Month: January 2023

animals, children, music

Billy Joins the Circus

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Anna Christina
Illustrator: Jenika Ioffreda
Publisher: Music Audio Stories
ISBN: 978-1-8383892-0-8
Pages: 34
Price: $18.99

Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

Billy the monkey has always wanted to join the circus, but his parents are less enthusiastic about the idea. One day a circus comes through the forest, and Billy jumps at the chance to join. But first he has to convince the Ringmaster and the flying dolly that he’s the right fit. Both ask him what he can do, and Billy sings to them about his skills.

Since this is a music audio story, the song is repeated three times with mounting enthusiasm. Billy shares his mobility skills, and kids will be able to join him as he stamps his feet, claps his hands, spins around, and jumps up and down. They will laugh with glee as they experience Billy’s joy in finally experiencing his dream of joining the circus.

Billy encourages kids to also follow their own dreams, because you never know when a circus will show up and offer you the opportunity you’ve always waited for. I highly recommend Billy Joins the Circus.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

Something’s Happening in the City

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Paula Merlán
Illustrator: Concha Pasamar
Publisher: Cuento de Luz
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-84-18302-50-3
Pages: 32
Price: $18.95

Buy it at Amazon

Hannah is delighted to go for a walk in the city with her dog, Pippin, on a lovely spring day. She passes her neighbor, who is looking down and barely notices her. She sees a man walking with his head down who doesn’t see the red squirrel above in the tree. And she sees a father with two boys, who is busy with something in his hand, not watching the boys as they play.

What could be causing such unusual behavior? Everyone appears to be under some kind of spell, she thinks. Finally, Hannah notices the problem. They are all holding their cell phones in their hands. The next day, Hannah has a plan to break the spell, because so much is happening in the city that they have all been missing.

Something’s Happening in the City is a gentle reminder that life is passing us by and we can too easily become distracted by our phones. If we want to enjoy our lives, we need to put the phones away and actually see and experience what’s going on. I highly recommend it.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

farming, home

The 2023 Old Farmer’s Almanac

Bergers Book Reviews


Author & Publisher: Old Farmer’s Almanac
Genre: Home & Garden
ISBN: 978-1571989260
Pages: 288
Price: $9.95

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The Farmer’s Almanac has been a trusted resource since 1792 and is filled with new, useful, and entertaining matter. Topics include: trends, amusement, astrology, astronomy, calendar, farming, folklore, food, gardening, genealogy, home remedies, husbandry, miscellany, nature, sports, and weather.

Although this almanac is most known for its weather and farming information, the articles in this magazine are enjoyable and informative. Ads are also targeted to the reader and provide helpful products for the homesteader. However, we’ll have to wait to see if the weather forecasts are accurate or not!

As it has been for the past 231 years, the 2023 Old Farmer’s Almanac will be a useful guide for the coming year. I highly recommend it.

Reviewer: Alice Berger