New Zealand Non-fiction

Local author Maria Gill is passionate about the publication of New Zealand non-fiction books for children. And she walks the talk too. She is the author of several popular and critically acclaimed titles, including Rangitoto : te toka tū moana : the rock standing in the ocean which was a finalist in the 2010 NZ Post Children's Book Awards.

Maria will be at the Warkworth Library during the school holidays to talk about some of the latest New Zealand children's non-fiction releases. Maria has recently prepared a module for primary schools to teach and promote Kiwi books so she is completely up to date with the industry. The session on Thursday 15th July at 3pm is aimed at 8 to 12 years, but it is also something that parents might like to listen to if they are interested in what is available. There will also be activities and prizes.

Check out Maria's website and also see what is happening in the world of New Zealand children's books at the Kiwi Books NZ Blog.

Neil Gaiman does the Double

For the first time ever, one book has won both the Newbery Medal in the United States and the Carnegie Medal in the United Kingdom. That the winner happens to be one of my personal favourites makes the news even sweeter.

Congratulations to Neil Gaiman who was last week announced the winner of the Carnegie with The Graveyard Book.

"This is an extraordinary book in every way: the style, plot and quality of the writing," says Margaret Pemberton, Chair of the Judges. "With great skill Gaiman has created a gripping page turner, expertly supported by well developed characters, that is full of humour and humanity. Not a word is wasted in this episodic tale that draws the reader through Bod's childhood to a well crafted and satisfying conclusion. A worthy winner." (retrieved from the full Press Release)

His book beat out Nation by Terry Pratchett, Fever Crumb by Philip Reeve and The Ask and the Answer by Patrick Ness.

Neil Gaiman is a favourite of ours, but one reason for that is because we are a favourite of his. In his acceptance speech, Neil made a point of promoting the importance of libraries. Here's some of what he said:

"We're now in an age of 'too much information'. Libraries and librarians are more important than ever. "Children want stories. They want information. They want knowledge about the strange world they're in. Saying that the internet can be that is like setting a child free in a jungle and expecting them safely to find things to eat." (full report available from the UK Telegraph)

Of course we agree with every word of the above statement. We couldn't have said it better ourselves.

National Poetry Day Poetry Aloud competition - only a couple of days left

There are only a couple of days left for kids to get their entries in for the poetry competition. Tomarata School have been working hard - well done team! Thanks for your support.

You can listen to the poems that have already been submitted on the competition website.

Here come the movies

Here are few upcoming movies and events based on books that you can find at yoru Rodney Library.

The Girl who Played with Fire (Steig Larsson) is available in Rodney in both print and audio. The movie comes out soon and there is a Charity preview event at Matakana on Sunday 18th July at 7.45pm. Tickets are $20.00with proceeds going to AIM – Adults in Motion (Snells Beach). Tickets for sale at The Village Bookshop ph 09 4230315.

Eclipse (Stephenie Meyer). The vampires and the werewolves return in Part 3 of the Twilight saga. There are plenty of people taking advantage of this as a fundraising opportunity as well if you want to check it out and do someone a good deed at the same time. I know of the Mahurangi College Netballers in the north who have screenings on Sunday evening 4th July. Tickets from the Sandra, Sports Coordinator phone 027 479 0900 .

And of course, if you don't want to go to the movie theatre, Rodney Libraries has a growing number of movies, documentaries and TV programmes on DVD that you can choose from. There is some wonderful nostalgia to be had with the classic British comedies, some foreign langauge movies and most of the up to date releases.

Don't forget to pick up your programme for the Auckland Film Festival at the library as well when you visit.

Reviews from the North

Here are another couple of book reviews from our northernmost Rodney Library up at Wellsford.

A place in my country: In search of the rural dream By Ian Walthew

After having lived on the continent fro a number of years the author, a newspaper director, is transferred back to London. However, he and his Australian wife, after a visit to the Cotswolds, decide on a whim to buy a cottage and resign his job.

