Children's archive

Jeanette Winter
The librarian of Basra: a true story from Iraq

The librarian of Basra was Alia Muhammad Baker - who risked everything to save the collections of Basra library when the second Gulf War began in 2003. Iraqi government officials moved into the library, and installed an anti-aircraft gun on the roof. Alia began smuggling books out of the library to the restaurant next door then, eventually, to her and friends' homes. She saved 30,000 books. It's a fabulous story - and it shows the love that librarians have for the physical collections - and the freedom and knowledge they encompass and embody.

--Annie, Central 

Sandra Carrod
Weather watch New Zealand

Do you ever get frustrated with the weather? Wonder why that cyclone has to hit just when you’re planning a day at the beach? Reading this book will certainly help you to understand the reasons behind New Zealand weather! It covers things like why the weather is different in the North Island to the South Island, what ocean currents are, how snow flakes form, how to understand the different cloud formations and even why Auckland’s weather is so changeable! Every page also has activities that children can do, like making a weather vane or growing crystals. I found this book packed full of interesting facts, but with heaps of pictures, it was easy to absorb. Recommended for ages 8 and up.

- Bridget, Central 

Tulia Thompson

Josefa and the Vu

Making her Debut, Josefa and the Vu is a wonderful pacific tale of a young Fijian boy Josefa. When Josefa is met by a giant mysterious warrior claiming to be an ancestral spirit. Everything turns to custard when his Grandfather’s sacred tabua is stolen by school bull Jack Bucksworth. Josefa fights the good fight against the evil spirit and with the help of his Vu and his new found friend Ming involving dangerous cliffs. Tulia Thompson is of New Zealand and Fijian, Tongan decent. It’s great to see more pacific stories being told.

-- Leitu, Central

Michael Hight

Flamingo bendalingo: poems from the zoo

Poet Paula Green worked with children from Swanson school and this is the result – poems by Paula and the children, all based upon their poetry workshops and zoo visit.

-- Annie, Central

Kyle Mewburn, illustrated by Ali Teo & John O'Reilly

Kiss! Kiss! Yuck! Yuck!

Andy's Auntie Elsie always greets him with a hug and kisses, and he hates it. Everytime she visits, he tries to hide, but every time she finds him. Until one day, she doesn't come.

A fabulously fun read aloud.

-- Annie

Tony Mitton

Come to tea on planet Zum-Zee

Come to tea on planet Zum-Zee is a lyrical and visual treat for anybody who enjoys picture books.  You are invited to join little aliens from around the universe at a tea party on zum-zee. They all arrive in their various space ships bearing plates of very “interesting” alien party treats.  There’s a lesson about trying before you judge things and one about being nice to visitors.  The language is great but the vibrant illustrations of Mr Parker-Rees make this a book that children will not be able to take their eyes off.  Do not miss Come to tea on planet Zum-Zee.

-- Anita, St Heliers

Bill Peet
How Droofus the dragon lost his head

My favourite author when I was kid was Bill Peet.
It was not just the stories that captured my imagination; it was the way he bought life to so many familiar worlds with his masterful colour pencil drawings.
Peet was a principal drawer and animator with Disney in the halcyon days of films like The Sword and the Stone, and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs before he struck out on his own as a writer and illustrator of children’s books. His work has only improved with age and this story of a pacifist Dragon who becomes the target of a grumpy king will delight small children and adults alike.
He has so many great books, but this is the one I’d recommend to people who’ve never heard of him before.

-- Ben, Central

Frances Watts and David Legge
Kisses for Daddy

This was one of the first books I got out to read to my daughter, and what a lovely book it is too!
The story is simple – it’s time for baby bear to go to bed and his Daddy asks him for a kiss goodnight only to have baby bear say “No! No kiss for Daddy.”

Daddy bear then goes on to describe, to baby bear, the different ways animal daddies kiss their children, and older children and adults will enjoy spotting the different animals that are hidden in each background.

A really delightful and easy to read story for little ones.

-- Ben, Central

Dr Seuss
Marvin K. Mooney, will you please go now!

Dr Seuss’ early readers have just been reissued by a new publisher – bringing back some old favourites.

As a child, Marvin K. Mooney was amongst my favourites. It has all the things which make Dr Seuss books so much fun. Rhyme, rhythm, made-up words and creations, and a lot of silliness! Reading this book, as an adult, I think it’s been written from the point-of-view of a totally exasperated parent – trying to get their child to bed. Fabulous fun to read aloud – with lots of expression.

