DEWEY - There's a cat in the library!

After the coldest night of the year, Vicki the librarian finds a wet and bedraggled kitten in the library returns box. After cleaning him up and giving him cuddles, she falls in love with him and decides to keep him. Vicki mames him 'Dewey Readmore Books'and he becomes the library cat.
At first, Dewey just wants to play but he soon realises what his real mission in life is. Read 'Dewey' and find out what ultimately makes this special little kitten happy.

Commotion In The Ocean

This book is written and illustrated by Giles Andreae and David Wojtowycz

There's a curious commotion at the bottom of the ocean I think we better go and take a look inside...
You will find every sort of creature that lives beneath the ocean swimming through the ocean. There are all types of sea creatures in the ocean like dolphins, whales, jelly fish, turtles, octopus and many more.
This book will be appeal to children under six and younger. Older children will still love the pictures and the humour.
Reviewed by Tonielle

Mrs.Marlowe's

Written and illustrated by Frank Asch and Devin Asch.

In this story, Mrs. Eleanor Marlowe seems to be a quiet, law-abiding citizen, but she actually leads a daring double life. By day she works at the Purrington Street library with her fellow cats, but at night she returns to a family of mice. One day after work, two police men come to investigate her house to see if the cats from her street are telling the truth that she is a mouse keeper.
I liked the cool pictures and I think senior kids will appreciate this story.
Reviewed by Zian

My Mum

Written and Illustrated by Anthony Brown

This mum is very nice she's a fantastic cook, a very good juggler, a good painter and asstrong as can be. She could be any thing or do any thing. She's really really nice this mum. She is as beatiful as a butterfly, as comfy as an arm chair. She is soft and tougher then a rhino. This mum is magical - she can make any thing grow and make anyone happy. She can sing like an angel.

Read this book to see what else she can be or do. I love this book and you might like it too, so come to the library and read it. I'm sure you will like it. I think this book will appeal to any age.
Reveiwed by Brasilia Reti.

Tuck Everlasting

Written by Natalie Babbit

Winnie had often been haunted by visions of what it would be like to be kidnapped. But none of her visions had been like this, with her kidnappers just as alarmed as she herself was ......
When Winnie stumbles across the stream which can give the gift of everlasting life, she also stumbles across the unforgettable Tuck family.The Tucks, having drunk from this spring, will never age, and will never die. With calm clearsightedness they have kept the springs whereabouts secret, realising the harm and chaos full knowledge of it would bring. But the Tucks need to take grave measures when the springs secret is in danger of being revealed........

Reviewed by Keighley Class D5

Half Moon Investigation

This book is written by Eion Colfer.

Fletcher Moon is a private decetive that thought he'd seen it all. He had paid so many visits to the Gutter looking for the lost love hearts, that he thought nothing could shock him. He was wrong very wrong...

Fletcher Moon is a curious young detective with a notorious criminal family who sees a pretty girl one day. And this whole story is just Trouble with a capital T.

This book is reviewed by Tonielle, D6

SHOO FLY GUY

Illustrated and Written by Ted Arnold.

FLY GUY is hungry!He wants something brown, smelly, oozy and lumpy. YUCK. What do you think it is? FLY GUY is flying on and on and on and on. "You found our picnic!"cried Buzz. FLY GUY and Buzz are actually best friends. Who is you best friend? FLY GUY is Buzz's best friend even though he is a fly!!

Reviewed by Gretchen D5

Chinese Cinderella The Secret of an Unwanted Daughter

Written by Adeline Yen Mah

Adeline Yen Mah's mother died giving birth to her so the family considered Adeline bad luck and she was made to feel unwanted all her life. This story is about how Adeline Yen Mah struggles for acceptance and how she overcomes odds to prove her worth. This is a very sad and exciting story also very interesting.

Reviewed By Manu D4

Ben and Mark Boys of the High Country

Author /Photographer: Christine Fernyhough and John Bougen.

