Primary Library Highlights - February 2020: Home

Use this one to discuss time
A one-of-a-kind, laugh-out-loud picture book, perfect for any kid who has ever begged or bemoaned, "Five more minutes?!"

A book about self-regulation and making choices
When Superheroes don't get their way, when they're sad, when they're mad, when they've had a bad day . . . . . . they COULD super-tantrum, they COULD but they DON'T, because REAL Superheroes just WOULDN'T--they WON'T!

Ms Barb recommends...
Simple messages of acceptance, gratitude and belonging, Three is a striking picture book that will suit children aged three and up.

Who are refugees? Why are they called that word? Why do they need to leave their country?

In this simple, graphic and bold picture book for young children, author/​illustrator Elise Gravel explores what it means to be a refugee.

This book is for boys & girls! (and grown-ups too)

A collection of entertainments - make a catapult, read about famous battles, learn a famous quotes, and instructions for activities such as building a go-cart, cutting flint heads, making an electromagnet, making perfume, picking a lock and folding the "greatest paper airplane in the world.
Something for everyone!

A lovely Picture Book from New Zealand

In this story about being true to oneself, a boy searches for the secret to doing the perfect bomb into the water. With training from Nan, an expert and former champion, and by listening to his own voice,

A beautifully illustrated book
Two children journey through the history of Southeast Asia - the fascinating lands linked to each other by the seas and monsoon winds. Share with them the discovery of a world filled with traders, adventurers and conquerors and the struggles for independence . This non-fiction book uses timelines and poetry to share the history of our region.

The publisher has provided some excellent teaching notes

New to the parenting collection

Help for any parent with a teenager who is chatty one day and morose the next, who refuses to come out of their room or get off their smart phone, or who argues endlessly with everyone around them

A Canadian picture book for young and old with an ending the leaves the reader wondering

Aunt Pearl arrives one day pushing a shopping cart full of her worldly goods. Her sister Rose has invited her to come live with her family. But almost immediately, Pearl and Rose start to clash -- over Pearl's belongings crammed into the house, and over Rose's household rules. As the weeks pass, Pearl grows quieter and more withdrawn, until, one morning, she is gone. A story about homelessness, family and love,

Historical Fiction
It's Singapore in 1940, war is just around the corner - but twelve-year-old Lizard doesn't know that. He lives in Chinatown above a tailor's shop, surviving on his wits and hustling for odd jobs.

A gentle story from New Zealand dealing with the death of a parent

Six-year-old Hazel tends her colony of shoebox snails while observing, with varying degrees of understanding, her father's illness and final decline. Impending loss forms the heart of this story, but it's charming and funny, too.

A book about taking action

This timely coming of age novel takes on the controversial issues of fracking and environmental protection. How can Fern save the forest that has protected her for so long?

If you liked "Wonder"....
Age 8+
Frank loves footie, codes and ciphers, and pretending to be a “wildboy” with his friends in the wilderness near his house; Max likes only four foods, hates bright colors, and will only wear one kind of T-shirt: “gray with yellow stripes.” Much of the siblings’ home life is organized around Max’s needs, sometimes leaving Frank feeling ignored, but their distracted parents are quick to give Frank special attention when he needs it.