Beowulf

With all the recent publicity and hooplah for the premiere of the film version of "Beowulf" it's worth our pointing out that we have a few different editions of the poem in our libraries, along with some scholarly commentaries on the poem.

As well as classic editions we have:

• Copies of Seamus Heaney's much-acclaimed retelling both in book and audio format;


• Michael Morpugo's version for children, with dramatic illustrations by Michael Foreman; and


• Caitlin Kiernan's novelisation of the film.

Shrek Cookbook

Isn't this great? Lots of nice, easy-to-follow recipes — without hundreds and hundreds of different ingredients for each one — nicely laid out with Shrek and Princess Fiona and the others. There's some wonderful stuff in here.

I like the way the book opens flat so that you're not having to keep on finding your place while you're following the recipes.

And there are some good ideas for uses for ear wax!

— Sue

We've copies of Shrek Cookbook in the Children's Non-Fiction collections in all our libraries.

The Truth About Teachers

"The Truth About Teachers" is an really very funny collection of rhymes and poems about teachers.

It dishes the dirt on their secret lives: that competetive streak on the football field; translations of common "teacher's phrases" used in the classroom; and the truth about tea and cakes in the staff room. Great stuff!

James

"The Truth About Teachers" is written by Paul Cookson, Davide Harmer, Brian Moses and Roger Stevens and generously illustrated by David Perkins. We've just bought seven copies for children's collections in libraries around the Borough.

Mummy? by Maurice Sendak

This is a wonderful book! The pop-up characters are really clever and the detail's amazing. I really loved all the monsters.

And don't forget to open the flaps at the sides of the page. I did first time and missed some of the best surprises!

Sue

All our copies of Mummy are in the Storytime Collections at Heywood, Middleton and the Wheatsheaf, being used for Under-fives' story times.

Children's book choices

Our old library web site included an online form that let borrowers send us book reviews. We got quite a lot of response from children, here are some of them:

Matilda by Roald Dahl
Yes I loved it it was so amazing I could not take my eyes away from it.
Rebecca Heapy

Double Act by Jacqueline Wilson
I think it is really funny and Jacqueline uses very descriptive words.
Abbi Woods

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
I liked it because it is funny and I liked all the actors in the choclate factory and I loved the Oompa Loompas
Aimee Louise Ball

The Illustrated Mum by Jacqueline Wilson
It was upsetting at times and then when one of the characters was happy you feel happy too. You can feel what the book feels.
Lois Brady

Roald Dahl's Revolting Recipes
I liked the book very much. It was very good and disgusting and I made the wormy spaghetti and the illustrator was good. It is one of the best books I have ever had.
Jamie Paul Radcliffe

Bumface by Morris Gleitzman is good because it is very, very funny and humourous.
Elizabeth Gough

The Girlfriend By R.L.Stine

It was about a 17 year old boy called Scotty and he has been going out with the same girl, Lora, for 7 years. But one week she goes away on holiday. He meets a girl called Shannon and goes out with her twice. When his girlfriend returns home he wants to carry on as normal. Shannon doesn't. She wants him all to herself. Scotty tells her it's over but she doesn't take any notice. She loves him and she follows him everywhere. Everytime he says no she hurts him. But the more times he says no the worse it gets. He finally has enough. He gets angry and annoyed and shakes her and hits her. Does he get away with murder? Literally. You didn't know what was going to happen next!


Philippa