Time to pull out the books, sit back and enjoy the summer .... here are some hints from our Librarian, Mrs Colleen Shipley.

If you are like me you will be looking forward to the summer break with a big pile of books knowing you will have a bit more time to read - but some rangatahi still see reading as a chore and certainly not something to do in the holidays.

There is such benefit in reading for pleasure - it increases empathy, reduces stress levels and supports achievement. The holidays are a great time to explore different types of books. Try a graphic novel or magazine - sharing reading as a family also results in special memories.

Rangatahi can borrow books from the library over the long summer break and we are happy to provide suggestions if you don’t know where to start. So make sure you come on over and pick a few good reads out for the holidays!

Books also make good christmas presents and here are some in the shops at the moment.

• Gangsta Granny Strikes Again by David Walliams (for fans of Roald Dahl)
• Sonny Bill Williams : You can’t stop the sun from shining - with Alan Duff (for the sports fan)
• Cousins by Karen McManus (teenage murder mystery thriller)
• Tiger Daughter by Rebecca Lim (a chinese immigrant story - building empathy)
• Daughter of the Deep by Rick Riordan (for Percy Jacksn fans)
• If Not Us by Mark Smith (climate change action)
• Don’t Hate the Player by Alexis Nedd (teen romance for gamers)
• Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao (sci-fi fantasy)
• Big Panda and Tiny Dragon by James Norbury - one of those special books, for inspiration and comfort

Merry Christmas and Happy reading from your Librarians, Colleen Shipley and Lianne Hadwin

“Reading gives us someplace to go, when we have to stay where we are.”