can learn 10 key skills to develop and promote an exciting new online blog or vlog. Along with professional tips and practical techniques, this book will help young readers become expert bloggers in no time. From planning what to share with the world to learning how to stay safe online, this book leads the way.

Wordplay for kids : a sourcebook of poems, rhymes, and read-alouds, Tim Wadham.

Wadham provides resources for introducing younger children to literature in a public library or school library setting. By reading poems out loud together, and then introducing books and activities on the poem's theme, he noticed improved vocabulary and verbal skills, and a progression in the children's literacy skills. He also introduces the Shared Warmth program, which encourages families to read together.

Baby storytime magic : active early literacy through bounces, rhymes, tickles, and more, Kathy MacMillan and Christine Kirker with illustrations by Melanie Fitz.

Many public libraries have instituted baby and toddler programs, but finding good materials can be a challenge. The authors present a treasure trove of new ideas with age appropriate book recommendations, fingerplays, American Sign Language activities, and more.

What's black and white and Reid all over? : something hilarious happened at the library, Rob Reid.

Reid shows you how to share humour with children, in order to connect them to literature and imagination. The programs and the books he uses are kid-tested and ready for you to share.

What do you believe?,

Looks at basic teachings, practices of world faiths, philosophy, and more, and delves into the meaning and purpose of life. This book promotes understanding, tolerance, and respect for people whatever they believe.

All about Kiwiana : New Zealand treasures and traditions, Dave Gunson.

Kiwiana celebrates items and icons from New Zealand's heritage, especially iconic Kiwi elements from around the middle of the 20th century. Many evoke a sense of nostalgia and are seen as contributing to our national identity.

Dharma's Diwali, Jill MacGregor.

Dharma, a young girl from Lautoka, describes how she and her friends and family celebrate Diwali, the festival of light.

Hello world : a celebration of languages and curiosities, Jonathan Litton ; illustrated by L'Atelier Cartographik.

Learn to greet people around the globe in this interactive atlas of

The Snow Queen, Hans Christian Andersen ; [illustrations, Lucie Arnoux ; translation, Misha Hoekstra].

When Kai is cursed by a magic mirror, he can no longer perceive goodness in anything not his best friend Gerda, nor the roses in the garden. One wintry evening, he is kidnapped by the wicked Snow Queen and swept away to live for ever in her kingdom of ice. Friendless and shoe-less, Gerda must travel through inhospitable lands, with only crows to guide her and bandits for company, in order to find her beloved friend. And when she gets there, how will she melt the ice in his heart

Fable comics, [edited by Chris Duffy].

Amazing cartoonists take on classic fables from Aesop and beyond!

Beauty and the beast : from the story by Jeanne-Marie LePrince de Beaumont, [text adaptation, Giada Francia] ; illustrations by Manuela Adreani.

The romantic and impossible love story between Beauty and the Beast has been the subject over the years of various adaptations that have focused alternately on the magical or gothic element. In this book there is room for all the light and darkness of a fairy tale that inspired the dreams of generations of readers, thanks to the magnificent illustrations of Manuela Adreani, an artist who is able to interpret all the elements of the fairy tale with great sensitivity, enriching the original text, adapted for a young and contemporary audience, with unforgettable settings and characters.

The Snow Queen : from the fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen, [text adaptation, Giada Francia] ; illustrations by Manuela Adreani.

The Snow Queen is one of the longest and best- loved tales of Hans Christian Andersen. The Danish writer managed to evoke throughout the story a unique atmosphere of wonder, thanks to the spellbinding Nordic landscapes described as well as the unique characters who wander through them, above all, the haughty and cool Queen who is able to freeze hearts with her glacial kiss. All the magic of Andersen's knowing narration, unabridged though adapted in its language to render it accessible to a young and contemporary audience, is found reflected in the pictures that accompany the story, wonderfully illustrated by Manuela Adreani. The union of these two elements gives life to a fascinating and charming book, the ideal gift for readers of all ages.

Tales from the Brothers Grimm, [illustrated by] Herbert Leupin.

Herbert Leupin's bold, colourful illustrations bring new life to these 9 favorite Grimm's fairy tales: Hans in Luck; Hansel and Gretel; The Brave Little Tailor; Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs; The Wishing Table, the Gold-Ass, and the Cudgel in the Sack; The Wolf and the Seven Little Kids; Puss in Boots; Sleeping Beauty; and Mother Holle.

Hans Christian Andersen's The red shoes and other tales, Metaphrog.

As the child of peasants, Karen grew up with a pair of simple red shoes. Then, when her parents died, Karen was adopted by a rich old woman who gave Karen a new pair of red shoes that would make princesses green with envy. This newfound wealth causes Karen to forget her humble origins and grow up to become a cruel and vain adult. Then, one day, the red shoes that sparked her greed come to life and steer Karen down a path she never would have imagined in her wildest dreams.

Classic nursery tales : 150 years of Frederick Warne, Randolph Caldecott [and three others].

A celebration of one of the most important publishers of childrens books, this title commemorates the 150th anniversary of Frederick Warne. The collection includes scarcely-seen material as well as classic stories and artwork from four of the most influential children's authors and illustrators of all time: Beatrix Potter Kate Greenaway Randolph Caldecott Edward Lear Each section is introduced by important modern authors and illustrators; Jan Pienkowski, Paul O Zelinsky, Eleanor Taylor and Lee Bennett Hopkins.

Eureka! : the most amazing scientic discoveries of all time, Dr Mike Goldsmith.

Features the stories of scientists throughout history who made discoveries that changed the way we think about the world. Packed with details of experiments and equipment, blunders and lucky escapes, this title is suitable for children around the age of 9 and over with an interest in history, science and adventure.

Why Pi?, [author, Johnny Ball].

Introduces the concepts of measurement and mathematics, discussing their use throughout history, along with examples of how they are used in everyday life in calculating temperature, light, electricity, time, music, and objects in space.

How many legs?, Katja Spitzer.

Little ones count legs, owls, ice creams, monkeys, cakes, and other things in this colourful picture book.

Planets 3D interactive book, text by Robert Siddell.

"Strap yourself in and prepare to launch into Planets 3D! By using this book with the included app, you are about to embark on an interactive exploration as planets, shuttles, space probes, rovers and moons leap from your pages to give you a 3D augmented reality adventure of a lifetime!"

The rock & gem book : and other treasures of the natural world, written by Dan Green.

The Rock and Gem Book is packed full of photos of natural wonders, including rocks, minerals, gems, shells and fossils. This children's encyclopedia displays more than 1,200 full-colour specimens, from sapphires and rubies to silver and pearl, revealing the unique qualities of each material and how it is used in industry, architecture, art and science. Including precious metals, rare fossils, tiny gemstones and giant shells, the Rock and Gem Book gives a complete overview of the Earth's naturally occurring marvels and the beautiful objects created from them.

Who were the first people?, Phil Roxbee Cox & Struan Reid ; illustrated by Gerald Wood ; designed by Diane Thistlethwaite & Vicki Groombridge.

Did people really live in caves and did they hunt dinosaurs? Find out the answers to these and lots more questions in this colourful, fun and informative book spanning 3 million years of everyday life in prehistoric times.

Do you know about animals?, Derek Harvey.

This is the perfect first reference book, Why? Animals answers trivia questions about wild animals for kids through engaging facts and beautiful pictures of animals. Why? Animals uses a fun and interactive question and answer format, encouraging kids' curiosity as they engage with the information to find the answers to such questions as why tigers have stripes, why bees dance, and how chameleons change colour! Why? Animals focuses on wild animal facts that kids really want to know about and the questions that they ask, helping them learn easily about everything from penguins to elephants. From the depths of the jungle to the bottom of the sea, Why? Animals is packed with clearly organised bite-sized facts written by animal experts to help kids understand the answer to their questions that parents can't always answer!

Glow : animals with their own night-lights, W. H. Beck.

Why be afraid of the dark when there is so much to see? Whether its used to hunt, hide, find a friend, or escape an enemy, bioluminescence the ability to glow is a unique adaptation in nature. In this fun and fascinating nonfiction picture book, join world renowned photographers and biologists on their close encounters with the curious creatures that make their own light.

Polar : a photicular book, created by Dan Kainen ; written by Carol Kaufmann.

Using unique Photicular technology, Polar shows a hauntingly beautiful yet fragile world, caught forever in moments of living motion.

Safari 3D interactive book, text by Annee Jochim.

