Month: March 2010

children, dogs

Planet of the Dogs

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Robert J. McCarty
Illustrator: Stella Mustanoja McCarty
Publisher: Barking Planet Productions
Genre: Children / Dogs
ISBN: 9780978692803
Pages: 104
Price: $14.95

Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

The people of Green Valley live a peaceful life. They farm the land, raise animals, and enjoy their homes and families. But the Stone City warriors live very close by, and they’re now threatening the security of Green Valley.

When the Planet of the Dogs receives news of the troubles brewing on Earth, three of the dogs are sent as ambassadors. With the help of two Green Valley children, Daisy and Bean, these dogs will try to stop the Stone City warriors from destruction.

The Planet of the Dogs knows only love and cooperation, so these visiting dogs plan to stop the warriors in a peaceful manner. Rather than go to war, they use their creativity and love to end this threat.

There are so many stories about battles between good and evil, and at times it’s hard to know who’s on which side, when so many lives are lost. So it’s a breath of fresh air to see a book presenting a peaceful resolution. Planet of the Dogs may be a fairy tale, but it gives us hope that peace may someday be restored on earth through kinder and gentler means. Dog lovers and those who love a nice story will really enjoy this book.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Christian, inspiration

Gloria’s Miracle

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Jerry Brewer
Publisher: San Juan Publishing
Genre: Faith / Inspiration
ISBN: 978-0-9707399-7-1
Pages: 256
Price: $21.95

Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

When a seven year-old is diagnosed with an incurable form of cancer called neuroblastoma, it’s easy for a family to lose faith. But when Gloria Strauss is the little girl involved, faith is rejuvenated and strengthened. In Gloria’s Miracle, Seattle Times sports reporter Jerry Brewer shares the incredible story of a little girl’s belief in miracles and the family who rallies around her.

The author originally chose to report this story for the newspaper because of Gloria’s father, Doug’s, sports connection as high school coach. But before long, Brewer was no longer a spectator writing about this family. Instead, he was a friend they turned to in times of grief and celebration.

Early on in Gloria’s struggle with this insidious form of cancer, her mother, Kristen, received what she believed was a message from God. Your daughter will have an incurable disease. When I heal her, I will change the lives of many. The Strauss family believed God had a miracle in store for Gloria, and they lived to glorify God and pray for His miracle.

This faith of this devout Catholic family reached the whole community, as all those who met Gloria were moved to pray with her and for her to be healed of her illness. Even the author’s shaky faith was restored, as he witnessed the many miracles God provided for Gloria and her family.

If your faith has faltered, or even if it’s solidly intact, you are sure to be touched by this moving tribute to a beautiful and inspiring girl. God is truly changing the lives of many through Gloria and her family.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

Nana’s Getting Married

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Heather Hartt-Sussman
Illustrator: Georgia Graham
Publisher: Tundra Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-88776-911-5
Pages: 32
Price: $17.95

Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

Nana used to be the best grandma in the world. She baked cookies, knitted mittens, socks, and turtlenecks, and she told lots of bedtime stories. But everything has changed since she met Bob.

Now Nana spends lots of time getting ready for dates, taking long bubble baths, and having her hair and nails done. Everyone is thrilled that Nana has found someone she enjoys being with. But Bob is the focus of Nana’s life — not her grandson — and her grandson does NOT approve!

In Nana’s Getting Married, Heather Hartt-Sussman has presented a dilemma many children can relate to. As grandparents maintain youth and vitality well into their senior years, late-in-life marriages are common. In this amusing tale, she expresses the very real emotions grandkids may feel when their formerly doting grandparent suddenly take an interest in another person.

Georgia Graham provides fun illustrations, showing this little boy in all his sulking poses, as he announces his feelings to anyone who will listen. And she portrays Nana and Bob as vibrant seniors — not as “old fogeys.” I particularly liked Bob’s white ponytail.

