Celebrate NZ Book Month at Auckland Libraries

March is officially New Zealand Book Month! It is about forming a North to South community of readers, connecting Kiwis who are passionate about books and who enjoy spreading the word. From friend to neighbour, school bus to sporting field, workplace to playground, it's about telling and retelling stories, and recommending new books to read.

Auckland Libraries is proud to participate in and support NZ Book Month. Throughout March, we will highlight the life-changing nature of books you can access at your local library, offer inspiring recommendations from our librarians, and host events at libraries across the Auckland region. Some of these have already taken place so I am a bit late off the block but I have it on very good authority that the "Know your NZ Children's Authors and Illustrators" held last week at Takapuna Library went very well.

Here are some of the events happening in the rest of the month.

21 Mar: Doris de Pont on Black: The History of Black Fashion, Society and Culture in NZ (Central City Library)
21 Mar: The Hungry Heart: Journeys with Colenso (Remuera Library)
22 Mar: Frank Rose presents The Art of Immersion (Central City Library)
24 Mar: Author Talk: Michael and Judy Churchouse (Howick Library)
27 Mar: Christchurch 22.2 Beyond the Cordon (Takapuna Library)
28 Mar: Brian Boyd on Stalking Nabokov (Central City Library)
29 Mar: One Island, One Book (Waiheke Library)
29 Mar: Books that inspire us (Panmure Library)
31 Mar: Pear Jam Books 1st Birthday Party (St Heliers Library)
3 Apr: Jan Cronin presents 'The Frame Function: An Inside-Out Guide to the Novels of Janet Frame' (Central City Library)

For more information go to the Auckland Libraries website NZ Book Month page or visit the official NZ Book Month website.

From Scribbles to Books

How do you take an idea and turn it into a book? That was the subject of the New Zealand Book Month events that were taking place around Auckland last week. It is a dream of many of us that those ideas that wake us up in the middle of the night might one day find themselves onto the shelves in a bookshop, but only a few of us take the next leap.

Maria Gill and Heather Arnold visited the Warkworth and Orewa Libraries to show us how their latest collaboration Call of the Kokako (coming out later this year) made the journey. This children's non-fiction book follows a similar style to their earlier collaboration Rangitoto and includes both fact and story to draw the reader in.

A packed hall of Warkworth Primary and Mahurangi Christian School students listened attentively as Maria showed us scribbled pages from her notebook, photos she had taken, people she had talked to and told us about the amount of research that she did. Heather then picked things up by showing us how she took those photos and turned them into the fantastic artwork that is part of the book. Along the way there were helpful tips for the budding authors and artists, a quiz or two and the opportunity for questions to be asked (and answered).

I have heard from colleagues around Auckland that the visits from authors and illustrators to their local libraries as part of New Zealand Book Month have been equally successful. Stay tuned here for any future events so that you can be part of it.

Welcome to New Zealand Book Month 2011!

NZ Book Month 2011 - Where we celebrate the power of books. The following is taken directly off the website for New Zealand Book Month. Auckland Libraries are joining in the celebrations so stay tuned and we will let you know what is happening and when.

Fiction or non-fiction, a book has the power to change your life. New Zealand Book Month is an annual campaign to encourage us all to celebrate books and reading. New Zealand Book Month is the perfect time to discover your next life-changing book, pick up a recommended read, share a favourite book with your friends and family, encourage colleagues to start a book club – and to meet some of New Zealand's finest writers at one of over 200 events right across the country during March 2011. There are so many ways in which you can take part in New Zealand Book Month. Here's how you can get involved:

