Nanny Piggins author R A Spratt in Christchurch

What a fantastic weekend I had at the Storylines  Festival. There were just so many children’s book authors and illustrators talking and sharing their ideas about writing.

For the many of you who read the Nanny Piggins series you will be so pleased to know  that I met the wonderful and very funny author Rachel Spratt.  Rachel very kindly gave us a signed  poster for school.

She wrote “To Fendalton School, study hard and eat lots of cake”.  I agree entirely with what she said!

Rachel loves to create villains based on old teachers and librarians from her past. Hmmmm!  Perhaps that might give you ideas for your own writing. Teachers you may want to hide!

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Authors

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Storylines Festival this Sunday 11th August

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The Storylines Festival is happening this Sunday at the South Christchurch Library on Colombo Street in Beckenham from 10am to 3pm.

Heaps of things to do and heaps of writers and illustrators will be talking about their books.

Here are just a few of the writers at the festival; Kyle Mewburn and Rachael King.   I was thrilled to see Rachael King won the LIANZA Junior Fiction award last night for her book Red Rocks.

From Australia we have Isobelle Carmody and Rachel Spratt. Rachel writes the Nanny Piggins books that so many of you have borrowed from our library.

You can check here for more details about the events, times and the competitions you can enter. I know I will be going so hopefully I will see some of you there.

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Library game : enjoy a fun game to play online

Learning all about the library and where to shelve books can sometimes be a bit difficult. We know that Melville Dewey created the Dewey Decimal Classification system a long time ago. We still use this system today to put books away so we know where to find them. When you come to the library you need to know if a book is fiction or non-fiction. You also want to know how you can find a book quickly and easily. Your teacher and I can show you how but do you know that there is a fun game you can play online which will help you remember for yourself.

Click here for the Order in the library game. See how long it takes you to become an expert. Can you beat your friends. Have fun!

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How we celebrated Hairy Maclary’s 30th birthday

What a way to end the term. The whole junior school were invited to help celebrate Hairy Maclary’s special birthday. We squeezed about 150 children into the library to share popcorn, movies, competitions and lots of laughing. Our special guest was Mr Sibson aka Bottomley Potts who came and read to us. He did get into a bit of mischief and I had to tell him off but it was so funny. Thank you to the teachers who got dressed up too and helped share the fun. It really was a wonderful morning. A special thank you to the year six book club students who helped with the decorations and paw prints into the library.

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Just a reminder if you want to have more fun then click here to go to Hairy Maclary’s very own website.

 

 

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Nelson Mandela

 

 

 

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Nelson Mandela

By Kadir Nelson

This is just one of the lovely new books in the library this week.

Nelson Mandela is a very famous man who has always cared so much about people.

This picture book tells his story for all ages.

One of his most famous quotes is here below. It fits in well with out Key competencies of Dream maker, Thinker and Communicator.

“No-one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background or his religion. People learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.”
Nelson Mandela

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Hairy Maclary turns 30

Hairy Maclary

 

I can not wait until the last day of term when the library is transformed into one giant Hairy Maclary party for the whole junior school.

Hairy Maclary is having his 30th birthday and we are going to help him celebrate.  That is a whole lot of years that we have been able to read and enjoy the wonderful antics of Hairy Maclary and his friends.

The year six book club children and I are working hard at making all sorts of displays and competitions. We will have to move shelves to fit you all in but it is going to be a great way to end the term.

We will even have a special visitor coming to read to us. Look out to as we have a movie to share and popcorn. I really can’t wait. If you want to have some fun in the mean time just click on the picture above and go and see what Harry and his friends are up to.

 

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Rainbow delight over school today

 

It was lovely to see so many children rushing outside when this beautiful rainbow graced our skies over school this morning. One year one class had me smiling as they actually squealed with delight. Sometimes the simplest things are the most beautiful. Perhaps you may be encouraged to write a poem or haiku about rainbows. Do come and show me if you do get creative.

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You might also be inspired by checking out Kermit the frog singing the Rainbow Connection. Click here to watch.

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Football Academy by Tom Palmer : great new sports series for the boys.

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Football Academy is a new sporty series with heaps of action and heaps of sports written by author Tom Palmer.
Will, Sam, Sushanta and Finnian are holding on to the books they picked out to read from the new display.