-- Annie, Central

Richard Scarry
Cars, trucks and things that go

When I was about four I loved Scarry's books so much.  I would read them over and over again.  There was some kind of 'real world' in there, even if it was one where pigs drove VWs and watermelons would get smashed on every street corner.
That sense of  reality is partly to do with the fact that Scarry obviously knows how to draw anything properly, before he overlays it with the kind of absurdity and fun that makes total sense to a four year old.  And then he has a cast of recurring characters to spot,  playing the roles of family, friends, or strangers all interacting as a real community might. This book is a perfect example of a nutty little 'real world', and one of the fun things about having kids of my own is that I get an excuse to read these books again and again.

-- Tim, Central

Charlie Fletcher
Stone heart

A simple school trip to the museum soon turns into a nightmare for George.  One mistake puts him in mortal danger from the taints - statues of creatures and mythical beasts that are leaving their places and chasing him through the streets of London.  To make matters worse, no one else can see the statues moving except for a girl called Eddie who has secrets of her own.  George's only chance is to make amends for what he did.  His only allies are the spits, human statues who risk their own necks to save George and Eddie.  A fast paced read that is impossible to put down.
Recommended for ages 9+

-- Erika, Central

Tae Jun Lee
Waiting for mummy

First published 1938, this edition tells the story in English for this first time.
A little boy waits at the tram stop for his mother.  He asks and asks whether his mother is on the tram – but she isn’t.  So he waits – even with an approaching snow storm. 
It is stunningly simple and beautiful.  Just remember to read right until the end. 

-- Annie, Central

Jill McElmurry
I'm not a baby!

I found this picture book while shelving and couldn’t stop cracking up as I read it.  Leo Leotardi’s family refuse to acknowledge him as anything but a baby, even as he grows up and goes to school and learns his A-B-Cs (“the baby’s a genius!”), graduates from high school and gets married.  All the while he wears a very stylish baby bonnet, which looks hilarious on a grown man. Kind of Edward Goreyish (but not as creepy) and weird, it would be good for the younger siblings of Lemony Snicket fans!

-- Elisabeth, Central

Terry Deary
Horrible histories handbooks: pirates

Want to know what pirates were really like? Well now you can, with this rather useful, pocket sized (and full color!) handbook. Not for the faint hearted, it is packed with gruesome details. From rules that pirates lived by, to punishments meted out by both crew, and those who captured pirates, this book covers every aspect of pirate life in a historically accurate way. A must read for pirate enthusiasts or those wanting to take up a life of piracy themselves! And all written in the pun-tastic way we have come to expect from Horrible Histories.

-- Tama, Central

Quentin Blake
Angel pavement

Loopy and Corky are two goofy looking child angels who like to do the sort of things that most regular children enjoy, but they especially like to draw.   One day they go to see Sid Bunkin, a great pavement artist.  They find Sid sad and despondent because he has no way to transport his pavement drawings to the Big Drawing Competition the next day.  However, Loopy and Corky come up with a magical solution that sends all three of them off on a great drawing adventure.

Angel pavement is a fun and clever picture book from one of Britain’s most well established and best-loved children’s book writers and illustrators.  Blake’s loose and energetic drawing style emanates enthusiasm and draws you into his zany world.  I like his sense of humour and the subtle ways he proves that he hasn’t forgotten what it is like to be a child.

-- Gwen, Central

Mo Willems
Edwina: the dinosaur who didn't know she was extinct

Everybody loves Edwina, the Good Samaritan dinosaur, except Reginald Von Hoobie-Doobie, a strong-minded know-it-all who is determined to prove to everyone that dinosaurs are extinct.  The problem is the only person who will listen to Reginald is Edwina.  This absurd conundrum is a great premise for this playful picture book, which humorously plays off the determined theorist against the charming pragmatist.  Willem’s expressive cartoon illustrations add humour and energy to the story, especially at the height of Reginald’s consternation when he is depicted with a perfect angle eyed frown, holding up a sign that says, “This is not happening”.

If you are a fan of Mo Willem’s picture books then you won’t be disappointed by this latest offering and if you are new to his work then Edwina: The dinosaur who didn’t know she was extinct  is a good place to start.

