Calling all Artists in the Greater Welllington Area

Young and old, professional or amateur, why not take part in Rona Gallery's The Magic of Wellington Art Competition?  We're looking for pieces of all types that in some way show  Wellington in its true light - by in some way encompassing the theme, "The Magic of Wellington."art


 We're really looking forward to this event - and are expecting some fantastic artwork to arrive - but that's going to rely on YOU - all you artists - sculptors, painters, drawers, computer and photographic geniuses - we're hoping you are going to show us all just how beautiful, fascinating and magical Wellington really is.

See A.J's and local author's latest books at Rona Gallery Books  http://www.ronagallery.co.nz/shop/books

The Travelling Restaurant by Barbara Else

shhh - this book is magic - don't tell anybody.  Don't even say the word m**ic - or "she" might hear you.  It's the perfect book for nine to twelve year olds to read for themselves, or if you are younger that's great because  mum, dad, grandma or grandpa will love it too. 

Jasper, an obviously extraordinary boy, has to escape to sea in the travelling restaurant where he encounters pirates and all sorts of danger in order to rescue his little sister and in fact everyone from a very nasty lady who wants to be Queen. Seriously I'd tell you more, but I don't want to ruin a moment of fun by spoiling any of the surprises.

"a great romp" Richard Ponder
"an edge-of-your-seat tale of treachery courage and magic" official blurb yes, I know but it's true  
 "One of the most enchanting books I've read for a long time," Kate De Goldi

And me - well, it's the first book where I've seriously wished to go back in time to read it to my young children.  A very special book that will touch the hearts of young and old. 

Review: Alicia Ponder

The Dragons of Ordinary Farm by Deborah Beale and Tad Williams

Ordinary farm is about as far away from ordinary as you can get. There are no hay rides, no fluffy lambs, no signs of farming at all - even the people are strange. It's much more fun than the Tyler and his sister ever expected when their mother insisted they go - and far more dangerous. Will they get out of it alive? And if they do - will their uncle ever allow them to come back again?

The biggest fault with "The Dragons of Ordinary Farm" is that it seemed to try too hard. There's so much crazy packed into the pages so that I found myself being sidetracked. Still it's written with such a good understanding of mothers, children, and modern life - and of course, adventure - that it's easy to recommend this book as a great read and fully deserving of its current five star Amazon rating

Review by Alicia Ponder