"Grab your binoculars and prepare to journey into Safari 3D! By using this book with the included app, you are about to embark on a thrilling interactive excursion as lions, zebras, elephants, rhinos, and hippos leap from your pages to give you a 3D augmented reality adventure of a lifetime!"--Back cover.

Bugs 3D interactive book, text by Robert Siddell.

"Grab your net and jar and prepare to journey into Bugs 3D! By using this book with the included app, you are about to embark on an interactive exploration as tarantulas, scorpions, fireflies, lady bugs, centipedes, and grasshoppers leap from your pages to give you the 3D augmented reality adventure of a lifetime!"--Back cover.

Superbug, author, John Woodward ; consultant, Dr George McGavin.

Profiles the worlds largest, strongest, and loudest insects, providing statistics and facts on each, from the honeypot ants of Australia and hornet moth of Europe to the golden chafer of Central America and the orchid mantid of Southeast Asia.

Fabulous frogs, Martin Jenkins ; illustrated by Tim Hopgood.

Looks at all kinds of frogs, from exotic species to the common greenish-brown specimens found in backyards, discussing their characteristics, life cycles, and habitats.

Everything you need to know about birds.,

Learn everything you need to know about birds all in one amazing book. How do birds fly? What's inside a bird's egg? Get all these questions and more answered in Everything You Need to Know about Birds. Discover which birds nest where, which is the biggest bird and get up close to birds of prey. Find out about all different types of birds and how they eat, sleep and survive! From barn owls to golden eagles, Everything You Need to Know about Birds is packed with amazing facts, games and quizzes to teach you all about the most amazing birds in the world.

The human body : the story of how we protect, repair, and make ourselves stronger, HP Newquist.

An exploration of the objects that scientists and tinkerers throughout history have invented to protect, repair, or improve our bodies.

Where do babies come from? : our first talk about birth, Dr. Jillian Roberts ; illustrated by Cindy Revell.

A gentle and engaging introduction to the basic facts of life.

Drones, Henry Brook ; illustrated by Adrian Roots, Giovanni Paulli and Staz Johnson ; designed by Helen Edmonds and Anna Gould ; edited by Alex Frith ; drone expert, Dr. Mirko Kovac.

Where can drones fly that no human would dare? Why do engineers turn to nature to design new flying machines? Could a drone space rover reveal the secrets of distant planets? How can a fire rescue drone save lives? Fast, agile and cheap to build, drones offer all the benefits of flight with no risk to any pilot. Already vital tools for the world's armed forces, drones in our towns and cities could transform the way we live, work, and play.

Spectacular ships, [written by Sarah Snashall].

Spectacular Ships tells you everything you want to know about ships, from the early wooden ships such as triremes and galleons, to the massive cruise liners and cargo ships used today. Learn about life at sea, shipwrecks, submarines and so much more.

Speedy trains, [adapted from an original text by Thea Feldman].

Speedy Trains tells you everything you want to know about trains, from building the first railways to steam engines and trains that hover above the rails. Learn about trains that go underground, across water, through rock and more.

Fantastic fliers, [adapted from an original text by Chris Oxlade].

Fantastic Fliers tells you everything you want to know about flying machines, from the huge jet planes that take you on holiday to hovering helicopters. Learn how planes fly and glide, and all the different jobs they do.

Fast cars, [adapted from an original text by Chris Oxlade and Thea Feldman].

Fast Cars tells you everything you want to know about cars, from the earliest automobiles to speedy supercars, rally racers and even cars that fly.

Mighty trucks, [adapted from an original text by Brenda Stones].

Mighty Trucks tells you everything you want to know about trucks, from mining trucks to dumper trucks, lorries that can carry houses, fire engines ready with lots of water and so much more.

Tough tractors, [adapted from an original text by Hannah Wilson].

Tough tractors tells you everything you want to know about tractors, from the huge to the heavy-lifting. Find out about bulldozers, excavators, combine harvesters and so much more.

iRobot, Clive Gifford.

Children can interact with robots in their own homes thanks to the digital magic of Augmented Reality. Activities include building their own robot and programming it to move, seeing their own arm become bionic, flying a search and rescue drone and battling with bots, all on the kitchen table! Place your tablet or smart phone near the visual trigger on the page then hold it up to see the AR in action. iRobot is packed with fascinating information about these marvellous machines how they work, how they are used and what the future holds.

Pinati, Jill MacGregor.

Two young boys describe the pinati season in Tonga, when locally grown peanuts are harvested. Includes details about how to grown peanuts yourself.

Eat your greens, reds, yellows and purples.,

Eat Your Greens, Reds, Yellows and Purples is a colourful guide to delicious and nutritious vegetarian food for kids. Gather your ingredients and get busy in the kitchen creating tasty, healthy meals with your kids. Alongside nutrition facts, there are 25 vegetarian recipes for kids including soup, salad and stir-fry as well as treats such as a muffin, cheesecake and cupcake. You can learn about vitamins, minerals, and all the amazing things that colourful fruit and vegetables can do from how carrots help your vision to why peppers boost your immune system. The delicious, healthy meals and nutrition facts are enough to satisfy any hungry young appetite, so reach for your reds, pick up your purples and don't forget to Eat Your Greens, Reds, Yellows and Purples.

Let's sew.,

Suitable for kids wishing to pick up a new, enjoyable hobby and parents looking for a way to get children into craft-making,this title teaches your child how to create their very own collection of eye-catching toys and accessories, including a decorated book bag, felt elephants, and jungle-themed pen toppers.

Braids & buns, ponies & pigtails : 50 hairstyles every girl will love, Jenny Strebe.

This essential resource for little girls and their parents features 50 fun styles to wear to school, parties, and playdates. Each style is accompanied by chic photography, easy-to-follow illustrations, and cross-references to other similar styles to try. This comprehensive guide also includes tips for junior hair care and advice on accessories such as clips and ribbons. From a Minnie Mouse bun for a themed birthday party to a French braid perfect for trampolining with friends, Braids & Buns, Ponies & Pigtails includes all the information parents need to create pretty styles any little girl will love.

Let's get crafty with fabric & felt : for kids aged 2 and up.,

Bring out your child's creative side with Let's Get Crafty with Fabric & Felt. This inspiring book has 25 easy-to-achieve projects that you and your child can enjoy making together at home. The creative ideas include fun finger puppets, a cute pom-pom bumble bee and printed T-shirts. The emphasis is on teamwork, with you helping with the tricky steps, such as sewing, and your child doing the fun and messy parts, such as glueing, painting and decorating. As well as being enjoyable, these fabric and felt crafts will help you prepare your child for school by developing his fine motor skills and encouraging him to concentrate on a task and complete it. The creative ideas will spark his imagination and for both of you there will be great rewards in finishing a project. Best of all, getting crafty means you will enjoy some fun time together.

Let's get crafty with paper & glue : for kids aged 2 and up.,

Bring out your child's creative side with Let's Get Crafty with Paper & Glue. This inspiring book has 25 easy-to-achieve projects that you and your child can enjoy making together at home. The creative ideas include colourful party cones and bracelets that your child can give as gifts, and pretty paper chains to decorate your child's bedroom. Create cute creatures, such as a pig and frog from paper plates, and the super-snappy paper crocodile. The emphasis is on teamwork, with you helping with the tricky steps, such as cutting out, and your child doing the fun and messy parts, such as glueing, painting and decorating. As well as being enjoyable, these paper crafts will help you prepare your child for school by developing his fine motor skills and encouraging him to concentrate on a task and complete it. The creative ideas will spark his imagination and for both of you there will be great rewards in finishing a project. Best of all, getting crafty means you will enjoy some fun time together.

Fau fibres, Jill MacGregor ; photographs by Scott MacGregor.

Maimai describe how he and his family prepare and use the bark fibres of the fau tree in Samoa to make string, costumes, toys, and animal bedding. Includes instructions for making your own titi fau.

Star Wars character encyclopedia, written by Simon Beecroft and Pablo Hidalgo.

Star Wars: Character Encyclopedia is the definitive guide to the people, aliens and droids of the Star Wars galaxy and is now bigger and better than ever before, packed with new characters from Star Wars Episode VII The Force Awakens. Want to know how tall Darth Vader is? Or where the ferocious Nexu comes from? Look no further than the Star Wars: Character Encyclopedia. This handy guide is full of fun facts and intriguing information, including never-before-seen information revealing characters' back stories and personalities. With over 200 heroes, villains, monsters and more, Star Wars: Character Encyclopedia is guaranteed to enthral for hours on end.

