MERRY CHRISTMAS

PHOTOGRAPH OF THE WEEK

A PIRATE'S NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

CHRISTCHURCH CITY LIBRARIES SUMMERTIME READING CLUB

Join the Summertime Reading Club in 2011. This very popular summer activity starts again on 16 December and runs to 20 January 2012.

Simply read six books of your choice - fiction or non-fiction - and get an adult to register your reading online. The first 500 entries get a prize pack. You also go in the draw for more prizes and an iPod Touch.

Get in the reading habit and you will be ready for the new Winter Reading event coming your way mid 2012.

For more information - go to the website below

christchurchcitylibraries.com/Kids/SummertimeReading

NOT LONG TO GO UNTIL CHRISTMAS!

Only a week and a half left of the school term and school year! It is time to return all your library books (including those overdue ones!) in time for the annual stocktake.

A very BIG THANK YOU to all the wonderful student librarians who give up their own time to help make our library the wonderful place that it is.

We will be celebrating with an end of year party for the student librarians, Wednesday last week of term. Details will be given on a separate notice.

During these last few weeks of school, we will be doing Christmas crafts and Christmas story-time. More details in the daily notices.

PHOTOGRAPH OF THE WEEK

WHO'S PICTURE WAS ON MY APRON? - FRIDA KAHLO

Frida Kahlo, in full Frida Kahlo de Rivera, original name Magdalena Carmen Frida Kahlo y Calderón (born July 6, 1907, Coyoacán, Mex.—died July 13, 1954, Coyoacán), Mexican painter noted for her intense, brilliantly coloured self-portraits painted in a primitivistic style. Though she denied the connection, she is often identified as a Surrealist. She was married to muralist Diego Rivera (1929, separated 1939, remarried 1941).

In which country was Frida Kahlo born? Come to me with the answer and receive a treat.

THE ADVENTURES OF TIN TIN - THE MOVIE

The Adventures of Tin Tin, the movie will be released on Boxing Day (26th December). Tin Tin books will be ready to borrow term 1, 2012

http:///www.tintin.com/

PHOTOGRAPH OF THE WEEK

Photographer: unknown

I love photography, so I will post a new photo each week.

Let me know which is your favourite!

CAKE AND SECOND-HAND BOOK STALL

The student librarians are running a cake and second-hand book stall this Thursday, during morning tea and lunchtime.

All money raised will be used to purchase new books for the library.

If you would like to contribute either cakes, biscuits, sweets, muffins etc or any old books, please bring them along to the library. All donations will be appreciated.

GANGSTA GRANNY written by David Walliams

Another hilarious and moving novel from bestselling, critically acclaimed author David Walliams, the natural successor to Roald Dahl. A story of prejudice and acceptance, funny lists and silly words, this new book has all the hallmarks of David's previous bestsellers. Our hero Ben is bored beyond belief after he is made to stay at his grandma's house. She's the boringest grandma ever: all she wants to do is to play Scrabble, and eat cabbage soup. But there are two things Ben doesn't know about his grandma. 1) She was once an international jewel thief. 2) All her life, she has been plotting to steal the crown jewels, and now she needs Ben's help!

I HATE SCHOOL, written by Jeanne Willis/Tony Ross

New to the library this week....

There was a fine young lady, and her name was Honor Brown, she didn't want to go to school, she hoped it would burn down...

And why not, when her teacher is a warty toad, her classroom is a hole? When what the dinner ladies feed them on is rabbit-poo and coal? It can't be true, or can it? She is such a drama queen!

THE 13-STOREY TREEHOUSE written by Andy Griffiths, illustrated by Terry Denton

Andy and Terry's 13-storey treehouse is the most amazing treehouse in the world!! It's got a bowling alley, a see through swimming pool, a tank full of man-eating sharks, a giant catapult, a secret underground laboratory and a marshmallow machine that follows you around, and shoots marshmallows into your mouth whenever you're hungry.

Well, what are you waiting for? Come on up!

Reserve it now!

THE DIARY OF A YOUNG GIRL, ANN FRANK written by AnnFrank, edited by Otto H Frank and Mirjam Pressler

After the travelling exhibition held at the Air Force Museum recently, all books on Ann Frank in our library have been very popular. This is a new book to our library.

'Hiding.... where would we hide?.... Margot and I started packing our most important belongings into a satchel. The first thing I stuck in was this diary....