Take advantage of our Books Change Lives $5 vouchers. New Zealand Book Month will be distributing four million $5 book vouchers during March 2011. Here's where you'll find out more about the voucher, and get details of how you can get hold of yours.
Find your nearest participating bookseller, from the 290 fantastic booksellers across the country that are participating in our Books Change Lives campaign.
Find a great New Zealand Book Month event near you, organised by one of our passionate and committed Book Month Activists.
Check out our book lists to discover your next great read. These "life-changing books" were voted for by our readers during October 2010. We're delighted to share their recommendations, and think you'll agree that there's something here for everyone.
Become a Book Month Activist for March 2012. Help plan, shape and put on events locally. In 2011 Book Month Activists will put on over 200 community events throughout New Zealand. Each activity helps bring books alive, and introduces the joy – and power – of books to new audiences. We’d love your help and welcome your assistance. And we’ll assist you with ideas, tools and perhaps we can even help arrange publicity and an author visit to your event! To find out more, simply register your interest with us.
Sign up for Bookmark, our free e-newsletter, keeping you up-to-date with events and activities during New Zealand Book Month.
Make a date in your diary – March 2011 – and join in New Zealand’s biggest national celebration of books and reading.The possibilities for celebrating books and reading are as limitless as your imagination.

New Zealand Kids' Words Worth Thousands

With the country’s first and largest Wordbank officially closed for business, New Zealand Book Month, ASB and children’s authors from across the country are delighted at how Kiwi kids have put pen to paper to express their appreciation for the worth of our New Zealand words. Kiwi kids were asked to write a letter to their favourite Kiwi author, telling them why they love their books and stories, and then post or drop their words into their nearest ASB branch. Nearly 3,000 ASB Wordbank entries were received from children aged 5-13 years, and from every part of New Zealand.

The winner in the 5-7 years of age category was Isla Thompson of Mt Eden, Auckland, writing about Auckland based author Jennifer Beck’s The Choosing Day. Runner up was Brian Kim of Sunnynook, Auckland, writing about Rats by Christchurch based author and illustrator Gavin Bishop.

The winner in the 8-10 years of age category was Joe Perry of Napier, writing about Jennifer Beck’s The Bantam and the Soldier. Runner up was Devan Ngataaria Hammond of Papamoa writing about Maurice Gee’s Under the Mountain.

The winner in the 11-13 years of age category was Cheyenne Kumeroa of Palmerston North writing about Kingi McKinnon’s story Hohepa’s Goodbye. Runner up was Lucas Netana-Rakete of Royal Oak, Auckland, writing about "Footrot Flats: They’ve put custard with my bone! (my compliments to the chef)" by Murray Ball. The judges in this 11-13 age category particularly noted the fantastic standard of entries from Auckland’s Royal Oak Intermediate School and have recommended the school for a special commendation and prize.

ASB is delighted to have been involved with New Zealand Book Month, providing school children with the opportunity to read more Kiwi books and share their views about those books with the authors. ASB's Chief Community Partnership Officer, Linley Wood says “ASB has a long history of partnering with New Zealand schools and school children to help improve their literacy and educational outcomes. This is just one way we can encourage children in the communities in which we operate to read more and express their views about what they are reading. It is great to see so many Kiwi kids getting involved and our ASB people have loved talking to the children coming into the branches to drop off their ASB Wordbank entries.”
All six winners and runners up of the ASB Wordbank will be invited to behind the scenes visits to Auckland Zoo and the set of the television show Shortland Street, and a ride in a restored Hot Rod car.

Schools and local libraries are winners too with the best performing ASB Wordbank branches receiving an author visit and a pack of books, which they can choose to donate to a local school or library. The winning ASB branches are in Hokitika, Helensville, Warkworth, The Palms – Shirley (Christchurch) and Point Chevalier.

Director of New Zealand Book Month Michele Powles is thrilled with the outcomes from the competition. “Kids genuinely wanted to let authors know what they thought of their stories, and for authors it’s the best feedback possible. It’s fantastic to be partnering with an organisation like ASB who has such a strong profile in local schools and communities. This provided the national reach we needed to make this promotion a success.”

A Great Recipe

I have been meaning to write this post since the start of New Zealand Book Month, but somehow there was never enough time to do it justice. Which is why I find myself on the last day of October, at work on a lovely clear (but crisp) Saturday morning, but determined to find the time to write about the one Kiwi type of book (well one of the types of Kiwi books) that tumbles from my cupboards and book shelves.

