Month: November 2012

children, holiday

The Great Christmas Crisis

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Kim Norman
Illustrator: Jannie Ho
Publisher: Sterling Children’s Books
Genre: Children / Christmas
ISBN: 978-1-4027-8632-7
Pages: 26
Price: $14.95

Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

Christmas will be here any day, and Santa suddenly realizes he has a crisis. The elves are bickering, toys aren’t being made, and he’s seriously behind schedule. The unusually frantic pace has everyone tired and frazzled, so Santa needs to come up with a solution.

After trying to spend some time in relaxing and sharing holiday cheer with his crew of elves, Santa realizes that what he really needs is more time. After mulling this over, he comes up with an ingenious plan that will ensure the stress-free manufacturing of Christmas gifts, right on schedule.

The Great Christmas Crisis is a funny look at the pitfalls of mass production, from a North Pole perspective. Unlike in business, Santa’s magic can cure any problem. Kids will enjoy this lighthearted story, told in rhyme, with cheerful illustrations.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Christian, tween

Shades of Truth (From Sadie’s Sketchbook)

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Naomi Kinsman
Publisher: Zonderkidz
Genre: Tween / Christian
ISBN: 978-0-310-72662-3
Pages: 208
Price: $7.99

Holiday Read-along
Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

Sadie has just moved with her family to Michigan. Her father’s new job as mediator for the Department of Natural Resources makes him unwelcome in the community, and Sadie realizes she will face many challenges in fitting in. Plus, her mother’s incurable illness makes life at home more difficult. With courage and determination, Sadie makes a new friend and hopes life will get better.

When a local artist discovers Sadie’s latent talent, Sadie begins art lessons, which she enjoys immensely. And her faith is kindled by attending a Compline service and youth group meetings. But how will she deal with the accusations thrown at her father, knowing what she thinks she knows about one of the men who dislikes him so much?

Shades of Truth is the first in the “From Sadie’s Sketchbook” series from Faithgirlz. Combining challenging situations with growing faith lessons, this series shows real life handled from a Christian perspective. Girls will love reading about Sadie and her friends, while also seeing a great role model. I highly recommend this series.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, holiday

A Pirate’s Twelve Days of Christmas

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Philip Yates
Illustrator: Sebastià Serra
Publisher: Sterling Children’s Books
Genre: Children / Christmas
ISBN: 978-1-4027-9225-0
Pages: 32
Price: $14.95

Buy it at Amazon

Ahoy there, buckos! It’s time to celebrate Christmas, pirate-style. As one of the pirate crew is left behind while the rest go ashore, he suddenly realizes, “On the first day of Christmas, a gift was sent to me – a parrot in a palm tree!” The following days include jolly rogers, black cats, dolphins swimming, and mermaids singing.

As the song gets more complicated, adding the next day it celebrates to a growing list, so too do these adorable illustrations. Each day’s gifts are added to the previous days’, for a collection of colorful characters aboard this pirate ship. And the lonely crewman finds out his shipmates haven’t really deserted him for Christmas after all.

Although this looks like a picture book for children, anyone with a love of pirate lore will enjoy A Pirate’s Twelve Days of Christmas. In fact, your family may even find themselves singing a new Christmas song.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

Mommy, Daddy, I Had a Bad Dream

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Martha Heineman Pieper, Ph.D.
Illustrator: Jo Gershman
Publisher: Smart Love Press
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-9838664-0-4
Pages: 32
Price: $18.99

Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

Joey, the bouncy, happy kangaroo has just had a bad dream. Running to his parents, he tells them all about it. His parents reassure him that bad dreams are normal, and help him figure out what might have happened during the day to trigger the dream.

This happens twice more, with Joey running to his parents for explanations. Finally, he decides to reason things out for himself. And once he determines the cause of his bad dream, he goes back to sleep.

In this unique story, children’s dreams are explained in a way that makes sense to them, rather than making light of them. Children are encouraged to do their own thinking, knowing that their dreams may have messages for them. A winner of the 2012 Independent Publisher Book Award (IPPY) and Mom’s Choice Award, this book provides powerful information for kids. I highly recommend Mommy, Daddy, I Had a Bad Dream.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

fantasy

The Unraveling of Wentwater

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: C.S. Lakin
Publisher: Living Ink Books
Genre: Fantasy
ISBN: 978-089957-892-7
Pages: 352
Price: $14.99

Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

A long time ago, a prophecy was uttered at a baby-naming ceremony. This babe would be the unraveling of Wentwater. Now an adult, Teralyn, the girl of the prophecy, only wants to play her music with Fromer, the man she loves. But when the prophecy suddenly comes true, Teralyn is the only one who can put Wentwater back together again.

Words have power, and when words start disappearing from Wentwater, disaster results. Jealousy leads to recklessness, and things quickly get out of control. Will Fromer be lost to Teralyn forever? One man holds the key to Fromer’s return, but will he come to his senses and allow him back?

In this fourth book in The Gates of Heaven series, it appears that the forces of evil are too strong for Wentwater. But ultimately, good triumphs over evil, and all is restored to normal. Although written as fantasy, one can clearly see the powers of good and evil at work in our own lives. Good can triumph, but only if we let it.