In July 1942, thirteen-year-old Anne Frank and her family, fleeing the horrors of Nazi occupation, went into hiding in an Amsterdam warehouse. Over the next two years Anne vividly describes in her diary the frustrations of living in confinement, and she confides her inermost thoughts and longings. But her diary ends abruptly when, in August 1944, they were all betrayed.

Sixty years after its first publication, The Diary of a Young Girl remains the single most poignant story to emerge from the Second World War.

100 MOST DISGUSTING THINGS ON THE PLANET, MOST DANGEROUS THINGS ON THE PLANET AND SCARIEST THINGS ON THE PLANET written by Anna Claybourne

I am sure that these three new books to the library will be VERY popular, particularly with the boys!

This revoltingly fascinating book is packed with disgusting, gross and repulsive things sure to appeal to young readers. Includes disgusting animals, plants, and other creatures to disgusting foods, inventions, and of course a selection of revolting human body bits such as snot, scabs and earwax. Each page includes a revoltingness rating and an intriguing description of the disgusting topic in question, along with photographs and diagrams. Side boxes and a science section on every page give extra angles and valuable educational insights into the most disgusting things our world has to offer.

Reserve it now!

SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR, 23rd-25th NOVEMBER, 2011

The library will be open from 8.30am - 3.15pm Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

Come along to our Scholastic Book Fair and stock up on gifts for Christmas!

Tell your family, friends and neighbours as the more we sell, the more commission we get to purchase new books for our library - so spread the word!

Have you thought about donating a book to our library??

THE BUTTERFLY AND THE EARTHQUAKE, story by Carol McKeever, illustrated by Ned Barraud

New to the library this week.. a lovely book which is dedicated to the children of Christchurch and to their families.

The Butterfly and the Earthquake tells the story of Tom and his family on the day of the Christchurch earthquake. The beautiful illustrations give a sensitive portrayal of a child’s experiences of the quake . The story follows Tom as he moves from surprise and confusion when the earthquake strikes to comfort and calm.

The book was inspired by Monarch butterflies which delight children every summer. The story draws on the idea that parents can create an emotional cocoon for their children during traumatic events.

" At 12.51 pm on the 22nd February 2011 a magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck Christchurch. Five months previously a magnitude 7.1 quake rocked the city and the Canterbury region.

The children of Christchurch and of Canterbury have suffered greatly as a result of these earthquakes and this book is dedicated to them.

The Butterfly and the Earthquake is designed to be read to children by a supportive adult who can help with any memories or emotions that may arise as a result of the story.

Royalties from this book will be donated to Save the Children, New Zealand."

MAU MOKO: The World of Maori Tattoo, written by Ngahuia Te Awekotuku

In the traditional Maori world the moko, or facial or body tattoo, was part of everyday life; everyone had some patterning on their skin. Men wore elaborate designs on their faces; women's were usually less complex but elegant, and both sexes had extensive body work. After almost dying out in the twentieth century, Maori skin art is now experiencing a powerful revival, with many young urban Maori displaying the moko as a spectacular gesture of ethnic pride and identity. This hugely popular and magnificently illustrated book, compiled by a group of Maori scholars from the University of Waikato, is the closest there has ever been to a 'complete' book on moko. Mau Moko examines the use of moko by traditional Maori, notes historical material including manuscripts and unpublished, aural sources, and links the art to the present day. It explores the cultural and spiritual issues surrounding moko and relates dozens of stories, many of them powerful and heart-warming, from wearers and artists. Mau Moko is superbly enhanced by images from early European encounters, traditional Maori representations, and new colour photography commissioned for the book by Becky Nunes.

MAORI CLOAKS: WHATU KAHAHU from Te Papa

Weaving is more than just a product of manual skills. From the simple rourou (food basket) to the prestigious kahukiwi (kiwi feather cloak), weaving is endowed with the very essence of the spiritual values of Maori people. The first Maori settlers brought the knowledge of weaving with them. In Aotearoa they found new plant materials, including the versatile harakeke (New Zealand flax). They also incorporated feathers from birds and the skin and hair of their dogs. They wove practical items necessary for everyday life. But they also wove exceptional items such as fine mats and wall panels and, above all, kakahu (cloaks) of immense significance, which bestow mana (prestige) on both weaver and wearer. This major new publication opens the storeroom doors of the Te Papa Tongarewa Maori collections, illuminating the magnificent kakahu in those collections and the art and tradition of weaving itself. Five, informative chapters, each written by an expert contributor, reveal the history and significance of weaving, every page sumptuously illustrated with detailed, all-new photographs by Te Papa photographer Norm Heke. In addition, forty rare and precious kakahu are featured specially within this book, with glossy colour detail illustrations of each, plus historical and contextual images and graphic diagrams of weaving techniques. These are accompanied by engaging descriptions bringing together information on every cloak - its age, materials, and weaving technique with quotes from master weavers and other experts, stories of the cloaks, details of their often remarkable provenance. A full glossary, illustrated guide to cloak types, and index are included.