My name is Kowhai Reader and I am a ... Recipe Book Junkie. I have recipe books, both new and old, secondhand, handed down, clean and in most cases somewhat food soiled. Working in a library has meant that I am able to restrict my purchasing somewhat. And I do also have to admit that while I love the books, I am less likely to be found toiling over the stove and oven trying out the recipes. From experience, there was always one ingredient that I didn't have in the pantry when the urge to cook or bake came upon me.

Which is one of the reasons why Kiwi Cook Books are best. I am far more likely to have the ingredients when I open a Kiwi recipe book, than any of the international ones. Here are a few of my favourites.

I was expounding to my mother the fantastic new recipe book that had just come into the library, when she went to her recipe draw and pulled out a very battered and stained little blue cookbook that I remembered from my childhood. Recipes from the Heartland from the CWI was simply a refresh and reprint of one of my favourite when growing up and learning how to bake. It had the Never Fail Toffee recipe in it that never failed me as a kid (but went badly wrong the first time I tried it as an adult).

Of course the Edmonds cookbook was a staple in most homes. I have three now. My grandmother's, my own which Mum gave me when I left home and a microwave version. If you get out the latest one and compare it with my grandmothers, it makes fantastic (and nostalgic) reading. Which is one of the reasons that the Edmonds Classics edition is one of the most popular in the library.

Names such as Alison Holst, Alison Gofton, Sophie Gray, Jo Seager, Aunt Daisy, Julie Le Clerc, Lauraine Jacobs, Peta Mathias, Garth Hokianga and Richard Till are all represented, as well as many others. We have at least 173 different Kiwi Cookbooks in the library (and several copies of most of them). Just do a subject search for Cookery New Zealand to find the list.

New Zealand Book Month Wraps Up

NZ Book Month at Warkworth Library with Gail Dallimore (Warkworth Library), Sharleen Greer (Village Bookshop), guest speaker Lauraine Jacobs and Darrell Soljan (Ascension Vineyard)






NZ Book Month at Kumeu Library with artist Gaylene Earl and helpers who created two works of art based on cutting and pasting from materials supplied by the Library.





New Zealand Book Month is wrapping up at Rodney Libraries and a Kiwi book that I have been thinking for some time I should read has finally arrived on my desk. What Remains Behind by Dorothy Fowler is based around the Kaipara Harbour, so it will be interesting to see if I can recognise any landmarks.

Have a good weekend everyone.

The October Story

This was NZ Book Month's 'social experiment' on Facebook. The October Story was a community written short story with anonymous contributors writing the next installment.

From the Facebook description...

"This is what it entails: you read the last note posted and submit your paragraph to continue the story by SENDING A MESSAGE to 'The October Story' the best submission for that period (a.m. and p.m. daily) will be posted from the 'trail' of that paragraph, we'll ask for submissions to follow on…thus making a NZ Book Month 'story' for October 2009."

The October Story so far... (to 14 October) is on the NZ Book Month website. It's been left at a very interesting point - I hope someone finishes it before the month is out!

Final chance to take part in the 100!

The final session with local artist Gaylene Earl is on at Kumeu Library today.

Wednesday 28 October 10am - 12pm

Gaylene has been involving the community in developing two art works to be displayed in the library. Adults and children are welcome to attend and all of the artistic materials needed to develop the art works will be available at the library. She's been using withdrawn library books which are damaged, have multiple pages missing or are very old.

The art works have been inspired by works by New Zealand artists Don Binney and Ani O’Neill, which are featured in “Contemporary New Zealand Art Four".

ASB Wordbank competition for New Zealand Book Month

Building the country’s first and largest Wordbank was an exciting challenge for staff at ASB, and with children dropping off their entries at branches all over the country, the bank is bulging with new currency: words.

Words are the newest form of collateral this October - New Zealand Book Month, and kids are proving that they know what our words are worth. Five to thirteen year olds have been asked to write a letter to their favourite Kiwi author, telling them why they love their books and stories, and then post or drop their words – in letter form – into their nearest ASB branch.

With less than a week to go, the inaugural ASB Wordbank competition is proving popular with Kiwi kids. And so too are the prizes – behind the scenes visits to Auckland Zoo and Shortland Street, rides in a Hot Rod, books and more. Communities get the chance to win big too as ASB branches with the most entries can select a school or library to receive books and author visits.

