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Schiffer Books

Bertie Bumble Bee is excited to be going to school. But once he’s there, he discovers he has a problem. He can’t tell his b’s from his d’s. When his classmates start making fun of him, Bertie doesn’t want to return to class.

Luckily for Bertie, his mom has a simple solution to his problem. Once she shares it with him, he never has trouble with b’s and d’s again.

In Bertie Bumble Bee, kids learn about dyslexia. They find out how it affects the ability to see letters, and what they can do to compensate. Parents are also provided with a guide to help their children master the alphabet and phonics.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

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Who can you turn to when there’s no one on earth that can help? For Samantha Ryan Chandler, her only hope was God, who loved her unconditionally and stood by her through all her trials and tribulations.

In this Christian memoir, Chandler shares her story of abuse, first by her mother and then later by her husband. Chandler believes in the sanctity of marriage and willingly stays with him, despite his treatment of her. But when she finally reaches the point she’s ready to leave her marriage, God supports her decision and helps her through the divorce.

A Love Story isn’t told in a strictly chronological manner, but instead jumps from topic to topic. The author has a light, breezy style, and this book is a quick and easy read. God pursued Chandler – now she hopes the reader will find Him in her story.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

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The Virgin Mary has long been seen as a serene paragon of the Christian faith. Usually portrayed with the Christ child on her lap, she smiles sweetly from behind her veil. But what if she had another side to her – a wild side?

In Untie the Strong Woman, Clarissa Pinkola Estés shows us that the Blessed Mother does, in fact, have a wild side. This strong and vibrant woman challenges the author to do things she wouldn’t ordinarily do. Estés spent time working with incarcerated girls at her leading, and hired an alcoholic for mason work outside her home when she felt Mary was guiding her. The wild woman also includes the Black Madonna, and Estés shares her story, as well as many others.

For those who only see the Virgin Mary as a peaceful mother of Jesus, these images may come as a surprise. Getting to know her and following her leading may cause us to wind up in places we might not have chosen to go. But we can be sure we’ll be in for a wild ride.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

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Kira Miller has been secretly working on a formula to enhance human intelligence. But what she doesn’t realize is that others are aware of her research, as well as the idea she worries could destroy the world.

Suddenly finding herself on the run, she teams up with military man David Desh, formerly of Special Forces. As they run from those who want to capture Kira, she enlightens David as to the damage that could be done if her work ever reached the public. No matter what, she needs to keep this a secret, even if it means losing her own life in the process.

Wired is a fast-paced science-fiction action novel, but it occasionally bogs down in long conversations between Kira and David. I enjoyed reading this book, for the most part, but the surprise out-of-the-blue ending didn’t work for me. I would have preferred if we had been given hints as to the identity of the man hunting Kira, as well as what David knew in order to stop him. But overall, this is a good read.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

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Edgar Allan Poe is well known for his tales of horror, but he also wrote several mysteries. In this Graphic Classic, Poe’s tales of mystery are presented in graphic illustrated format. The stories included in this compilation include The Murders in the Rue Morgue, The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar, and The Masque of the Red Death, as well as many others. Illustration styles vary among these stories, based on each artist’s interpretation of the tale.

Although most of us have, at some time, remarked that we really need to read a classic piece of literature, we seldom do. This unique series allows us to read abridged versions, illustrated by some of the best graphic artists. I highly recommend Edgar Allan Poe’s Tales of Mystery as well as the other Graphic Classic works.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Imagine picking up a small tome, a novella if you will, after taking notice to its titillating name, The Vampire Patrons. Intrigued, you look inside to see that the book is quickly described as a vampire comedy, legal thriller. You’ve got to be kidding! But that’s the point. Robert Gruett is kidding, sort of…his short novel is part comedy, mystery, and fantasy all rolled into one. And it works quite well.

Three sibling vampires, all upstanding citizens in a world where vampires and humans co-exist (apparently along with zombies), meet weekly at Barlowe’s Restaurant. They routinely chat, verbally joust, and are attended to by Larry, a werewolf, who seems to know exactly what his patrons need for their dining pleasure.

