Bergers Book Reviews

Yogurt the Ogre: The Colorful Tale of the Creative Crayon


Author: David Rendimonti
Publisher: pdo!nk
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-9868013-2-7
Pages: 32
Price: $17.99

Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

It’s raining, and all of Yogurt the Ogre’s friends are busy. In frustration, Yogurt decides to draw with his crayons, but paper is much too small for his artwork. When he chooses a much larger surface, he’s surprised to find out that his parents don’t approve of his choice.

Yogurt learns how difficult it is to remove crayon when he’s told he needs to clean up his drawings. He is determined to keep at it until all traces of crayon marks are gone. And when he’s finished, his parents rewards him for his diligent efforts.

Kids usually learn the hard way that crayons belong only on paper, and they’ll easily relate to this amusing tale of Yogurt’s messy mistake. They’ll also learn that being responsible for their actions can mean some nasty clean-up, but the end result is worth it. Yogurt the Ogre: The Colorful Tale of the Creative Crayon provides a light-hearted reminder for kids to think before they act. Messes they don’t make are a lot easier to clean up!

Reviewer: Alice Berger

November 17, 2011 Posted by | children | Leave a Comment

Viku and the Elephant


Author: Debu Majumdar
Illustrator: Lynn Wolfe
Publisher: Bo-Tree House
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0983222705
Pages: 54
Price: $12.99

Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

Viku lives with his parents at the edge of the Shapnobahn Forest in India. His family is poor, and every day his parents go out looking for work so they can buy food. One day Viku gets so hungry that he decides to search for food on his own. When he ventures into the forest, he encounters an elephant – Haatee – in distress. The two become friends and explore the forest together.

In their travels, Haatee brings Viku to the elephant graveyard, where there are many tusks. Because of their value, evil men try to force Haatee to lead them to the tusks, but Haatee and Viku outsmart the villains. And Haatee’s kindness to Viku and his family ensure that they will never be poor again.

Viku and the Elephant is a heart-warming story of friendship and loyalty. Viku shows deep respect for Haatee’s sacred place, only taking what is offered to him when Haatee insists. And Haatee’s gratitude for Viku’s actions is demonstrated in how he cares for Viku and his family. This delightful tale will leave readers cheering as good triumphs over evil.

Debu Majumdar shared his thoughts with us in an interview. Please be sure to read what he has to say!

Reviewer: Alice Berger

November 14, 2011 Posted by | children | 1 Comment

Hurricane Dog


Author: Sharon Rasmussen Powell
Illustrator: Vian Oelfsun
Publisher: Hameray
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-60559-327-2
Pages: 12
Price: $3.95

Buy it from publisher

A hurricane blows through town, leaving the family home in ruins. Odie, the dog, is abandoned at the local shelter, when his family can no longer take care of him. But Odie wishes and dreams of a new home where he will be happy again.

Hurricane Dog is written at the first grade “G” level, and is meant for classroom use. Told in rhyme and illustrated in bright and cheery color, this cute story sends a positive message to kids reminding them to dream big, because dreams can come true.

Kids love animals – especially dogs – and the happy ending will make them smile. This book would make a charming addition to any classroom or school library.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

November 9, 2011 Posted by | children, dogs | Leave a Comment

A New Name For Worthless: A Hero Is Born


Author & Illustrator: Rocky Shepheard
Publisher: Crescent Renewal Resource
Genre: Children / Dogs
ISBN: 9780984289745
Pages: 32
Price: $17.97

Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

A lonely dog huddles in his doghouse, chained and unable to move about. Labeled “Worthless” by his cruel owner, he wishes he could be free. He’s lucky to have friends who want to help him, and one stormy night, they make a daring escape. But will he ever know the joy of being a Best Friend to a special human?

Author and illustrator, Rocky Shepheard, believes that no dog should spend his whole life chained up outside. The organization he supports, Dogs Deserve Better, works to rescue and care for those dogs who are being neglected. In writing this book, Shepheard hopes that it will teach compassion and good pet caretaking to children and parents everywhere.

Although a simple story, A New Name For Worthless: A Hero Is Born sends a powerful message that no dog is really worthless. All dogs deserve a chance to live in a home with love and affection.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

October 10, 2011 Posted by | children, dogs | Leave a Comment

Lessons From a Street Kid


Author: Craig Kielburger
Illustrators: Marisa Antonello & Victoria Laidley
Publisher: Me to We Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-55365-865-8
Pages: 36
Price: $19.95

Publisher’s website

A visit to Brazil is an exciting adventure for a boy. While exploring the sights, young Craig Kielburger discovers a group of street kids. These young people don’t have homes, and they do what it takes to survive. From performing acrobatics to selling oranges and shining shoes, they scramble for tourist dollars to buy food. And when food is available, they eat it together as if they are a family.

Although living in abject poverty, these street kids try to enjoy life, taking time to sing, dance, and play soccer. They look out for each other’s well-being and share everything. In fact, Kielburger is surprised at one boy’s willingness to literally give him the shirt off his own back.

