Books for children

Press, 9 December 1976, Page 10

Books for children

Nothing fascinates child* ren more than an encyclopaedia and there are some

beautiful ones on the Christmas shelves this year.

Most expensive is “The Great World Encyclopaedia’’ ($11.95), which is divided into seven subject sections and is abundantly illustrated. “The New Encyclopaedia of the World” is an introduction to human and physical geography for children with 300 colour pictures. The reliable “Junior Pears Encylopaedia” is in its sixteenth edition, and children from 11 up will find “Fact Finder” handy for answering their many questions about the world. “The Origin of Johnny” sets out to answer “who am I and where do I come from?”- from the evolutionary angle and “All About Us” explores for younger readers how they are born, grow, work and learn.

“Hunters Gold” ($8.95), the story of TV2’s television series, will enthral many eight to 13-year-olds and it has some very lively colour photos of the action. Also with a New Zealand theme, “No Trains at the Bay” is an adventure story by A. J. Holden about two boys kidnapped in nineteenth century New Zealand. Margaret Mahy’s latest book, “A Lion in the Meadow and Other Favourites” contains six of her most popular stories, suitable for children between six and 10. Learning to count is great fun for younger children in “Count Worm” (in which Count Worm twists himself into all sorts of shapes) and the “Best Counting Book Ever.’’ Other good little books for pre-schoolers are “The Adventures of Barney,” with two pin-up posters, “I am a Clown” which follows Dick Bruna’s “Miffy” books, and “Mummy How Cold is a Witch’s Nose,’ ! written by two Auckland mothers. These books are all priced under $3. Fairy tales, ever popular, are beautifully presented in “Mother Goose” and “Great - Children’s Stories,” both $9.95, and “Hans Andersen, his Fairy Tales. Illustrated” ($8.95). “Walt Disney’s Storyland”- is an old favourite too, with 320 pages of Disney magic. There is also a “Disneyland Annual,” which is one of the most popular Fleetway annuals, “Tiger Annual”- for boys interested in sport and “Princess Tina Annual” for girls mad on ballet and animals.