KEI TE PEHEA KOE? written and illustrated by Tracy Duncan

New to the library this week.

A delightful, easy introduction to saying how you feel using Te Reo. Young and old alike will be able to describe whether they are feeling hoha (bored), makariri (cold), matekai (hungry) or simply tinopai rawe (fantastic)! A pronunciation guide in the back of the book gives new learners to Te Reo a simple guide to the language.

COMPETITION - WHAT IS MY 'NEW' FAVOURITE PICTURE BOOK?

Read the blog, find the answer to the question and the first student to come to me with the correct answer will win a prize. Be quick!

JOSHUA, TE WANANGA O AOTEAROA COMPETITION WINNER!

Joshua, room 12, was the lucky winner of the Te Wananga O Aotearoa competition, winning $700.00 of books from Academy Books, New Zealand, for his school, along with prizes for himself.

Joshua with a selection of the books that have benefited our Maori Cultural Room and Library.

Many thanks to Joshua. Well done!

MARMADUKE DUCK AND BERNADETTE BEAR - has just arrived!

I have a new favourite picture book! Marmaduke Duck and Bernadette Bear is so well written by Juliette MacIver and has the most wonderful illustrations by Sarah Davis.

What I thought was rather touching, was the dedication by Sarah Davis "For the Johnson Brothers Grocers in Christchurch, who sold us treats every Christmas until their shop was destroyed in the 2011 earthquake." (which has just re-opened in the temporary shops in Cashel Street Mall, last week)

If you liked 'Marmaduke Duck and the marmalade jam' you will LOVE this one! This book is a fantastic read and a visual 'spectacular' for young and old! Reserve it now! (after I have finished with it :-))

THE EMERALD ATLAS book review by Bryney Blair, Rm 19

This book has a total of 417 pages and was published by Random House in 2010. This book is a sequel, the other two books are yet to be written.

The reason I decided to read this book, is that the book really grabbed me in the library. The title interested me, as well as a reviewer (Bob Docherty) came in to review a couple of books to interest all the students in the school.

The main characters are Kate, Michael and Emma. Kate is a headstrong girl looking after Michael and Emma. She is the oldest and trying to keep the family together, which is a hard job for someone who has no parents. Michael is 13 (Kate 14 and Emma 11) he has his head screwed on and is a wiz at taking notes in his notebook. Emma always thinks she knows best, but when Kate steps in, she backs down. They lost their parent when the kids were taken away at Christmas, ten years ago.

The book is an adventure/fantasy, which is set in the present time, however, this book doesn't state any locations that are in the real world. This book stated every detail of every inch of the setting, characters and it always speaks in the past tense, like it has just happened.

They were snatched from their beds in the dead of night, when the world was covered in snow. Ten years on, Kate, Michael and Emma have grown up in a string of miserable orphanages and all memories of their parents have faded.

Arriving at Cambridge Falls, the children quickly discover that there is something very strange going on......... With the discovery of an old leather book, an ancient magical prophecy is set in motion, which will take them on the adventure of several lifetimes to worlds outside their own. Only they have the power to save the town..... and their own future!

The outcome of the book ends with the children finally understanding a bit about their past and who their family is and where!

The book gripped me in many different ways. With its laughs and it's real life feelings and how the kids lost their parents, was a great way to start the book! However, my final thoughts on The Emerald Atlas is, in some points in the book, I wanted something extra to make me want to read on and in others, made me want to read the book forever! I give the book 5/5. It gripped me and fascinated me. In the end, all the good points out ruled all the bad! From reading this book, I learnt not to stop believing in something, because if you fight for it, you might win it back!

I would recommend this book to people who love fairytales coming into the real world, otherwise, this book is really not for you.