Authors are also getting excited about what Kiwi kids have to say. Fifi Colston, children’s author, illustrator and TV presenter says, “Feedback from kids about my books is fertiliser for my creativitree. It helps me grow, thrive, blossom and produce that delectable fruit called 'story'.” And this year’s children’s choice award winner Melinda Szymanik notes, “Hearing from people who’ve read your books is the best gift a reader can give an author. We love knowing what you think and finding out whether the things we enjoyed writing the most are the things you’ve enjoyed reading the most.”

Director of NZ Book Month Michele Powles is animated about the competition. “Kids genuinely want to let authors know what they thought of their stories, and for authors it’s the best feedback possible. It’s fantastic to be partnering with a company like ASB who has such a strong profile in local schools and communities, so that we can get national reach with this promotion.”

The ASB Wordbanks close at 4pm on Friday the 30th of October. For entry forms and further information go to http://www.nzbookmonth.co.nz/ or pop into any local ASB branch.

Have you read a Kiwi Book yet this month?

I have scanned a couple but Michelle Holman's new kiwi chick lit title Knotted dropped onto my desk today. It will be top of the pile for Labour Weekend reading as I so enjoyed her laugh a minute Bonkers and Divine. That means there should be a review on this site early next week.

It doesn't have to be a new release (although there are plenty of new Kiwi titles launched this month for New Zealand Book Month). Do a subject search for New Zealand fiction and have a forage through 20th and 21st Century entries - almost 800 of them, not including the children's fiction and picture books (over 900 titles).

And I haven't even touched on our biographies or some of the fabulous non-fiction on our shelves. Someone mentioned to me last weekend that they had just read Willie Apiata VC - A Reluctant Hero and thought it was the most awesome book they had read for ages. There are several copies on the shelf at the moment so grab one for the weekend.

NZ Book Month at Rodney Libraries

This is the week when New Zealand Book Month REALLY comes to Rodney Libraries. There are several events around the district so here is a quick run down.

Orewa Library

Wednesday 21 October at 2pm hear Michael Irwin speak at the Orewa Library. Michael is the author of Educating Boys which is called a "practical handbook" on "what's working and what is not" based on research, experience and lengthy discussions with the boys themselves.

Kumeu Library

Local artist Gaylene Earl will once again be at the Kumeu Library this week, looking for up to 100 local people to help to create a couple of pieces of art using old and withdrawn library books, which can then be displayed in the library. She will be at the library on Wednesday 21 October from 10am to 12 noon and again on Thursday 22 October from 3pm to 5pm.

The Kumeu Book Club also meets this week on Thursday 22 October at 7pm. The book for this month is Leaving Home by Anita Brookner and the November title is Adam Bede by George Eliot.

Warkworth Library

Cuisine magazine Editor and author Lauraine Jacobs can be found at two events in north Rodney on Friday 23rd October, so why not kick off your long weekend in style. She will be hosting a High Tea at Brookview Teahouse in Matakana at 10.30am. Later the same day you can indulge in a glass of wine and listen to Lauraine speaking at the old Masonic Hall (next to the Library) in Warkworth at 6pm. She is promoting her new book A Treasury of New Zealand Baking.

For more details phone your local library.

New Zealand Book Month out West

The Kumeu Library will be hosting local artist Gaylene Earl at a series of sessions at the library. Gaylene wants to involve the community in developing two art works to be displayed in the library.

Gaylene is looking to recruit 100 helpers to come in to the library on different days in October to help create the community art works using the books. Both adults and children are welcome to attend the sessions and all of the artistic materials needed to develop the art works will be available at the library.

The art works will be inspired by works by New Zealand artists Don Binney and Ani O’Neill, which are featured in “Contemporary New Zealand Art Four".

The art works will be developed using withdrawn library books which are damaged, have multiple pages missing or are very old.

Session times are:
Wednesday 14 October 10am – 12pm
Saturday 17 October 10am - 12pm
Wednesday 21 October 10am - 12pm
Thursday 22 October 3pm - 5 pm
Saturday 24 October 10am - 12pm
Wednesday 28 October 10am - 12pm

SOSSI at Whangaparaoa Library tonight!