See also The Land of Darkness, book three in The Gates of Heaven. I highly recommend this series.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

Terrance Texter

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Marie-Antoinette Burrell
Publisher: Parrhesia Enterprise
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-9850263-0-1
Price: $14.95

Buy it at Amazon

We all know it’s not safe to text and drive. In fact, Miss Toadd, the Queen of Mobile Phone Land, has issued a decree against it. But one day Terrance Texter ignores the rules and runs right through the land, not noticing the obstacles in his path.

In a land where everyone has a cell phone, caution must be used when operating cars and machinery. And a warning is given to use texting, tweeting and facebook status updates wisely, since inappropriate messaging can have dire consequences.

Terrance Texter is a nicely illustrated rhyme, but I struggled with the intended age group for this book. While the story preaches to young children, I don’t know how effective the “don’t text and drive” message will be in reaching them. They will have long forgotten a childhood book by the time they receive their driver’s licenses.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, education, science

It’s Raining Fish and Spiders

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Bill Evans
Publisher: Tor Forge Books
Genre: Science
ISBN: 978-0-7653-21329
Pages: 240
Price: $18.99

Trailer
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Yes, in some places of the world, it has actually rained fish and spiders! Wouldn’t you love to learn how that’s possible, or what other unusual stuff has fallen from the skies? You can read about those and other weather events in this informative and entertaining book by award-winning meteorologist, Bill Evans.

Weather is a major force in our lives, and we all know its effects can be both beautiful and potentially devastating. Evans’ book explains, in very down-to earth terminology, all types of weather conditions: hurricanes, thunderstorms, blizzards, and drought, to mention just a few. He supplies the reader with succinct explanations of how they form in the atmosphere along with comparisons, fun facts, and other data to help one get the entire picture of each phenomenon.

The book is not just a compilation of boring data; it’s written in such a fashion that holds the reader’s interest making them want to turn each page to learn more. Evans’ style is easy-going and suited for both young folks and adults alike.

Do you know a budding meteorologist? Or someone who is simply fascinated by all kinds of weather? This would be the perfect book to get them started or help stir their curiosity.

Reviewer: Gene Berger

cats, children, education

Fairminded Fran and the Three Small Black Community Cats

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Linda Elder
Illustrator: Kathy Abney
Publisher: Foundation For Critical Thinking
Genre: Children / Cats
ISBN: 978-0-94458-347-0
Pages: 48
Price: $9.95

Buy it here

Fran discovers three small black cats outside her school, foraging at the dumpster. She tries to befriend them, but they’re too scared and run away. Concerned for their well-being, she brings this matter to her teacher. He advises her that they are feral cats, and will never be able to be pets. But with the help of the principal, she and others arrange for their care and neutering.

In this unique book, children are alerted to the plight of homeless feral cats in their neighborhood. They learn about the concept of trap-neuter-return, so the cats won’t continue to reproduce. (See Alley Cat Allies website for more information on this program.) Compassion and caring are encouraged to be sure these small strays will live healthy lives, while their population diminishes.

Along with Fairminded Fran, kids meet Selfish Sam, and Naive Nancy, who have differing opinions on these cats. Critical thinking is used to determine the right way to handle this situation. Fairminded Fran and the Three Small Black Community Cats would be a great classroom resource, not only to let kids know about feral cats, but also to encourage the process of critical thinking. I highly recommend it.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

art

The Pocket Paper Engineer Vol 3: V-Folds

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Carol Barton
Publisher: Popular Kinetics Press
Genre: Art
ISBN: 978-0-9627752-3-9
Pages: 71
Price: $26.95

Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

Pop up cards are fun to give and receive. Although they look difficult to construct, with the right guidance, the task can be much easier. In The Pocket Paper Engineer Vol. 3, the process of building V-folds is explained in careful detail.

This unique book allows the reader to work with it in a fully hands-on manner. Designed to be taken apart and used in construction, the pages are sturdy and include pockets to place your finished products. Clear directions and illustrations show you exactly how to put these pop-up designs together, and then explain how to use these newly acquired skills for creations of your own.

Used in conjunction with Pocket Paper Engineer Vol 1 & 2 or by itself, this book will guide you in creating successful pop-up designs of your own. I highly recommend this series.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

Song For Papa Crow

Bergers Book Reviews


Author & Illustrator: Marit Menzin
Publisher: Schiffer Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-7643-4131-1
Pages: 32
Price: $16.99

Author’s website
Schiffer Books
Buy it at Amazon

Little Crow wishes he sounded more like the other birds. Their chirps and songs are so pretty. No one will stay with Little Crow when he begins to caw, and only Papa Crow enjoys his child’s song.

One day Mockingbird visits, showing off his ability to mimic the other birds. Little Crow begs Mockingbird to let him in on the secret, and soon he chirps pretty tunes that the others enjoy hearing. But when a hawk threatens Little Crow, he must rely on his own voice to alert Papa Crow to his predicament.

Honoring unique differences can be difficult, especially when they are perceived by others in an unflattering way. But Little Crow learns he is special just as he is, and must embrace the song he despises so much. Paired with colorful collage illustrations, Song For Papa Crow is complemented by fun facts about North American birds and their sounds.

Reviewer: Alice Berger