Spot's hide and seek : a search and find book, Eric Hill.

Where's Spot? Where's Steve? Where's Helen? Help Spot find all his friends and lots of other things too in this super search and find book. At home, in the park, at a party and all around Spot's world, every page is packed with detail over 100 fun things to find.

The Usborne ultimate maze book, written by Kirsteen Robson and Phil Clarke.

This is the maze books to end all maze books: three separate books are combined in one ultimate volume that will keep children busy for weeks, months maybe even years. Featuring intricate and hugely varied artwork, each maze is unique.

Kite festival, Jill MacGregor ; photographs by Scott MacGregor.

Mauriora and Tahu make a traditional manu taratahi kite, and fly it at the Otaki kite festival.

Golden Kiwis, David Riley.

"Golden Kiwis brings you 100 years of Kiwi excellence in the Olympics. It tells the stories behind every Olympic gold medal won by a New Zealander.

A little bit of dirt : 55+ science and art activities to reconnect children with nature, Asia Citro.

Bursting with creative hands-on outdoor science and art activities, "Little Bit of Dirt" is full of motivation to get outside and explore.

Kids' cycling handbook : tips, facts and know-how about road, track, BMX and mountain biking.,

From bikes of the past to bikes of the future, this cycling handbook takes you on a whirlwind tour of the bicycle world. Packed with essential information on how to choose and look after your bike, ride safely and improve your technique, it also explains the ins and outs and ups and downs of profesional road, track, and BMX cycling.

National Geographic book of nature poetry : more than 200 poems with photographs that float, zoom, and bloom!, J. Patrick Lewis.

When words in verse are paired with the awesomeness of nature, something magical happens! Beloved former U.S. Poet Laureate J. Patrick Lewis curates an exhuberant poetic celebration of the natural world in this stellar collection of nature poems. From trickling streams to deafening thrunderstorms to soaring mountains, discover majestic photography perfectly paired with contemporary (such as Billy Collins), classics (such as Robert Frost), and never-before-published works.

Slickety quick : poems about sharks, Skila Brown ; illustrated by Bob Kolar.

From the enormous whale shark to the legendary great white to the enigmatic goblin shark to the small cookie- cutter shark, Slickety Quick is a delightful frenzy of shark mayhem. Mysterious species such as the camouflaged wobbegong and the elusive frilled shark share the waters with better-known blue and nurse sharks, each commemorated in a poem by Skila Brown and illustrated by Bob Kolar. Sneaky shark facts ripple through each spread to further inform the brave and curious young reader intrigued by the power and danger of these amazing creatures.

Guess who, haiku, words by Deanna Caswell ; pictures by Bob Shea.

A collection of haiku, each of which describes an animal and asks a question that rhymes with the answer on the following page.

When green becomes tomatoes : poems for all seasons, Julie Fogliano ; pictures by Julie Morstad.

A book of poetry moving through the seasons.

Wet cement : a mix of concrete poems, Bob Raczka.

Who says words need to be concrete? This collection shapes poems in surprising and delightful ways. Concrete poetry is a perennially popular poetic form because they are fun to look at. But by using the arrangement of the words on the page to convey the meaning of the poem, concrete or shape poems are also easy to write! From the author of the incredibly inventive Lemonade: And Other Poems Squeezed from a Single Word comes another clever collection that shows kids how to look at words and poetry in a whole new way.

Echo echo : reverso poems about Greek myths, Marilyn Singer ; illustrated by Josee Masse.

What happens when you hold up a mirror to poems about Greek myths? You get a brand-new perspective on the classics! And that is just what happens in Echo Echo, the newest collection of reverso poems from Marilyn Singer. Read one way, each poem tells the story of a familiar myth; but when read in reverse, the poems reveal a new point of view! Readers will delight in uncovering the dual points of view in well-known legends, including the stories of Pandora's box, King Midas and his golden touch, Perseus and Medusa, Pygmalion, Icarus and Daedalus, Demeter and Persephone, and Echo and Narcissus. These cunning verses combine with beautiful illustrations to create a collection of fourteen reverso poems to treasure.

Don't stand under a fu fu tree, written by Jill Eggleton.

When children listen to and recite poetry, rhymes and songs from a very young age, they begin to develop and build many literary skills. They hear the sound of language and the rhythm of words, which will asist them in learning to read and write. Most importantly, the rhythm and rhyme help them develop a love of language. It is vital for very young children to hear the kind of langugae used in poems and rhymes. Poems enrich children's vocabulary. The rhythm, rhyme and repetition help them develop phonological awareness skills, which is the ability to recognise that words are made up of a variety of sounds. This awareness is needed for them to learn to read easily. Humorous poems to 'hook children in', poems where words ask to be shouted, short snappy poems, reptitive poems - a whole variety of poems is needed to help children catch the rhythm of language and the power of words.

Vikings in the supermarket, Nick Sharratt.

Six Vikings on a shopping trip, one tartan-patterned cat, a clever little mermaid, a naughty vampire bat, the queen who's really fond of green, the pirate Tidy Clyde, open up this jolly book and meet them all inside!

This kid can fly : it's about ability (not disability), Aaron Philip with Tonya Bolden.

Aaron Philip's memoir chronicles his extraordinary journey from happy baby in Antigua to confident teen artist in New York City. His honest, often funny stories of triumph-- despite physical difficulties, poverty, and other challenges-- are as inspiring as they are eye-opening.

Beatrix Potter & the unfortunate tale of a borrowed guinea pig, Deborah Hopkinson ; illustrated by Charlotte Voake.

Depicts Victorian-era artist, writer, and animal lover Beatrix, who is dismayed when a neighbor's guinea pig in her charge passes away unexpectedly.

Beatrix Potter and her paint box, David McPhail.

Chronicles the life of children's illustrator and author Beatrix Potter, examining how art influenced her young life.

The prehistoric masters of literature, written by Saskia Lacey ; illustrated by Sernur Isik.

The greatest dinosaur writers wrote a treasury of prehistoric literature that paved the way for such modern classics as Romeo & Juliet, Wuthering Heights, The raven, The adventures of Tom Sawyer, A tale of two cities, and Pride and prejudice. Read biographical information about William Shakespeare, Emily Bronte, Edgar Allan Poe, Mark Twain, Charles Dickens, and Jane Austen.

Usborne look inside the Stone age, [written by Abigail Wheatley & Hazel Maskell ; illustrated by Stefano Tognetti].

A lift-the-flap book packed with information about life from the Stone Age to the start of farming, early metal working and the Iron Age.

Who built the pyramids?, Jane Chisholm & Struan Reid ; illustrated by Sue Stitt ; designed by Vicki Groombridge & Diane Thistlewaite ; history consultant, Anne Millard.

What were pyramids for? Why are they so big? How were they made? These questions and more are answered in this engaging introduction to Ancient Egypt, full of fascinating facts and colourful illustrations about families, pharaohs, religion, and more. Readers can follow internet links to specially selected websites to find out more.

What were castles for?, Phil Roxbee Cox ; illustrated by Sue Stitt & Annabel Spenceley ; designed by Diane Thistlethwaite & Vicki Groombridge.

Describes the architecture, function and daily life of castles during the Middle Ages.

Who were the Vikings?, Jane Chisholm & Struan Reid ; illustrated by David Cuzik ; designed by Vicki Groombridge ; edited by Phil Roxbee Cox ; history consultant Dr. Anne Millard.

Gives answers to the first questions children ask about history, provoking comparison with life as they know it today. Colorful illustrations and well-researched text take readers back in time.

Gospel day, Jill MacGregor ; photographs by Scott MacGregor.

Mana describes his life on Aitutaki and community preparations for celebrating Gospel Day, when church groups join together to sing hymns, and perform dramas and dance.

Te ano, Jill MacGregor.

Describes the traditional game of Te Kabwe, as played in Kiribati, and how two young girls weave a new ball (ano) out of pandanus leaves.

Older Fiction

The relic of Perilous Falls, Raymond Arroyo.

A thrill-seeking twelve-year-old boy with a mysterious family heritage discovers ancient objects of rare power and must protect them from the terrifying demons who will do anything to possess them.

The most important thing : stories about sons, fathers, and grandfathers, Avi.

