Halloween treats

Whether you love Halloween, hate it, or choose to ignore it, it's a great excuse to share a spooky story or two. Here's some of the favourites at my house at the moment.

A Dark, Dark Tale by Ruth Brown
The repetition makes this book extra spooky, as you follow along with the dark, dark journey. With a great, unexpected ending.








Scary Night by Lesley Gibbes and Stephen Michael King
Honour Book in the 2015 CBCA  Book of the Year: Early Childhood
A lovely story about friendship and adversity. Watch Chanelle Sheehan read it in the Story Box Library (you will need to log in with your library card number first).



Emu's Halloween by Anne Mangan, illustrated by David Cornish
An Australian take on Halloween, with a bit of stress from Emu that it might not be scary enough.








My Dead Bunny by Sigi Cohen, illustrated by James Foley
Notable in the 2016 CBCA Picture Book of the Year
This one is for older readers, about a bunny who comes back from the dead. Watch James Foley read it in the Story Box Library (log in with your library card number).


These books, and more, are available at the library. Visit Newcastle Region Library's Catalogue and Website to find them!

What are your favourite spooky stories to share?

EXPECTO PATRONUM!



WARNER BROS. PICTURES/ Album / Universal Images Group

Think of your happiest memory you can. Now... are you a dragon or a dragonfly, a ferret or a falcon? J.K. Rowling's latest addition to Pottermore (the digital heart of the wizarding world) allows members to complete a quiz (written by Rowling herself) which reveals your Patronus!


As Professor Lupin tells Harry in Prisoner of Azkaban, the Patronus is ‘a kind of Anti-Dementor – a guardian which acts as a shield between you and the Dementor.’ It’s also ‘a kind of positive force, a projection of the very things that the Dementor feeds upon – hope, happiness, the desire to survive – but it cannot feel despair, as real humans can, so the Dementors can’t hurt it.’


Rowling's Patronus is a Heron and the Library got a Owl which we thought was very fitting. Have you read Harry Potter and the Cursed Child yet? Place a hold and stay in the wizarding world just a little longer.

Visit Newcastle Region Library's Catalogue and Website.

Roald Dahl is for Grown Ups, Too!

With today marking the 100th birthday of Roald Dahl, children the world over are celebrating 'Dahl Day' through a range of activities, exhibitions and events. Here at Newcastle Region Library, we're joining in the fun, with some phizz-whizzing activities planned for the school holidays.

Although his most popular works are found in the junior section of libraries and book shops, Dahl did not always write with a juvenile audience in mind. His first forays into storytelling were written for an adult audience. His first published work, 'Over to You: Ten Stories of Flyers and Flying' was based on his experiences in World War II as a Royal Air Force pilot. Another collection of short stories 'Switch Bitch', was first published in Playboy magazine and explored the darker side of Dahl's sense of humour. Although much of his adult work was in short story form, he also penned 3 autobiographies, with the last ('My Year') being written during his last year of life.

Ronald Durmont/Hulton Archive/Getty Images/Universal Images Group

So, whilst the kiddles are enjoying the exploits of Dahl's more acclaimed characters such as Matilda, The BFG or Willy Wonka, why not kick back yourself with one of Dahl's more 'mature' creations? Browse through Newcastle Region Library's Roald Dahl collection via our online catalogue. You may discover something gloriumptious!

Visit Newcastle Region Library's Catalogue and Website.

Spring Fling @ Wallsend District Library

Wallsend District Library is shaking off winter, and getting ready to celebrate all things SPRING with our annual spring festival. Once again, the library will be filled with displays, live trees, floral arrangements and community talks.

When?
12-23 September 2016

What's on?
So many things!

Goodbye Winter Exhibition
The 'Goodbye Winter' Exhibition is a showcase of digital photographs presented by The Photographers Learning Forum, an Internet based group of professional photographers who give their time and expertise to help and mentor newcomers to the wonderful world of digital photography.
The Photography Learning Forum is based in Newcastle and operates through Facebook. The Forum provides free assistance and guidance to amateur photographers via on-line learning. Professional photographers provide their skill and expertise to the community. Participants can ask questions via online forums, video tutorials and photographic exercises. If you have recently purchased a digital camera they can show you how to use it effectively.
Cost: Free
Bookings not required, just drop in.
12 September - 15 October

