New Zealand Post Book Awards 2009 - Librarians' Reviews

Ella Lis reviews Every Second Friday by Kiri Lightfoot and illustrated by Ben Galbraith.
On every second Friday, Margaret goes with her brother to stay at her Dad’s home. This house is full of “bits and bobs” and they all have lots of adventures using the stuff in the house.
The writing is very descriptive, and the illustrations are very detailed which made me want to read on.
This is a great book for anybody and everybody.

New Zealand Post Book Awards 2009 - Librarians' Reviews

Michelle Phommasone reviews Piggity-Wiggity Jiggity Jig by Diana Neild, illustrated by Philip Webb.
This picture book is about a pig called Piggity-Wiggity Jiggity Jig. He doesn’t like him long name, and wants a short name, like his the other kids at Kindy.
Piggity-Wiggity Jiggity Jig’s parents wanted a special name for him. As he practices his name over and over, he feels his confidence grow. Now he feels his name is very cool for a pig.
I enjoyed this book a lot. It is an awesome picture book written in rhyme.

New Zealand Post Book Awards 2009 - Librarians' Reviews

Cecilia Molesworth reviews Enemy at the Gate by Philippa Werry.
The story is set in New Zealand in 1936 and the “Enemy” is polio, a disease that spread all over New Zealand and affecting may children. I found this book very interesting because it tells of an actual situation affecting people, and tells of New Zealand history in an interesting way.
Readers of this book should be between 10 and 16 years old.

New Zealand Post Book Awards 2009 - Librarians' Reviews

Abbey Laird reviews Payback by Michelle Kelly.
The story centres around a 14 year old boy named Riley, who loves skateboarding and softball. His holiday has gone horribly wrong and he is very worried that the school bully will ”get him back” for hitting him.
This book is for older readers (especially boys), year 6 and above. It is fast moving and interesting, with an up-to-date message.

New Zealand Post Book Awards 2009 - Librarians' Reviews

Jenny Shin reviews Juicy Writing – Inspiration and techniques for Young Writers by Brigid Lowry.
Juicy Writing may be a bit boring at first, but as you read on, it captures you and gives you great tips on how to make an interesting story. If it doesn’t seem interesting enough – don’t give up! Keep writing – you might have a hidden talent.
This book is amusing and there are funny bits so you learn a lot in a fun way. Brigid Lowry has some great advice and stories to tell. So read this book to start an amazing career!
Recommended for 8 to 20 year olds.

New Zealand Post Book Awards 2009 - Librarians' Reviews

Hugo Verdonk reviews Roadworks by Sally Sutton, illustrated by Brian Lovelock.
This is a great book. It tells how a road is made in its own interesting way, using rhyme, repetition, sound words and pictures. I found it funny that it seems the roadmakers make the road in one day.
I would recommend this book for Year 1 to Year 4 children.

New Zealand Post Book Awards 2009 - Librarians' Reviews

Cecilia Song reviewing Piano Rock A 1950s Childhood by Gavin Bishop.
This book tells of the New Zealand Author / illustrator Gavin Bishop’s childhood life. He grew up in Kingston on Lake Wakatipu, in the South Island.
What would it feel like to have your dog put down … and hearing the mystery of a rock shaped like a piano … and having a Guy Fawkes dummy that looked just like your father, burned on the bonfire.
This is a very nice book, with good illustrations, suitable for 8 – 11 year olds.
I gave it five stars out of eight because even thought I enjoyed the book, I didn't love it.

New Zealand Post Book Awards 2009 - Librarians' Reviews

Emma McLaughlan reviewing High-tech Legs on Everest by Mark Inglis.
I found Legs on Everest a really enjoyable non-fiction book and feel that everyone over 9 years old should read it. It is interesting and inspiring!
Mark Inglis is a mountaineer, brought up in South Canterbury. 20 years ago he suffered frosbite, whilst on an expedition on Mount Cook Aoraki. His legs had to be amputated. In 2000 he won a silver medal in the Paralympics for track cycling.
This book tells of his achievement of a huge dream, to climb Mt Everest on his amputated legs. It is illustrated with cool photos and full of mountaineering facts. You feel like you are climbing the mountain with him.
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New Zealand Post Book Awards 2009 - Librarians' Reviews

Stacey Chang reviews Duck’s Stuck by Kyle Mewburn, illustrated by Ali Teo and John O’Reilly.
This book is about a duck whose head is stuck in the grain shed. Farm animals try to get him out, but have trouble until …
Find out how the duck got his head out.
This is a great book for young children because it is full of pictures and rhymes and it is funny.

New Zealand Post Book Awards 2009 - Librarians' Reviews

Annie Kang reviews Five (and a bit) Days in the Life of Ozzie Kingsford.
This is a thrilling chapter book by Val Bird, and the funky pictures are by Rebecca Cundy.
The story is about Ozzie and his Uncle Rusty, who is coming to town to visit. That’s when things got busy in the Kingsford family… Will the visit be a total success? Ozzie wasn’t sure – especially if the “forest sprites” tag along.
A perfect book for children 7 years and older. Even adults would enjoy this funny, hooking story. In fact the whole family can enjoy this book! A book that you will NEVER put down!

New Zealand Post Book Awards 2009 - Librarians' Reviews

Luke Han reviewing Back & Beyond, New Zealand painting for the Young and Curious by Gregory O'Brien.
This book illustrates and explains some wellknown New Zealand Art, depicting futuristic, cultural, historical and present day art.
This book is worth looking at because there are humourous, instructional and thought provoking.I have learnt that art is shown in different ways and medias.
The paintings that stood out to me are P82 Flight by Rita Angus, because when I look at it I fell it is unique.
P34 Manukau Heads by Elizabeth Thompson because she has changes the photograph to be unrealistic and far more interesting.
P22 The Magical Wooden Head by E. Mervyn Taylor because he has only used black and white, and he has based his wood engraving on a legend.
It is a very well presented book, and able to be enjoyed even though you may not be able to read all of it.
Recommended for senior readers who enjoy art and mathematics.

New Zealand Post Book Awards 2009 - Librarians' Reviews

Catherine Griffin reviewing The Were-Nana (NOT a Bedtime Story) by Melinda Szymanik & Sarah Nelisiwe Anderson.
Simon and Stella Rosa are on their way to pick up their nana from the airport. Simon tells Stella Rosa something that makes her scared of her nana.
Find out what he says and if you think it is true.
The painted illustrations are done with detail and strong colour.
It should be popular for children 7 – 11 years old.

New Zealand Post Book Awards 2009 - Librarians' Reviews

Sonia Wang reviews Chicken Feathers by Joy Cowley, with illustrations by David Elliot.
In a world of chaos, 10 year old Josh and Semolina, a talking hen, are worrying.
A brother or sister is about to be born, but Josh’s mother is in hospital with “complications”. Far worse, foxes are invading the chicken house. Can Josh and Semolina get the message through to the adults about the fox before it is too late?
Chicken feathers is a warm and funny chapter book about two good friends.
I think this story is suitable for 8 to 12 year olds, especially if they have already enjoyed Charlotte’s Web.
Next time you are bored, why don’t you try reading Chicken Feathers?