One of the most beloved writers of our time presents seven short stories exploring the vital ties between fathers and sons. Luke sees the ghost of his father but can't figure out what Dad wants him to do. Paul takes a camping trip with the grandfather he's just met and discovers what lies behind the man's erratic behavior. Ryan has some surprising questions when he interviews his prospective stepfather for the job. In a compellingly honest collection of stories, multiple-award-winning author Avi introduces seven boys boys with fathers at home and boys whose fathers have left, boys who spend most of their time with their grandfathers and boys who would rather spend time with anyone but the men in their lives. By turns heartbreaking, hopeful, and funny, the stories show us boys seeking acceptance, guidance, or just someone to look up to.

The worst night ever, Dave Barry ; illustrated by Jon Cannell.

Wyatt Palmer is just another undersized freshman hoping to fit in at high school, but when his best friend Matt Diaz's pet ferret ends up in the hands of the Bevins, the most popular boys at Coral Cove High, Wyatt and Matt try to get the animal back by attending a party for the cool clique and stumble onto the Bevin family's dark secret.

Sputnik's guide to life on earth, Frank Cottrell Boyce ; illustrated by Steven Lenton.

The Blythes are a big, warm, rambunctious family who live on a small farm and sometimes foster children. Now Prez has come to live with them. But, though he seems cheerful and helpful, he never says a word. Then one day Prez answers the door to someone claiming to be his relative. This small, loud stranger carries a backpack, walks with a swagger and goes by the name of Sputnik. As Prez dithers on the doorstep, Sputnik strolls right past him and introduces himself to everyone in the household. Prez is amazed at the response. The family pat Sputnik on the head, call him a good boy and drop food into his mouth. It seems they all think Sputnik is a dog. It's only Prez who thinks otherwise. But Prez soon finds himself having to defend the family from the chaos and danger unleashed by Sputnik, as household items come to life like a TV remote that fast-forwards people: 'Anyone can do it, it's just that people don't read the instructions properly'; and a toy lightsaber that entertains guests at a children's party, until one of them is nearly decapitated by it and Prez is going to have to use his voice to explain himself. It turns out that Sputnik is writing a guidebook to Earth called Ten Things Worth Doing on Earth, and he takes Prez on a journey to discover just those ten things. Each adventure seems to take Prez nearer to the heart of the family he is being fostered by. But they also take him closer to the day that he is due to leave them forever.

The wild robot, words and pictures by Peter Brown.

Roz the robot discovers that she is alone on a remote, wild island with no memory of where she is from or why she is there, and her only hope of survival is to try to learn about her new environment from the island's hostile inhabitants.

The eye of midnight, Andrew Brumbach.

In May 1929 Maxine Campbell and her cousin William Battersea arrive at their grandfather's house in New Jersey to find that the house is empty and soon they are caught up in the contest for an ancient Arabian relic called the Eye of Midnight, which several secret societies are willing to do anything to posses.

Broken Heart Club, Cathy Cassidy ; [illustrations, Erin Keen].

Andie, Eden, Ryan, Tasha and Hasmita love being part of the Heart Club. They've promised to stay best friends forever and nothing can tear them apart. But sometimes things happen that you couldn't ever have expected and forever might not be as long as you think. Now, two years later, Eden and Ryan are haunted by memories of the past. Can they find a way to bring the club back together or is it too late to mend a broken heart?

Socks, sandbags & leeches : letters to my Anzac dad, Pauline Deeves.

Ivy and her mother live in Australia, far away from where the Great War is raging. They have moved in with Aunt Hilda whose flat is so small that Ivy has to sleep under the kitchen table. Not only that, but she also has to empty Aunt Hilda's chamber pot! 'The Pests' live in the flat on one side and, on the other side, lives grumpy old Mr Wilson-who has a deep secret. Ivy writes to her father, who is fighting overseas. She tells him all about life at home-how the family has little money; how she and other children have to sew sandbags, knit socks and roll up bandages for the war; how she volunteers for the Cheer Up Society, making cups of tea at the wharf when the hospital ships come in; and how the Big Pest collects leeches for the hospital.

Raymie nightingale, Kate DiCamillo.

Raymie Clarke has come to realize that everything, absolutely everything, depends on her. And she has a plan. If Raymie can win the Little Miss Central Florida Tire competition, then her father who has run away with a dental hygienist will see Raymie's picture in the paper and (maybe) come home. To win, not only does Raymie have to do good deeds and learn how to twirl a baton, but she has to compete with the wispy, frequently fainting Louisiana Elefante with her show-business background and the fiery, stubborn Beverly Tapinski, who's determined to sabotage the contest. But as the competition approaches, loneliness, loss and unanswerable questions draw the three girls into an unlikely friendship and challenge them to come to each other's rescue in unexpected ways.

Lily and Dunkin, Donna Gephart.

Lily Jo McGrother, born Timothy McGrother, is a girl. But being a girl is not so easy when you look like a boy. Especially when you're in the eighth- grade. Norbert Dorfman, nicknamed Dunkin Dorfman, is bipolar and has just moved from the New Jersey town he's called home for the past thirteen years. This would be hard enough, but the fact that he is also hiding from a painful secret makes it even worse. One summer morning, Lily Jo McGrother meets Dunkin Dorfman, and their lives forever change.

Spaced out : a Moon Base Alpha novel, Stuart Gibbs.

In 2041 twelve-year-old Dashiell Gibson is a resident of Moon Base Alpha, and at the moment he is faced with a number of problems: coping with the nasty Sjoberg twins, finding out how the commander of the base has managed to disappear from a facility no bigger than a soccer field, and dealing with the alien Zan who communicates with him telepathically from afar and who is hiding a secret which may threaten the whole Earth.

A bandit's tale : the muddled misadventures of a pickpocket, Deborah Hopkinson.

In March of 1887, Rocco, an eleven-year-old from an Italian village, arrives in New York City where he is forced to live in squalor and beg for money as a street musician, but he finds the city's cruelty to children and animals intolerable and sets out to make things better, whatever the cost to himself.

Shadow magic, Joshua Khan with illustrations by Ben Hibon.

Thorn, a boy sold into slavery who must serve the royalty of Castle Gloom for a year and a day to earn his freedom, and Lilith Shadow, the 13-year-old ruler of Gehenna, who is forbidden to practice the magic that is her heritage, join forces to solve the murders taking place in Gehenna.

Slacker, Gordon Korman.

When eighth-grader Cameron Boxer creates the Positive Action Group at school he intends it as a diversion to fool his parents, teachers, and sister into letting him continue to concentrate on his video-gaming but before he knows it other kids are taking it seriously, and soon he finds himself president of the P.A.G., and involved in community service, so the boy who never cared about anything is now the center of everything, whether he likes it or not.

Kumari : goddess of Gotham, Amanda Lees.

Kumari is a goddess-in-training who lives in a secret valley kingdom. She is destined to stay young forever, unlike people in the World Beyond. But Kumari longs to break out of her closeted life at the Palace, where her only real friend is a baby vulture, and there's nothing to think about except the mystery of her mother's death. It's hard to kill a goddess, but someone did. And so Kumari steals away to the Holy Mountain, determined to summon Mamma back from the dead and to find out the truth. But the next thing Kumari knows, she's in Manhattan. Surrounded by strange buildings and even stranger people, and running for her life through Macy's Parade.

Island of dragons, Lisa McMann.

Head mage Alexander Stowe and his friends successfully fended off the latest threat to their magical world of Artime with the help of a surprise ally. But old enemies have secretly been plotting against them. Now Alex must lead his people in a final epic battle, one they can't hope to win alone.

Genie in a bottle, Sarah Mlynowski.

In their ninth journey through the magic mirror Abby and Jonah find themselves in the tale of Aladdin, and after giving the hero of the story a bloody nose in a game of dodge ball, they take his place with the evil magician looking for the magic lamp and things continue to go down hill from there.

Wishing Day, Lauren Myracle.

Three sisters in the town of Willow Hill participate in a fabled tradition of making three wishes and find out what they really want only after their wishes

Lair of the sentinels, Geoff Palmer.

Things get weirder - and even more perilous - for Tim, Coral, and their "visitor" friends. The slimy, slug-like, mind-reading Sentinels won't give up without a fight. Deep within their lair, they formulate a foul plan to exterminate Tim, Coral, Alkemy, Ludokrus, Norman and Albert one by one ...There's a fiendish flesh-eating plot, prying journalists, more secret revelations, and a space battle that will knock your socks off! Suggested level: primary, intermediate.

Legacy of secrets, Ridley Pearson.

When five present-day teenagers known as the Kingdom Keepers travel back to 1955 for Disneyland's Opening Day, the early days of the Tower of Terror, the origin of the Overtakers, and the real power of magic unfold in an unexpected series of events that propels the Keepers into a darkness no one saw coming.

