Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth

 Other Title: Ugly truth
Greg Heffley has always been in a hurry to grow up. But is getting older really all its' cracked up to be?
Greg suddenly finds himself dealing with the pressures of boy-girl parties, increased responsibilities, and even the awkward changes that come with getting older - all without his best friend, Rowley, at his side. Can Greg make it through on his own? Or will he have to face the 'ugly truth'?

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw

 Other Title: Last straw
Let's face it: Greg Heffley will never change his wimpy ways. Somebody just needs to explain that to Greg's father.
You see, Frank Heffley actually thinks he can get his son to toughen up, and he enlists Greg in organised sports and other 'manly' endeavours.
Of course, Greg is easily able to sidestep his father's efforts to change him. But when Greg's dad threatens to send him to military academy, Greg realizes he has to shape up...or get shipped out.

Seal Boy

Summary: Fourteen-year-old Emmett Tyler is the son of a wealthy banker and yearns to escape the stifling society of Boston and see the world. While exploring the docks he is shanghaied for a three-year voyage on a whaling ship, eventually finding himself abandoned in New Zealand where he must fight for his life.

Goldie and the Three Penguins

Summary: A Kiwi retelling of Robert Southey's Goldilocks and the three bears, except with a little Kiwi girl and three penguins. They eat fish & chips instead of porridge! A story in rhyme
Goldilocks and the three bears

Down the Back of the Chair

Summary: When Dad loses his car keys, Mary suspects that they have ended up down the back of the chair, so Dad begins to search. But what an odd assortment of objects are living down the back of the chair

Colour the Stars

Summary: Two boys go for a walk together and the boy with sight describes colours to the blind boy

New Zealand author; New Zealand illustrator

Jam

Summary: While Mrs. Castle works as an atomic scientist, Mr. Castle takes care of the house and children so efficiently that he soon finds himself with nothing to do - until the plum tree in the backyard gives him an idea

Includes a plum jam recipe.

New Zealand author
Originally published: 1985

Eruption!

Contents: 1. Our shaky islea -- 2. Stratovolcanoes -- 3. Shield volcanoes -- 4. Caldera volcanoes -- 5. Volcanic fields -- 6. Submarine volcanoes and seamounts -- 7. In the field
Summary: Introduces the science of volcanism and explains how it affects New Zealand's geography and geology.

Meet Volcanica, the feisty reporter at Magmatic Press who presents hot facts about volcano science in New Zealand. Discover the four main types of volcano found in this country: stratovolcanoes, shield, caldera and volcanic fields and explore the characteristics of each as demonstrated in data panels and aerial photographs of selected volcanoes around New Zealand. Bright colourful graphics depict key aspects of volcanic activity such as fissures, fumaroles, debris avalanches, craters and fire fountains and kids are encouraged to find these again through the book. Special features devised by the author provide extra learning opportunities: Maoritopia has creation stories and Maori legends, Videotopia gives to access online educational videos and animations, and there's Factopia with flash facts for additional knowledge. Resources at the end of the book list trips to visit volcanoes, books to read and advice about what to do in the event of an eruption, along with a comprehensive index and a map locating the volcanoes described in the book.

The Boy who was Followed Home

What would you do if a hippopotamus followed your home?
Robert is delighted but his parents certainly are not, particularly as more and more hippos crowd daily onto their garden lawn!
In desperation they ask the neighbourhood witch for help - and the anti-hippo pill that she prescribes for Robert results in an astonishing cure!

The Three-Legged Cat

Mrs Gimble's cat would love to prowl, but only has three legs. When Mrs Gimble's brother, who prowls the world, comes to visit there's a surprising outcome.