Guided tour of Summerhill Waste Management Centre
Have you ever wondered what happens to the contents of your red and green lid bins? Now is your chance to find out by taking a free guided tour of the Summerhill Waste Management Centre.
Newcastle Region Library is offering a free one hour guided tour of the Summerhill Waste Management Centre. The tour departs from Wallsend District Library and provides a behind the scenes look at Newcastle's landfill and resource recovery centre.
Presented by: Newcastle City Council
Cost: Free
Bookings essential.
Monday 12 September, 11:00am-12:30pm - Book your spot
Tuesday 20 September, 11:00am-12:30pm - Book your spot

Community talk: Wallsend Flood Plan
Tuesday 13 September, 10:30am
Presented by Nathan Evans, Newcastle City Council

Special storytime - Hunter Wetlands

Celebrate Spring with our special storytime featuring the Hunter Wetlands Centre. Meet turtles and frogs and enjoy stories, songs and a Wetland themed craft activity.
Cost: Free
Bookings essential.
Wednesday 14 September, 10:30am-11:20am - Book your spot

Community talk: Hunter Wetlands
Now in its 31^st year, the Hunter Wetlands Centre is continually re-imagining how it helps Novocastrians and visitors alike to conserve and protect our wetlands and wildlife.
Dr. Stuart Blanch, Chief Executive Officer, Hunter Wetlands Centre, will talk about what is happening this Spring at the Centre, including what their volunteer team are working on, what wildlife is about, and some their upcoming projects during the Spring and Summer period.
Presented by: Dr Stuart Blanch, CEO, Hunter Wetlands Centre
Cost: Free
Bookings essential. 
Thursday 15 September, 11:00am-12:00pm - Book your spot

Community talk: Put a Spring in your step with fresh fruit and veg

Mary from The Fresh Ingredient will discuss seasonal spring fruits and vegetables and demonstrate how to create a nutritious tasty salad. The Fresh Ingredient won the Hunter Local Business Awards for Most Outstanding Fruit and Vegetable retailer in 2012, 2013 & 2015.
Presented by Mary, The Fresh Ingredient
Cost: Free
Bookings essential.
Wednesday 21 September, 11:30am-12:30pm - Book your spot

Floral Arrangement Demonstration
Alyn from Everything Floral will create a floral arrangement from native flora. Come along and learn the tips and tricks for creating a stunning floral display.
Presented by Alyn, Everything Floral  
Cost: Free
Bookings essential. 
Thursday 22 September, 11:00am-12:00pm - Book your spot

Food Carving Demonstration
Be amazed at the Thai art of food sculpting. Expert staff from Top Thai Restaurant will demonstrate the culinary art of sculpting fruit and vegetables.
Presented by: Top Thai Restaurant
Cost: Free
Bookings essential.
Friday 23 September, 10.30am-12:00pm - Book your spot

To see what other amazing things are happening, visit Newcastle Region Library's Catalogue and Website.

How to get Brad Pitt whispering in your ear

First of all, you could try asking Angelina. But if that doesn’t work, try an Audiobook. Yes, Brad Pitt is one of the many famous voices narrating much loved titles (which we’ll get to in a bit). First things first: is listening to an audiobook cheating? Apparently not, according to a recent article published in NYmag  'As far as your brain is concerned, Audio books are not 'cheating' ' . A great article to read that swiftly dispels the anti-audio opinion held by some resistant readers. 

Justin Guariglia / National Geographic Society / Universal Images Group

Whilst podcasts are the new cool, the humble Audio Book is still copping some flak. No more says Newcastle Library! The way we consume literature is changing and audio has come a long way from the nauseating narrators on cassette tape. You can now sun bake on the beach whilst Brad Pitt reads you Cormac McCarthy or take a walk whilst immersing yourself into the mind of the artist with Patti Smith. 

Have a road trip with the kids planned? Listen to Kate Winslet read Blyton's The Folk of the Faraway Tree or dive back into the wonderful world of Roald Dahl. Finding it hard to sleep? Stephen Fry can tuck you in with some Harry Potter. Of course if you'd prefer a giggle, Bossy Pants by Tina Fey is a top pick or William McInnes reading his book Holidays; a warm and funny celebration of Australia's favourite passtime. Perhaps you prefer a cult classic? Why not try Joan Didion's Slouching Towards Bethlehem narrated by Diane Keaton.

With an ever expanding catalogue filled with wonderful Audio Book titles Newcastle Library's Audio collection has never been easier to access. Whether you want to listen on CD in the car, phone, or tablet, Audio Books are at your fingertips and all you need is your library card. Visit our eLibrary to get started or drop into any of our branches with your device and we can set you up!



Visit Newcastle Region Library's Catalogue and Website.