We meet a wonderful array of eccentric characters who reside in and around the village. “The delightful aspects of village life and an ever-changing landscape are evocatively captured, but all is not well in ‘paradise’.” One neighbour relies on his skill of fastening gates and fences with binder twine and wire with the inevitable escape of his cattle causing havoc for passing motorists who end up helping with their capture.

Here is a tale of a rural escape that is different, amusingly told, with brilliant descriptions of the Cotswold scenery and some insights into the effects of industrial farming on the English countryside.


Trick or treat By Kerry Greenwood

Australian author Kerry Greenwood has 2 ‘heroines’ which she writes about. Phryne Fisher, lives in the 1920s in Melbourne and is a glamourous, witty and courageous sleuth surrounded by intriguing characters and dastardly villains. Ms Greenwood’s other heroine is definitely a 21st century person, Corinna Chapman and she too has interesting friends and gets involved with villains who have more current issues. In Trick or treat Corinna, who is a baker by trade, finds that the alley behind the bakery is attracting people who have taken a drug that has them hallucinating. Corrina’s livelihood is affected – as is her competition. What is the drug & why have the police decided to shut down the bakeries? There are other plots involving WWII spoils going on in the background. Ms Greenwood certainly writes a lively story involving many of the same characters that she introduced in the first book about Corinna - Earthly delights.

Listen and Read

Every library has recently received deliveries of some great new talking books and audio kits for the children. It was very inspiring and exciting yesterday when I saw some mothers flicking through them all here at Warkworth and commenting on the new ones and that there is such a wide range to select from.

Firstly we have supplemented our stocks of some of our most popular authors such as Roald Dahl, Dr Seuss and Dick King-Smith.

Then we looked at some of our series that needed updating from tapes (some of which are still alive, but only just). Hairy Maclary, Enid Blyton and a lot of the traditional Fairy Tales fell into this category.

Next we bought a whole lot of music and activity based discs to support what we do in Storytimes, Rhymetimes and Wriggle and Rhyme sessions. You can now take home with you from the library most of the music that we use during our sessions so the pre-schoolers can show off their moves to the rest of the family. In particular look for Tessa Rose, the Kids Music Company series and the Love to Sing discs (all good Kiwi music)

Then we simply went shopping to bring you lots of popular stories in a different format. Look for traditional characters such as Spot or Winnie the Pooh. Something for the youngsters with Thomas or The Gruffalo. Fairies for the Girls and Paul Jennings for the boys.

As well we have audio books focused on poetry, music and languages. So you can see there really is something for everyone. Check out the new titles in the children's audio section of the library today.

2010 New Zealand Post Book Awards finalists have been announced!

The finalists for the New Zealand Post Book Awards 2010* have been announced. The Awards celebrate excellence, identifying the very best books written by New Zealanders.

"Books are judged in four main categories: Poetry, Fiction, Illustrated Non-fiction and General Non-fiction. A finalist list of 16 will be comprised of: 3 Poetry finalists, 3 Fiction finalists and 5 finalists in both the Illustrated Non‐fiction and General Non‐fiction categories. One Book of the Year will be chosen from these 16 finalists.

Books submitted in the four main categories, written by first‐time authors, are also eligible to win the New Zealand Society of Authors Best First Book Awards for Poetry, Fiction and Non‐fiction.

Books written entirely in Te Reo, are judged for the Māori Language Award.

The extremely popular Readers’ Choice Award is the public’s opportunity to vote for their favourite book of the 16 finalist titles, as selected by the judges, either online or by paper ballot. Voting opens every year with the public announcement of the finalist list."