This book was a real treasure for me as I already had purchased this for my two boys at home. I have a dream to own land and pictured my own two boys as Ben and Mark running around a farm and being real boys.

Some interesting points about this book.

-Wonderful great pictures and photographs...really interesting photos around the farm;

-Easy to read captions about the photos;

-Chapters are all different and talking about the boys life on the farm;

-Chapters highlighted were; The Boys themselves, their dogs, mustering sheep, their horses, cattle and deer, sheep, fun, Events and the future.

Read the book and afterwards you might picture yourself as one of them living in a really different place rather than living in Papatoetoe Manukau.

Publisher RANDOM HOUSE
ISBN978-1-86979-068-4

Reviewed by Mr Gilbert.

The Wild West Gang

Author / Illustrator: Joy Cowley and Trevor Pye

This story is a very interesting and funny story, its about a boy called Michael who can't wait to spend more time with his Auntie's family also known as the Wild West Gang. The wests always do lots of interesting things that Michael is not allowed to do at home.

But there are surpises in store for Michael as they set off on their adventures, with the West family.

Publisher HarperCollins

ISBN 1-86950-285-x
Reviewed by Kanta Gounder

Journey to Tangiwai - The Diary of Peter Cotterill

Author/Illustrator : David Hill

Peter Cotterill was given a dairy for his 13th birthday from his Great Aunt Ethel. He hates diaries and decides to write in it only when he feels like it, which turns out to be often.

He writes each day what happens in his life - school, paper round, scouts and his family including his Uncle Hugh who fought in World War 2 and now questions whether he should have.

It has an exciting and surprising conclusion.
Scholastic Publisher

Reviewed by Mrs. Beetham

The Treasure

Author / Illustrator: Melanie Drewery / Bruce Potter

"Come and snuggle on the couch with me and I will tell you of my greatest taonga."
Moving and growing; an egg, small and delicate; sparkled and caught my eye; paua shell; pounamu.

What is this greatest taonga/treasure that a mother reveals to her child?

Reed Publishing 1-86948-640-4
Reviewed by A. Cossey

'Beans' - Dream Sleepers and other Stories

Author/Illustrator: Patricia Grace

Beans is a recount of a young boys Saturday morning. We are taken through his every steps as if we are inside his head experiencing his Saturday morning. We feel the blistering cold as he rides up the steep hill on his way to his Saturday rugby game, we breathe hard as he does when he sprints down the field for the ball and we experience the satisfaction of riding home with a can of drink in one hand and a downhill slope to guide us home.

I loved this story as Patricia Grace made me feel part of it. I love Patricia Grace as an author because she involves her reader and creates imagery that makes you laugh, cry and squirm sometimes all at once!

Longman Paul Isbn 0582717795

Reviewed by Miss Nola

Biddy Alone

Author/Illustrator: Wanda Cowley.

Its the story of Biddy, who goes to live on a bird santuary. Biddy loves her cat Kit, but is not allowed to take her onto the island. Biddy smuggles her cat onto the island but unfortunately Kit escapes from her. Biddy rushes into the forest to find her wayward cat.
This is were Biddy's adventure begins. She uses her knowledge of how to survive in the forest taught by her dad. The reader has an opportunity here to learn about bushcraft and conversation in New Zealand.
I enjoyed reading about Biddy's bravery, strength and loyalty to her cat, Kit.

Publisher: Ashton Scholastic
IBSN:0-86943-005-0

Reviewed by Mrs Thompson

Whitebait Fritters

Author/Kingi McKinnon
Illustrator/Kelvin Hawley

Wiremu's father is going whitebaiting and Wiremu wants to go too. Mum takes Wiremu's side and encourages dad to take him.
This is wonderful father and son relationship where spending quality time together is of great importance.

