"Find the courage to try it again, again, and again until by luck, grace, and determination, you are riding a bicycle!" ~ from Chris Raschka's Everyone Can Learn to Ride a Bicycle
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Your Library, Your VoiceHelp us design your dream library. The city's New Central Library (Nga Kete Wananga o Otautahi) will be built in Cathedral Square and the Christchurch City Council wants your input on the design. What exciting things do you want to do in our New Central Library? How should the building look and feel? Have your say at http://yourvoice.ccc.govt.nz
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New and Recently Released! |
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The ANZAC Puppyby Peter MillettThis story is based on the true story of Freda, a dalmatian and the dog mascot of the NZ Rifles during World War 1. It's a simple story about the reality of war, hardship, friendship and love.
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The Last of Maui's Dolphins by Maria GillHiriwa, a new calf, is warned by the pod of Maui's dolphins about the dangers of going near the dark shapes (fishing boats). Hiriwa heeds their warning until one day the bottom-set gillnet from a fishing trawler catches his friends. He does all he can to save them. Fishing nets pose a risk for Hiriwa's friends and for his family, the endangered Maui's and Hector's dolphins of New Zealand. On the information pages in this book younger readers will find out more about the dangers faced by these dolphins and what can be done to save them from extinction.
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Little Kiwi Finds Fantailby Bob DarrochLittle Kiwi has an important job. He's been asked to find Little Fantail. Little Sister thinks she knows where Little Fantail is, but Little Kiwi knows better! Or does he? Lift the flaps to find Little Fantail in this fun and surprising adventure!
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| Zoom! Zoom! Sounds of Things That Go in the City by Robert Burleigh; illustrated by Tad CarpenterAs morning dawns in a busy city, the citizens begin to stir and the day's hubbub begins. Bold, blocky illustrations depict a wide variety of people and vehicles -- including joggers, dancers, skaters, garbage trucks, and subway cars -- as they speed through the city, creating a cheerful clamour that doesn't let up until the sleepy late-night party-goers walk home. Bursting with energetic onomatopoeia, Zoom! Zoom! has enough whooshes, clanks, and vrooms to satisfy even the most demanding noisy book devotees. Add to the raucous fun by pairing Zoom! Zoom! with its companion book, Clang! Clang! Beep! Beep! Listen to the City, also by Robert Burleigh. |
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| Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch by Anne Isaacs; illustrated by Kevin HawkesThe latest tall tale from veteran storyteller Anne Isaacs takes place in Texas, where "all exaggeration must be restricted to the first twenty-four hours past sunrise." After inheriting millions of dollars and a great big ranch, plucky widow Tulip Jones (along with her lady ranch hands and pet tortoises) moves from England to By-Golly Gully. Ranch life suits Widow Jones just fine and dandy…until a stinky, stubbly, greedy crowd of cowboys turns up hoping to marry her and make off with her fortune! Young readers will relish the comically detailed illustrations and clever conclusion in this rip-roaring yarn. |
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| Say Hello Like This! by Mary MurphyCombining the toddler-friendly concepts of animal sounds and saying hello, this sweet and playful read describes the different ways in which animals greet each other. Each thick-lined, perky illustration shows a pair of animal friends, and flaps on each page reveal their preferred style of salutation. From the "loud and licky" bow-wow of dogs to the "flappy and clucky" peeps of chickens and even the "tiny and tappy" introductions of beetles, fans of Maria Torres Cimarusti's classic Peek-a-Moo! will delight in exploring this charming interactive book -- and will gleefully follow the advice on the final page by offering their own enthusiastic "Hello!" |
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| Hi, Koo! A Year of Seasons by Jon J. MuthThrough quiet, delicate illustrations and evocative haiku, young readers are invited to explore the changing seasons through the wondering eyes of young panda Koo. The simple yet descriptive form of haiku allows each short poem to capture the beauty of a moment: the delicious warmth of soup after dancing through chilly rain, the joy of a surprising snowfall, or the gentle stillness of reading in the spring woods. Even kids who don't normally like poetry may find themselves enchanted by this "magical" (Kirkus Reviews) read. For another taste of stylized seasonal poetry, try Joyce Sidman's Red Sings from Treetops. |
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Whale shines : an artistic tale
by Fiona Robinson
Wearing a poster advertising an upcoming art exhibition, Whale admires the work of his artistic undersea neighbors and fears his tremendous size will inhibit his own creative expression before finding unexpected inspiration in bioluminescent plankton.
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| Monday, Wednesday, and Every Other Weekend by Karen StantonThere are pancakes every Saturday morning at Mama's apartment and spaghetti every Saturday night at Papa's house, and Henry looks forward to both mealtime traditions. He and his dog Pomegranate divide their days between each parent's home, and while they sometimes miss the house where the whole family used to live together, Henry always finds something to enjoy at both new places, like playing piano with his dad or dancing with his mum. Henry is refreshingly matter-of-fact about his family; readers looking for a more humorous (but still reassuring) take on traveling between homes should check out Fred Stays With Me, by Nancy Coffelt. |
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Focus on: Bicycles and Biking
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Off we go! : a Bear and Mole story
by Will Hillenbrand
"Bear teaches his friend, Mole, how to ride his bike with no training wheels. After many bumps along the road, they make it to their final destination: the Storymobile"
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| Everyone Can Learn to Ride a Bicycle by Chris RaschkaCaldecott Medalist Chris Raschka turns his optimistic tone and loose, lively style of art toward one of the daunting challenges of childhood: learning to ride a bike. Accompanied by a caring adult, a small, scrappy girl in a great big blue helmet gathers the courage to try out her perfect new bike. It's scary at first, but after training wheels, LOTS of practice, and even a few tumbles, she wobbles along triumphantly on two wheels. Adults and kids alike can relate to this gentle and encouraging ode to a commonplace skill that's tough to master, but impossible to forget.
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| Along a Long Road by Frank VivaIn this simple yet intriguing picture book, a lone cyclist follows an enticing stretch of road as it takes him from the country to the city and back again. With just a few words per page, the text echoes the steady rhythm of cycling, and the unusual, elongated artwork pops in burnished hues of black, red, blue, and gold. Along a Long Road is designed as a continuous piece of art -- you can track the cyclist's route throughout the book and across the covers -- which gives it an exhilarating sense of momentum that might just inspire you to put on your helmet and ride the open road. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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