Fiction Category
As the Earth Turns Silver Alison Wong
Limestone Fiona Farrell
Living as a Moon Owen Marshall

Poetry Category
Just This Brian Turner
The Lustre Jug Bernadette Hall (Not held at Rodney)
The Tram Conductor’s Blue Cap Michael Harlow

General Non-Fiction Category
Aphrodite's island : the European discovery of Tahiti Anne Salmond
Beyond the Battlefield: New Zealand and its Allies, 1939-1945 Gerald Hensley
Cone Ten Down: Studio pottery in New Zealand, 1945-1980 Moyra Elliott and Damian Skinner
Encircled Lands: Te Urewera, 1820-1921 Judith Binney
The Invention of New Zealand Art & National Identity, 1930-1970 Francis Pound

Illustrated Non-Fiction Category
Art at Te Papa William McAloon (editor)
Go Fish: Recipes and stories from the New Zealand Coast Al Brown
Māori Architecture: From fale to wharenui and beyond Deidre Brown
Marti Friedlander Leonard Bell
Mrkusich: The Art of Transformation Alan Wright and Edward Hanfling (Not held at Rodney)

Best First Book Award Winners 2010
NZSA Hubert Church Best First Book of Fiction Award Winner
Relief Anna Taylor
NZSA Jessie Mackay Best First Book of Poetry Award Winner
Fast Talking PI Selina Tusitala Marsh
NZSA E.H. McCormick Best First Book of Non-Fiction Award Winner
Trust: A True Story of Women & Gangs Pip Desmond

*formerly known as the Montana Book Awards

Rodney Libraries’ July 2010 School holiday programme

The theme these July holidays will be "Great outdoors". Visit your library for stories and fun for school age children.

NB. Pre-school storytimes may still be on at libraries - check with your librarian.

Helensville Library
Mon 5 July 10.30am Ribbit, Ribbit who is here to visit?
Wed 7 July 10.30am Let’s go fly a (mini) kite!
Mon 12 July 10.30am Foliage Friends time!
Wed 14 July 10.30am Can you see what I see?
Fri 16 July 10.30am Sitting under a camp fire…!

Kumeu Library
Tue 6 July 10.30 am Great outdoor stories and fun
Thu 15 July 10.30 am Great outdoor stories and fun

Mahurangi East Library
Thu 8 July 10.30am Come and discover the outdoors in your library these
Thu 15 July 10.30am holidays with two sessions of stories and activities

Orewa Library
Tue 6 July 2.30pm Great outdoor stories and fun
Tue 13 July 2.30pm Great outdoor stories and fun

Warkworth Library
Thu 8 July 10.30am What animal is that? Tracking and Watching
Thu 15 July 10.30am Sitting around the campfire

Wellsford Library
Thu 8 July 10.30am Bird Watching in the Bush
Thu 15 July 10.30am Camping at the Beach

Whangaparaoa Library
Wed 7 July 2.30 pm Great outdoor stories and fun
Wed 14 July 2.30 pm Great outdoor stories and fun

Trumpet Fanfare and Drum Roll Please

Rodney Libraries are very proud and pleased to present to you our NEW LIBRARY CARDS!!

We have been building to this moment for some time and have been looking forward to a Library Card to the proud of. What we can offer you is a choice of six fantastic local images for your new library card.

All new library members who are signed up have the choice of these cards.

For those with existing library cards and who want to change, there is a small charge of $1.00 to swap over to one of the new cards. All you need to do is come in with your existing card and we will do it on the spot.

We are excited. We have our new cards. Glossy, sturdy and easier to find, make the change next time you are in the libarry.

Rural Wonderland

It's that time of the year where we celebrate all things rural with the National Field Days being held at Mystery Creek, Hamilton. It is an annual pilgrimage for many farmers and those involved in the rural support industries (and many who aren't).

To find out who is there, what's happening and when at the Field Days this year, go to their website http://www.fieldays.co.nz/

When you get home, whether you want to know about the animals, the machinery or the land, Rodney Libraries will have something to help you out. For instance,

Get Away Back! This is a photographic record from the heartland around New Zealand

Practical Small Farming in New Zealand The 2009 edition is on our shelves and it covers everything from buying and fencing the land, stock sense, and poisonous plants.

