Reading About Reading
One of the greatest gifts you can give your child is to read to them.
Recommended reading about reading to your child and the importance of reading:
Reading Magic by Mem Fox
Rocket your Child Into Reading by Jackie French
The Reading Bug and how you can help your child to catch it by Paul Jennings
RHYME 'N' RUMPUS @ THE LIBRARY! 
Rhyme 'n' Rumpus is a fun filled preschool programme featuring stories, songs, finger-plays, action rhymes, music, movement, and craft. Tailored specifically for babies, toddlers and preschoolers Rhyme 'n' Rumpus supports and fosters children's literacy, social, cognitive, motor and musical skills whilst bonding with their caregivers through shared music, action, literary and craft activities.
There is no need to book and sessions are FREE. Come along - read, dance, rock and create at Rhyme 'n' Rumpus!
Kindergartens and Playcentres are welcome to join us in the library for Rhyme 'n' Rumpus and if you would like one of our specialist staff to visit your centre with our Rhyme 'n' Rumpus Roadshow please e-mail us here...
Rotorua Toy Library 
The Rotorua Toy Library is a community organization established and administered by a small dedicated committee of volunteers. There are over 350 toys available to borrow at a minimal rental charge for a 3 week period. The Toy Library is housed at the Rotorua District Library and is available to Rotorua District Library members. Please enquire at the District Library Service Desk for details on how to acquire a membership card if you don't already hold one. now have their own website where you can browse through every item in their catalogue and choose a toy to borrow for 3 weeks! Whether they are for your own children OR you are hosting a party OR you are expecting relatives for the weekend. Wouldn't it would be great to have some toys on hand to keep the little ones happy?
Picture Books: Recent Releases and Feature Titles
The Family of Earth by Schim Schimmel
The Family of Earth, a treasure book of words and images, is guaranteed to make you view the world in a whole new way. Author/artist Schim Schimmel reminds us that even thought eh world may look different to each of us - from the vast, green forests of the gorilla, to the endless grassy plains of the lion - we are all part of the same family of earth. Through simple poetic text and lush artwork, The Family of earth will touch young and old alike.
Doodleday by Ross Collins
A flight into the imagination sees Harvey's drawings making a difference because today is 'Doodleday'! Join Harvey as he doodles his way towards disaster in this hilarious tale.
Some Dads... by Nick Bland
Some dads are Sporty, some dads are naughty, and some dads just brighten your day. Best-selling picture book creator, Nick Bland, brilliantly captures the simple joys all dads bring to everyday life.
There was an Old Woman Who Swallowed a Weta by P crumble, Illustrated by Errol McLeary
"There was an old woman who swallowed a weta, I don't know why she swallowed the weta...She's never felt better1 kiwi creatures, look out! there's an old woman on the loose with an unusual appetite! Another hilarious addition to Kiwi Corkers; Great New Zealand Yarns - a series that adds a uniquely New Zealand twist to classic tales and rhymes.
Dinosaurs Love Underpants by Claire Freedman and Ben Cort
'Dinosaurs were all wiped out, A long way back in history. No one knows quite how or why, Now this book solves the mystery..." A wonder rhyming text that will have you and your child laughing out loud as T-rex and the gang wrestle for their very own pair of prehistoric pants in a mighty Pants War.
Book List Theme
Helping Children Deal with Separation and Divorce
When couples separate and/or divorce it is usually a very painful time for all involved. For children it is particularly confusing and hurtful and a time over which they often feel they have no control. The following books are designed for parents/adults to read to their children and all emphasize the need for parents to explain the situation to children and to ensure that the latter in no way feel that their parents’ separation or divorce is their fault.
There are a number of picture books suitable for young children, though given the complexity and sensitivity of the subject parents need to spend time reading and re-reading the books to ensure that they are suitable for their own situation. In addition, many of these books may help parents to formulate ways to explain their family’s situation to their young child or children.
‘Fred Stays With Me’ by Nancy Cofflet and illustrated by Tricia Tusa (currently on order)
This book, a strong and emotionally honest story, tells how one girl copes with her parent’s separation/divorce. Fred, her dog, goes with her whether she is staying with her mother or with her father. Fred is not the most obedient dog and when this begins to disrupt her parents’ separate lives, the young girl is insistent that ‘Fred stays with’ her. Fred symbolizes a strong consistent feature in the young girl’s life at a very changing and confusing time. Fred helps to reduce the child’s feelings of powerlessness in a situation in which she has little if any control.
‘Good-Bye, Daddy’ by Brigitte Weninger and Alan Marks
When a young boy comes home after spending time with his father he is so angry that the father has to leave again that he hides, refusing to give his dad a good-bye hug. The boy’s mother finds him and through a warm and uplifting story about a bear cub in a similar situation, she conveys to her son the love his father still holds for him and how important it is for them to spend time together.
‘Was It the Chocolate Pudding?’ A Story for Little Kids About Divorce’ by Sandra Levins and illustrated by Bryan Langdo
“They didn’t tell my brother and me why, but I figured it out.” When I first read this book I as jolted by how convinced the young child felt his parents’ divorce was his fault. Though the parents love and care for their children deeply this child held the burden of guilt. It wasn’t until some time later when he told his mother how sorry he was for making her leave home that the parents realized. The shocked mother tells the boy the truth and his relief is overwhelming. Given the subject of the book the mood may seem light yet the message is poignantly conveyed. The book includes an afterward providing advice to parents on how to help children deal with their thoughts and emotions to separation and divorce.
Also look out for ‘It’s Just Different Now’ by Linda Espie.
There are a number of children’s non-fiction books available suitable for parents to read to or with their child. Though most of the following titles are more suitable for older children they are valuable resources for any parent facing this situation as they may help parents of younger children find ways to explain to them what is happening in terms they will understand.
Relevant Non-Fiction titles
What About Me? A guide to separation and divorce for children by Lois Tonkin
Divorce by Janine Amons, illustrated by Gwen Green, photographs by Angela Hampton
Talking to Kids…About Divorce by Dr Nora Duffield
Talking About Divorce by Nicola Edwards
Family Break-ups? By Jillian Powell
When Parents Separate by Pete sanders and Steve Myers