Bryney Blair

Thank you to Bryney for this wonderful review of the Emerald Atlas. I certainly want to read it now - I will just have to wait until it comes back into the library (it has been very popular)!

RIA THE RECKLESS WRYBILL written by Jane Buxton, illustrated by Jenny Cooper

We were lucky enough to have Jane Buxton, Author, visit us earlier in the year to talk about herself and read some of her books.

This is a lovely book, which is brought to life by the wonderful watercolour illustrations of Jenny Cooper.

According to Ria's parents, the most important a young wrybill must learn is how to stay still and silent whenever a predator is near. But Ria is a reckless wrybill, and she doesn't want to stay hidden in the river stones. The wrybill or ngatuparore is an endangered native bird that breeds on riverbeds in Canterbury and Otago. It is the only bird in the world with a bill that is bent sideways. Children will love this lively story about a feisty native bird.

THE BEAR AND THE WILDCAT

One morning, Bear was crying. his best friend, a little bird, was dead.

A beautiful picture book about loneliness, loss - and new beginnings.

One morning the bear was crying. His friend, the little bird, was dead. When the little bird dies, the bear is inconsolable. Full of grief, he locks himself in his house and ventures out again only when the smell of young spring grass blows through his window. He meets a wildcat and finally feels understood. As the cat plays on her violin, the bear remembers all the beauty that he has experienced with the little bird. Now he can bury his friend, because he knows he'll always have his memories.

This is a lovely story written by Kazumi Yumoto and beautifully illustrated by Komako Sakai both from Tokyo, Japan.

Reserve it now.

STUDENT LIBRARIAN - Emily, Room 19

My favourite book is: The Princess Diary

Written by: Meg Cabbot

I really like this book because: This book is my favourite book because I like romance books and this is a real romantic book!. It is interesting and doesn't have any pictures.

I would recommend this book to: The senior girls of KNS and to older readers that like romantic books.

THE BIPPOLO SEED AND OTHER LOST STORIES written by Dr Seuss

New to the library this week...
It's the literary equivalent of buried treasure -- seven newly-discovered stories by Dr. Seuss! The first new Seuss stories to emerge since 1990! The amazing stories are full of typical Seuss humour, rhyme and rhythm and are all beautifully illustrated. They include 'The Bippolo Seed,' in which a scheming cat leads an innocent duck to make a bad decision; 'The Rabbit, the Bear, and the Zinniga-Zanniga,' about a rabbit who is saved from a bear via a single eyelash; 'Gustav the Goldfish,' about a fish that grew and grew; 'Tadd and Todd,' a tale about twins; 'Steak for Supper,' about fantastic creatures who follow a boy home in anticipation of a steak dinner; 'The Strange Shirt Spot,' about a spot of dirt that gets everywhere; and 'The Great Henry McBride,' about a boy whose far-flung career fantasies were bested only by those of Dr. Seuss himself. The perfect book for any Seuss fan, young or old!

ALL BLACKS - WORLD CHAMPIONS OF THE RUGBY WORLD CUP 2011

They did it! The All Blacks beat France 8-7. I am sure that I am not the only one who has no fingernails left. It certainly was a nail-biter!

http://tvnz.co.nz/rugby-world-cup/video-richie-mccaw-lifts-webb-ellis-4481116

Richie McCaw (Captain of the AB's) with the Webb Ellis cup

Have you ever wondered who 'Webb Ellis' is? Watch the following link....

http://tvnz.co.nz/rugby-world-cup/legend-william-webb-ellis-video-4480402

RUGBY WORLD CUP 2011

Australia have just beat Wales 21 - 18 in the semi final, which means Australia finishes 3rd and Wales 4th, in the Rugby World Cup.

Sunday night is the Final game when New Zealand play France to decide who will win the cup.

GO THE ALL BLACKS - ALL THE WAY!

VIEWERS TO THE BLOG THIS WEEK

Pageviews by Countries
United States - 43
Australia - 15
New Zealand - 13
France -10
United Kingdom - 10
Malaysia - 7
Canada - 6
Russia - 5
Hong Kong - 3
Germany - 2

MAKE WAY FOR DUCKLINGS written by Robert McCloskey

This is a lovely book purchased for our library which was first published in 1941. Many parents and grandparents may remember this book when they were your age.

Make Way for Ducklings is a children's picture book written and illustrated by Robert McCloskey. First published in 1941, the book tells the story of a pair of mallard ducks who decide to raise their family on an island in the lagoon in Boston Public Garden, a park in the center of Boston, Massachusetts.

