New Books in the Library – September 2017

/ None of us has as much money as we would like, but imagine if money didn’t exist at all. How would we buy the things we need, or sell the things we don’t need? Who would decide whether a basket of fruit is worth the same as a hunting spear? Many things have been used as money, from live animals through cowrie shells to plastic cards. Learn how moneylending grew into today’s banking industry, and how credit allows us to spend money we don’t even have.
Sam J. Butterbiggins' only ambition is to be a Very Noble Knight, but he has a problem - he's been packed off to the castle next door to stay with his aunt, uncle and cousin Prune while his parents are away.
But Sam's discovered a magical scroll listing the six quests to be completed to become a knight, and with his True Companion Prune's help, he's already managed two! Now Sam must find a goodly sword, but he keeps getting distracted by noble deeds that need doing. Helping a grumpy dwarf, a dunderheaded bear and an island of tiny elves might mean he'll never find his sword, but isn't that what a Very Noble Knight would do ...?
Age range 6 – 8 years /
/ Bad luck hits the ship, the 'Golden Duck' when, during a storm, the captain's wooden leg is broken, Polly Parrot is hit by lightning and loses all her feathers and Nell loses her only bandanna.
While they are anchored by a small island for repairs, Sam goes ashore to find supplies. He finds a bag of coins which he keeps secret from everyone else. When they set sail again, he is torn between wanting to buy things for himself or wanting to buy things for his friends. When they reach the mainland shops, what will Sam choose to do?
Age range 6 – 8 years
/ How would you cope if there were no toilets? Where would you go? How would you keep yourself and your house clean?
This book tells the fascination story of a piece of technology that most of us take for granted. Find out why toilets are so important, how they have improved over the years and how they might develop in the future.Show More
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Rarity is excited to welcome her new apprentice, Charity, to Ponyville. Rarity is sure that the two of them will become best friends, bonding over their love of fashion and glamour. But after Charity dyes her mane and tail to look more like her mentor, and begins to copy the fashionista's every move, Rarity realizes this pony is a problem! Can Rarity and all her pony friends solve the curious case of Charity?
Perfect to read together or for newly confident readers. Check out the other books in this sparkly series:
Twilight Sparkle and the Crystal Heart Spell
Pinkie Pie and the Rockin' Pony Party
Rainbow Dash and the Daring Do Double Dare
Rarity and the Curious Case of Charity
Applejack and the Secret Diary Switcheroo
Discord and the Ponyville Players
Princess Celestia and the Royal Rescue
Princess Luna and the Winter Moon Festival
Lyra and the Secret Agent Ponies
Age range 6 - 8 /
/ Do you know why honeycombs are hexagon-shaped? Or how prime numbers can help insects avoid predators?
This book is packed with 101 eye-opening and extraordinary facts that you will love to discover.
HalfBoy. HalfGod. ALLHero.
It's not every day you find yourself in combat with a half-lion, half-human.
But when you're the son of a Greek God, it happens. And now my friend Annabeth is missing, a Goddess is in chainsandonly five half-blood heroes can join the quest to defeat the doomsday monster.
Oh and guess what. The Oracle has predicted that not all of us will survive
Age range 10+ /
/ Barry Bennett hates being called Barry. In fact it’s number 2 on the list of things he blames his parents for, along with 1) ‘being boring’ and 3) ‘always being tired’.
But there is a world, not far from this one, where parents don’t have children. That’s far too random for something so big and important. In this world, children are allowed to choose their parents.
For Barry Bennett, this world seems like a dream come true. Only things turn out to be not quite that simple…
Age range 9+
It's winter term and Grace and her friends are learning to ice skate on the frozen lake. Everyone is excited because the best skater will be chosen to star in a special performance alongside famous ice dancer Glacia Blizzard. But the celebrated ice dancer is not all that she first seems. Can Grace save the school from a frosty fate?
Age range 7 – 9 years /
/ Did you know that to escape from a black hole you’d have to fly faster than the speed of light? And that if you discover a comet it will be named after you? Or that all astronauts have to learn wilderness survival skills?
Read this fun and informative book with its bright, infographic-style illustrations, detailed facts on every page, a glossary and index, and internet links to specially selected websites for more information.
Gym-mad Tara still can’t believe she’s part of the Silverdale Gym Club – and that she’s through to a national competition! But Tara’s homework is starting to pile up and when her teachers notice that her schoolwork is sliding she’s in big trouble... Can Tara finish all her work on time and win a gold medal?
Age range 9 – 11 years /
/ The Internet has been with us for a surprisingly long time (Queen Elizabeth II sent her first email in 1976), and there are many people alive today who do not remember life without it. How did we communicate? Where did we go for information?
This book follows the development of information technology from the invention of writing through the earliest computers (earlier than you think!) to the present day. It explains in simple terms how the Internet works, and how it differs from the World Wide Web. An important section at the end discusses how young readers can stay safe online.
This compendium of school jokes is sure to have you in stitches. You will love the wide range of jokes, from academic subjects to homework and teachers. /
/ 100 Facts Weather is a fantastic illustrated children's book for 7-10 year olds.
Covering a wide range of topics from climate zones around the world to weather forecasting, exactly 100 numbered facts will challenge children, acting as an incentive as they make their way through the book.
Packed with beautiful artwork and photographs, and featuring fun panels containing activities, quizzes and cartoons, 100 Facts is the perfect introduction to this fascinating topic
Fredegonda, Goneril, and Drusilla are Great Hagges, much more important and much rarer than regular old hags. They think that ghosts these days are decidedly lacking and that people haven't been scared of ghosts foryears. So one day they decide that something needs to change - it's time for these ghosts to learn a thing or two about being scary. And what better way to teach them than to set up their very own school for ghosts?
Age range 9 Years + /
/ A comprehensive children’s encyclopedia packed with photos of all modes of transportation, from classic cars and motorbikes to sailboats and spaceships
Cars, Trains, Ships and Planesdisplays exciting vehicles that float, fly or speed across the land, including the record breakers - the fastest, largest, longest and costliest modes of transportation ever to zoom, sail or soar. Explore over 1,000 different vehicles and discover fun facts and figures. This children’s encyclopedia is the fastest route to learning about the entire history of all modern modes of transportation, from the first wheel to the latest hybrids.
Cars, Trains, Ships and Planesis the perfect gift for young transport enthusiasts, who are revved up and ready to read.
Step aboard a World War II submarine and learn how they were built to withstand the pressures underwater.
Examine their complex life-support systems and meet the crew.
Superb cutaway illustrations provide a vivid and intimate insight into every aspect of submarine life. /