Pax, Sara Pennypacker ; illustrated by Jon Klassen.

Pax was only a kit when his family was killed and he was rescued by 'his boy', Peter. Now the country is at war and when his father enlists, Peter has no choice but to move in with his grandfather. Far worse than leaving home is the fact that he has to leave Pax behind. But before Peter spends even one night under his grandfather's roof he sneaks out into the night, determined to find his beloved friend. This is the story of Peter, Pax, and their journeys back to each other as war rampages throughout the country.

Thatchthorpe, Elizabeth Pulford.

"The Silvering Kingdom is the home of fairy tales / stories / imagination, but the kingdom and all those within are in danger of vanishing because the Bloodtree tree has been poisoned. It is up to Abigail to save the story-tree and its people from extinction. If she doesn't then there will be no more stories, no more fairy tales, illustrations, no more free use of the imagination. It will all be under the control of Rackenard, who wants to dominate and rule the kingdom with his words".

The hidden oracle, Rick Riordan.

After angering his father Zeus, the god Apollo is cast down from Olympus. He must learn to survive in the modern world until he can somehow find a way to regain Zeus's favour.

Once was a time, Leila Sales.

In World War II England, ten-year-old Lottie is transported via a portal to present day Wisconsin, where she must find her way back to her family and her best friend, Kitty.

Rent a bridesmaid, Jacqueline Wilson ; illustrated by Nick Sharratt.

Tilly can't believe it when her best friend Matty is asked to be a bridesmaid. In Tilly's favourite daydream, she's kitted out in the most beautiful bridesmaid dress, walking down the aisle behind a beautiful bride. The one wedding she'd really like to attend is her own mum and dad's. But as that's never going to happen, it's time for Tilly to make her own dream come true and put her bridesmaid services up for hire.

A dragon's guide to making your human smarter, Laurence Yep & Joanne Ryder ; illustrations by Mary GrandPre.

Winnie is challenged to adapt to a new school for girls where teaching is anything but ordinary and where the eclectic student body includes magicals as well as humans, and while Winnie uses her wits to find her own way, crusty dragon Miss Drake is secretly trying to discover and foil a new plot by Winnie's grandfather to gain custody of her.

Picture Books

Car.,

Every page features a bright, common vehicle with its name underneath and vehicle sounds to copy, from brrmm brrmm to zoooom!

Farm.,

This book is suitable for farmyard fun for young children.

No, no, Gnome!, Ashlyn Anstee.

Gnome cannot wait to help his friends harvest the school garden! But his eagerness and excitement get him into trouble, leaving them all saying 'No, no'.

The Lending Zoo, Frank Asch.

Overseeing a "zoo-brary" that lends out all types of animals, librarian Miss Perkins discovers that the tiger has gone missing, a disappearance that triggers a citywide search alongside a new friend.

Rules of the house, Mac Barnett, Matt Myers.

Ian always follows the rules and his sister, Jenny, never does but when she angers some monsters while breaking all the rules of their vacation house in the woods, Ian first runs away, then realizes there should be a rule about protecting your sister from being eaten by monsters.

My house, Byron Barton.

Jim the cat describes his favorite places inside and outside his house.

Little elephants, Graeme Base.

The wheat is ripe, but the harvester is broken and a plague of locusts is on the way. It looks as if Jim and his mother may lose the farm. But when Jim shows kindness to a stranger, their fortunes are set to change in the most surprising way imaginable! From the creator of the bestselling Animalia, The Legend of the Golden Snail and The Jewel Fish of Karnak comes this inspiring and magical tale.

Stanley the mailman, William Bee.

It's going to be a busy day for Stanley! He gets up early to sort through all of the mail in his post office. Then he sets off through town to deliver it all. Myrtle, Little Woo, and Charlie all receive exciting gifts and letters. But will everyone be happy with what's in Stanley's mail bag?

Kakahu = Getting dressed, Kitty Brown ; Kirsten Parkinson.

Kanohi = My face, Kitty Brown ; Kirsten Parkinson.

Kararehe = Animals, Kitty Brown ; Kirsten Parkinson.

Ten little monsters, Mike Brownlow, Simon Rickerty.

Ten little monsters set off in search of adventure. But what will the ten little monsters do when they meet a howling werewolf, a giant spider and other scaries in the night?

There was an old woman who lived in a shoe, Jane Cabrera.

This variation of the nursery rhyme features a chaotic household of children and pets who live in a shoe, and who know how to repair broken furniture, remake work clothing, and reuse and recycle.

The brave little grork, written by Kathryn Cave ; illustrated by Nick Maland.

Two friends, one shy and easily frightened, and the other brave and fearless, do almost everything together. How does such an unlikely pair get along on an outing?

Who woke the baby?, Jane Clarke ; illustrated by Charles Fuge.

It's early morning in the jungle and little gorilla is not happy. Whoever woke him up?! As the mystery unfolds, we learn about a chain of events involving an assortment of animals who all played a part, but who did it all begin with?

Oscar visits Melbourne, Australia, Carolyn Collis.

"Oscar the bear visits Melbourne. He finds ways to compare objects he sees".

The shrew that flew : a Harry & Lil story, Julia Copus ; illustrated by Eunyoung Seo.

One Saturday, in the middle of June, one bright and windy afternoon, all the creatures by Piggyback Wood were getting ready as fast as they could. There was only a short time left to prepare for the birthday party at Badger's lair. Badger's having a birthday party and Harry and Lil are getting ready, but just as Lil is getting her favourite hat off the washing line to wear, it blows away. Harry says it's gone for good, but Lil says you should never say never "if birds can fly, shrews can, too". An umbrella doesn't work, nor does a fan but then Deer comes along with a big green balloon!

A crash of rhinos and other wild animal groups, Greg Danylyshyn ; illustrated by Stephan Lomp.

Introduces in rhyming text the collective names used for various animal groups.

All aboard for the Bobo Road, Stephen Davies, Christopher Corr.

Fatima and Galo load the luggage while their dad Big Ali drives the bus. Help count on bikes, sacks of rice, melons and even goats and chickens as the bus travels past Gurunsi houses, the hippo lake, waterfalls and jungle, all the way to Bobo.

Pete the cat's groovy guide to love : tips from a cool cat on how to spread the love, Kimberly & James Dean.

Pet the cat shares some of his favorite quotes from famous people about the subject of love, and adds his own groovy take to them.

Baby animals : touch, think, learn, Xavier Deneux.

This book teaches first words having to do with baby animals, using a combination of word clusters and simple, raised die-cut shapes on a left-hand page mirrored in the scooped-out forms of the right.

Albert's tree, Jenni Desmond.

A picture book about making new friends from the award-winning Jenni Desmond. Waa! Waa! Waa! Albert's favourite tree won't stop crying. What can be the matter? How can the bear cheer up his old friend? A funny and charming picture book about making friends in the most unexpected places from the award-winning Jenni Desmond.

Why did the chicken cross the road?, Jim Dewar, Simon Williams.

Everyone thinks the chicken crossed the road just to get to the other side! Find out what happened next in this hilarious tale based on a favourite joke.

A windy day walk, written by Pamela Dixon ; illustrated by Maree Horner.

Findlay and Gran go for a walk on a windy Wellington day.

Together, Emma Dodd.

This little sea otter loves spending time with his mummy learning new things, playing together, or even just holding each other. In fact, every day this little sea otter spends with his mummy is special, just because they are together.

Maggie and Wendel : imagine everything!, Cori Doerrfeld.

Illustrations and easy-to-read text portray a young brother and sister as they spend an afternoon imagining great adventures

The animals' ark, Marianne Dubuc.

A secular re-telling of the story of Noah's Ark. The animals are trapped on a hill and rescued by Noah. Most of the story describes how the animals pass the time on the ark, until they find land and a rainbow appears. Noah sails away and the animals say thank-you.

Horrible bear!, written by Ame Dyckman ; illustrated by Zachariah OHora.

When Bear breaks a little girl's kite, she thinks he is a "Horrible bear!" Until she makes a mistake of her own and learns the power of saying "I'm sorry."

Apples and robins, Lucie Felix.

Using die-cut pages the story explores the shapes and colours of an apple tree through the passing of the seasons.

Calling all cars, written by Sue Fliess ; illustrated by Sarah Beise.

This bouncy text explores the wonderful world of cars zipping up, down, fast, and slow. And at the end of the day it's bedtime for these busy cars.

