Resources
KIDS BOOK CORNER

We'd like to bring you a selection of books our kids have enjoyed. We know how hard it can be to find good books, which appeal to reluctant readers, so we'll do our best for you, and aim to meet a range of interests and ages.
We would also love to hear of the books that have worked for your children. If you wish to recommend a book that your child enjoyed or one that you think would cater to our children, please send your reviews or comments to the Cloud 9 Children's Foundation, 1 Fairway Drive, Lower Hutt, Wellington. Or email you reviews to the Foundation Co-ordinator foundation@entercloud9.com  



We very much look forward to hearing from you. Here goes……….
The Day My Bum Went Psycho
butts
Most likely to appeal to boys (unsqueamish girls with good soh) aged 8+
www.andygriffiths.com.au


Andy Griffiths is an Australian writer who specialises in writing shortish, easy to read books with a definite gross out factor, but extremely funny and are very popular with young readers.

"Griffiths' fun gross-out adventure novel follows Zack Freeman, who awakens to see his rear end leaping out the window to lead a bum rally. Zack's butt urges bums to "assume our rightful positions on top of the neck." Zack searches for the "one person who can stop [the plan]," the Bum Hunter, and in the process meets up with legendary bum fighters like the Kisser and the Smacker - plus the Bum Hunter's tough daughter, Eleanor. As the team tries to stop the bums from erupting a disgusting bumcano (hint: it's not filled with lava), they encounter a stink tornado, swimming poopoises, the Stenchgantor, "also known as the Great Unwiped Butt" - and a traitor in their midst. Though Zack finally tells his bum, "Well maybe if I'd taken better care of you ... you might not have gone psycho in the first place," kids will gleefully discover there's no great lesson to be learned here."
Pan Macmillan 2001

The sequel to this is Zombie Bums from Uranus (all puns intended!) and my son, who is 18 is eagerly awaiting its release in NZ. Look out for it in bookstores and libraries soon.

For more info www.andygriffiths.com.au 
An amazing, interactive website - don't forget to look out the interviews with the author and how he gets his highly original ideas for his books.
Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen series
maryashley
www.mary-kateandashley.com also www.kidsreads.com
If you used to watch sit-coms back in the late eighties, you may remember a programme called Full House in which these two were the cute as a button tiny actresses (from 9 months old!). Well, guess what, they're all grown up now (aged 16) and have written a couple of series of books, which are hugely popular with young girls and some older teens as well. Mary-Kate and Ashley have become a bit of a world-wide marketing sensation and have also created a whole range of products in music, software, dolls and fashion accessories…. 

The books are very easy to read, and are about the highs and lows, storms and dramas of growing up. E.g. boys, clothes, hanging out at the mall, sweet sixteen party (what theme to have and which cute boys to invite). All the regular stuff! A light bit of fluff; but a great way to get teen girls reading, particularly if they like the TV series.
P.S. If they like these, they may also enjoy 

· Babysitter Club series books by Ann Martin http://www.scholastic.com/annmartin/bsc/ 


· Sweet Valley High series by Francine Pascal http://www.randomhouse.com/sweetvalley/ 


· Saddle Club www.saddleclubtv.com/home.htm  

Animorphs
http://www.scholastic.com/animorphs/index.htm
"We can't tell you who we are. Or where we live. It's too risky and we've got to be careful. So we don't trust anyone. They might find us and if they do.."

Take five kids, one alien and the ability to change into any animal they touch and you've got a fantastic, exciting Super-Series.

Animorphs is an exciting mix of science fiction, fantasy action and adventure that we think will appeal to children aged 

Jake, Cassie, Tobias, Rachel and Marco are plunged into excitement when an alien gives them an amazing power. They can morph into any animal they touch. A hostile alien race is trying to destroy the earth and they are the only ones who can stop them.

Other titles:

Magic SchoolBus (Scholastic) http://www.scholastic.com/magicschoolbus/home.htm 



Eye Witness Guides (Dorling Kindersley)
Cross Sections (Dorling Kindersley)
http://www.penguin.com.au/dk/ 


Captain Underpants (Scholastic)
http://www.scholastic.com/captainunderpants/home.htm 



Usborne Puzzle Adventures (Usborne)
http://www.usborne.com/puzzle_books/puzzle_books.asp 



Watch this space for more recommendations and don't forget to send us your reviews.