Sam has already devoured his first book and is on to his second in the series.

Check out his review.

  9780141324685Striking out

By Tom Palmer

Football Academy is a fun and exciting book because it is about a boy called Yunnis whose dad does not come to watch him play football.

Yunnis is good at football. His dad wants Yunnis to stop playing because of his education. In the end the team think of an idea to keep Yunnis in the team. Read on and find out about this amazing book.

By Sam M

 

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Book Review

Clemintine Rose – Great new chapter books for year 3 – 4 girls

Clemintine Rose

By Jacqueline Harvey

Clemintine Rose is a great new series just right for girls in the middle school.

“Clementine Rose is so excited! She’s going to start school with her best friends Sophie and Poppy and she can’t wait. But when she gets there, instead of the lovely Miss Critchley, her teacher is the much sterner and shoutier Mrs Bottomley. And then there’s Angus, a little boy who delights in tormenting her from the moment they first meet.”

I have just bought the third book in this series.  You may need to come and see me to reserve these books as they are very popular.

If you just can’t wait you can click here and read the first chapter online for free. Or you can click here to visit the author’s website. I love reading about authors and I am sure you will too.

 

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Book trailer

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Research made easy

Are you looking for something on the internet to help with your homework or class topics?

Are you overwhelmed by all the information you get on google?

Then try  some of these to make things easier:

duckduckgo

I had fun on this search engine looking at ancient explorers. 

Kidrex

This is also a very child friendly search engine which many classes are already using.

 Kids national geographic

For children who love learning about animals and other fun facts this Kids National Geographic site is great fun.

On the side bar of this blog is a link to anyquestions.co.nz / manyanswers.co.nz

This is a quick way to access this site which is managed by New Zealand librarians from the National Library. On school days between 1 and 6pm you can go on to their site and actually have a virtual lesson on making the most of your internet searches. They are real librarians in real time and rather than give you an answer they will chat via email back and forward to help you find the right answers yourselves. Very cool.

And if you don’t want to talk or connect with a real librarian then you can still search the site for answers to your questions  from the many links already provided. The great thing is that they have done the work for you and checked out if the sites are safe.

Just a reminder that if you click on the page Homework Help there are many more sites to enjoy.

Have a great long weekend.

 

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To be an artist : book review

To be an artist

By Maya Ajmera & John Ivanko

 

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I really liked this book. It shows how people in other countries do art.

I really liked how some kids in China had crayons and drew all over the concrete walls outside.

I liked the masks and how you couldn’t see who was behind the masks. I recommend this book for anyone who wants to be an artist!

Book Review

By Jasmine G aged 7

This book is in the library now so if you want to borrow it get in quick.

 

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New Zealand Post Book Awards

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Time to get voting now for your favourite pick of the New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards finalists.

Check out the library display to see the books. Children up and down New Zealand are voting for the Children’s Choice Award.

Which will be your favourite?

When you vote you go in the draw to win $500 worth of book tokens for you and $500 for school.  What an awesome prize that would be!

Come and see me in the library if you want to vote. I know which one I would vote for but I’m not telling you. See if you can guess.

Or you can vote online at home. Remember though, you can only vote once! Click on the logo below and get voting.

 

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ANZAC Day display and competition

ANZAC Day is on the 25th April and even though it is during the holidays we still want to think about the day and all that it stands for.

We have a display in the library with many new books to look at and posters with lots of information.

There is even a competition where you have a chance to win books. Take a good look at the display and then answer some simple questions. A great way to brush up your information literacy skills and learn things as well.

Come and see me in the library if you are interested.

One of the new books is called

ANZAC the New Zealand Story : what it is and why it matters.

It is written by Philippa Werry.

This is a great book with heaps of information about why we have ANZAC Day and what it all means.

Did you know that  the youngest New Zealander to die at Gallipoli was Private James Martin and he was only 14 years old. Very sad but you can read lots of other interesting things about Gallipoli when you come to the library.

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Margaret Mahy Award winner

It was lovely to see local children’s book writer Bill Nagelkerke being awarded the very prestigious Margaret Mahy Award last week.

While I didn’t get to Auckland and witness the presentation myself, a librarian friend, Zac from Zackids at Christchurch City Libraries did and took this great photo. Thanks, Zac!

We have plenty of Bill Nagelkerke’s books here at school.

