Library News 26 November 2021
Published on November 26, 2021
Top 10 New Children’s Audiobooks on Libby
Return to Roar by Jenny McLachlan
Will You Catch Me? by Jane Elson
Ikenga by Nnedi Okorafor
Code Name Bananas by David Walliams
Kensy and Max 7: Take Down by Jacqueline Harvey
Peter Pan, brought to life by magical storytellers by J.M Barrie
The Barren Grounds by David A. Robertson
Captain Underpants and the Big, Bad Battle of the Bionic Booger Boy by Dave Pilkey
The House of One Hundred Clocks by A.M. Howell
Sam Wu is Not Afraid of Zombies by Katie and Kevin Tsang
All of these books can be found using Libby which can be accessed from our library website here: https://www.tetakere.org.nz/Your-Library/Digital-Resources/eLibrary
Samantha Tibbs
Children's Learning Librarian
The brisk mornings are fading into delightful sunny afternoons and summer is just around the corner. Like most families with school-aged children at this time of year, our household is definitely feeling ready to shake off the routine and enjoy the unstructured playtime that comes with 6 weeks off from school. While we often talk about a ‘summer slump’, and the need for tamariki to keep reading at all costs over the summer to avoid regressing with literacy, it’s good to remember that learning isn’t a continual straight-line march towards progress. The summer holidays offer us an opportunity, not to push reading on our tamariki, but to give them the freedom to choose their reading in a relaxed and enjoyable way. To give them the time to read, to be read to, and to take twists, turns, and loops in their reading and learning journeys.
My 9-year-old recently discovered Lemony Snicket’s, ‘ A Series of Unfortunate Events’ and delighted in listening to me read to him. Then after discovering the audiobooks, he continued to enjoy them in his own time. Finally, after seeing the characters brought to life on screen, he has been so inspired by the ever-changing character of Count Olaf that he can now be found crafting a new disguise every day, adding to his now growing collection of costumes. While not a natural reader, thanks to these books, eBooks and particularly audiobooks, he has been able to dive deep into literature and even pick up a new creative interest. What’s wonderful about summer reading is there are no rules or boundaries. Kids have the time to dive into a new world or an old world, read and re-read, be inspired, be entertained, and to gain an understanding of the world around them from many different perspectives.
This year's Kiwiana Summer Reading Programme is a way of celebrating Aotearoa and the many communities that make it such a special place to be stuck during these unprecedented times. While we can't easily pop across the ditch or visit our neighbours in the Pacific, we want to celebrate the imaginative journeys that books can take you on while you stay in once place.
So instead of being worried about what learning our tamariki are missing over the summer holidays, let’s focus on what they will gain. Join us for our Summer Reading Programme. Aimed at ages 3-12, this year we’ve made a few changes to ensure as many families as possible can join in. Tamariki can check in online or in person and pick up a takeaway activity pack. It’s great to know that if you can’t pop in you can send us an email, whether it’s a written review or a photograph of your child’s writing or drawings. There's never been a better year to give it a try. Registrations start on the 29th of November at the library and online.
Special thanks to the Friends of the Horowhenua Libraries for once again showing their commitment to supporting what we do, by providing tamariki with incentives and prizes for this year’s reading programme.
Happy Mail:
We invite you to spread some Christmas cheer this holiday season by designing and creating cards for seniors living in our local rest homes. We would love you to help ensure they feel connected and appreciated this Christmas.
- Get creative! Use blank card, pens, felts, paints, scissors, glue, glitter or string.
- Include a kind message, not addressed to anyone in particular and sign with your own name.
- Keep the text large and easy to read
- Leave the cards undated and if using an envelope, leave it unsealed
- Pop your card into one of our designated Happy Mail boxes at any of our libraries
Need some inspiration? Check out our examples at Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, Te Awahaou Nieuwe Stroom and Shannon Libraries. We have card kits to pick up if you need some supplies
Reflections: Horowhenua: The People and Places of our Past:
This November Libraries Horowhenua and the Horowhenua Family History Group presents the exhibition 'Reflections: Horowhenua the People and Places of our Past.' The display will showcase historic photographs allowing you to explore our community’s rich cultural past.
The exhibition captures the essence of the unique heritage of Horowhenua. Its aim is to encourage you to reflect on our past and learn about our local history.
Our Heritage Librarian and volunteers can show you how to research your own local or family history and share the resources we have in our Heritage rooms to help you do your own research.
The exhibition will run throughout the month of November during normal opening hours, in
Te Takeretanga-o Kura-hau-pō's Heritage Room.
Be in to win this November!
Issue at least one item from our eLibrary and automatically go in the draw to win one of our fabulous prizes. Challenge yourself to read digitally this month! Reading digitally has many benefits and superb accessibility features. Access is free with your Libraries Horowhenua membership or eMembership, and a suitable device. Your library at your fingertips, anytime, anywhere.
Not a member? No worries. You can sign up as an eMember. For more information on our eLibrary and eMembership visit
www.tetakere.org.nz/Your-Library/Digital-Resources/eLibrary