Kielburger formed Free the Children when he learned of a boy who was killed speaking out against child labor. This non-profit group is comprised of youth who want to be a positive force of change in the world, especially for underprivileged kids. Me to We Books promises that for every book sold, a notebook will be given to a child in a developing country.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

September 23, 2011 Posted by | children | Leave a Comment

Birds Can Fly and So Can I


Author: Noa Nimrodi
Illustrator: Tamir Lichtenberg
Publisher: Grassroots Publishing Group
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-9794805-1-5
Pages: 32
Price: $12.95

Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon (Kindle only)

Giraffe sees the birds in the sky and wishes she could also fly. But all things are possible in dreams, and Giraffe soon finds herself soaring through the clouds. The animals and birds are her friends, and they cheer her on as they join in her fun.

Birds Can Fly and So Can I is written in rhyming verse, illustrated in bright and cheery watercolor. Everyone has wishes and goals, and Giraffe’s adventure reminds kids that dreams can come true. Positive and uplifting, this charming book will inspire them to reach for those dreams.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

September 19, 2011 Posted by | children | Leave a Comment

Maisy’s Bedtime


Author& Illustrator: Lucy Cousins
Produced by: Story Time Café
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-7636-5677-5
Pages: 24
Price: $39.95

Story Time Café
Buy the book at Amazon

Maisy Mouse is ready for bed. Following her normal bedtime ritual, she changes into her pajamas, brushes her teeth, and visits the potty. Both she and her bedtime companion, Panda, follow this evening ritual together before Maisy goes to sleep.

The charming simplicity of this book makes it special. Maisy is drawn in black lines, the way a child might, with color filled in. The text is also written in bold, black ink. And the plain primary and secondary colors are soothing and not too busy for a small child to look at just before going to sleep.

The unique Story Time Bundle packaging makes Maisy’s Bedtime even more enjoyable for children as they retire for the evening. It includes a crib size 36”x48” quilt, printed with a picture of Maisy cuddled with Panda in bed. A smaller, matching 24”x24” quilt can be used to tuck in a bedtime companion like Panda. This quilt set and book is a delightful gift for any child who would like to make bedtime more special.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

July 19, 2011 Posted by | children | Leave a Comment

My Maasai Life


Author: Robin Wiszowaty
Illustrators: Marisa Antonello and Victoria Laidley
Publisher: Me to We Books
Genre: Children / International
ISBN: 978-1-55365-802-3
Pages: 36
Price: $19.95

Author’s website
Buy it here

Robin is excited to visit Kenya, the country she’s dreamed about for a very long time. She longs to see the animals and the people there, and can’t wait for adventure. But when she does arrive, she finds things are a little different than she expected.

Unlike at home, children have to work hard to make sure the family can eat and drink. Carrying wood and water on their backs, they help Mama to prepare a meal. Houses are tiny and constructed of mud and sticks, and the meals they eat are so much simpler.

Robin had such a good time on her trip to visit the Maasai people that she later went back for good. She is now the Kenya Program Director with Free The Children. This organization is a network allowing children to help other children in need.

My Maasai Life is the children’s version of Robin’s story.  She has also published a full-length version My Maasai Life for adults. Me to We Books supports Free the Children by giving them half their annual profits.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

July 7, 2011 Posted by | children, international | Leave a Comment

Wacky Jacky


Author: Jaclyn Stapp
Illustrator: Kristine Lucco
Publisher: TriMark Press
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-9816092-8-7
Pages: 41
Price: $16.95

Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

Jacky is different from her classmates. Her family is from Jordan, she eats strange food and she has crazy, wild hair. But Jacky volunteers at the children’s hospital, where her best friend lives, and she does her best to be herself.

One day Jacky learns of a local beauty pageant, and makes the decision to compete. She has no idea how much this one event will change her life for the better.

This is the real-life story of Jaclyn Stapp, unlikely beauty queen, told in rhyme with bright and colorful illustrations. While beauty is sometimes said to be skin deep, Stapp doesn’t believe it has to always be this way. Now Stapp empowers at-risk youth, champions women’s rights, and enriches the lives of underprivileged children. Wacky Jacky is truly beautiful from the inside out.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

July 3, 2011 Posted by | children | Leave a Comment

Piggy Nation: A Day at Work With Dad


Author: Richard Rosser
Illustrator: Shane Sowell
Publisher: Piggy Nation
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-615-41709-7
Pages: 32
Price: $14.95

Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

Piggy behavior is all around us. Talking loudly on cell phones, failing to clean up after our pets, and littering all make life unpleasant for others. So when Sammy’s dad offers to let him ride along as he tickets these folks, Sammy is happy to join him.

Only trouble is, sometimes it’s hard not to be a piggy when you’re pointing out piggy behavior in others. Sammy witnesses some very piggy behavior, but he’s surprised to find out who’s the biggest piggy offender.

Poking fun in a light-hearted manner, Piggy Nation gets the point across. Kids will chuckle as Piggy Dad slaps Piggy Tickets on everyone, while making his own messes as he goes along. And then they’ll be able to point out for themselves, “That’s piggy behavior!”

Reviewer: Alice Berger

June 20, 2011 Posted by | children | Leave a Comment

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