A Century of Farm Tractors is just the sort of thing that would interest my father whose current project is restoring an old David Brown tractor to it's former glory. It looks like a baby next to the two John Deere's he uses for his farm contracting but I can at least recognise some of the controls from learning to drive when I was younger.

How to Build Animal Housing is another popular book in Rodney. From chicken coops to barns and stables, this is in such demand, we have recently purchased extra copies.

But if you just want to relax with a taste of the iconic Kiwi farmer, you can't go past our collection of Footrot Flats or Fred Dagg.

Our favourite radio station

and one of our biggest supporters Times FM has changed frequency.

Times FM in Rodney is extremely important to not just Rodney Libraries (promoting our services and programmes) but to the community as a whole. So switch your FM dial from 89.9 FM to 88.9 FM and keep in the know about what is happening in the district.

It's snowing somewhere

I knew it was cold when I woke up this morning. As I drove into work (slightly later than normal due to a certain football game) I saw the first hint of white on the ground and knew for a fact that winter was here.

Which for a lot of people means just one thing. The ski season has arrived!! The North Island Ski fields are officially opening this weekend (although I heard a rumour that Turoa was going to open it's beginners slopes tomorrow).

I have been to the snow only a couple of times in my life and only one of those I actually ventured onto skis. I can't boast a huge amount of success as I seem to remember that more time was spent sitting in the snow than actually standing up and moving on it. Next time I might prepare better by hitting the library first so more of what the instructer says makes sense.

For up to date information on ski fields and what's happening in the world of snow check out the NZ Ski and Snow Reports website.

If snowboarding is your thing we have a range of books and resources. Catch the DVD Let it Ride about innovator Craig Kelly. The summary reads From riding rooftops in British Columbia to surfing in South America, from halfpipe glory to backcountry first descents, Craig Kelly was a dominating competitor and icon of big mountain riding. But he was also the forerunner of a new way of thinking about winning, about nature, and about life.

For Snow skiing we also have books for both adults and children. These range from instruction manuals, guide books through to White Heat - The extreme skiing life.

Whether or not you are like me and just want to be able to control the tow rope to get back to the top of the slope, or whether you are looking for something more intense, check out the Rodney Libraries. Or head to our very own local Snow Planet and put in some practice so you can look expert on the slopes this winter.

PS - GO THE ALL WHITES!!

International Friendship Group

Orewa library is hosting a talk by the New Zealand China Friendship Group who will speak about their objectives of promoting friendship, understanding and goodwill between people in both countries and their work to assist new migrants and visiting students to fit into life in New Zealand.
The event will be held on Tuesday 15 June at 2pm. Admission is free and afternoon tea will be provided. New migrants may be particularly interested in finding out more about the group and how it can assist them.

Staff at Orewa library are considering setting up a friendship group for international people living in Rodney, if there is sufficient interest in the idea. If you would like to join this group please contact Liz at Orewa library on 09 427 3917.

Matariki Storytimes

Don't forget Rodney Libraries is celebrating Matariki by using the Matariki theme at our pre-schoolers storytimes. We will be introducing the idea, celebrating with some songs and stories about stars and whanau (including some of our very own Maori myths and New Zealand sotries). Some libraries will also be offering a simple craft activity, colouring in or a handout to take away.

Monday 14th June 10.30am - Warkworth and Kumeu
Tuesday 15th June 10.30am - Mahurangi East
Wednesday 16th June 10.30 am - Wellsford and Whangaparaoa
Thursday 17th June 11.0 am - Orewa

Poetry Aloud - Podcast Your Poetry Competition

We're halfway through June and halfway through the National Poetry Day Poetry Aloud competition for children in year 4 -13. There are a few entries already which is great to see. Don't miss out! Entries close June 30. Win an MP3 player or other prizes.

Entries are open to any children in Year 4 - Year 13 who are:
- enrolled in a Rodney District school, or
- living in Rodney District but attending school outside the District, or
- being educated in a verifiable home-schooling equivalent

To enter children just need to write their poem and record it. It should then be emailed to rodneylibraries@yahoo.com.au as an MP3 attachment.

