Month: March 2011

art, fashion

Growing More Beautiful

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Jennifer Robin
Publisher: Arteful Press
Genre: Fashion / Art
ISBN: 978-0-9817322-0-6
Pages: 224
Price: $29.95

Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

What makes a woman’s outfit look stylish? Is it the way the fabric flows or hugs her figure? Do the colors match her complexion and hair? Or maybe it’s the way her makeup and accessories complement her outfit? Jennifer Robin suggests all of these and more add up to the perfect look.

Using an artful approach to building a wardrobe, Robin gives us her own perspective as a fashion consultant. She encourages us to analyze our lifestyle and make sure we always have the right clothes for the situations we find ourselves in. There’s nothing more frustrating than staring at a full closet and feeling like we have nothing to wear. Robin explains why we feel that way, and what we can do to fit the problem.

My first thought on reading a book written by a fashion consultant is that she must think we have unlimited budgets for clothes. But this assumption proved false when she brought up the subject herself, suggesting that we need to carefully choose where we plan to shop so we can maximize our clothing dollars.

Art and fashion blend so nicely together in Growing More Beautiful, as photos of beautifully decorated store windows, mannequins, and the author’s own paintings grace the pages. After reading this unique book, I’m sure you’ll be inspired to pick up your own arts and crafts project and go out and buy something new. It’s no fun to go through life drab and dowdy when all it takes is a little artful play to jazz up your own wardrobe.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, fantasy

A Spell of Nine

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Gary Goldstein
Publisher: Frogshadow Press
Genre: Children / Fantasy
ISBN: 978-0-615-35837-6
Pages: 268
Price: $16.95

Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

In the first Mythfits book, we were introduced to Cuspers – Mythfits who aren’t born in their true shape, but transform sometime later in life. In A Spell of Nine, we find two more Mythfits joining the ranks to help save the world against evil.

A powerful magician craves more and more power, and he’s not going to let anything stand in his way. So when he teams up with a talented fashion designer, the two begin to control the minds of the people who wear their clothing. A shopping mall turns into a sea of zombies, and the newest Mythfit, Wilt, is called on to stop him.

In the meantime, the Mythfit elders, including Ms. Link, huddle together to decide the fate of magical transformation, trying to lock the Mythfits in their human likenesses forever.

In the first Mythfits book, much of the story was told from an adult perspective, and in this one, it’s even more noticeable. I never connected with any of the children, since the story bounced around too much, never staying with any one character for very long. I also felt too much time was spent in explaining things readers already understood from the first book, which slowed down the pace.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

Rumpelstiltskin

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Susan Meredith
Publisher: Rocking Chair Publications
Genre: Children / Fairy Tale
ISBN: 978-0984286621
Pages: 42
Price: $7.99

Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

When a beautiful human princess fell in love with a gnome prince, they were a very uneven couple. She was tall and he was short, so they decided to move far away from other people to avoid all the stares. And their son, Rumpelstiltskin, was good looking, like his mother, but only a little over three feet tall. So the boy grew up alone with his parents. But Rumpelstiltskin had inherited their talents for spinning straw into gold, and they all lived comfortably together.

But finally, Rumpelstiltskin grew lonely, and wanted to marry. His journey took him to another realm where a miller had decided to give his daughter in marriage to the highest bidder. Being already smitten with the girl, Clarissa, he offered a bag of gold for her hand. But he had competition from the king, who had heard Clarissa could spin straw into gold. Rumpelstiltskin knew he would have to come to her rescue.

Unlike in the original tale, the king has no evil intentions towards Clarissa if she doesn’t fulfill her purpose. He’s simply a greedy man who wants to accumulate a lot of wealth and a pretty bride. In this sweet romance, the good guy gets the girl, and everyone lives happily ever after.

Once again, Susan Meredith has turned a classic fairy tale into a cute story that kids today can relate to, with no scary stuff to give them nightmares. Instead, they’ll learn a subtle message that making big demands of people won’t get you as far as simply being kind. And they will be much better off marrying someone who will love them for who they are, and not just what they can do.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, poetry

Tim and Sally’s Year In Poems

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Grady Thrasher
Illustrator: Elaine Hearn Rabon
Publisher: Jonquil Books
Genre: Children / Poetry
ISBN: 978-0-9827614-0-3
Pages: 56
Price: $18.95

Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

Tim and Sally offer us a gentle adventure in poetry that spans the course of a year. Visiting the seasons and the holidays, they share the wonders of life on the farm. Butterflies, sparrows and bunnies frolic in spring flowers. School’s out for the summer, heralding watermelon, forts, and fireworks. Then it’s back to school, bright fall foliage, pumpkins, and crisp, clean air. Finally, winter snowmen, sleds, and Christmas round out the year.

