The One and only Ivan

There have been so many great reviews of this book, that I just had to buy it, if only to read it and see if they were true...and they were!
Ivan is a gorilla who lives on the top floor of a shopping mall, with an elephant and a dog for company.  He thinks there is no more to his life, and spends his time drawing and painting.  But one day, a baby elephant arrives - and his life is completely changed.... this is an amazing book for senior readers.


Here is the book trailer for you to watch.  Ivan is on our New Book stand this week!!

NZ Post Book Awards 2012!

This year's finalists are out - and in the library.  Come and see the displayed books and choose your favourites!

Here is where you can vote online for the Children's Choice category:

The winners will be announced on May 16th!

How to draw...

Drawing books are one of our library's most popular types of nonfiction books.


Click on the title below to link to the Guardian Newspaper's children's books site.  They include some great 'how to draw' tips by children's book illustrators, such as the one below...

How to draw wolves

If you like this, you might also like to learn how to draw some foxes, dragons,  bunnies, or monsters!

Favourite Series

The Library has been buying new books in the popular series you know and love!

Come in this week and check out the New Book stand for the next installments of:

'The Floods'

'Mr Gum'

'Percy Jackson'

'Roman Mysteries'

'Nanny Piggins'

'Titchy Witch'

'Zac Power'

...and 'How to Tame a Dragon'

Just let Mrs Nicol know if you would like to reserve any of these.  Happy reading!

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore

This is an amazing short film, made with references to The Wizard of Oz - about a man who gets blown to a strange land, where books become his only companions.  It is beautifully made, and has been nominated for an Oscar this year.


It is 15 minutes long, so you may not be able to watch it in the classroom (although it would be stunning on an activboard!!), so I have posted the link in case you would like to watch it at home instead.  Enjoy!!

Related articles

• The most beautiful video about Books ever. (elephantjournal.com)

New Year, New Issues...

The Library will be open for classes -  and also on Tuesday and Thursday lunchtimes (from 1.00 to 1.30) from this week.  It will be great to have you all in the library again, it has been VERY quiet without you!!  Please return your Summer Reading books as soon as possible, and then you can come and choose some great new books to read...

The first display of the year is up now.  Come in and see your class creature on the wall!!

Welcome back for 2012!

Welcome back to school - and to our library!

I hope that you had a lovely time in the holidays, and that you are excited to be in your new class... all the teachers are really excited, too!

There are plans for lots of exciting new books and events in the library this year, and I hope there will be lots for all of you to enjoy.  Look out for great new books like:

'Wilma Tenderfoot' detective series

'Magnificent 12' adventure series

..and some picture books and new titles from some familiar characters!   

Have a great start to the year, and we'll see you in the library next week!