The wonderful habits of rabbits, [by Douglas Florian ; illustrated by Sonia Sanchez].

Illustrations and rhyming text explore how rabbits spend their days throughout the year.

Tufty : the little lost duck who found love, Michael Foreman.

Tufty the duckling lives with his family on an island in the middle of a lake. But when the ducks fly south for the winter, Tufty gets left behind. Lost and alone, Tufty doesn't know what to do, until he finds an unlikely new friend.

Teeny-weeny Queenie, Claire Freedman ; illustrated by Ali Pye.

Queenie has one big ambition. When she grows up she is going to be Queen. Because growing up can take "forever" she is already practising doing queenly things. One day, Queenie summons her Dear Loyal Subjects to a royal tea party. Queenie reluctantly invites her shy little sister, Ella, but during the party forgets to include her in the games. Suddenly, Queenie doesn't feel so queenly, she feels horrible and mean. In this laugh-out-loud, feel-good tale, Queenie discovers that if there is one thing more important than being a good queen, it is being a great sister!

Beep beep beep time for sleep!, Claire Freedman & Richard Smythe.

The big machines work to build a road all day, then they go through their night-time ritual and fall

No place like home, Ronojoy Ghosh.

The city is no place for a polar bear like George. Being homesick is making George a terrible grump. Not knowing where home is makes it even worse. So George sets off on a search. He isn't sure what home looks like, but he'll know it when he finds it.

Home, [illustrations, Lesley Grainger].

Enjoy your baby's first words for home with this fun-to-touch board book. Add your own sound effects too!

Puppy!, Keith Graves.

When a cave boy gets a puppy, things don't quite turn out as he expected.

My dog Dash, Nicki Greenberg.

Dash is badly behaved at puppy school, he chews things that he shouldn't, he makes puddles on the floor, he wrecks the garden, and he steals food off the bench when no one is looking. Perfectly standard puppy behaviour. But Dash is far from an ordinary pet and his inquisitive nature and insatiable appetite get him in all kinds of trouble. A highly entertaining and hilarious picture book that celebrates the ups and downs of pet-ownership and the power of imagination.

A big surprise for Little Card, Charise Mericle Harper ; illustrated by Anna Raff.

A quirky ode to spirit, identity and the joy of having a library card follows the adventures of Little Card, who delightedly anticipates going to school to become a birthday card only to trade jobs with Big Card and embark on a life at the library, where he struggles to use his exuberant gifts in a quiet environment.

Pass it on, Sophy Henn.

A joyful and uplifting picture book about finding happiness in the smallest of things, from picture book star Sophy Henn.

Spot loves his Grandpa, Eric Hill.

Join Spot for this classic story about all the fun things he does with Grandpa. From sledging to watering the garden, they laugh together whatever the weather. This fun, reassuring story makes a great gift and is perfect to share at bedtime.

Are you sitting comfortably?, Leigh Hodgkinson.

Hello there! Are you sitting comfortably? Are you sure? Have you found the perfect snuggle-up-and-lose-yourself-in-a-book place? Somewhere comfy, not itchy-fuzzy? Somewhere quiet, not buzz-buzzy? You have? Great! Unfortunately the little chap in this book isn't having quite as much luck as you are.

We're going on an egg hunt, Laura Hughes.

We're going on an egg hunt. We're going to find them all. We're really excited. Hooray for Easter Day! Join the Easter Bunnies as they set off on an exciting lift-the-flap Easter egg hunt. With ten eggs to find and count, it's great fun. But watch out for the obstacles along the way lambs, chicks, bees and ducks and there's even a wolfish surprise, so do take care.

Alfie and mum, Shirley Hughes.

Meet Alfie's mum. She has reddish brown curly hair which often gets untidy, but Alfie likes it like that. Alfie and Mum love to tell stories together, to explore and have adventures over fields, across streams, and even into big dark houses! But Alfie isn't ever frightened when he's with Mum she'll always be there to take care of him.

Mama, do you love me?, Barbara M. Joosse ; illustrated by Barbara Lavallee.

A child living in the Arctic learns that a mother's love is unconditional.

On the farm, at the market, G. Brian Karas.

On the farm, workers pick vegetables, collect eggs, and make cheese. At the market the next day, the workers set up their stands and prepare for shoppers to arrive. Amy, the baker at the Busy Bee Cafe, has a very special meal in mind and, of course, all the farmers show up at the cafe to enjoy the results of their hard work.

The man who loved boxes, Stephen Michael King.

Once there was a man who loved boxes. He also loved his young son, but because he did not know how to say so, he made things for his son out of boxes. Love is expressed in different waysand a small boy comes to understand his father's special way of showing his love for him.

This is a circle, Christina Krebs.

This is a circle. This is a square. This is a wild-looking one-eyed bear. This is the cover that wraps around the book. Inside is funnier just take a

Monster & son, David LaRochelle ; illustrated by Joey Chou.

A monster and son fill their day with rough and rowdy fun.

How to put your parents to bed, Mylisa Larsen ; illustrated by Babette Cole.

A child provides instructions for putting tired parents to bed.

The tree, Neal Layton.

The tree. Home to a family of birds in their nest, squirrels in their drey and rabbits in their burrow. But what happens to the animals when a man and woman decide to cut it down and use it for their dream house? Can the tree be home to both the animals and the humans? A simple yet fun and distinctive picture book, with a strong environmental message about the importance of respecting animal habitats, by the award-winning Neal Layton.

Hello, ocean friends : a high-contrast book, [art by Violet Lemay].

Promotes early eye development while helping babies make connections between images on a page and the real world, depicting two-colour images of sports figures and balls on bold, single-colour backgrounds.

Puddle jumpers, written by Anne Margaret Lewis ; illustrated by Nancy Cote.

A little boy dreams about jumping in puddles and has an adventure in the process.

How much does a ladybug weigh?, Alison Limentani.

This playful picture book has the answers. It's a fascinating look at wildlife, weight, counting, and comparisons.

Farm, Jo Lodge.

A high-contrast novelty book for babies by Jo Lodge.

The fairytale hairdresser and Beauty and the Beast, Abie Longstaff & Lauren Beard.

The Big Bad Beast's heart is melted by Bella, the most beautiful girl in Fairy Land but could she ever love someone so beastly? The Fairytale Hairdresser teaches Beast that beauty is on the inside in this fabulous modern twist on the classic fairytale.

Peter and the wolf, adapted and illustrated by Ayesha L. Rubio.

This beautifully illustrated book has a contemporary classic look but the adapted story transports the original tale, by Sergei Prokofiev, into the 21st century. Its modern twist teaches us how we should show respect for each other, whether human or animal, and by doing this everyone can enjoy a happy ending! Stunning illustrations bring this classic story to life. Rich, detailed artwork offers scope for shared reading and discussion. Features a modern twist with a relevant message about caring for each other and the environment.

What noise comes from a giraffe?, Craig MacLean.

'We all know it's true, that a cow says, 'Moo!' But what noise comes from a giraffe?'

Listen to our world, Bill Martin Jr & Michael Sampson ; illustrated by Melissa Sweet.

Youngsters awaken in the morning with the belief that they are the greatest little ones in the world, whether they are children in their mothers' arms, eagles soaring above mountains, whales swimming in the ocean, or other animals in their domains.

Nga manu tukutuku e whitu o Matariki, na Calico McClintock nga korero i tuhi ; na Dominique Ford nga pikitia ; na Ngaere Roberts nga korero i whakamaori.

It is a special time of year. A time when the whispering wind blows warm from the east, and a crescent moon rises in the wintry night sky. Seven little sisters make kites with eyes of seashells to celebrate the New Year. But that playful wind whips those kites away... Matariki is here!

The seven kites of Matariki, written by Calico McClintock ; illustrated by Dominique Ford.

It is a special time of year. A time when the whispering wind blows warm from the east, and a crescent moon rises in the wintry night sky. Seven little sisters make kites with eyes of seashells to celebrate the New Year. But that playful wind whips those kites away... Matariki is here!

Elmer's world : touch and feel, David McKee.

This book explores the touch-and-feel world of Elmer and his colourful friends in this bright, fun first concepts playbook. Perfect for parents and babies to enjoy together, this book is jam-packed with stimulating colours and touch-and-feel areas to really engage little ones. Elmer's World is a great introduction to learning through play and, of course, to everyone's favourite patchwork elephant.

This hungry dragon, Heath McKenzie.