Our first event for NZ Book Month is on tonight at 7pm at Whangaparaoa Library.

The Shakespear Open Sanctuary Society are having an Information Evening where they will show a DVD documenting the predator fence project on Great Barrier Island. They are planning a similar fence for Shakespear Park to ensure the safety of our own beautiful native birds. Artwork by Jeff Thomson will be on show. Jeff is donating part of the proceeds from each sale to the Shakespear Open Sanctuary Project. A gold coin donation to SOSSI would be appreciated.





This event is in celebration of "The 10pm question" by Kate De Goldi. A great read for both young adults and adults it was NZ Post Book of the Year 2009 and Readers Choice in the Montana New Zealand Book Awards 2009. It's about Frankie, an intense young man with a head full of questions. He’s fascinated by birds and spends a lot of time both studying them and drawing make-believe birds of fabulous colours and amazing plumage.

Weekend recommendations

Spring might be here and summer just around the corner, but in traditional Kiwi style, it's a wet windy weekend out there folks. Which means it's a perfect weekend to stay inside and check out some DVD's from your local Rodney Library collection.

In keeping with New Zealand Book Month theme, why not finally get around to seeing some of our fantastic Kiwi movies based on books by our own (or revisit them). There are movies in our collection such as Once were Warriors, The Whale Rider, Sleeping Dogs and Under the Mountain, all good home-grown fare.

It's not only movies though. If you want to revisit Television programmes or documentaries we have a wide selection. From the Best of Country Calendar, Surfing the Menu New Zealand and Getaway New Zealand, all the way through to one off documentaries such as Tau Te Mauri: Breath of Peace about eight Kiwi's who are doing their bit for global peace. To view our full New Zealand DVD selection, click on this catalogue link.

Author Lauraine Jacobs

Celebrate NZ Book Month at Matakana with food and travel writer Lauraine Jacobs. We're lucky enough to have Lauraine at two events on Friday 23 October 2009. Booking are essential for both as numbers are limited.

A new book 'A Treasury of New Zealand Baking' edited by Lauraine, will be available to buy at both events in conjunction with The Village Bookshop. Royalties from book sales to go to Breast Cancer Foundation.

In the morning - 10:30am at Brookview Tea House, 1335 Leigh Road (opp Wharf Road), Matakana. Lauraine will chat about the behind the scenes of food writing nationally and internationally. High tea will be served and cost $20 per person. Book with Lynne Curry, Brookview Teahouse, ph: 09- 423 0390.

In the evening - 6pm at the Old Masonic Hall (next to the Library) in Warkworth. Lauraine will talk on her life as food editor of Cuisine Magazine - sharing insights on travel, food and restaurants over a glass of wine provided by Ascension Vineyards, Matakana. Cost $5 per person. Book with Gail Dallimore, Warkworth Library 09 427 3769 or gail.dallimore@rodney.govt.nz

Kiwi Inspiration

It's hard to believe but I have arrived at New Zealand Book Month and none of the books sitting in my "To Be read" pile are by Kiwi authors. Isn't that just karma? So I have to go back to a couple of things I have finished recently or which have stayed with me for this entry about inspirational Kiwis or those amongst us with messages to give.

Blog followers will not be surprised that I read a lot about sportspeople. I stumbled over Sunrise from the Summit early in September. It is based on a simple premise. 18 inspiring New Zealand sportswomen share their stories with New Zealand soccer international (and author) Michele Cox. Not only do we find out about their journey and motivations, but each one provides tips to the aspiring sportsperson. These tips can also be applied to everyday life. Kate Horan tells us "You are never too old or too fat". Bernice Mene advises to "Make sport and physical activity a family occasion". Valerie Vili believes "Your best performances will come when you are happy". It's a great read.