Grady Thrasher’s use of language is evocative of his own childhood memories, as well as the ones he hopes kids will share with him. His poetry is lilting and lively, with good use of rhyme. And the charming and nostalgic watercolor illustrations by Elaine Hearn Rabon bring this journey through the seasons to life.

Tim and Sally’s Year in Poems received a 2010 Moonbeam Children’s Book Award “celebrating youthful curiosity, discovery and learning through books and reading.” This beautiful book reminds us of a simpler time when seasonal pleasures brought so much joy. Share it with your grandkids and reminisce.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

health, self improvement

The Energy Cure

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: William Bengston, PhD
Publisher: Sounds True
Genre: Health / Mind-Body
ISBN: 978-1-59179-911-5
Pages: 256
Price: $18.95

Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

If someone told you he had the cure for cancer in his hands, would you believe him? Would you trust him to cure you? William Bengstrom discovered this unique ability in an experiment with mice injected with a deadly form of cancer. When the mice spontaneously remitted, he knew he was onto something and he wanted to know more about this healing power he possessed.

Bengstrom knew it wasn’t enough to discover that something could be done. He needed to prove there was a science behind it, and that the results of his experiments could be replicated. So over the years, he continued to test himself and others in curing mice of cancer.

According to the author, we may also have the abilities he’s discovered in himself, and he shares his technique with us, hoping we can become healers, too. Since the process involves only energy shifts, no particular faith is necessary.

Written with Sylvia Fraser, this book documents Bengstrom’s history from the very beginning as a healer. A fascinating journey and engaging read, The Energy Cure is highly recommended.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, self improvement, tween

The Skinny On Bullying

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Mike Cassidy
Publisher: Rand Media
Genre: Self-help / Children
ISBN: 978-0-9824390-1-2
Pages: 128
Price: $12.95

Publisher’s website
Buy it at Amazon

Billy and Beth are best friends. They’ve just turned ten years old and have graduated from elementary school.  But attending Stickville Middle School is so much different. Now they also have to deal with bullies. And since Gretchen arrived at their school, their lives are becoming more and more difficult, as she bullies them and their classmates.

Bullying comes in many forms, as this stick-figure illustrated book reminds us. While we may only think of bullying as physical intimidation, it’s possible to find it as verbal, indirect and cyberbullying. But there are ways to minimize being bullied and stand up to someone if they’re bullying others. Sometimes even the person who feels bullied can be guilty of bullying, as Billy and Beth find out while dealing with Gretchen. They are also surprised to find out that even bullies sometimes have problems of their own, and a little understanding can go a long way toward everyone getting along better.

Bullying has always been a problem for kids. The Skinny On Bullying addresses this issue in a way they can easily understand. These simple stick figures have expressive mannerisms and sometimes go a bit over-the-top in making a point. And the text provides clear lists of bullying behavior as well as how to handle it, so kids can refer back to them easily.

Reading The Skinny On Bullying will take only a short while, and will feel more like spending time with a comic book. But the powerful anti-bullying message will stick with kids for a long time.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

fantasy

The Mythfits

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Gary Goldstein
Publisher: Frogshadow Press
Genre: Fantasy
ISBN: 978-0-615-35836-9
Pages: 274
Price: $16.95

Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

On the evening of the Harmonic Convergence, five children are born in Hamilton. Although not related, they share a similar trait. All have magical features and don’t look like human babies. Thankfully, Melissa Link is on hand, ready with glamour charms that will help the children fit in with the rest of society.

But even though they appear normal, they are anything but, and the school dubs them the Misfits. They, however, prefer to be known as the Mythfits.

Some of the town’s children start to go missing, and suddenly Ms. Link vanishes, amidst disturbing circumstances. It’s up to the Mythfits, along with their new friend, Norma Lieber, to figure out what’s going on and try to find Ms. Link.

Although initially skeptical of Norma, these magical children finally come to accept her as one of their own, despite the fact she’s completely normal. Using their super-powers, they determine the force behind their mentor’s disappearance, and save her and themselves from harm.

Magic and friendship blend nicely as these kids are forced to work together, despite their squabbles. Even though the story is told at times through the eyes of the adults, kids will still enjoy the magic and intrigue surrounding this little town of Hamilton. The Mythfits is a fast-paced and fun read.

Reviewer: Alice Berger