This hungry dragon is ready for a yummy meal. He eats and eats and eats-and eats! Soon, he's as big as a house! Can anything fill this greedy gobbler's guts?

Splat the cat and the late library book, text by Cari Meister ; illustrations by Robert Eberz ; cover art by Rick Farley.

Splat becomes a fugitive from the library when he realizes he has an overdue library book.

Hugless Douglas and the great cake bake, David Melling.

The sheep are baking honey cakes and Douglas can't wait to try them. He's sure that food without honey just isn't yummy. Can he ever be tempted to try something new?

The storm, Akiko Miyakoshi.

As this evocative picture book begins, a little boy is excited about a trip to the beach with his parents planned for the following day. But a bad storm is coming, and he has started to worry they won't be able to go. He watches as the sky grows darker through the afternoon. His mother and father close the shutters and bring the potted plants indoors. Then the storm arrives.

The royal baby's Big Red Bus tour of London, Martha Mumford ; illustrated by Ada Grey.

It's a beautiful day, and the Royal Family are sunning themselves in the Palace Gardens. The royal babies' grandad is even having a bit of a snooze what bliss! When all of a sudden -BEEP BEEP! BEEP BEEP! It's the Big Red Bus, and it's come to take the Royal Family on a tour of London! With so much to see, the city is their oyster, with the Royal Family hopping off at the Natural History Museum, London Zoo, the London Eye and Tower Bridge. They even ride a water taxi to Greenwich, before it's finally time for you've guessed it a spot of shopping!

Crocopotamus : mix and match the wild animals, Mary Murphy.

Mixes and matches the front and back halves of animals to create brand new animals, including a zeger, lipotamus, and

Fairy Felicity's moonlight adventure, Alison Murray.

One night, Fairy Felicity opens her door to find a mysterious invitation from a friendly silver snail. His trail leads Felicity all the way to a very special surprise! Featuring a fairy, a magical moonlit garden and glitter galore, this stunning story is a tactile treat.

Yaks yak : animal word pairs, Linda Sue Park ; illustrated by Jennifer Black Reinhardt.

Presents animals acting out the verbs made from their names, including hogs hogging, slugs slugging, and other creatures demonstrating homographs, words with different meanings that are spelled and pronounced the same.

Dave's cave, Frann Preston-Gannon.

Dave loves his cave. Inside is decorated exactly the way he likes it. Outside there is a lovely spot for a fire and the grass is always lovely and green. But, Dave is unhappy. What if there might be an even better cave out there? And off he sets in search of a new home. But it turns out that good caves are hard to find. They're either too small, or too big, or too full of bats, until he finds one that looks much more promising. Outside has the perfect space for a fire and the grass is greener than any he's ever seen. But why does it look so familiar?

In the deep dark deep, Ben Joel Price.

Deep Sea Diver, Robot, and Monkey board a submarine, the Guppy, to delve into the darkest depths to discover what has taken the light from the

Ko Rama, na Elizabeth Pulford i tuhi, na Jenny Cooper nga pikitia i ta ; na Ngaere Roberts i whakamaori.

"Little Danny and his dad live on Gran's farm, and Rasmas the kid goat has been a part of Danny's life for as long as he remembers. Like Danny, Rasmas has no mum. Goat and boy become inseparable. But eventually, there is a new 'mum' on the scene, a move resulting in a sad goodbye between Danny and Rasmas. Danny is heartbroken, but he and Rasmas still have adventures together in his dreams, until one day, Dad and his new mum have a happy surprise for him".

Rasmas, written by Elizabeth Pulford ; illustrated by Jenny Cooper.

"Little Danny and his dad live on Gran's farm, and Rasmas the kid goat has been a part of Danny's life for as long as he remembers. Like Danny, Rasmas has no mum. Goat and boy become inseparable. But eventually, there is a new 'mum' on the scene, a move resulting in a sad goodbye between Danny and Rasmas. Danny is heartbroken, but he and Rasmas still have adventures together in his dreams, until one day, Dad and his new mum have a happy surprise for him".

Let's go to the hardware store, Anne Rockwell ; illustrated by Melissa Iwai.

When the new house needs fixing up, a brother and sister accompany their father on a trip to the hardware store to find the tools and materials needed to get the job done.

Mister Pip, Thereza Rowe.

Mister Pip is ready for his dinner, and then wants to find a quiet place to sleep. But it's not as easy as it sounds. He settles into each of his favourite spots but between the vroom of the vacuum cleaner, the persistent ring-ring of the telephone, and the incessant coo coo of canoodling pigeons, he is disturbed and woken at every turn. Not even his favourite pot plant can offer Mister Pip the peace he needs. Will he ever find somewhere tranquil to rest his head?

This is not a picture book!, Sergio Ruzzier.

Duck finds a book and is surprised to discover that there are books with words and no pictures--and that even without pictures a book can interest and excite you.

Safari : a slide and play book, [illustrations, Surya Sajnani].

Little fingers can easily learn how to move the sliders to reveal four favorite safari animals and their names in this interactive board book.

Pets : a slide and play book, [illustrations, Surya Sajnani].

Little fingers can easily learn how to move the sliders to reveal four favorite household pets and their names in this interactive board book.

The new friend, Axel Scheffler.

Pip and Posy are having a lovely day at the seaside, collecting shells and digging the sand. But when Posy has a nap, Pip makes friends with a boy called Zac. Zac is very cool: he has lots of fun toys and beach gear, and he's really good at handstands. So, to her dismay, when Posy wakes up, she finds that Pip is more interested in playing with Zac than her. A funny and dramatic story about working out that two's company and three's a party!

Little Blue Truck, Alice Schertle ; illustrated by Jill McElmurry.

Meet Blue, the friendliest little pick-up truck on the road! With lots of vehicle noises and animal sounds, this rollicking rhyming text is all about helping others and mucking in together!

Twenty yawns, Jane Smiley ; illustrated by Lauren Castillo.

As her mom reads a bedtime story, Lucy drifts off. But later, she awakens in a dark, still room, and everything looks mysterious. How will she ever get back to sleep?

There is a tribe of kids, Lane Smith.

Did you ever want to waddle with penguins? Wriggle with caterpillars? Or march with monkeys? Lane Smith takes us on a colourful adventure through the natural world, following a child as he weaves through the jungle, dives under the ocean and soars into the sky. Along the way he makes friends and causes mischief with a dazzling array of creatures both large and small but can he find a tripe of his own? This is a playful exploration of wild childhood of curiosity, discovery and what it means to belong.

Some birds, Matt Spink.

A rhyming celebration of birds of all shapes and sizes.

A brave bear, Sean Taylor ; illustrated by Emily Hughes.

When Dad Bear says, "I think a pair of hot bears is probably the hottest thing in the world," Little Bear suggests that they go all the way to the river to cool down. But what will happen when Little Bear tries to impress his dad by doing a big jump across the rocks?

Let's play!, Herve Tullet.

Hi there, do you want to play? Join the yellow dot on an adventure of colour and movement, surprise and imagination.

Oops, pounce, quick, run! : an alphabet caper, Mike Twohy.

When a bouncing ball wakes a sleeping mouse, it's just the beginning of an alphabet adventure.

Maxi the little taxi, Elizabeth Upton ; pictures by Henry Cole.

On his first day of work, Maxi the little taxi zooms around town splashing in puddles and getting very dirty. Soon, no one wants to ride in him until a little boy convinces Maxi to go to the car wash.

Rain, Sam Usher.

Sam wants to go out but it's pouring with rain, so he and Grandpa decide to stay inside until the rain stops. Sam drinks hot chocolate and reads his books and dreams of adventures while Grandpa gets on with his important paperwork. Grandpa seems to have a very important letter to write. Then that very important letter has to be posted, despite the rain and floods. As they finally go outside, Sam and Grandpa have a magical adventure.

Looking for Bongo, Eric Velasquez.

When a boy's abuela accuses him of being careless with his beloved Bongo, he devises a trap and catches the toy thief red-handed.

Reach, Elizabeth Verdick & Marjorie Lisovskis.

Celebrates the many ways that babies reach out to discover and learn about the world around them.

Mortimer's picnic, Nick Ward.

Mortimer's going on a picnic with Oggy. But Oggy is ill. Mortimer decides to take the picnic to his friend. But he meets a crocodile, a troll and a wolf they want to eat the picnic and Mortimer.

Ten kisses for Sophie!, Rosemary Wells.

Sophie and her mother make very special treats for their party, but Sophie worries there won't be one left for her.