Entries must include the following information:

- name of poet- contact details

- the school and year they attend

- their library card number (if they have one)

Rodney Libraries now have free computers with internet access and a range of multimedia features which children can use to record their poems at the library.

Snippets on Friday

It's been one of those weekends where there have been heaps of things happening, lots about to happen and "This week in history" has been very interesting as well.

Thursday was the anniversary of the eruption of Mt Tarawera in 1886. I'v always been fascinated by this story. As well as books in our information section, there are also a variety of fiction titles which use the events as their base. I did a keyword search for Tarawera to find a selection.

New Zealand officially became Nuclear Free on 8th June 1987. For books on the Antinuclear Movement in New Zealand check our catalogue.

Judy Garland was born 10th June 1922. I didn't realise she suffered so badly from depression throughout her life. There definitely was a public persona and a private one. For books, music and DVD's check out our Rodney Libraries catalogue link here.

Of course, the big event about to happen is the kick-off for the 2010 Football World Cup Tournament. Bookmark the FIFA website for up-to-date information during the tournament. Have a look at this link for Football and this link for Soccer (which tends to be where most of our books on the lovely game are catalogued) to find coaching manuals, celebrities, stories and all the facts and figures you could hope for.

Phew - We'v packed quite a lot into a short week. Have an awesome weekend everyone. Ka kite ano.

Rodney Live final

Rodney Live 2010 has been a series of twelve live performance evenings throughout the Rodney district, featuring our incredible local talent. All Rodney residents have been invited to take part in these great local events, which have enlivened the community halls of the district - from Kaukapakapa to Whangateau. Performances have included contemporary dance, singer songwriters, drama, folk music, comedy, rock, cultural dance and performance.

The finals are on this Saturday 12 June at the Orewa Community Centre. Come and see the best talent from across Rodney take to the stage. Show begins at 7pm and entry is free of charge.
For more information tune into Times FM or email realmusictrust@gmail.com

Not quite Sir Sam

But was it the plan

Well it's not quite poetry. But a big round of applause to Kiwi poet and balladeer Sam Hunt who became a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to poetry in the Queens Birthday Honours List. He was previously awarded the Queen's Service Medal in 1986.

We have plenty of Sam Hunt poetry in the library. His biography Backroads was published last year.

Here is the Dominion Post tribute on his honour and another from the Otago Daily Times.

Matariki Storytimes

Next Monday, 14th June, just before dawn you will be able to see the constellation of Matariki in the sky for the first time. This signals the start of festivities for the Maori New Year and we are all hoping it will be very clear and bright as this means it will be a good year of productive crops. Matariki is also known as Plieades or The Seven Sisters. In other parts of the country where the Matariki constellation is not easily seen, they look for Puanga which is the Maori name for the star Reigel.

Matariki celebrates:

• the harvest (gathering and storing food for the winter, and planting for the next season)
• whanau (remembering those who have passed away and spending time with family and friends)
• entertainment (feasting, singing and dancing)
• learning (especially about your geneology and craftmaking)
• respect for the land and the great place we live.

Rodney Libraries is celebrating Matariki with displays and by using the Matariki theme at our pre-schoolers storytimes. We will be introducing the idea, celebrating with some songs and stories about stars and whanau (including some of our very own Maori myths and New Zealand sotries). Some libraries will also be offering a simple craft activity, colouring in or a handout to take away.

Monday 14th June 10.30am - Warkworth and Kumeu

Tuesday 15th June 10.30am - Mahurangi East

Wednesday 16th June 10.30 am - Wellsford and Whangaparaoa

Thursday 17th June 11.0 am - Orewa

There are several books in our libraries about Matariki and other Maori celebrations. For other Matariki celebrations around Rodney and Auckland, try this Matariki website

Many Happy Returns

This weekend is Queens Birthday Weekend. While for many it is simply the last long weekend before we struggle through winter, for others it is the celebration of the Birthday of the British Monarch. Queen Elizabeth II personally celebrates her birthday in April, but dating from Edward VII, the British Monarchs have officially celebrated during the warmer northern months.