-- Gwen, Central

Michelle Osment
Perky by the roadside

This is a truly delightful New Zealand story about a pukeko called Perky. It is a lesson in road safety, both for children and pukekos! We follow Perky and his adventures. Unfortunately Perky forgets about the busy road and …. however, all ends up well.

This picture flat book has bold and colourful illustrations and the story bounces along brightly.  Perky will be enjoyed by both adults and children. Expect to reread this many times over. You may like to read  the other books about Perky as well.

--Doreen, Central

Katherine Stull
20 minute crafts: beading

If you are keen to start making jewellery, or have already had a go, then this will be the perfect book to take out. This book has more than just straight beading ideas. Many of the projects include weaving with coloured plastic or copper wire, and, in one of my favourite projects, safety pins were used to make a nifty broach. Another neat idea was using squares of brightly coloured fleece fabric to make a cushion, and rather than sewing it, you could use beads to hold it together! All the projects are well illustrated with easy to follow diagrams as well as photographs of the finished piece. It would be suitable for adults and children, from about eight or nine up. 
--Bridget

Dawn Sirett
Let's go shopping

This is a very cool board book for kids aged 4-7. It has, slotted in the front cover, a cardboard credit card to play with and a pretend calculator! Every page has interesting flaps and moveable parts, and is colourfully illustrated with shopping products of a similar theme. For example, there is a page displaying enticing photographs of clothes while another shows super-market items. There are questions and riddles to problem solve, making it educational, but it is really just a lovely nice big new board book for a child to look and play with.

--Bridget

Brian P. Cleary; ill. J.P Sandy
Rhyme and punishment: adventures in wordplay
Rhyme and punishment is a wonderfully comic poetry book for kids that came to my attention after over-hearing a grandfather reading it to his grandson in the library one afternoon. In this book, the four-lined poems ingeniously use alternative words that sound like other whole phrases or parts of a phrase. This poem, for example, uses animal names: “Our Cat is kind dove shellfish, and thinks the world is hers, she finds a comfy spot, and then we pet turtle sheep purrs.” The grandfather read the poems with plenty of boisterous enthusiasm in his voice, emphasizing the puns and letting his grandson figure out what the words were meant to say.  It was enjoyable listening to them. The book can be easily read from cover to cover in one sitting, and, it also has quirky illustrations that compliment the text well. It would be suitable for ages 3 and up, though older readers may enjoy trying to invent their own!
- Bridget

Margaret Wild, ill. Anne Spudvilas
Woolvs in the sitee

A stunning book which looks at alienation, the destruction of society and resilience.
Ben lives in the basement of a derelict building, afraid to go out – afraid of the woolvs.  His neighbour, Missus Radinkski, doesn’t believe him until it is too late and Ben must conquer his fears in order to search for her.
If anyone needs to know what makes a sophisticated picture book - his exemplifies the genre.  It is multi-layered and its meaning is explored through the images and text.  Ben tells the story through phonetic spelling, which makes the reader aware from the beginning of the societal breakdown and unsettling atmosphere.
The images are dark and starkly drawn, often in line drawing.  The palette is muddy and, sometimes, shot through with red.  Only once does the colour change – but it is all a plot by the woolvs. This is meant for older children, teens and adults.  It would make a wonderful visual literacy study.
-- Annie

Jeron Ashford Frame
Yesterday I had the blues
In this charismatic picture book, a young boy and his family use colour to explain the array of different moods that they feel.  The narrator starts by explaining that some days he has the “hold a pillow, wish it was tomorrow blues” but others he has “the kind of greens that make you want to be somebody”.  Energetic, loose and colourful illustrations by R. Gregory Christie support the upbeat, sing-a-long rhythm of the text.  Yesterday I had the blues is bound to make you feel at least a little golden and is a good way to get children to think about how they can articulate their feelings. 
-- Gwen

Peter Collington
Clever cat

Clever cat is the story of Tibs, an average house cat, who fed up with the frustration of waiting to be fed, manages to open a can of cat food and feed himself! His astonished family grant him all sorts of new and exciting privileges – a house key, an ATM card, total independence – but as Tibs starts swanning around town more often, eating lunch at fancy cafes and generally costing quite a lot, things start to change.  Is Tibs really as clever as everyone thought?  This book is super cute and funny, with great colourful illustrations and an interesting moral you can work out for yourself!
-- Elisabeth