The book's popularity led to the construction of a statue by Nancy Schön in the Public Garden of the mother duck and her eight ducklings, which is a popular destination for children and adults alike. In 1991, Barbara Bush gave a duplicate of this sculpture to Raisa Gorbachev as part of the START Treaty, and the work is displayed in Moscow's Novodevichy Park.

FLOOD written by Jackie French and illustrated by Bruce Whatley

This is a lovely picture book that I am personally donating to our library. Whilst we have had our own natural disaster here in Christchurch, Queensland, Australia experienced a devastating flood in December 2010. This book has been written about the flood and has been donated to every primary school in Australia, with all profits going to the Premier's Disaster Relief Appeal.

This is a story that shows how strong and devastating flood water can be to homes and livelihoods. It is inspired by the 2011 Queensland floods but it could be about any of the disasters that strike our land, and the events that turn everyday Australians into heroes. Flood depicts water mercilessly ripping through Queensland towns and then receding, leaving destruction and devastation in its wake. Told from the perspective of a cattle dog who is separated from his family, Flood helps children to understand the affects of a traumatic natural disaster without being too confronting, while the story of the little tugboat that pushes a boardwalk out to sea, staving off further disaster, gives smaller children a hero they can relate to. Flood is a beautiful and timely expression of the strength of the Australian spirit during times of adversity.

ALL BLACKS THROUGH TO THE FINALS OF THE RUGBY WORLD CUP 2011

WOW! what a fantastic game to watch last night. The All Blacks were certainly the best team on the night, beating Australia by 20 - 6. Next Sunday night the country will be watching the All Blacks play France in the finals. Thank goodness it is Canterbury Show Day the next day, so we can all have a sleep-in the next morning!

THE BIG PUSH-OFF: All Blacks hooker Keven Mealamu fends off Wallabies No 6 Rocky Elsom.

GO THE ALL BLACKS - THE WHOLE COUNTRY IS BEHIND YOU!

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS MY TWO FRONT TEETH written by Don Gardner, illustrated by Katz Cowley, CD sung by Craig Smith

"All I want for Christmas, Is my two front teeth, My two front teeth; See my two front teeth, Gee if I could only have, My two front teeth, Then I could wish you, 'Merry Christmas'." Poor Monkey's two front teeth are missing! The Tooth Detective is on the case, but maybe Santa can help. All Monkey wants for Christmas are his two front teeth! Sing along with sensational performer Craig Smith with the CD recording plus bonus original track 'Toothless'!

THERE'S A HOLE IN MY BUCKET including CD sung by The Top Twins, Illustrated by Jenny Cooper

New to the library -

There's A Hole In My Bucket

The Topp Twins have opened a new chapter with their latest venture, a children’s book with CD of the classic song There’s a Hole in my Bucket

The Topp Twins’ toe‐tapping country take on the traditional song has a unique twist, with Jools singing the part of Henry, a hapless goat, and Lynda taking on the role of Liza, an exasperated duck. When Henry discovers a hole in his bucket, Liza offers a series of solutions to fix it, eventually looping the song back to the original problem. The characters have been brought to uproarious life with Jenny Cooper's hysterical illustrations.

WHITEBAIT - WHAT IS IT?

I thought that our overseas viewers may read our 'what will you be doing these holidays?' poll and wonder what 'whitebaiting' is.

New Zealand Whitebait - taken from Wikipedia

New Zealand whitebait are the juvenile of certain galaxiids which mature and live as adults in rivers with native forest surrounds. The larvae of these galaxiids are swept down to the ocean where they hatch and the sprats then move back up their home rivers as whitebait.
The most common whitebait species in New Zealand is the common galaxias or inanga, which lays its eggs during spring tides in Autumn on the banks of a river amongst grasses that are flooded by the tide. The next spring tide causes the eggs to hatch into larvae which are then flushed down to the sea with the outgoing tide where they form part of the ocean's plankton mass. After six months the developed juveniles return to rivers and move upstream to live in freshwater.
New Zealand whitebait are caught in the lower reaches of the rivers using small open-mouthed hand-held nets although in some parts of the country where whitebait are more plentiful, larger (but not very large) set nets may be used adjacent to river banks. Whitebaiters constantly attend the nets in order to lift them as soon as a shoal enters the net. Otherwise the whitebait quickly swim back out of the net. Typically, the small nets have a long pole attached so that the whitebaiter can stand on the river bank and scoop the net forward and out of the water when whitebait are seen to enter it. The larger nets may be set into a platform extending into the river from the bank and various forms of apparatus used to lift the net.

