Author: Bergers Book Reviews

Author and book reviewer.
children, health

Delilah Washes Her Hands

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Cindy Rice Andrea
Illustrator: Stan Jaskiel
Publisher: Dining in the Light Publications
Genre: Children / Health
ISBN: 978-0-9842717-0-2
Pages: 24
Price: $8.99

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Delilah Duck and her friends play all morning at the playground. She swings high on the swingset, slides down the slide, and whirls around on the merry-go-round, taking occasional breaks to sip at the water fountain. They all even build sand castles in the sandbox and make mud pies.

So when a picnic lunch is ready, Delilah has very dirty hands, and she must wash them before she eats. Mrs. Duck explains there are germs on her hands, and she needs to be sure they’re all gone, so she doesn’t get sick.

Delilah Washes Her Hands is one of the Green Apple Tales — books designed to teach children good health and hygiene habits through fun stories. Kids will enjoy singing the alphabet song along with Delilah as they wash their own hands. Recipes for the picnic lunch are included, as well as a one-page summary of why it’s important to wash your hands.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

The Weber Street Wonder Work Crew

Bergers Book Reviews


Author & Illustrator: Maxwell Newhouse
Publisher: Tundra Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-88776-913-9
Pages: 24
Price: $17.95

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Weber Street is a clean and safe place to live. Kids there have learned to pitch in and help their neighbors while earning a little spending cash.

From gardening to walking dogs, helping someone keep track of friends online, and taking out the recycling, there’s always an expert around who can assist. And everyone is grateful that the Weber Street kids are willing to serve the community.

Maxwell Newhouse reminds us that there’s more to life than TV and video games. In charming folk art, he shows kids making a difference and putting other people’s needs ahead of their own. The Weber Street Wonder Work Crew provides a great example of how kids can get involved and help others.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

business

Happiness at Work

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Jessica Pryce-Jones
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
Genre: Business
ISBN: 978-0-470-74946-3
Pages: 256
Price: $24.95

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How happy are you at work? If you are happy, do you know why? Or if not, what could be contributing to your unhappiness? Although employers seldom stop to think about happiness and how it affects their bottom line, Jessica Pryce-Jones has compiled some evidence that suggests this is something that businesses need to address.

Happy employees have more energy, are more engaged at work, are more motivated, have more confidence, achieve more of their goals, take less sick time, and contribute more than unhappy employees. They also tend to stay in positions longer, since they enjoy what they do.

In researching the factors involved in happiness at work, Pryce-Jones discovered 5Cs. Contribution, Conviction, Culture, Commitment, and Confidence are all explored in detail, with explanations of how these affect happiness. Some issues are dictated by company rules and policies, but some things are within an employee’s control, since they involve shifts in attitude or actions that can be taken to make work more tolerable.

But if you should find yourself in a situation that makes you very unhappy, the best thing for you and the company is for you to look for another job that is a better fit. No one should be so unhappy at work that it spills over into your health and personal life.

Smart companies understand the 5Cs and how these contribute to overall employee productivity and involvement. Happiness at Work is a useful and informative guide in helping employers create environments and structures that keep employees happy and productive.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, history

The Astonishing Journey of Teddy Bodain

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Melissa Forney
Illustrator: Dave Olson
Publisher: Buttery Moon Multimedia
Genre: Children / History
ISBN: 978-0-9790094-5-7
Pages: 214
Price: $17.95

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Theodosia (Teddy) Bodain and her family are moving from Mississippi to Florida. They’ve joined a wagon train, and their 1,000 mile journey will take about four months, if all goes well. The year is 1892, and Florida is a vast wilderness, just waiting to be developed.

Teddy decides to share her adventures with her best friend, Martha, through a series of letters. She tells of the people she meets, the sights she sees, and her experiences in traveling such a vast distance. But along the way, her family runs into trouble when illness strikes the wagon train and everyone is separated in the confusion.

