Author: Bergers Book Reviews

Author and book reviewer.
children

Snickeyfritz

Bergers Book Reviews

snickeyfritz
Author & Illustrator: Andrea Skyberg
Publisher: Wooden Nickel Press
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-615-25177-6
Pages: 48
Price: $17.99

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Three little girls are stuck inside on a rainy afternoon. They’re bored and don’t know what to do, so Papa sends them on a treasure hunt to keep them busy. But the clues he gives them are obscure, and first they’ll need to figure them out before they can find the objects he wants.

Sprinkled liberally throughout the text are colorful descriptive phrases, highlighted in a glossary at the end of the story. Old-time gems like “nooks and crannies,” “the cat’s meow,” and “fiddlesticks” may leave kids scratching their heads in wonder.

The illustrations are photos of uniquely crafted, life-size dolls made of masking tape and paint. These dolls were then placed in the author’s home, surrounded by artifacts and souvenirs acquired on her travels.

Far better than just watching TV on a boring rainy day, Snickeyfritz stimulates the reader’s imagination and presents a team effort in solving Papa’s puzzle. Kids will find this a fun and enjoyable read.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

self improvement

A Life Worth Living

Bergers Book Reviews

life
Author: William F. Giruzzi
Publisher: Two Harbors Press
Genre: Self-help
ISBN: 978-1935097303
Pages: 130
Price: $12.95

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How did our current lifestyle evolve? Was it a conscious decision, or did everything simply happen? Is this system working for you, or do you wish things were different?

In A Life Worth Living, Bill Giruzzi questions the basic assumption of life, that “it’s just the way it is.” Instead, we’re shown how our collective thinking has evolved, and our current paradigm was formed. Once we can clearly see what artificially created limits are blocking us, we can decide what to do about them.

Our thoughts have the power to change our lives, as the Law of Attraction states. Although the law is never mentioned by name, this book follows the wisdom of thinking about and determining to reach your goal, and then taking steps to move in the direction of what you most want.

If you’ve never given any thought to why you’re living the life you now lead, A Life Worth Living will open your eyes. And if you want motivation to make changes, this book will provide a gentle push. But if you’re looking for a step-by-step method of making those changes, you won’t find it here. That’s something you’ll have to determine for yourself.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

travel

GrassRoutes: Oakland & Berkeley

Bergers Book Reviews

oakland
Author: Serena Bartlett
Publisher: Sasquatch Books
Genre: Travel
ISBN: 978-1-57061-606-8
Pages: 288
Price: $16.95

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It’s fun to travel to new places, and if you want to see all the sights that interest you, you need a good guidebook. But what if your interests are a little off the beaten path? Or a bit greener than most? GrassRoutes Guides were designed with the eco-tourist in mind.

This guide to Oakland and Berkeley shares some of the best places to visit, broken down into sections by city. Within each of these two geographical sections, things to do are organized in helpful categories like “Outside,” “Do Lunch,” “Get Inspired,” “Film Buffs,” and “Stay Up Late.”

Symbol keys identify businesses that bank & hire locally, use organic products, run a green establishment, and recycle. Costs, dog friendliness, reservation info, and other factors are also included to make planning a breeze.

If you’ve always longed to visit Oakland or Berkeley, but prefer to venture onto roads less traveled, this guide will be indispensable for you. Bike, walk, volunteer, and eat healthy, while visiting the places you most want to see. It’s easier to travel green with your GrassRoutes guide.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

With My Umbrella, I Can…

Bergers Book Reviews

umbrella
Author: Maria Pavlik
Illustrator: Holly Pavlik
Publisher: Trafford Publishing
Genre: Children
ISBN: 142513200-6
Pages: 24
Price: $12.95

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On a gloomy, rainy day, Penelope Puddle is bored. But when she discovers a straight, black umbrella, it’s as if she’s found a magic wand capable of transporting her anywhere she wants.

Puddle Poof are the magic words, as Penelope waves her trusty umbrella, and she can travel around the world. In rhyming verse, Penelope tells of her adventures, letting her umbrella lead the way.

She never uses this umbrella to shield herself from the rain. Instead it’s a prop she carries with her to use as a broom to fly, a ski in the freshly fallen snow, a boat in the pond, and an object to dance with.

Holly Pavlik’s bright watercolors and sketches cheerfully share Penelope’s world of imagination with us. Penelope’s face is always hidden behind her windswept hair, so everyone can relate to this little girl’s fun on a rainy day. With My Umbrella, I Can… is a delightful book anyone can enjoy, especially when a dose of inspiration and playfulness is needed.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, health, parenting

The Little Elephant With the Big Earache

Bergers Book Reviews

elephant
Author: Charlotte Cowan, M.D.
Illustrator: Elaine Garvin
Publisher: Hippocratic Press
Genre: Children
ISBN: 0-9753516-0-5
Pages: 32
Price: $17.95

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Eddie the elephant is excited that his birthday party is coming up. But a few days before the big event, his ear starts to hurt and he can’t sleep.

Eddie needs to visit Dr. Hippo, and he’s scared. But Dr. Hippo is gentle and kind, and soon determines what’s causing the pain in Eddie’s ear. Eddie receives the proper treatment, and gets well quickly enough to celebrate his birthday and participate in the mud sculpture contest.

The Little Elephant With the Big Earache is adorably illustrated by Elaine Garvin, and also includes a guide for parents in understanding ear infections and how they’re treated. I highly recommend this cute and informative story for all families with young children.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

travel

GrassRoutes: Northern California Wine Country

Bergers Book Reviews

wine
Author: Serena Bartlett
Publisher: Sasquatch Books
Genre: Travel
ISBN: 978-1-57061-607-5
Pages: 288
Price: $16.95

Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

Traveling to new places is fun and exciting, and it’s helpful to have a guidebook to see all the places that interest us. But what if our interests are a little off the beaten path? Or a bit greener than most? GrassRoutes Guides were designed with the eco-tourist in mind.