Annie, the only female in the group, is a cop trying to solve a series of grisly murders. Freddie has a curious image problem, while Jacob is a respected lawyer. The narrator is an aspiring stand-up comedian who must settle for doing office work. Each week they become increasingly drawn into trying to solve the perplexing crime. Clever conversation and Holmes-like speculation punctuate their sibling rivalries as the plot thickens with each passing week. Larry, not immune to his patron’s dilemma, joins the fray while secretly yearning for Annie’s affections.

The wit is dry, the dialogue fun, and the element of surprise makes for a fitting end. Robert Gruett has done the unthinkable, penning a highly “comic vampire legal thriller” that makes one happy to have picked up such an unusual book at all.

Reviewer: Gene Berger

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“It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” But how do you get to know the people who can assist you when you need it most? Our inner circle of acquaintances – friends and family – can occasionally help. But it’s best to broaden our network and increase the likelihood of being able to call on just the person who can address our need.

In The Skinny on Networking, Jim Randel shows us the power of having a large network, and how to go about creating it. He discusses the concept of “connectors” – those who seem to know just about everyone. Social capital is explored, and why it’s not always a good idea to ask for big vs. little favors. And Randel shares his thoughts on how best to use the internet through social media and blogs.

For many folks, networking is difficult, but Randel encourages us to work on this important skill every day. A network that grows organically takes effort, but it’s well worth it.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

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Trouble is an inevitable part of being human. Although it’s tempting to simply bemoan our fate when something bad happens, it’s far more effective to accept these upsetting issues and integrate them into our whole life experience. In A Lamp in the Darkness, Jack Kornfield shares his thoughts on dealing with difficult times, in an effort to help us get through them.

Suffering can be caused by many things, and Kornfield reminds us that we already have an inner light – “The One Who Knows” – who will guide us. We may be in so much pain that we don’t feel we’re capable of compassion, forgiveness, healing, and wisdom, but these are some of the topics discussed, followed by meditations to explore these characteristics more deeply. An accompanying CD provides audio recordings of these meditations.

Difficulty doesn’t need to destroy us. We can rise above what happens, with our sense of self and peace of mind intact. A Lamp in the Darkness shows us how.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Author’s website
Schiffer Books
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Assateague Island is well-known for its wild horses. In Wild Colt, the reader is treated to a delightful glimpse of how these horses live until they are ultimately rounded up for sale each year.

Gentle, rhyming verse tells the story of a newborn colt. As he and his mother wander around the island, other birds and animals cross their paths. Occasional storms brew overhead, and they enjoy lazy summer days with moonlit evenings. But summer comes to an end, and the wild colt is sold in the annual auction. Although he’ll miss his mother, the girl he’s going home with gives him a hug, and he knows he’ll be happy.

Illustrations by Linda Kantjas are beautifully done in oil painting, setting the scene for warm summer afternoons at the beach. A wildlife identification list shows some of the animals in this book, so children can try to find them in the story. Discussion topics and questions are also provided for classroom use. This charming book will please all who love horses or summer days at the beach.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

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David Rothman is on top of the world. After bringing down the house as soloist in the Youth Orchestra, he and the group are invited to play for the Queen of England. But just days after his triumphant moment, he suddenly finds himself unable to hear a single note.

Deafness has struck the Rothmans in the past, and now David has the family curse. Playing the violin is as meaningless to him as holding a stick of wood, since he can’t hear the music. Putting it down for good, he embarks on a journey to understand and deal with his new course of life.

Over the next six years, David enrolls in a school for the deaf, switching to mainstream high school once he is proficient enough in communication. He makes new friends and learns to adjust, hoping he will eventually find a career path to follow. And when he graduates from high school, he heads off to a mainstream college, finally knowing exactly what he is called to do.

Finding yourself deaf, literally overnight, is a scary thing, and David’s response to his disability is understandable. It takes courage to accept what he can’t change, and he tries to make the best of a bad situation. Goodbye Tchaikovsky is a touching portrayal of a boy who just wants to fit in, but finds himself pulled between the hearing and the deaf world. Ultimately, what he really needs to find is himself.

Reviewer: Alice Berger