Once Teddy finds herself alone, she must rely on her wits and the kindness of others to survive and ensure she makes it to her destination safely. But will evil strike Teddy along the way?

Melissa Forney has nicely captured the lure and excitement of this dramatic family move across the country. Although the Bodains seek their fortune and a happy future, nothing is certain when crossing such dangerous and unfamiliar territory. History, family and friendship are seamlessly woven together in this well-written and interesting tale. I highly recommend it.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

inspiration, self improvement

Three Feet From Gold

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Sharon L. Lechter & Greg S. Reid
Publisher: Sterling Publishing
Genre: Self-help
ISBN: 978-1-4027-6764-7
Pages: 256
Price: $22.95

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In 1937, Napoleon Hill wrote the classic Think and Grow Rich after spending twenty years interviewing the wealthiest and most successful men of his time. Although this book is still as applicable today as it was when it was written, Greg S. Reid felt the need to update some of this wisdom, accounting for changes that have happened since Napoleon Hill’s day.

In Three Feet From Gold Reid and his co-author Sharon Lechter share the success secrets of some of today’s business leaders. Don Green, CEO of the Napoleon Hill Foundation, assisted and supported this venture in carrying on its founder’s tradition.

Although it’s told as a story, with several fictional characters added to give it some depth, the wisdom Reid and Lechter impart in this book are profound. Nuggets like “A dream is just a dream until it is written down — then it becomes a goal” and “Never make a major decision in a valley” are scattered throughout the text, as the main character learns from his new mentors.

Nothing can ever take the place of Hill’s classic work, but Three Feet From Gold is an inspiring book that picks up where Think and Grow Rich leaves off. This new classic belongs in every positive thinker’s library.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, dogs

Planet of the Dogs

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Robert J. McCarty
Illustrator: Stella Mustanoja McCarty
Publisher: Barking Planet Productions
Genre: Children / Dogs
ISBN: 9780978692803
Pages: 104
Price: $14.95

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The people of Green Valley live a peaceful life. They farm the land, raise animals, and enjoy their homes and families. But the Stone City warriors live very close by, and they’re now threatening the security of Green Valley.

When the Planet of the Dogs receives news of the troubles brewing on Earth, three of the dogs are sent as ambassadors. With the help of two Green Valley children, Daisy and Bean, these dogs will try to stop the Stone City warriors from destruction.

The Planet of the Dogs knows only love and cooperation, so these visiting dogs plan to stop the warriors in a peaceful manner. Rather than go to war, they use their creativity and love to end this threat.

There are so many stories about battles between good and evil, and at times it’s hard to know who’s on which side, when so many lives are lost. So it’s a breath of fresh air to see a book presenting a peaceful resolution. Planet of the Dogs may be a fairy tale, but it gives us hope that peace may someday be restored on earth through kinder and gentler means. Dog lovers and those who love a nice story will really enjoy this book.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Christian, inspiration

Gloria’s Miracle

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Jerry Brewer
Publisher: San Juan Publishing
Genre: Faith / Inspiration
ISBN: 978-0-9707399-7-1
Pages: 256
Price: $21.95

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When a seven year-old is diagnosed with an incurable form of cancer called neuroblastoma, it’s easy for a family to lose faith. But when Gloria Strauss is the little girl involved, faith is rejuvenated and strengthened. In Gloria’s Miracle, Seattle Times sports reporter Jerry Brewer shares the incredible story of a little girl’s belief in miracles and the family who rallies around her.

The author originally chose to report this story for the newspaper because of Gloria’s father, Doug’s, sports connection as high school coach. But before long, Brewer was no longer a spectator writing about this family. Instead, he was a friend they turned to in times of grief and celebration.

Early on in Gloria’s struggle with this insidious form of cancer, her mother, Kristen, received what she believed was a message from God. Your daughter will have an incurable disease. When I heal her, I will change the lives of many. The Strauss family believed God had a miracle in store for Gloria, and they lived to glorify God and pray for His miracle.