Scholastic Publishers
ISBN 1869434870

Reviewed by Mrs Pokai

The Kuia and the Spider

Author: Patricia Grace
Illustrator: Robyn Kakukiwa

This is one of my favourite picture books about a bad-tempered grandmother kuia (granny) and a grumpy spider. They fight all day and all night long about who is the best weaver. They fight for so long that they get tired and fall asleep... then next morning they wake up and start arguing all over again.

I like this book very much because the pictutres are great, they almost look like photos, and the story is very funny. An extra bonus is that some of it is written in Maori. I recommend that you get it out of the library and read it. You will enjoy it like me.

ISBN:0-14-050387-0
Puffin Books

Reviewed by Ms Mulrennan

The Forgotten Taniwha

Author/Illustrator: Robyn Kahukiwa

Ngakau Pono the taniwha, had been the kaitiaki of Aotearoa and the Maori people for hundreds of years. But one day, strangers arrived in Aotearoa with a different language and different customs. Everything changed and Ngakau Pono was left all alone. He went to sleep for many years.

Suddenly, there was a huge earthquake in Aotearoa that caused a tsunami and destroyed the land. Read this book to find out what happens when Ngakau Pono wakes up?

Puffin Books 978-014352-003-0
Reviewed by L. Lepou

Pipi and Mussels

Author: Dot Meharry

Pipi, mussels, New Zealand, seashore, whales, humour, Pipi's and mussels lived side by side along the coast, sharing their food until the whales came. This humourous story tells why pipi live in the sand and mussels live on rocks.

Published by : Reed publishing

The Whale Rider

Author - Witi Ihimaera
Illustrator - Bruce Potter

This timeless story tells how the courage of one girl in standing against the tide of tradition her tribe to become reconnected with their ancestral life force.

Published by - Reed Publishing
I.S.B.N. -1-86948-584X

Reviewed by - Anoma Gunawardena

The Puffin Treasury of New Zealand Children's Stories

Story No. 2 Bidibidi

Author Gavin Bishop

Illustrator Gavin Bishop

Bidibidi, the sheep, is tired of trudging around the mountains where she lives. When she sees a rainbow she decides that that is where she would rather be. With some encouragement from Stella, the Kea, Bidibidi sets out to find the rainbow. She is helped along the way by some friends as she strikes some perilous situations.

I really enjoyed this story, especially that Bidibidi was brave and she was helped by friendly animals on her way.

Puffin Books ISBN 014331825x

reviewed by Mrs Osborne

The Kuia and the Spider

Author:Patricia Grace
llustrator: Robyn Kahu Kiwa

A New Zealand book with beautiful pictures. The illustrations are very colourful and life-like. It is an easy book to read aloud. Maori Art and language is celebrated right through out the story with a great picture of the weaving of a kete.
I liked the way the Kuia and the spider argue, and yet they are friends really. Both are lonely and so this is the only way they communicate. The story also shows a typical kiwi weekend which we all can relate to. The only thing I didnt like about this book was that it did not have a proper ending, it just trailed off at the end.

Penguin Books

Reviewed by R. Achary

Child of Aotearoa

Author: Melanie Drewery

Illustrator: Bruce Potter

This is a beautifully illustrated picture book about Maori settlement and their history in Aotearoa. The visual images tell the story while the text enhances and explains the illustrations. It begins with a picture of a Kauri forest, Moa and a white sandy beach. The text describes the land before people arrived using images and language that embody the uniquely New Zealand landscape. The narrator's tone is intimate and invites the reader to listen to the story. The book continues to describe the migration of a people that over time developed into a culture that was unique to Aotearoa. The story depicts key events over the generations such as tribal competition, warfare, migration and intermarriage with other cultures. This is a book with informative and appealing illustrations and text that simply expresses the connection of Maori to Aotearoa.

Publisher: Reed Children's Book ISBN 1-86948-690-0

Reviewed: Linda Hirschfeld

Dad's Takeaways

Author: Melanie Drewery

Illustrator: Christopher White

This story is set in New Zealand during the summer school holidays. The family are on holiday at the beach and it is Dad's turn to make dinner, so what are they going to have? The decision is made to have takeaways and Dad decides that they are going to have the best takeaways in the world! He gets the children to put into a carry bag some newspaper, matches, blunt knives, a hammer, togs and towels as well as thick gloves. They grab some buckets, a sack and fry pan. What sort of takeaways are they going to have?