New Zealand Whitebait Fritters
Whitebaiting in New Zealand is a seasonal activity with a fixed and limited period enforced during the period that the whitebait normally migrate up-river. The strict control over net sizes and rules against blocking the river to channel the fish into the net permit sufficient quantity of whitebait to reach the adult habitat and maintain stock levels. The whitebait themselves are very sensitive to objects in the river and are adept at dodging the nets.
The New Zealand whitebait is small, sweet and tender with a delicate taste that is easily over-powered if mixed with stronger ingredients when cooked. The most popular way of cooking whitebait in New Zealand is the whitebait fritter, which is essentially an omelette containing whitebait. Purists use only the egg white in order to minimise interfering with the taste of the bait. Foreigners frequently react with revulsion when shown uncooked whitebait, which resembles slimy, translucent worms.
The combination of the fishing controls, a limited season and the depletion of habitat as a result of forest felling during the era of colonisation results in limited quantities being available on the market. Whitebait is very much a delicacy and commands high prices to the extent that it is the most costly fish on the market, if available. It is normally sold fresh in small quantities, although some is frozen to extend the sale period. Nevertheless, whitebait can normally only be purchased during or close to the netting season.

ENJOY YOUR HOLIDAY BREAK!

Well, we have all finished term three and now have two weeks off (hopefully in the sunshine!)

The Rugby World Cup has been fantastic to watch and the teams are playing off in the quarter finals.

Wales beat Ireland 22-10 and France beat England 19-12. So the Irish and English teams will be heading home.

Wales will play France in the Semi Finals on the 15th October (the two teams from the Northern Hemisphere).

Later today the Australian team will play South Africa and New Zealand will play against Argentina.

The winners of these two games will also play in the Semi Final (the two teams from the Southern Hemisphere).

Unfortunately, Dan Carter is out for the remainder of the Rugby World Cup but will be cheering on the All Blacks along with the rest of the country.

GO THE ALL BLACKS!

Have a great break and I will see you all again, rested and ready for our short 8 week term!

UPDATE: The All Blacks won their game against Argentina 33-10 and the Australians just beat the South Africans 11-9, which now means New Zealand plays Australia in the semi finals on the 16th October.

MARMADUKE DUCK AND BERNADETTE BEAR written by Juliette MacIver and illustrated by Sarah Davis

Fantastic news! a follow-on from Marmaduke Duck and the Marmalade Jam has just been published and due to be released soon. It has been pre-ordered and on it's way to us at KNS.

On Hollyhock Hill, at the very tip top,
Marmaduke Duck had a marmalade shop.
Marmalade jam, from the roof to the floor!
A matchless, marvellous marmalade store!

THIS WEEK AT KNS WE ARE CELEBRATING 'KAIAPOI HERITAGE WEEK'

We will have a colouring competition of Kaiapoi's 'TUHOE'. Colour yours for a chance to win a prize.





