Phoebe and the night creatures

Summary: It's night time and Phoebe needs to go to the toilet. On her way down the hall she thinks she is being followed
New Zealand author; New Zealand illustrator

The day Dad blew up the cowshed

New Zealand author; New Zealand illustrator
Summary: This story about blowing up a cowshed in the early 1970s really happened. Told in rhyming verse from a child's perspective and illustrated by her sister Margery, just as they remember it

Save Our Seas : continuing the mission of the adventurer Sir Peter Blake

Summary: Skipper L.B. Tross, inspired by Sir Peter Blake's environmental work, takes readers on a seafaring adventure around the coast of New Zealand to learn about sealife, what threatens it, and the need to protect it. Encounters various species of dolphin, turtle, whale and crustacean, and looks at food chains, bottom-trawling, pollutants, and what humans can do to make a difference. Includes puzzles, games and exercises

Corduroy

A bear missing a button looks shopworn, so Corduroy sets out after the department store closes to find his.
Lisa saves her pocket money and comes to the store and buys Corduroy.

A fabulous book for primary age. I really enjoyed reading it too.

Blue Moon Bird

Theodore Cubb lives in Turtleduck's Toy Factory, in a building that had once been a Home for Lost Children. One night there's a blue moon, and the toy machines spring to life, creating the blue moon bird"--Publisher information. Suggested level: junior.

The Simple Things

Summary: Stephen has never met his great aunt Lola, and he doesn't want to. She sends him money twice a year and he always writes back, but Lola is almost eighty - what will they have to talk about? When they arrive at her house, Stephen discovers she's grumpy, scary and really, really old. He wants to turn around and go home, but his mum says they have to stay until Lola's birthday - three weeks away. Left to his own devices, Stephen learns about the simple things in life - like fishing, and cricket, and climbing trees - and the importance of family. Soon Lola entrusts Stephen with a great secret, and he realises that Lola has become more important to him than just an aunt who sends him money - she's now a friend

The Magic Faraway Tree

First published 1943
When Joe, Beth and Frannie move to a new home, an Enchanted Wood is on their doorstep. And when they discover the Faraway Tree, that is the beginning of many magical adventures! Join them and their friends Moonface, Saucepan Man and Silky the fairy as they discover which new land is at the top of the Faraway Tree. Will it be the Land of Spells, the Land of Treats, or the Land of Do-As-You-Please? There'll be adventures waiting for them, whatever happens; funny, magical adventures that will delight children again and again.

Ballet Shoes : A story of three children on the stage

'I wonder ...if other girls had to be one of us, which of us they'd choose to be'? Pauline longs to be an actress. Petrova is happiest playing with cars and engines. And if she could ...Posy would dance all day! But when their benefactor Great-Uncle Matthew disappears, the Fossil girls share a future of a dazzling life on stage, where their dreams and fears will soon come true...

Pollyanna

As soon as Pollyanna arrives in Beldingsville to live with her strict and dutiful maiden aunt, she begins to brighten up everybody's life. The glad game she plays, of finding a silver lining in every cloud, transforms the sick, the lonely and the plain miserable -- until one day something so terrible happens that even Pollyanna doesn't know how to feel glad about it.

Heidi

Summary: When orphaned Heidi goes to live with her grandfather, no one can imagine the bitter, solitary old man caring for a child. But, to everyone's surprise, the two grow to love each other - and Heidi blossoms in her new home
First published: 1880

Iris's Ukulele

New Zealand author
Iris wants to be the best rapper and ukulele player in the whole of the entire universe. Preferably with her best friend ever, and fellow Master of the Musical Universe, Sidney, at her side.

They're writing a rap musical together - about werewolves and vampires.

Mega stardom awaits, Iris is sure of it. All they have to do is win the talent show at the mall.

But just when she thinks their path to fame is assured life becomes increasingly complicated.

A Wizard of Earthsea

The first book of Earthsea is a tale of wizards, dragons and terrifying shadows. The island of Gont is a land famous for wizards. Of these, some say the greatest - and surely the greatest voyager - is the man called Sparrowhawk. As a reckless, awkward boy, he discovered the great power that was in him - with terrifying consequences. Tempted by pride to try spells beyond his means, Sparrowhawk lets loose an evil shadow-beast in his land. Only he can destroy it, and the quest leads him to the farthest corner of Earthsea.

Let's Make Pancakes

Inside back cover has glossary
"Have you ever made pancakes? It's not hard to do if you follow the recipe carefully. Before you start, you need to wash your hands. What ingredients will you use? What tools will you need to get ready?" (from inside cover)

The Trumpet of the Swan

Meet Louis - the most extraordinary swan ever!

Louis the Trumpeter Swan is born without a voice. So, with the help of his good friend Sam, he learns to read and write! But this does not solve the problem of how to woo the lovely Serena. It is Louis's father who comes up with a brilliant solution - something which leads Louis to exciting adventures, fame and fortune.

Anne of Green Gables

Aladdin paperback edition
First published in 1908
Summary: When Anne Shirley arrives at Green Gables, she surprises everyone: first of all, she's a girl, even though Marilla Cuthbert and her brother Matthew specifically asked for an orphan boy to help around the farm. And second of all, she's not just any girl: she has bright red hair, a wild imagination, and can talk a mile a minute. But she also has a sweet disposition and quick wit, and Anne soon finds her place in Avonlea, making a friend in her neighbor Diana Barry and attending the local school, where she spurns the advances of the popular and handsome Gilbert Blythe when he commits the ultimate sin of making fun of her hair. Anne has a temper as fiery as her hair and a knack for finding trouble, and she also has a big heart and a positive attitude that affects everyone she meets

The Last of Maui's Dolphins

New Zealand author; New Zealand illustrator
Summary: Hiriwa, a new calf, is warned by the pod of Maui's dolphins about the dangers of going near the dark shapes (fishing boats). Hiriwa heeds their warning until one day the bottom-set gillnet from a fishing trawler catches his friends. He does all he can to save them. (Publisher)

Munkle Arvur and the Bod

Summary: Munkle Arvur lives in a beautiful canyon with a crystal-clear creek and a variety of wildlife, until the Bod comes and dumps his rubbish in the canyon. Gradually the canyon fills up. It is up to Munkle Arvur to find a way to rescue the canyon - by recycling the waste! A story on the importance of being kind to the environment. (Publisher)
New Zealand author

Grandma McGarvey and the Treasure Hunt

Summary: Grandma McGarvey mows her lawn and discovers something hidden in the ground. A story in rhyme. Suggested level: junior