I have been lucky enough to hear Kiwi Tony Christiansen speak on a couple of occasions. If I ever find myself thinking I am having a bad day and that I can't do something, then one of the ways I kick myself out of it is to think of this guy. He can't actually kick anything because when he was a young boy he lost both his legs in an accident. But that hasn't stopped him becoming a qualified surf lifeguard, a champion swimmer, a second-degree black belt in tae kwon-do, a speedway and racing car champion, a gold medal-winning athlete in world games, a qualified pilot, a successful businessman, a husband and father of three children. Don't Just Sit there is the children's version of his autobiography Race you to the Top. His book of tips on how he took the word "can't" out of his vocabulary is Attitude Plus! Whether you need the kick or just want to read a great yarn, I strongly recommend these books. (Tony's image from his website tonychristiansen.com)

Something I spotted today which is going on my TBR (To Be Read) list is Kevin Biggar's The Oarsome adventures of a fatboy rower: How I went from Couch Potato to Atlantic rowing race winner. The title says it all and if that wasn't enough the back cover calls it "unconventional, hilarious and controversial". Sounds like a good read. I will let you know.

Michael Irwin author of "Educating Boys" at Orewa Library

Michael Irwin, the author of "Educating Boys" will be speaking at Orewa Library on Wednesday 21 October at 2pm. He has over 30 years’ experience in working with boys, as a teacher, principal and Scout leader. He is currently a senior lecturer in Education at Massey University in Auckland, and his doctoral thesis investigated the way we educate boys in New Zealand.

"Educating Boys" is a comprehensive, practical look at how we educate our boys in New Zealand - what’s working and what isn’t, from kindergarten right through to secondary school.

Asks the questions
- Are boys in New Zealand getting a fair deal at school?
- Why are so many boys in New Zealand not achieving their potential?
- What can parents and teachers do to help boys succeed at school?

Michael Irwin has listened to the opinions of the boys themselves and combined these insights with his own experience and the most recent research on helping boys to learn. Full of practical ideas and wisdom, "Educating Boys" is the essential handbook for people who want to help boys succeed at school and in life.

It's BOOKTOBER!

Welcome to October which is officially New Zealand Book Month - but Booktober sounds so much better. It's a chance for me to read and review and praise all those fantastic Kiwi books and authors (even more than I normally do). So watch this space for fiction and non-fiction; old favourites and new releases; children's, adult's and everyone in-between.

Check out the NZ Book Month website for all sorts of activities and reviews. NZ Book Month is also on Facebook, has guest Bloggers, plus there is the ASB Bank word competition. Plus lots more. Watch this space.

The 10 pm Question by Kate de Goldi . . .

A great read for both young adults and adults. NZ Post Book of the Year 2009 and Readers Choice in the Montana New Zealand Book Awards 2009.

Frankie is an intense young man with a head full of questions. He’s fascinated by birds and spends a lot of time both studying them and drawing make-believe birds of fabulous colours and amazing plumage.

Meanwhile, on the Whangaparaoa Peninsula a team of dedicated volunteers (SOSSI) are creating an open sanctuary to ensure the safety of our own beautiful native birds.

Come along and support their work by attending the Shakespear Open Sanctuary Information Evening at Whangaparaoa Library Thursday October 8th at 7 pm

A DVD documenting the predator fence project on Great Barrier Island will be shown

ALL WELCOME

A gold coin donation to SOSSI will be appreciated

Check out the beautiful Jeff Thomson artwork too. Jeff is donating part of the proceeds from each sale to the Shakespear Open Sanctuary Project.

About NZ Book Month

NZ Book Month is a non-profit initiative that has the whole book industry behind it, from writers and publishers to bookshops and libraries. Quite simply, the idea is to get more of us reading New Zealand books.
We are proud to be a nation of readers. On a global scale, Kiwis are highly literate and recent surveys show that many of us wouldn’t think about relaxing without a good book. But we want more of those books to be ones that have been written by New Zealand writers. We want to celebrate and showcase the brilliant writing talent we have, to support new and upcoming writers in our country, to tap into the pride we feel in our literary landscape and show you that whatever your taste, there’s a fantastic New Zealand book for you.
NZ Book Month is an annual event, which will grow over time to be a nation-wide festival involving everyone from local communities to the Prime Minister.
NZ Book Month will be celebrated in October this year.