The History of the MV Tuhoe
The MV Tuhoe was built in Auckland in 1919 by George Nicol and was launched on April 7. It was a 97-foot, double-masted auxiliary schooner, constructed of triple skin kauri for the Northern Steamship Company, intended for navigating the harbours and rivers of Northland and the Coromandel. The ship was originally fitted with two 60-horsepower engines from Glasgow that had been salvaged from the ship, Eunice, which was lost the year before. The Tuhoe’s maiden voyage took place on May 1 1919, from Auckland to Whakatane and carried on to Tauranga.
It is named after the Maori tribe, Tuhoe, ‘the children of the mist’. According to Maori folklore, the Tuhoe tribe were the offspring of the mist-maiden Hine- Pokuhu and the mountain Maungapotahu who people the steep forested Urewera country, west of Gisborne.
During the Second World War, the ship was taken over by the New Zealand Navy before being sold to the small ships section of the United States Army. It sailed off the northeast coast of Australia and New Guinea, carrying supplies to assist the allies against Japan. It was designated USATS 132 by the US Army. Ships logs were not kept during the war due to security reasons, but some of the ship’s orders for the Tuhoe have survived. The war also meant it was fitted with two quick firing 50-calibre Browning heavy machine guns. In August 1944, she turned up at Townsville, marked ‘surplus, for return to New Zealand’ but someone changed their mind and she was returned to the operational area in October that year. During the war, her original engines needed replacing but marine engines were scarce and so for a number of months, she ploughed through the seas with two Chrysler truck motors attached before near-new diesel engines were found in 1944.
Following the war, she returned to New Zealand and continued trading from Auckland. Between 1956 and 1960, the Tuhoe was laid up three times then in August 1961, she was sold to T Eckford and Co, of Blenheim. She was towed from Auckland and then laid up in the Opawa River where it was found to be unsuitable for the Wairau river trade. She was then sold to the Kaiapoi Shipping Company in early 1962 and made her first visit to Kaiapoi in April of that year. In June 1963 she became stranded on the Waimakariri Bar but was refloated on 1 July. She sailed between Kaiapoi and Wellington trading until November 1963 when the roll-on, roll off ferries killed the trade from Kaiapoi. Initially she was converted to a line fishing vessel but a serious leak led to her being declared unseaworthy and she was laid up in Kaiapoi. For a time she was used as floating art gallery by owner Charles Williams but largely the Tuhoe remained stationary until October 1980, when the Cure Boating Club, Inc bought her for use as a clubrooms and restoration began by a group of eight dedicated people.
In 1982, the MV Tuhoe Preservation Society was formed and membership swelled to over 100. They leased the Tuhoe from the Cure Boating Club and began even more intensive restoration. The restoration of the ship for weekend river cruises recaptured its past, when it travelled fully laden with 100 tonnes of cargo, up the river and across the Waimakariri bar and out to sea and destinations far afield. The former cargo-hold became a place for purchasing refreshments and also housed a small museum of Tuhoe memorabilia.
In 2000, the hull was replaced during a two-month stay in Lyttelton following a Community Trust grant allowing the work to go ahead.
In late 2001, a dispute arose between the Tuhoe Preservation Society and the Cure Boating Club over money, which mediation failed to resolve. The result was that the Tuhoe Preservation Society was wound up and the lease returned to the Cure Boating Club after about two years of debate.
In late 2003, the Tuhoe was put up for tender and there were fears that it would be taken away from Kaiapoi. However, the Cure Boating Club accepted a joint amount submitted by Mainpower New Zealand and Kaiapoi Electricity, the lowest it was offered because it meant that the ship would stay in local hands. They then set up a trust, the MV Tuhoe Kaiapoi Rivertown Trust, and the ownership was transferred to them. Six trustees were appointed to manage the direction and future of the Tuhoe. Regular sailings of it resumed in June 2005.

WAR HORSE written by Michael Morpurgo

This is a another bestselling book by the amazing author, Michael Morpurgo, which is being made into a movie and directed by Steven Spielberg, due out later this year.

Sold to a drunken farmer, Joey, a beautiful red-bay foal with a distinctive cross on his nose, finds a friend in the farmer's son, Albert. His father brutally demands Joey work or be sold, so Albert gently trains him to pull the plough. But it's not enough. When war breaks out, Albert's father, needy for money for his struggling farm, sells Joey to the army, where he, like the soldiers around him, must try to cope with the horrors of the First World War. Joey and another thoroughbred horse, Topthorn, lead in a terrible cavalry charge towards the machine guns of the enemy's lines. Joey is captured by the Germans and for while he is lovingly cared for by Emilie, a young French girl and her grandfather. But he and Topthorn must pull a heavy gun, battling through the mud until Topthorn dies of exhaustion. Joey wanders in no man's land, back towards the British trench, but despite a joyful reunion with Albert, Joey is not out of danger. First tetanus threatens his life, and even then Emilie's grandfather has to bid to save him from the butcher. The old man promised his granddaughter when she died he would find the horse she loved and buy him, but recognising Albert's love for Joey, he sells Joey back to Albert on condition he will love for him all his life - for the princely sum of one English penny.

This book has been ordered and will arrive shortly. Reserve it now!

PERCY JACKSON AND THE LIGHTNING THIEF written by Rick Riordan

This is the first bestselling book in Rick Riordan's phenomenally successful "Percy Jackson" series. Look, I didn't want to be a half-blood. I never asked to be the son of a Greek God. I was just a normal kid, going to school, playing basketball, skateboarding. The usual. Until I accidentally vaporized my maths teacher. That's when things started really going wrong. Now I spend my time fighting with swords, battling monsters with my friends, and generally trying to stay alive. This is the one where Zeus, God of the Sky, thinks I've stolen his lightning bolt - and making Zeus angry is a very bad idea. Can Percy find the lightning bolt before a fully-fledged war of the Gods erupts?