Nana’s Getting Married is a delightful read, sure to have kids chuckling as they announce that they DO approve of this fun story.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

teen, tween

Survivor Song: Tales of Treacherous Traverses Through Waters and Woods

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Joseph Kehoe
Publisher: You Come Too Publishing
Genre: Children / Adventure
ISBN: 978-0-9816836-1-4
Pages: 144
Price: $5.99

Author’s website

Children living in suburbs where the biggest danger is crossing a busy intersection dream of heading off to the wilderness and great adventures. In Survivor Song Joseph Kehoe takes us into dark wooded areas, down river rapids, and into snowstorms to give us a taste of nature and the elements at their fiercest.

In these thirteen harrowing stories of adventure and survival, kids will come face to face with some of their deepest fears. Will they manage to face their demons and come out alive? Most of the kids in these stories do — but some don’t.

Although this book is listed as intended for ages 10 and up, the more sensitive reader may find these tales a little too upsetting. But kids will be forced to think about how they would handle these situations if they ever found themselves in them, which might lead to great discussions in school and at home. The author is also a frequent guest speaker at schools, sharing these and other stories.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

dogs

Follow Me, David!

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Jonathan Russell
Publisher: Peter E Randall Publisher LLC
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 978-1-931807-61-6
Pages: 240
Price: $17.95

Buy it at Amazon

Jennifer Trewlove is convinced that dogs have to go to Heaven. After all, the Great Creator loves all His creatures, great and small. How could He leave dogs behind?

But just to be on the safe side, Jennifer needs a plan to ensure her beloved greyhound, David, crosses over with her. Marrying Reverend Houndsditch might solve her problem, but will her beau go along with her plans? After all, he’s a very proper Reverend, and his parish might not approve of his holding a Christian burial for a dog.

In the midst of this lighthearted romance, the author reminds us of the plight of greyhounds forced into a cruel sport and then abandoned once their racing days are over. Jonathan Russell also intends to donate part of the proceeds from the sale of this book to help greyhound rescue efforts.

Although for the most part, Follow Me, David! was an enjoyable read, I was a little surprised at the ending. Jennifer’s actions didn’t feel quite right, when faced with a very real tragedy, and her loyalties and affections seemed misplaced. But if you believe, as she does, that all dogs do go to heaven, you’ll be satisfied with the outcome of her elaborate scheme.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, health

The Allergy Buddy Club

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Cindy Rice Andrea
Illustrator: Stan Jaskiel
Publisher: Dining in the Light Publications
Genre: Children / Food Safety
ISBN: 978-0-9842717-6-4
Pages: 24
Price: $8.99

Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

Ollie the Elephant is allergic to peanuts! What is he going to do, since all the other elephants around him love peanuts? He meets Bernie the Brown Bear who’s allergic to fish, and Maleeka the Mouse who’s allergic to cheese. Together they form the Allergy Buddy Club, as a support group for animals who have food allergies.

The Allergy Buddy Club teaches members how to stay safe from the foods they’re allergic to by learning to read food labels, using allergy cards to provide to restaurants, and carrying medicine in case of accidentally coming into contact with a food that causes anaphylactic shock. The club grows, as they discover other animals just like them.

Food allergies are an unfortunate fact of life for many kids. Knowing how to protect themselves from illness or even death is essential. But it’s also important for other kids to understand that these allergies are real and can be life-threatening. The Allergy Buddy Club explains food allergies in a way kids can understand and relate to. If your child suffers from allergies, this book would be a great resource to help him understand and manage his condition.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

Topsy-Turvy Town

Bergers Book Reviews


Author & Illustrator: Luc Melanson
Publisher: Tundra Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-88776-920-7
Pages: 32
Price: $17.95

Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

In Topsy-Turvy Town, broccoli rains from the sky, buildings can go for a walk, and robots take baths with children. One little boy can see all of these wonders, but some of his relatives are skeptical and don’t believe they’re real.

In this delightful romp through a boy’s imagination, magical things can happen in the most ordinary places. Whimsical illustrations accompany the text, bringing this highly unusual town to life.

Living in a world of imagination is fun, but it’s even better when you have a partner to join you. Lucky for this little boy, his mom can see everything, too. Children will love visiting Topsy-Turvy Town, and maybe they’ll even find some new surprises yet to be discovered where they live.

Reviewer: Alice Berger