Author: Bergers Book Reviews

Author and book reviewer.
children, health, parenting

The Moose With Loose Poops

Bergers Book Reviews

moose
Author: Charlotte Cowan, M.D.
Illustrator: Penelope Neal
Publisher: The Hippocratic Press
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-9753516-5-9
Pages: 32
Price: $17.95

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Miles Moose is excited about his upcoming camping trip with his dad. But then his tummy starts to act funny, with some very unpleasant results. Looks like he’ll be waiting a few days to take his trip so his tummy can get better.

Although the title of this book may cause a few heads to turn, The Moose With Loose Poops was written to help explain gastroenteritis to kids. The first time they experience vomiting or diarrhea, they may become worried. Dr. Cowan wanted to reassure them that this is perfectly normal but uncomfortable tummy behavior when they’re sick. Penelope Neal has created cute illustrations showing us how Miles handles his illness.

The author also includes a guide to gastroenteritis for parents, who may be even more concerned than their kids. It explains home treatment and when to call a doctor if symptoms seem to be getting worse. I highly recommend this cute and informative story for all families with young children.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

teen

Weeping Under This Same Moon

Bergers Book Reviews

weepingcover1
Author: Jana Laiz
Publisher: Crow Flies Press
Genre: Young Adult
ISBN: 978-0-9814910-0-4
Pages: 271
Price: $14.00

Author’s website
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In 1976, Mei, a Chinese girl living in war-torn Vietnam is forced to flee her country. Sent away on a tiny boat, she and her teenage brother and young sister leave their family behind, hoping to arrive on safe shores. With no guarantee of survival, they embark bravely on their journey.

In the United States, Hannah, a teenage girl, finds herself struggling to fit into a culture focused on drugs and parties. A non-conformist, she is drawn to important causes, and finds herself alone most of the time. When she hears of the plight of the “Boat People” escaping Vietnam, she knows she needs to help.

Weeping Under This Same Moon tells these two girls’ stories, which begin to intersect as Hannah befriends Mei and her family, and helps them acclimate to life in the US. Told with amazing perception and attention to detail, the author brings their stories to life. Great character development helps us to understand each girl and her unique situation.

This book is a fictionalized account of two real women who forged a lifetime friendship during a time of adversity. I highly recommend Weeping Under This Same Moon – a story of friendship, hope, and the spirit of helping others.

Reviewed by: Alice Berger

children, nature

SOIL: More Than Just Dirt

Bergers Book Reviews

soil
Author: Jerry Wermund
Publisher: Rockon Publishing
Genre: Children / Science
ISBN: 978-09726255-3-1
Pages: 48
Price: $18.95

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Most of us give very little thought to the ground we walk on. When we plant our garden, the soil is just something we dig. But do you know how soil is formed? Or how many different kinds of soil there are?

Jerry Wermund explains soil formations in this interesting and informative book, written in a poetic style. He also includes many color photos of the various kinds of soil, with explanations of what makes them unique.

Although the author intends this book for elementary and middle school children, some of the vocabulary is too difficult for a younger child to understand. Many of the terms are defined, but adult explanations may also be necessary.

SOIL: More Than Just Dirt is an excellent resource for the budding environmentalist.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

Trent the Racing Turtle

Bergers Book Reviews

trent
Author: Bill Franklin
Publisher: BookSurge Publishing
Genre: Children
ISBN: 1-4196-7994-5
Pages: 116
Price: $12.99

Author’s website
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Trent the racing turtle and his friends Mina and Jesse have stumbled onto an ancient mystery that threatens their forest community. Trent must now race against an evil villain to win the Isolis statue, and save them all from certain destruction.

Book one of a three-book series, Trent the Racing Turtle introduces Queen Kiya, an ancient Egyptian queen who needs her servant to fetch her three sacred statues. The quest for the other statues will complete the series.

The story is fast-paced and full of action, as the three friends handle this tricky situation. But I had a question regarding Trent’s wheels, which are never explained by the author. Also, the punctuation in this book isn’t correct, which I found distracting, but children may not notice. Overall, I think kids will enjoy the animals’ adventures in this series.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

Patulous the Different Caterpillar

Bergers Book Reviews

patulous
Author: A. Volta
Illustrator: Diane Lucas
Publisher: BookSurge Publishing
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-9711040-1-3
Pages: 24
Price: $11.99

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Patulous lives with other caterpillars who start to notice his green skin is developing splotches. They make fun of him and send him away because he’s different.

Other creatures in the garden welcome and befriend him. They accept him as he is, and let him play with them.  His new friends also introduce him to tasty flowers to eat. But soon it’s time for him to enter his chrysalis and become a butterfly. He has no idea how spectacular his colors will be when he emerges.

