Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō Levin Library has three new Bluey-inspired books.
Jennifer Walton is the library engagement team lead at Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō Levin Library.
OPINION
If you are a parent, grandparent, or guardian of preschool or school-aged kids, no doubt you will not have been able to escape some exposure to Bluey, the Australian TV show following a six-year-old Blue Heeler puppy and her lovable family.
Since its introduction to our TV screens in 2019, Bluey has become a household name for anyone with young children, spurred a range of merchandise and won numerous awards. The Bluey bandwagon is large and crowded, and I am on top of it.
I first came across Bluey when my boys were quite young, and it captured my attention as much as theirs straight away.
The episodes are short and sweet, funny and light-hearted, but most importantly, as a household with young children, they are super relatable. While the show is meant for children, many of the jokes are aimed at adults, and I’ve often found myself snorting in the background while my kids are glued to the screen.
The thing I love the most about Bluey is the heart-warming relationships. Chilli and Bandit (mum and dad heeler) make me want to be a better parent; they know how to turn the most mundane chores into fun games with the kids.
They offer many reminders of the importance of play and imagination, but at the same time they often focus on the difficulties of raising children and navigating a host of other tricky topics.
Not surprisingly, these adorable and fun characters soon became the subject of several book series, which are popular go-tos for our youngest library members. These books allow readers to experience their favourite storylines over and over and engage more deeply with the characters and the wonderful world they inhabit. The slower pace of books allows for greater emotional investment and often enriches the story, offering new dimensions to the stories audiences already love.
Recently, Sport Manawatū invited us to join a fun new challenge to celebrate National Play Week, and it just happens to be centred around a well-known Bluey episode called “Keepy Uppy”. On Wednesday, October 30, at 1pm, we will join the Sport Manawatū world record attempt for the most people playing Keepy Uppy at the same time. This means keeping balloons in the air without touching the ground. We will do this simultaneously with venues across Manawatū, Horowhenua and Tararua districts. Gather your friends, family and colleagues to be part of this massive, synchronised game of Keepy Uppy. Be here before 1pm to be counted.
Top 10 books
What’s new for Young Readers
Mini Bluey – Bluey Series
Taxi – Bluey Series
Swim school – Bluey Series
The picnic and other stories by Jarvis
Attack of the giant danger kittens by Sophy Henn
One Earth by Eileen Spinelli
No. 30 by Anne Hayden
Family is family by Melissa Marr
There’s a wolf in your book by Tom Fletcher
I roto i te ngahere by Yvonne Morrison
Exhibitions:
Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō Gallery Presents: From Struggle to Strength – Portraits and Stories of Refugee Students – September 4 to October 30, 2024.
From Struggle to Strength highlights the journeys of six former-refugee college students from Colombia now living in Levin, New Zealand. Curated by Mariana Waculicz with the Ministry of Education, this exhibition features powerful photography and personal stories of resilience and growth. Discover how education has shaped their paths and gain insight into the challenges faced by refugee students. Special thanks to The Big Picture for their support in printing this exhibition. Learn more about the curator at eyelandphotography.com.
Te Awahou Nuiewe Stroom Māpuna Kabinet Gallery: “Te Kuranui a Matariki” Matariki exhibition– October 1 to October 31 2024.
Te Taitoa Māori o Te Awahou Trust invites you to “Te Kuranui a Matariki” at Māpuna Kabinet Gallery. This exhibition features stunning carved artworks from stone, pounamu, whalebone, and native woods, celebrating Matariki and her six children. Curated by Master Carver Heemi Te Peeti, it showcases the talents of his students. Join us Thursdays for a live workshop as artists carve new taonga. Free entry until the end of October 2024.
What’s On
Heritage room:
Volunteers staff the Heritage rooms at Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō Tuesday to Friday at the following times:
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, 10am -12.30pm
Thursday, 10am – 3pm
Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom Heritage Room has the research librarian available all day every Friday.
Friday, October 25:
Friday Live Concert, Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, 12pm – 1pm
Jim Redmond Crib Club, Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, 1pm – 3pm
SeniorNet, Get help with your tablets, phones and laptops
Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom, 10am – 12pm
Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, 2pm – 3pm
Code Club, Shannon Library, 3.30pm – 4.30pm
Saturday, October 26:
The Haunted Library Presents ‘Twisted Carnival’, Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, Fright Session – 5pm – 8pm – for families and younger children
Terror Session – 8pm – 10pm – for older children (recommended 12+)
Monday, October 28 - Labour Day
Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, CLOSED
Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom, CLOSED
Shannon Library, CLOSED
Tuesday, October 29:
Digital Drop-in Session, Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, 10am – 11am
Storytime, Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom, 10.30am – 11am
Tea & Tales, Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom, 10.30am – 11.30am
Justice of the Peace, Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, 11.30am – 1.30pm
500 Card Group, Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, 1pm – 3pm, $2
Discovering Family History, Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, 1pm – 3pm
Lego Hour, Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, 3.30pm – 4.30pm
Wednesday, October 30:
Volunteer Central, Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, 10am – 12pm
Crochet & Coffee Club, Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, 10.30am
Better Digital Futures: Foundation Skills, Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, 1pm – 3pm
Keepy Uppy Event, Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, 1pm
Code Club, Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, 4pm – 5pm
Pop Up Eats Horowhenua, Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō carpark, 5pm – 8pm
Quiz Night, Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, 7pm – 9pm, $5
Thursday, October 31:
Digital Drop-in Session, Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, 10am – 11am
Sewing Workshop, Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, 10am – 12pm
500 Card Group, Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, 1pm – 3pm, $2