My favourite is  Old Bones.  It is a very cool ghost story set in Christchurch. Sadly, much of what is written about in the book has changed because of the earthquakes but that just makes the book even more interesting.  Come in and see me if you want to read any of these books.

 

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Authors

This hotel is haunted by Geronimo Sitlton

This hotel is haunted

By Geronimo Stilton

Book  donated and reviewed by Nick W age 7

This is a very good book. Geronimo was really scared because his friends kept playing pranks on him. They had rubber spiders they hung down on him to scare him when he walked past.

I give this 5 out of 5. You should read it too.

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You can also visit the Geronimo Stilton website and find out more about Geronimo and his friends. You can also play some fun games.

Just click on the image here.

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Fun things to do over the Easter holiday

Fun ways to learn

It is a short week this week and next so if you are stuck for something to do check out this link below. There are so many e-learning games that it will be hard to choose which game to play first. They have all been tried and tested by teachers so are safe and fun to play. The games are designed to help you but in a fun way.

There are maths games and games to help with your English and reading and writing. There are games on science and the human body. So many choices!

Just scroll down the page for different options. Some games have suggested ages which makes it easier to choose.

E-learning for kids

Do enjoy the holiday break.

 

 

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Lucky Book Club – Special offer

Scholastic book club has a very special offer this month.

It is a  Special Issue

For every 5 books ordered, our school will get 1 FREE!

Please help us – this is an extra special offer that we don’t usually get.
The more books ordered, the more books our school receives.

Orders need to be in at the office by March  28th.

Please note that this is a Thursday for this issue as school will be closed over Easter.

March really is a good month to be reading.

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Liesl & Po by Lauren Oliver

Liesl & Po

By Lauren Oliver

It was lovely to see a group of readers hovering over this book in the library today. Isabella was very impressed with the language in this book, even reading out the first line to me and then sharing it with Mr Sibson as well.  She had already conjured up images in her mind because of the descriptive language. The story and illustrations also impressed the group so much that it now has a number of requests to read it next. Great stuff! Check out the trailer and see if it is a book you might want to read too. It is a story about a ghost, magic, and a young orphan. I thoroughly enjoyed it when I read it.

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Book trailer

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NZ Book Month, Reading Crusade and Who is your reading superhero?

Wow! So many opportunities to read and perhaps enter competitions this month.

March is full of activities to do with reading and encouraging a love of books.

We have the locally run Reading Crusade. Other events are part of New Zealand Book month promotion. Do be aware of closing dates for the competitions.

 

Reading Crusade

11 March 19 April

Children are to read 4 books of their own choice

Register online at www.christchurchcitylibraries.com/readingcrusade

Everyone who registers online will get a certificate and go in the draw to win prizes.

Our students have enjoyed this event over the years. 

 

 New Zealand Book Month

 

 

 

 


Celebrate NZ book month by using your voucher to buy a new book.

Every child will be given a $5 voucher to use when buying any book over $10 at almost all bookshops.

http://www.nzbookmonth.co.nz/ to print out extra vouchers.

Who’s your reading superhero?

 4 March – 5 April

Your superhero can be a teacher, librarian or family member. Tell us why they are your reading superhero. Get creative. You can submit a poem, a story, song lyrics, a video, or animation.

Enter online

http://schools.natlib.govt.nz/reading-superheroes-2013

You can also send your entries to

jo.buchan@dia.govt.nz

Or post Jo Buchan

National Library

Private Bag 99936

Auckland

 

Do enjoy the activities this month and read, read, read!

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Two reviews from Room 17

 

 

Fairy School Drop-out : Undercover

By Meredith Badger

This book was really, really good. Elly is a fairy at a human school. Elly goes undercover to find out if there are any more fairies in the school. Elly is a really good character because she is really nice to her friend Jess. It is funny especially when they fall on to the table of food.

I recommend this for girls 7 or 8 and over.

Review by Maddy M

 

The dancing bear

By Michael Morpurgo

It is a very good book and it can be a funny at times but the ending is sad and exciting. It’s about a little girl called Roxanne who lives with her Grandpa who can be very mean. She went into the forest one day and then came back with a baby bear cub. If you want to know more about the bear then I think you should read this book. I recommend this for ages seven and over.

Review by Georgiana H

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