This faith of this devout Catholic family reached the whole community, as all those who met Gloria were moved to pray with her and for her to be healed of her illness. Even the author’s shaky faith was restored, as he witnessed the many miracles God provided for Gloria and her family.

If your faith has faltered, or even if it’s solidly intact, you are sure to be touched by this moving tribute to a beautiful and inspiring girl. God is truly changing the lives of many through Gloria and her family.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

Nana’s Getting Married

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Heather Hartt-Sussman
Illustrator: Georgia Graham
Publisher: Tundra Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-88776-911-5
Pages: 32
Price: $17.95

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Nana used to be the best grandma in the world. She baked cookies, knitted mittens, socks, and turtlenecks, and she told lots of bedtime stories. But everything has changed since she met Bob.

Now Nana spends lots of time getting ready for dates, taking long bubble baths, and having her hair and nails done. Everyone is thrilled that Nana has found someone she enjoys being with. But Bob is the focus of Nana’s life — not her grandson — and her grandson does NOT approve!

In Nana’s Getting Married, Heather Hartt-Sussman has presented a dilemma many children can relate to. As grandparents maintain youth and vitality well into their senior years, late-in-life marriages are common. In this amusing tale, she expresses the very real emotions grandkids may feel when their formerly doting grandparent suddenly take an interest in another person.

Georgia Graham provides fun illustrations, showing this little boy in all his sulking poses, as he announces his feelings to anyone who will listen. And she portrays Nana and Bob as vibrant seniors — not as “old fogeys.” I particularly liked Bob’s white ponytail.

Nana’s Getting Married is a delightful read, sure to have kids chuckling as they announce that they DO approve of this fun story.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

teen, tween

Survivor Song: Tales of Treacherous Traverses Through Waters and Woods

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Joseph Kehoe
Publisher: You Come Too Publishing
Genre: Children / Adventure
ISBN: 978-0-9816836-1-4
Pages: 144
Price: $5.99

Author’s website

Children living in suburbs where the biggest danger is crossing a busy intersection dream of heading off to the wilderness and great adventures. In Survivor Song Joseph Kehoe takes us into dark wooded areas, down river rapids, and into snowstorms to give us a taste of nature and the elements at their fiercest.

In these thirteen harrowing stories of adventure and survival, kids will come face to face with some of their deepest fears. Will they manage to face their demons and come out alive? Most of the kids in these stories do — but some don’t.

Although this book is listed as intended for ages 10 and up, the more sensitive reader may find these tales a little too upsetting. But kids will be forced to think about how they would handle these situations if they ever found themselves in them, which might lead to great discussions in school and at home. The author is also a frequent guest speaker at schools, sharing these and other stories.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

dogs

Follow Me, David!

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Jonathan Russell
Publisher: Peter E Randall Publisher LLC
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 978-1-931807-61-6
Pages: 240
Price: $17.95

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Jennifer Trewlove is convinced that dogs have to go to Heaven. After all, the Great Creator loves all His creatures, great and small. How could He leave dogs behind?

But just to be on the safe side, Jennifer needs a plan to ensure her beloved greyhound, David, crosses over with her. Marrying Reverend Houndsditch might solve her problem, but will her beau go along with her plans? After all, he’s a very proper Reverend, and his parish might not approve of his holding a Christian burial for a dog.

In the midst of this lighthearted romance, the author reminds us of the plight of greyhounds forced into a cruel sport and then abandoned once their racing days are over. Jonathan Russell also intends to donate part of the proceeds from the sale of this book to help greyhound rescue efforts.

Although for the most part, Follow Me, David! was an enjoyable read, I was a little surprised at the ending. Jennifer’s actions didn’t feel quite right, when faced with a very real tragedy, and her loyalties and affections seemed misplaced. But if you believe, as she does, that all dogs do go to heaven, you’ll be satisfied with the outcome of her elaborate scheme.

Reviewer: Alice Berger