We also have Percy Jackson and the Titan's Curse, Battle of the Labyrinth and Sea of Monsters. Reserve them now!

REFUGEES written by David Miller

A new picture book to the library this week is 'Refugees'.

Refugees relates the adventures of pair of wild blue-billed ducks whose home is destroyed when their swamp is dug up and they have to find a safe place to live. The difficult and dangerous journey they undertake seems doomed to failure as they try unsuccessfully to settle in different environments, including an ocean, a busy river port and a swamp where duck shooting is allowed. They are close to exhaustion when the intervention of an unknown person changes their fate.

THE LOBLOLLY BOY written by James Norcliffe (Christchurch author)

New to the library this week. Winner of the 'Junior Fiction' New Zealand Post Book awards 2010

To the boy called Red, it seems the most marvellous escape he could wish for: a gift that grants him more freedom than he ever believed possible - the chance to fly, to soar with the gulls, high over the tall brick walls that have imprisoned him for so long.

But this gift comes with a terrible price - and puts him in grave danger.

Is there anyone Red can trust to help him? The curious Captain Bass who has strange powers of his own? The wildly unpredictable twin sisters he is strongly drawn to?

In this magical, mysterious story, Red's adventure is like a chamber of mirrors at a carnival - a dazzling and breathtaking tale

ST JOHN'S NEW ZEALAND FIRST AID HANDBOOK

Our Wheki syndicate are studying groups that help others in the Kaiapoi Community, St John being one of them. New to the library is this easy to follow first aid book. Reserve it now!

This completely new edition of the New Zealand First Aid Handbook has been revised and updated by the Order of St John and is its official training manual. Accidents and emergencies can occur at any time and in any place - and the action of people first on the scene often determines the outcome. The information in this comprehensive guide is essential for a wide variety of situations, from road accidents to bush walks, from the workplace to the home. You can make a difference. Just some of the information included in the The New Zealand First Aid Handbook: what to do in an emergency -- new CPR techniques -- burns, wounds, fractures, hypothermia and head injuries -- help for those with medical conditions.

DINOSAUR RESCUE - 'STEGO-SNOTTYSAURUS' AND 'T-WRECKASAURUS' written by Kyle Mewburn and Donovan Bixley

A terrible flu is sweeping through Arg''s valley, causing all sorts of snotty problems for Arg and his tribe. But there's soon a much bigger problem to deal with, when Arg discovers people flu can be deadly to dinosaurs. If it reaches the secret valley, the dinosaurs are doomed! Saving the dinosaurs from people flu will send Arg and Skeet off on their snottiest adventure yet.

It's hard being the only evolved boy in your tribe. Arg does his best to fit in. But nobody really understands him. His mum is bewildered by his desire to wear clothes. His older sister, Hng, is constantly annoyed by his cleverness. His dad tries to be supportive of Arg's strange, new ways, but he secretly hopes Arg will grow up to be just like any other Neanderthal. Arg's life is changed forever when he meets Skeet, an equally evolved talking T-rex. Together they embark on a mission to save the dinosaurs from extinction.

Two great new dinosaur books from the author of Old Hu Hu

HORN OF AFRICA FAMINE

Thousands of people from northern Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia (the Horn of Africa) are suffering due to a lack of rain, which has ruined crops and dried up all water supplies. There is no food for them to eat or for their animals. They are surviving off international aid.

Look on a map to see where the Horn of Africa is. Mrs Lynskey has been to Kenya.

9/11 REMEMBRANCE - 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY

The American Rugby team will wear black armbands and observe a one minute silence before their RWC game against Ireland as a sign of respect and to remember those who lost their lives on 9/11 2001.

GLOBAL BOOKMARK EXCHANGE

ATTENTION SCHOOL LIBRARIANS IN NEW ZEALAND AND AROUND THE WORLD - WOULD YOU BE INTERESTED IN TAKING PART IN THE 'GLOBAL BOOKMARK SWAP'?

CONTACT AUTHOR, MARGRIET RUURS margriet@margrietruurs.com FOR MORE INFORMATION