NEW RESOURCES

All my friends are dead – By Avery Monsen & Jory John

Click here to have a look

 

All my friends are dead is probably one of the funniest and saddest books you will read this year….for those of you with a sense of humour that is.  A simple book with amusing illustrations, it will make you smile at the turn of each page.  Definitely worth a read today!

 

 

 

Inside Stories – A History of the New Zealand Housewife 1890-1975     By Frances Walsh

Click here for The ever reliable Edmonds site

A beautifully written and illustrated book that will be perfect on the coffee table or in your own kitchen.  A wonderful look back at the cooking, cleaning, decorating, sewing, mothering and of course playing the ‘perfect wife’, the tales of being a New Zealand housewife from 1890 thru 1975.  Inside Stories delves into the lives of housewives and will bring back memories of watching our mothers and grandmothers in their kitchens.

Anzac Day Display & Resources

Excerpt from ’In Flanders Fields’  By Norman Jorgensen & Brian Harrison-Lever
From his shell hole a sniper lines the cross on his sights with the middle of the soldiers chest.  He takes the slack from the trigger, but waits.  The young soldier walks on, the white scarf hanging limply from the bayonet.  Another sniper brings his sights onto the young mans face.  The eyes and nose are red from the cold and the lingering gas of a recent attack.  A machine-gunner pulls back the bolt from the side of his gun.  But still the young soldier walks slowly forward, his boots crunching in the iced black mud of the frozen battlefield.  Finally he reaches the wire.  He puts down his rifle, and gently frees the bird.  Raising the bird above his head, he lets it go.  It flies towards the enemy lines, but crashes to the ground after a few meters, its wings beating feebly.  The soldier walks forward and gently picks up the bird.  He stands holding it tenderly in both hands, warming it against the chill.  He is a solitary figure in the huge, desolate battle ground.  More rifles are aimed at him.  After a long time he again lifts up the bird and lets it go.  This time it flies up and away.  He whispers softly, ‘Merry Christmas, little bird’.  A sniper whispers to himself, ‘Gluckliche Weihnact, Digger!’ and lowers his rifle.  The young soldier turns back to his own lines and, forgetting his rifle and scarf, walks towards his trench.
And as he walks away, from the trenches behind him he can hear hoarse, lonely voices beginning to sing: Stille nacht, heilige nacht….Then, as he gets closer to his own trench, he hears the carol continue: all is calm, all is bright,  Round yon virgin, mother and child, Holy Infant so tender and mild, Sleep in heavenly peace, Sleep….

NEW RESOURCES

Quaky Cat – By Diana Noonan & Gavin Bishop

Click here to see Gavin's fantastic website

Excerpt from ‘Quaky Cat’

Walking in the morning – it is almost half-past four – the windows rattle wildly! Yes! The wolf is at the door! My gliding and colliding books leap freely into space, and all the things that seemed secure are quickly changing place. As our foundations tremble and the city starts to groan, we feel the flick of board and brick……the importance of stone.  The earth reminds us what we are – mere fleas that crawl its hide …It battles – rattles chattels as our noble buildings slide.  We went to bed as masters, but we feel the city sprawl and leap awake, remembering how far we have to fall – Margaret Mahy

 

Teaching Primary School Mathematics and Statistics: Evidence-based practice – By Robin Averill & Roger Harvey

Click here to visit the NZCER website

A great reference book you will ever need for teaching primary school mathematics and statistics. Full of excellent classroom practices relevant to The New Zealand Curriculum and national standards for Maths.  Excellent examples of investigative learning experiences, key research and practice-based ideas about teaching learning and assessment.  The writers are among New Zealand's leading researchers and teacher educators.  An excellent resource for teachers and up and coming teachers.

DONOVAN PRIMARY VISIT WITH KYLE MEWBURN AT THE CAMPUS

Kyle entertains the kids with his knowledge

WHATS ON DISPLAY AT THE LIBRARY?

Come in and see our lovely Easter display, there is even some easter eggs hidden amongst the display for you to find. 
Learn about Sophisticated Picture Books.  What is a Sophisticated Picture Book?  What age are they suited to? How do I find them in the library?