The Northern California Wine Country guide shares some of the best places to visit, broken down into sections by location: Napa & Suisun Valleys, Livermore Valley, Inland Sonoma County, and the Northern West Coast. Within each of these geographical sections, things to do are organized in helpful categories like “Sweet Tooth,” “Gardens,” “Bookish,” “Pamper,” and “Volunteer.”

Symbol keys identify businesses that bank & hire locally, use organic products, run a green establishment, and recycle. Costs, dog friendliness, reservation info, and other factors are also included to make planning a breeze.

If you’ve always longed to visit California Wine Country, but prefer to venture onto roads less traveled, this guide will be indispensable for you. Bike, walk, volunteer and eat healthy, while still sampling some of the best wines on the market. It’s easier to travel green with your GrassRoutes guide.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

inspiration, self improvement

The Secret to Life Transformation

Bergers Book Reviews

lifetransformation
Author: Julie Chrystyn
Publisher: Dove Books
Genre: Self-help
ISBN: 978-1-59777-581-6
Pages: 252
Price: $25.95

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You may be living a good life, but feel that something is still missing. You’re not as successful as you believe you can be, and you need to make some changes.  But how? Who will guide you?

Julie Chrystyn is the hidden voice behind several famous autobiographies. As she listened to those people share their stories, she developed the desire to share some of the words of wisdom she picked up. In The Secret to Life Transformation she compiles these for us, along with thoughts from some other successful people.

This books alternates chapters between her own thoughts and those of twelve brilliant and talented people. These include Justice Clarence Thomas, David Foster, John Paul DeJoria, Robert Evans, Jacqueline Jakes, Dr. Patch Adams, Judge Sol Wachtler, Paula White, Jose Eber, Dr. Steven M. Hoefflin, Paul Anka, and Bernie Brillstein. Each presents their own story, sharing their own ideas on how they became successful.

Topics like independent thinking and using your thoughts wisely, love, forgiveness, wisdom, vision, and hope are interspersed between these mini-autobiographies.

If you’re looking for an inspiring read that will help set you on the path towards your own success, you’ll find that in The Secret to Life Transformation.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

tween

The Squeaky Wheel

Bergers Book Reviews

squeaky wheel
Author: Robert Kimmel Smith
Publisher: iUniverse / Authors Guild Back In Print Edition
Genre: Tween
ISBN: 978-0-595-52203-3
Pages: 196
Price: $14.95

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Divorce can turn children’s lives upside-down. Moving, losing friends and familiar surroundings, and not knowing when they’ll see the parent they don’t live with can be traumatic for kids.

In The Squeaky Wheel, Mark Baker is in sixth grade and his parents are getting a divorce. He’s angry, scared, and feels like his world has completely fallen apart. But although he just wants things to go back to the way they were, he has to learn, bit by bit, to pick up the pieces and rebuild his new life.

From making new friends to dealing with a bully, and even how he feels about girls, this story covers the whole gamut of emotions. Mark finally realizes he has to accept the fact his world will never go back to what it once was, but he still can make his life a good one.

The Squeaky Wheel was originally published in 1990 by Delacorte-Dell, and has recently been brought back into print because of its timeless message of hope for children of divorce. This sensitive portrayal of how Mark deals with this difficult situation is masterfully handled. I highly recommend this wonderful and well-written book.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, health, parenting

Katie Caught a Cold

Bergers Book Reviews

katie
Author: Charlotte Cowan, M.D.
Illustrator: Katy Bratun
Publisher: Hippocratic Press
Genre: Children
ISBN: 0-9753516-3-X
Pages: 32
Price: $17.95

Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

Katie the polar bear is excited to be skating in the Ice Show. But a few days before the big event, she comes down with a cold. She doesn’t have a fever, but she’s sneezing a lot. Will she be better soon so she can skate?

In Katie Caught a Cold, Dr. Cowan shows kids and parents the best way to treat a common cold. She explains why antibiotics are almost always unnecessary and over-the-counter medications don’t help. Her advice for a quick recovery is rest and fluids.

The story is beautifully illustrated by Katy Bratun, and also includes a guide for parents in conquering the common cold. I highly recommend this cute and informative story for all families with young children.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

health, journal

HealthMinder Personal Wellness Journal

Bergers Book Reviews

healthminder
Author: F.E. Wilkins
Publisher: MemoryMinder Journals
Genre: Journal
ISBN: 978-0963796875
Pages: 224
Price: $14.95

Author’s website
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Sometimes health issues can be a puzzle. Are you allergic to a particular food? Need to stop taking an over-the-counter remedy that seems to be causing side effects? Are there sleep patterns you need to track? Monitoring these and many other concerns can be difficult, unless you have a system. That’s where HealthMinder Journal can help.

Each journal entry includes space for information on weather conditions, your vital statistics, any drugs or vitamins taken, physical activity, and food you ate. Plus you can record pain and other discomfort you’re feeling that day, rating it on a scale of 1 to 5.

The journal pages are of high-quality paper, with a spiral binding and sturdy cover. An introductory section explains how to use this journal for maximum effectiveness. And the last section allows you to record your medical history, as well as organizing all your doctor and insurance information in one place for easy reference.

Don’t monitor your health concerns alone. Use the HealthMinder Journal to assist you on your journey back to good health.

Reviewer: Alice Berger