Booksurf Blog

Have you seen this new series published by Walker Books.

After Luke Watson transforms into a werewolf for the third time, he and his parents are moved by the Government Housing of Unusual Lifeforms (G.H.O.U.L.) to Scream Street – a community of vampires, zombies, witches and more! Luke soon makes friends with vampire Resus Negative and mummy Cleo Farr.

 
Check out Tommy Donbavand introduce his series of books…

Scream Street and Tommy Donbavand have a fantastic website with news, events, games and much more. Click here to check it out.

Click here to purchase the first book in the series – Scream Street 1 : Fang of the Vampire.

Click here to purchase other titles by Tommy Donbavand. Remember to Login to Booksurf  first.

Terrible Yellow Eyes is a collection of works inspired by the beloved classic, Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak. Artists from all over the world have contributed to this site. The images are fantastic and show a range of interpretations of Max. Cory Godbey is the creater of this site and put together a wonderful collections of images dedicated to Maurice Sendak. Share this with your students.

The fourth book in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series has been released.

Dog Days: Diary of a Wimpy Kid V4
Author: Jeff Kinney

      ” It’s the summer holidays, the weather’s great, and all the kids are having fun outside. So where’s Greg Heffley? Inside his house, playing video games with the shades drawn.

Greg, a self-confessed ‘indoor person,’ is living out his ultimate summer fantasy: no responsibilities and no rules. But Greg’s mom has a different vision for an ideal summer . . . one packed with outdoor activities and ‘family togetherness.’

Whose vision will win out? Or will a new addition to the Heffley family change everything?”

The original book – ‘Diary of a Wimpy Kid’ is also being made into a movie and due for release April 2010. Watch this space for more details to follow…

Wimpy Kid also has his own website, click here to check it out.

Jeff Kinney explains on the following video explains writing Diary of a Wimpy Kid. This video give students an opportunity to listen and share Jeff’s concepts and development of character.

Click here to purchase your copy. Remember to log in the Booksurf first.

Click here to purchase other titles by Jeff Kinney

Roald Dahl’s classic book Fantastic Mr Fox has made its way to the big screen. Director Wes Anderson has bought to life the sly character of Mr Fox and his arch rivals, the farmers’ Boggis, Bunce and Bean. Some of the stars inclue George Clooney as Mr Fox, Meryl Streep as Mrs Fox and Bill Murray as Badger just to name a few. This animation looks fantastic and very funny. The Australian release date is January 2010 accoring to IMDB.

Click here to purchase a copy of Fantastic Mr Fox.

Click here to check out other Roald Dahl titles.

He is back and ready to wow the fans of J.K Rowling’s Harry Potter.  Harry Potter the Half-Blood Prince  is the sixth novel in the series and promises to be bigger and better than the rest. The movie trailer has just come out ready for the holidays.

A New York Best Seller, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince takes up the story of Harry Potter’s sixth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, with Voldemort’s power and followers increasing day-by-day.

“ In a brief statement on Friday night, Minister for Magic Cornelius Fudge confirmed that He Who Must Not Be Named has returned to this country and is once more active. It is with great regret that I must confirm that the wizard styling himself Lord – well, you know who I mean – is alive and among us again, said Fudge. “

These dramatic words appeared in the final pages of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

Lets hope the movie lives up to the book.

Click here to purchase paperback version of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

Click here to see other books written by J.K. Rowling.

Maurice Zendak’s Where the Wild Things has been immortalized on film 46 years after being published. Let the rumpus begin…

The word is that this film is not pitched at little kids, even though inspired by a picture book. The Australian release date is 10 December 2009, according to IMDB.

url: http://www.trailerspy.com/trailer/3117/Where-the-Wild-Things-Are-Trailer-HD

Here is a video animation of the story created by students at Lincoln University.

Which ever is your favourite, this classic story is a must in every library! 

Click here to purchase paperback edition of Where the Wild Things Are.

Anthony Hill latest title ‘Captain Cook’s Apprentice’ has brought historical events to the forfront through the eyes of the ships’ boy – Isaac Manley.

“Captain Cook’s Apprentice is the story of the famous Endeavour voyage as seen through the eyes of a ship’s boy, Isaac Manley.

 Death in the snows of Tierra del Fuego … first love in Tahiti … Maori warriors and cannibals in New Zealand … Botany Bay … near-disaster on the Great Barrier Reef … and real tragedy waiting for them in Java. Isaac Manley saw it all. A real boy, who  was promoted Midshipman by Captain Cook, Isaac Manley went on to become an Admiral and was the last survivor of the Endeavour crew. ”

Click here to purchase a paperback edition of Captain Cook’s Apprentice.

Click here for teaching notes and reference and internet links and videos about Captain Cook’s Voyagers.

 

Anthony Bourke and John Rendell were the two Australians who purchased Christian the Lion from Harrods in London in 1969 and then released him back in the wild a year later. They have now released a new children’s book called Christian the Lion for confident readers. 

Click here for the whole story of Christian the Lion with interviews with John and Anthony. A great way to share the story with our students.

Click here to purchase the paperback edition of Christian the Lion by John Rendell and Anthony Bourke.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar turns 40 this year. Check out the video where Eric Carle himself talks about how he came up with the idea and his love for colour.

A classic children’s picture book which should be in every Library’s collection.

Click here to purchase the paperback edition.