The weather forecast is for rain in our part of the country this weekend, so it might be a good time to visit the library and grab a book. Why not make it about some of the Monarchs from around the world. Here are some ideas.

Biographies of English Queens or British Queens from Boudica to our current Queen

Fiction based around the lives of Queens of the World and Queens of Great Britain

There is an excellent Children's Fiction series The Royal Diaries which writes of events in the lives of young royals in diary form. Princesses from Africa, Japan and Europe are all represented in this series.

And not forgetting our own Maori Queen Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu

Have a fantastic and safe Queens Birthday Weekend everyone. Be careful on the roads.

National Poetry Day Poetry Aloud

Rodney Libraries are running a competition for students in Years 4 to 13 encouraging them to submit a podcast of an original poem during June. The National Poetry Day Poetry Aloud competition is in celebration of National Poetry Day- this year on July 30 2010. The competition runs from 1 - 30 June. One talented poet will win an MP3 player. Poetry shouldn’t stay on the page – it needs to be shared and read aloud. Podcasting poetry gives children and teens the opportunity to share their creativity with others around Rodney District and New Zealand.
To enter children just need to write their poem and record it. It should then be emailed to rodneylibraries@yahoo.com.au as an attachment.
Entries must include the following information:
- name of poet
- contact details
- the school and year they attend
- their library card number (if they have one)
Rodney Libraries now have free computers with internet access and a range of multimedia features which children can use to record their poems at the library. Library staff can also provide advice about how to do this.

Check out the terms and conditions here, Helpful stuff and how to make a podcast at your local library.

LIANZA Children's Book Award Finalists 2010

From the LIANZA (Library and Information Association of New Zealand Aotearoa) website here is the full list of the LIANZA Children’s Book Award 2010 Finalists:

LIANZA Esther Glen Award (Fiction)
Friends: Snake and Lizard by Joy Cowley, Illustrated by Gavin Bishop (Gecko Press)

The Loblolly Boy by James Norcliffe (Longacre Press)

Top Secret: Pass it on by Jaqueline Chapman (Longacre Press)

Glory by Fifi Colston (Scholastic)

The Billionaires Curse by Richard Newsome (Text Publishing)

LIANZA Young Adult (Fiction)
The Bone Tiki by David Hair (HarperCollins Publishers (NZ) Ltd)

Banquo’s Son by Tania Roxborogh (Penguin Group NZ)

The Crossing by Mandy Hager (Random House New Zealand)

About Griffen’s Heart by Tina Shaw (Longacre Press)

Brainjack by Brian Falkner (Walker Books)

LIANZA Russell Clark Award (Illustration)
Rhinehold the Mouse by Di Batchelor (Di Batchelor/ Fraser Books)

There was a Crooked Man by Gavin Bishop (Gecko Press)

Old Hu-Hu by Kyle Mewburn/ Rachel Driscoll (Scholastic)

The Wonky Donkey by Craig Smith/ Katz Cowley (Scholastic)

Tiny Miss Dott and her Dotty Umbrella by Michelle Osment/ Sarah Nelisiwe Anderson (Scholastic)

LIANZA Elsie Locke (Non Fiction)
Nic’s New Zealand Nature: Invaders by Nic Valance & Rod Morris (New Holland Publishers (NZ) Ltd

Dear Alison by Simon Pollard (Penguin Group NZ)

Ben and Mark: Boys of the High Country by Christine Fernyhough & John Bougen (Random House New Zealand)

E3 Call Home by Janet Hunt (Random House New Zealand)

Get Growing: A NZ Step-by-Step Guide by Helen Cook (Random House New Zealand)

Te Kura Pounamu (Te Reo Maori)
Pūao Series: Te Kahikatea, Te Miro, Te Tutu, Te Horopito by Keri Pewhairangi (Huia Publishers)

Hū-Hū Koroheke by Kyle Mewburn, Rachel Driscoll translated by Kāterina Te Heikōkō Mataira (Scholastic)

Te Wāhi me te Taiao Series: Hauraki, Waipā, Kāwhia Moana, Takaparawhau by Huia Publishers Hewa by Darryn Joseph (Pearson (NZ) Ltd)

Hautipua Rererangi by Huia Publishers/ Andrew Burdan (Huia Publishers)

Hi Kaipara Flats Primary School

Thanks for all your letters Room 2. I love getting letters.

