Calendars

31st August - 4 September

The Taranaki Children's Book Festival 2010 kicks off Tuesday (31st August) with an awards night in Stratford. After judging a junior and intermediate writing competition, the touring authors will announce the winners.

For the rest of the week, the authors and illustrators will visit schools on the Taranaki Book Trail. The festival ends on Saturday (4 September) with a grand Gala Finale at The TSB Hub in Hawera (10am - 2pm).

UK crime writing sensation R.J. Ellory will be touring New Zealand in September to promote his new book, Saints of New York (Orion, 9781409104759).

The chance to meet your favourite authors and illustrators, the opportunity to hear books read aloud, writing and illustration competitions, along with book talks, artists at work and book signing sessions, is now less than a week away!!

The Storylines Festival begins in Wellington this Sunday 15 August at the Wellington Town Hall & Capital E, and in Christchurch on the same day, at the Christchurch Town Hall. We hope that you have these days in your diary and we look forward to seeing you there.

Peter Janssen’s life has seen him living in and visiting an awful lot of New Zealand.  His interest in history has lead him to some of the smallest “towns” in our country. 
 
Fortunately for us he is not asking us to wade through his many photos of old country halls, instead on Tuesday June 15 Peter will share with Dymocks Ponsonby and GABA his new book Great Kiwi Eats. 
 

Dymocks Ponsonby celebrates birthday

Dymocks at Three Lamps has sold thousands of books in its first year. Andrew Rumbles, owner of Dymocks Ponsonby, admits “it’s been a fun but tough year but we’re pleased to celebrate the store’s first birthday”. 

On May 13 this franchised store has been open exactly a year. 

To acknowledge the occasion they organised a co-celebration with Puffin Books, who are 70 this month. 

An Invitation to all Ruth Paul fans, and friends.
 
We are delighted to be able to launch Ruth's new book, Two Little Pirates, at the Children's Bookshop on Thursday 3 June at 6pm.

All are welcome, please bring your friends, and forward this email to other of Ruth's friends, and fans.
 
Please rsvp by email to:

The Children's Bookshop
Shop 26 Kilbirnie Plaza, Kilbirnie, Wellington
t 04 3873905
e childbkwgtn@xtra.co.nz
 

NZSO to perform world premiere of original drama, composed by Gareth Farr.

The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra will bring William Shakespeare’s mysterious sonnets to musical life in June, with the world premiere of a fully-orchestrated original drama composed by Gareth Farr.

The Sonnets Unplugged tour of Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch represents a thrilling collaboration between Farr, the NZSO and actors Rima Te Wiata and Kristian Lavercombe.

Time Out hosted the Puffin 70th birthday party on Saturday 22nd May at 2:00 pm.

A great time was had by all - face-painting, colouring-in, cupcakes and spot prizes featured – along with a reading by Badjelly the Witch!

At least 30 people enjoyed the festivities over the course of the afternoon and went home with a Puffin party bag.

And kids were invited to choose a free Puffin book each (Time Out won one of the 70 sets from Penguin)!

Puffin party bags

Discover why the traditional pleasures of baking are as strong as ever -
 
with Ladies, A Plate and A Second Helping author
ALEXA JOHNSTON

Tuesday 25th MAY – 2.00pm
Masterton District Library
or
Tuesday 25th MAY – 5.30pm
Hedley’s Bookshop