After having an adventurous time getting their takeaways the family decide that they certainly did have the best takeaways in the world! They also learn about looking after the environment and they make some wonderful memories as well.

This is a story that many children and adults could relate to. I really enjoyed reading it and it brought back to my mind many of my childhood holiday memories.

Published Mallinson Rendel Publishers Ltd, 2007

Reviewed by A Barthow

Uncle Trev's Teeth

Author: Jack Lasenby

The Rawleigh's Man!! Pennies, Shillings!! Agee Jar!! Kerosene Tin!! Primers!! This book is full of these names and I remember them from when I was a child!!

Uncle Trev's tales and wild ideas are admired by his nephew who is often sick in bed. Mum thinks that Uncle Trev should spend more time in looking after his farm than telling tales!!.

I thoroughly enjoyed the banter between mum and uncle Trev, who were brother and sister, and how the author drew on some personal experiences to make a tall tale.

Cape Cately Publishers 0-908561-65-2

Reviewed by C. van Wijk

Molly Morepork and the lost campers

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Author: Janet Martin

Illustrator: Ivar Treskon

Molly Morepork is a bird who sleeps in the day and comes out at night. She has noone to play with as, all the birds have gone to sleep at night. She helps some lost campers find their way back to camp.

Jampot Productions 0-473-09974-8
Reviewed by M. Khan

Nanny Mihi and the rainbow

Author: Melanie Drewery
Illustrator: Tracy Duncan

Nana Mihi's grandchildren visit her every holidays but this holiday is going to be different as Nana Mihi has a special plan. A plan that involves a week of fun and learning a valuable lesson.
This book has beautiful bright illustrations. Read this book and see what adventures Nana Mihi and her grandchildren find themselves doing.

Reed Publishing - 1869488822
Reviewed by J Richardson

The Trolley

Author: Patricia Grace; Illustrator: Kerry Gemmill

A heart warming story about a single mother and her desire to give her children the best Christmas gift on the smallest budget. Tania uses kiwi ingenuity to come up with a Christmas present that's sure to win the hearts of her children, but will she be able to finish it before Christmas and what will the children think of her homemade gift?

Viking Children's Books 0-670-85135-3
Reviewed by K. Buchanan

The Little Tuatara

Author: Robin Cunningham

Illustrator: Samer Hatam

Little tuatara is all alone until one day he accidently wanders into someone elses home. He makes a friend and along the way learns all about his history and finds out just how special he is. A lovely story of friendship which tells us the importance of knowing our history so we can realise that we are all special.

Publisher: Harper Collins 1869505441

Reviewed by K. Macfarlane

Cry-Bay Moon

Author/ illustrator: Katerina Mataira, Terewa Kemp Hone Ihi-o-te-rangi Ngata

A Maori fable about the moon who cries when she sees her own face. Various weather conditons offer her comfort and advice but only when she stops crying and looks to herself does she find the answer. Fantastic illustrations throughout the book.

Mallinson Rendel 0-908606-80-x

Reviewed by Mrs Mullan

The Little Kowhai Tree

Author / Illustrator: Witi Ihimaera and Henry Campbell

"The Little Kowhai Tree" is not only written by one of New Zealand's favourite authors - it is also about one of our favourite trees.

A lonely kowhai tree longs to have a playmate and when a seed is dropped next to it, the kowhai sets about protecting what he hopes will be his companion. The kowhai chases away visitors to the tree although his fight to save the seed is nearly lost when a woodcutter arrives. The story's chorus is based on "I'm a Little Teapot" and, just like the teapot, the kowhai wins the day.

Huia Publishers 1-877283-65-7
Reviewed by M. Mooney