Nicki and I are looking forward to our visit today with the Library Roadshow. We'll be reading some fantastic new stories, recommending some books for you to have a look at, and getting you to help us tell some stories as well as bringing you a really bright new surprise about the library.

And hopefully you will have some entry forms for me to bring back for Mayor Penny's Reading Challenge.

Ka kite.

Happy Birthday New Zealand Television

We could let the day go by without a few whistles and balloons for the birthday of Television ni New Zealand. 50 years is longer than I have been around and there are bits of history from those days that I don't remember (I must be one of the only people in New Zealand who cannot remember the televised moon landing). But there are plenty I can.

• Hiding behind the sofa when the open music came on for Doctor Who. I'm not sure if it was the music or those geometric circles spinning wildly but I didn't like it then (I adore Doctor Who now so times have changed).


• trying to stay up all through the night for those first Telethons. To do this I required a large bar of chocolate, a big bag of chips and a bottle of Coke.


• being one of the first families in our rural area to get a colour Television and having lots of visitors.


• trying to emulate the characters on some of our favourite shows - racing around the paddock on horseback playing Alias Smith & Jones or wrestling on the floor imitating moves from On the Mat.


• the adverts - Dear John, the Anchor butter ads, the buggar dog - we love them and we hate them, but we do remember them


• The High Chapperal, Little House on the Praire, Lost in Space, Follyfoot, The Tomorrow People, Babylon 5, and so many other programmes.


• late nights watching rugby tests and refusing to take phone calls when netball games are on (especially if they go into extra time).

If you want to relive some of your favourite moments there are a couple of things you can do:

1. Head to this TVNZ website to reminisce and watch snippets of some of your favourite shows (or check them out for the first time if you have never seen them before)


2. Head into your local Rodney Library and check out our enormous collection of DVD's of television programmes and documentaries. Find Television adaptations, Television comedies, New Zealand Television, or documentaries to start. We have some fantastic old shows and some of the new ones as well.


3. Read about some of your favourite shows with books from Rodney Libraries.

Happy Birthday television. Thanks for fifty years of information and entertainment.

Book lovers events

If there is one thing other than curling up with a good book, that bookworms love, it is getting together with other booklovers, storytellers and authors. Here are some upcoming events that may interest you all.

The sixth 'Once Upon An Island Festival of Story' will be held on Waiheke Island over Queen's Birthday weekend, a magical experience for people of all ages. Check the Eventfinder website to find out more.

Rhythm & Verse is on at Lopdell House in Titirangi Thursday 3rd June. Again Eventfinder has the details.

Te Radar (star of television, print and resourcefulness) is playing Ascension Vineyard, Matakana on Saturday 5th June. Get details and tickets here.

For lovers of the classics The Last Night of the Proms is on at Takapuna Pumphouse Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th June.

If it is a fine weekend (crossed fingers) you could go Literary Sightseeing. There are two walks on the North Shore which may be worth a look.

Allyson Gofton is promoting her latest book SLOW just in time for winter. The next date nearest Rodney will be Thursday 24 June @ 7.30pm at the Northcote College Hall, North Shore. She will be speaking and signing books. Tickets are $20.00. For further information or tickets contact Maria Tyrrell, Birkenhead Playcentre, cupcakecookoff@gmail.com, 021-392 800
or Paper Plus Birkenhead 480-3058 or birkenhead@paperplus.co.nz