A fun take on the Ugly Duckling story, Patulous the Different Caterpillar reminds that we’re all different, but it’s our differences that make us unique, special and beautiful.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

Where Things Are From Near to Far

Bergers Book Reviews

where1
Author: Tim Halbur & Chris Steins
Illustrator: David Ryan
Publisher: Planetizen Press
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-9789329-2-3
Pages: 24
Price: $19.95

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While Hugo plays in a city park, he looks up at the skyscrapers and wonders how they got there. His mom then takes him on a trip through the city, into the suburbs, then the country, and finally the wilderness, explaining each as they go. How does she know all this information? She’s an urban planner.

Written in rhyming verse, this book explores the role of an urban planner in building cities, and determining which buildings go where. The illustrations by David Ryan show the details of each place they visit.

Many books have been written that explain some of the more popular professions, but nothing shows the role of a city planner. Where Things Are From Near to Far plugs that gaping hole in a fun way, and kids will enjoy reading this book. It’s also nice to see that it’s mom, not dad, who has this interesting job.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

cats, children

Kitten Up a Tree

Bergers Book Reviews

kitten
Author: Melanie Abel
Illustrator: Anne Lederhos
Publisher: E & E Publishing
Genre: Children
ISBN: 0-9791606-4-2
Pages: 28
Price: $15.95

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Kitten is scared and runs up a tree. The mailman, the gardener and the newsboy all try to get her down, but she just climbs higher and higher. But little David thinks he knows how to coax her down.

After David waits patiently for several days, kitten finally climbs down. And now she and David are friends.

Anne Lederhos has created charming illustrations for Kitten Up a Tree. Children have always loved to rescue cats in trees, despite the fact they seldom need rescuing. This cute story will appeal to kids and cat lovers alike.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

Ralphina the Roly-Poly

Bergers Book Reviews

roly-poly
Author & Illustrator: Claudia Chandler
Publisher: Leathers Publishing
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-58597-462-7
Pages: 32
Price: $24.95

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Ralphina the roly-poly is lonely. She wants the little boy who lives in the house to notice her, so she busily goes to work in their garden to make the tulips grow. Her efforts are successful and he becomes her friend.

Since the little boy doesn’t know anything about roly-polies, Ralphina tells him all about herself and her crustacean relatives. There is also an informational section at the end, which provides facts about rainbows.

This is a cute tale about friendship that is also educational, with bright and cheery rainbow colored illustrations. However, it’s very light on plot. Not much happens in this story, and children may become bored upon subsequent readings, once they learn about roly-polies.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

finance

Rich Is a Religion

Bergers Book Reviews

rich
Author: Mark Stevens
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Genre: Personal Finance
ISBN: 978-0-470-25287-1
Pages: 192
Price: $24.95

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Congregants of the religion of the rich share important philosophical principles. They have learned to treat money with the reverence and respect it deserves. In Rich Is a Religion, author Mark Stevens shares some of the principles he’s discovered, both from living them himself and from watching others who practice them. He also shares the stories of the “atheists” of the religion of the rich, and their ultimate financial destruction.

If you’re looking for information on how to get rich, this book won’t provide it. You won’t find investment strategies, business ideas, or any other means of developing wealth. But what you will find is a way of looking at money that can help you hold onto what you do have, while inspiring you to create more.

Don’t let the title put you off – this is not a book about worshiping money. Instead, it’s a book about living a quality lifestyle without needless expenses and a keeping-up-with-the-Jones mentality. Practical and inspiring, Rich Is a Religion is a voice of common sense in this age of greed.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, nature

Sharks

Bergers Book Reviews

sharks
Author: Martin Kasso
Illustrator: Matthew Jeffirs
Publisher: Intervisual Books Inc.
Genre: Children / Science
ISBN: 978-158117-797-8
Pages: 24
Price: $19.95

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Sharks are probably the most feared ocean creatures, but how much do we really know about these magnificent beings? What triggers a shark attack? Are all sharks dangerous?

Sharks attempts to dispel some of the myths we have about sharks, while sharing some interesting facts. Pop-up and other interactive pages enhance the learning experience for kids. Pictures and descriptions of the many different kinds of sharks are also provided.

It’s natural for humans to fear these awesome creatures, but we also need to remember they have their place in nature and serve an important function. The author reminds us that many sharks are endangered, and that conservation efforts are now in place.

Well-written, informative and kid-friendly, Sharks is a great classroom or library resource on these ocean-dwellers. I highly recommend it.

Reviewer: Alice Berger