Rahui by Malcolm Ross and Chris Szekely

 

Maori version also with Brian Morris.

Reviewed by Jaz and Joanna

There are 2 books written in 2 languages, Maori and English.

The story is a happy / sad but exciting one.  It reminded us of our summer holidays and having fun, but it was also sad because someone drowned.

In the English version, Maori words are still used and there is a glossary at the back.

Tangi – funeral

Aroha – love

Kina – sea urchin

We think that the illustrations are vivid and cool.

We would recommend these books to Year 3 to 6 readers.

Digging up the Past by David Veart

 

Hi !  My name is Lata and I think that this is a great book if you wish to learn about what happened in the past. There are lots of pages full of facts, photographs, drawings and diagrams all relating to Archeology.

Some of the topics covered are The Polynesian Triangle, Bones and Hooks, Pa Sites and Wakas.

I enjoyed this book and think that children who are good readers and adults who are interested in Science and History would enjoy it too.

Just Jack by Adele Broadbent Reviewed by Linda Wang

 

This is an historical tale of courage and destiny.

Wee Jack is leaving his Ormondville home and heading to Napier to fulfil his dream of becoming a jockey.  The story tells of certain things that stand in his way, but he makes it through perserverance.

The author, Adele Braodbent, depicts the daily life situations in an attractive and understandable way.

I thought that using the Napier Earthquake as a scene is a highlight of the book, giving a clear understanding of the memorable event.

I also think that the message in the book is that if you persevere and try hard, you will achieve your goal.

I love this book and recommend it to boys and girls about 10 to 12 years old.

I hope that Adele writes more books because I am addicted to reading JUST JACK!

The Loblolly Boy and the Sorcerer by James Norcliffe. Reviewed by Jude Dragh

If you thought, the first Loblolly Boy Book was great, you are going to be totally psyched about the sequel.

The amazing Loblolly Book continues, with even more suspense, creativity, and excitement!

James Norcliffe has written another adventure with the Loblolly Boy while he tries to exchange his life back to being normal, but the only way is to do this is to find the one who took it.

The way that it is written keeps the reader captivated and interested.  It is not one of those books you put down after reading for a minute. You will not be able to stop reading until your eyes water.

James Norcliffe specialises in using an amazing imagination.  His writing leaves you thinking the adventure is real. His unexpected twists give his readers more to enjoy and to look forward to.

My favourite part of this book was the end because the Loblolly Boy -  “uhoh” I will not tell you the end.  If you want to find out you’ll just have to read it for yourself, and trust me you’ll enjoy it.

Overall, I have to say that the other fiction books in the NZ kids Post awards better watch out, because this book has a good chance, seriously!

I would recommend this book to over 10 boys and Girls that have read the first book, (so you understand the background to the story.)

Other Books watch out because I think the sequel will win just like the first book! 

The Life Cycle of the Tuatara written by Betty Brownlie

New Zealand Post Book Awards – Non-fiction

Reviewed by Amalie Corlett

I think this book is awesome.

I learnt that the Tuatara has lots of predators, such as birds; the Black-Backed Gull, the Harrier, the Kingfisher and Morepork, pests; rats, stoats, ferrets as well as cats and dogs.

I also learnt that tuatara eggs have a rubbery shell outside.

Did you know that the tuatara’s tail falls off when predators trouble them, and when the tail falls off, it wriggles around like crazy.

Because I have read and enjoyed this book, there is so much more I now know, and now you can find out too. This book is in the non-fiction section of the Sunnybrae Library.

The Cat’s Pyjamas written by Catherine Foreman

New Zealand Post Book Awards – Picture Book

Reviewed by Juwon Jung

This story is about a cute, fluffy, orange cat who dreams about wonderful things at night. Every night of the week, the cat dreams about something related to the different colourful and cool pyjamas the cat is wearing.

Each night the cat goes to bed with its snuggly pink and green dotty toy rabbit, and you will see them both in each of the cat’s sleep adventures.

There are motorbikes zooming around, flippery seals swimming in the water and many more other things going on.

What awesome dreams for a cat in the night.

Jacob and Matthew enjoyed "Stomp" by Ruth Paul.

Jacob Gunther and Matthew Whittington have read one of the New Zealand Post Picture books, entered in this year's competition.
It is "Stomp" written by Ruth Paul.
This book has the very cute looking dinosaurs playing in a follow-the-leader game.
With its colourful illustrations and simple, descriptive language, it is a lovely book for early readers.
Jacob's favourite dinosaur is the red one, and he loves to see the dinosaurs jumping.
Matthew's favourite is the green dinosaur, and Matthew loves to see the dinosaurs in the book swing from branch to branch.

Welcome to our Library Blog