The dragon and the nibblesome knight, Elli Woollard, Benji Davies.

When a kind young boy helps a strange-looking bird, a beautiful friendship forms. But what these two friends don't realise is that one is a young knight and the other a young dragon. What will they do when they discover they are enemies and destined to fight?

Together always, Edwina Wyatt & Lucia Masciullo.

What happens when the dearest of friends want to go in different directions? Edwina Wyatt's perceptive story about individuality tells how friends find ways to be together, even when they are apart.

Nibbles the book monster, Emma Yarlett.

Nibbles is a very naughty book monster he's chomping, munching and nibbling his way through fairytales that don't belong to him! Can you help catch him and put him back in his own story? Children will love to lift the flaps, peek through the peep holes, and chase Nibbles through a fantastical world of books, in this quirky story, exquisitely illustrated by Emma Yarlett (My Daddy's Going Away and Bear's Big Bottom). Jam-packed full of your kids' favourite fairy tales including Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk and Goldilocks and the Three Bears.

On Bird Hill, Jane Yolen ; pictures by Bob Marstall.

A boy and his dog find a newly hatched bird in a nest in a magical little valley.

World Languages

First hundred words in Spanish, Heather Amery ; illustrated by Stephen Cartwright ; Spanish langauge consultant, Cristina Fernandez ; edited by Jenny Tyler and Mairi Mackinnon ; designed by Mike Olley and Holly Lamont.

A bilingual Spanish/English edition of the classic Usborne word book, illustrated by Stephen Cartwright. One hundred everyday words are illustrated in busy scenes and with labelled pictures, to help readers learn key Spanish words. Don't forget to look out for the Usborne Little Yellow Duck on every page!.

Latin prep. Book 1, Theo Zinn ; series editor, Nicholas Oulton.

This title is suitable for pupils in their first year of Latin (Year 5 upwards) and introduces students to the rigours of Common Entrance Latin.

First thousand words in Polish, Heather Amery ; illustrated by Stephen Cartwright ; revised edition by Mairi Mackinnon ; picture editing by Mike Olley ; Polish language consultant, Dominika Boon.

The classic Polish bi-lingual word book, illustrated by Stephen Cartwright has been revised and updated to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Usborne Publishing. A thousand everyday words illustrated with busy scenes and labelled pictures to help children learn key vocabulary.

First hundred words in Chinese, Heather Amery ; illustrated by Stephen Cartwright ; Chinese language consultant, Chloe Wong ; edited by Jenny Tyler and Mairi Mackinnon ; designed by Mike Olley and Holly Lamont.

A bilingual Mandarin Chinese/English edition of the classic Usborne word book, illustrated by Stephen Cartwright. One hundred everyday words are illustrated in busy scenes and with labelled pictures, to help readers learn key Chinese words. All words are written using simplified Chinese characters and phonetically using the English alphabet.

My first book of Indonesian words : an ABC rhyming book of Indonesian language and culture, Linda Hibbs ; illustrated by Julia Laud.

A fun and playful introduction to Indonesian language and culture for young children. The familiar ABC rhyming structure combines with sparkling illustrations to encourage the natural ability of children to pick up new languages and vocabulary quickly. Words for things kids already know in English are joined by words specific to Indonesia, giving kids a glimpse into Indonesian life and culture. Everyday expressions like "Apa kabar?" which means "How are you?" give kids a chance to communicate in a meaningful way and show them that when it comes to courtesy and friendliness, other cultures have a lot in common with their own. Cultural and linguistic notes are added for the parents to enhance the Indonesian learning experience.

My first book of Tagalog words : Filipino rhymes and verses, Liana Romulo ; illustrations by Jaime Laurel.

A series of rhymes and verses in English that introduce Philippine words and culture to preschool children, featuring one word for each letter of the alphabet.

My first French phrases, Jill Kalz ; illustrated by Daniele Fabbri ; translator, Translations.com.

Simple text paired with themed illustrations invite the reader to learn to speak French./

Duan wu jie de gu shi, wen: Sanyuan ; tu: Dong Anshan ; zhu bian: Zhao Zhenwan.

Nuwa bu tian = Nu Wa mends the sky, [Feng Jiannan gai bian]

San zi jing, Bai jia xing, Di zi gui, Hong En zhu bian.

Ge zi hao. 1, Cao Wenxuan bian zhu.

Ge zi hao. II, Cao Wenxuan bian zhu.

Qi tuo = The camel tied with a red silk, Gerileiqimuge Heihe zhu.

Xue ju, Gerileqimuge Heihe zhu.

Liushujing de gu shi, Pan Jihua zhu.

Xiao xiong bu shua ya, (Rui shi) Sifala'na-Ti'ouli'na wen/tu ; Zeng Xuan yi.

Xi you ji, Wu, Chengen zhu ; Hai tun di you guan gai bian.

Being good : English-Farsi, designed by Hakan San Bortecin.

Vibrant illustrations and clear text help children discover two languages by learning phrases associated with good behaviour, including helping with dinner, saying please, doing homework, and holding the door for others.

Taru va bambu-yi sihramiz, nivisandah, Masaku Matsunu ; tasavir az, Yasuav Sigava ; matn-i Farsi az, Muin Mahdavi.

Burj-i ghar = The tower of grotto, girdavarandah . S. Khayyat.

Younger Fiction

Dogfight, Donovan Bixley

In the war between cats and dogs, young pilot Claude D'Bonair is on a dangerous mission to a dark castle.

The somewhat true adventures of Sammy Shine, Henry Cole.

When his toy airplane crashes, a pet mouse becomes lost in the woods.

Into the wild : yet another misadventure, Doreen Cronin ; illustrated by Stephen Gilpin ; cover by Kevin Cornell.

The fluffy, fearless Chicken Squad detectives are determined to find out who the new addition is in their yard, so, equipped with the latest surveillance gear, the chicks venture into the wild to get answers.

Cyclone, Jackie French, Bruce Whatley.

Pile the presents by the tree Though clouds spiral out at sea. Wind snarls, skies weep grey But Santas sleigh is on its way! Christmas Eve 1974 is marked indelibly into the Australian psyche, as the night tropical Cyclone Tracy devastated the city of Darwin. Now, over 40 years later, Jackie Frenchs lyrical rhyming text tells the story of a citys indomitable spirit, and Bruce Whatleys sumptuous illustrations bring to life the powerful force of the storm to a whole new generation of readers.

Waiting for high tide, Nikki McClure.

While waiting with family members for high tide to come in, a youngster who is very knowledgeable about the seashore and what lives there helps to build a raft.

Joust!, Kyle Mewburn & Donovan Bixley.

Sometimes being half boy, half dragon gets really messy! Jousters... CHARGE! Whack! Crack! Clang! Anything can happen in jousting class, but when Brin and Percy go head to head, can Merek save the day?

Pigsticks and Harold and the pirate treasure, Alex Milway.

Disaster strikes when Pigsticks' old enemy Sir Percival Snout turns up in Tuptown and claims the whole town belongs to him. Pigsticks and Harold need to raise a fortune to buy it back and fast. Luckily, Pigsticks' great-great-grandpig was a pirate, and his buried treasure has never been found. Can Pigsticks and Harold become pirates and track down the treasure before Sir Percival knocks down the whole town?

The seal children, Jackie Morris.

When a fisherman falls in love with a selkie half-woman, half-seal she gives him her sealskin as a sign of her love, and bears him two children, Ffion and Morlo, before returning to her own people. When a stranger comes to the village, telling of a land far away, the children remember their mother's stories of the cities of gold and pearls beneath the waves.

Amelia Bedelia on the job, Herman Parish ; pictures by Lynne Avril.

Amelia Bedelia and her friends at school explore different jobs and careers and think about what they want to be when they grow up! Amelia Bedelia is especially curious about her own father's line of work. If he spends the day pitching to a client, does that mean he plays a lot of baseball?

Attack of the kraken, Kevin Sherry.

The merfolk of Atlantis have called in yeti Blizz Richards and his team of cryptozoologists to capture the kraken that is attacking their city, but when he starts to investigate, Blizz realizes that there is a lot the merfolk are not telling him and something fishy is definitely going on.

Freddie Mole, lion tamer, Alexander McCall Smith ; illustrated by Kate Hindley.

Join Freddie Mole as he tumbles through the air, flies around the big tent and tames four growling lions! Freddie is an ordinary boy who joins the circus one day. He can't believe his luck as he is asked to understudy some of the acts. But is he brave enough to go into the lions' cage?