Bergers Book Reviews

Turkey and Mr. Bear

November 18, 2014 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Jessika Daly
Illustrator: Terdell L. Johnson
Publisher: Yourmom206
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-692-23251-4
Pages: 28
Price: $19.99

Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

Turkey is excited because tomorrow is Thanksgiving and there will be cake and presents and a big party. But when he shares his enthusiasm with Mr. Bear, he finds out that those things happen on his birthday, not on Thanksgiving. Running through each of the holidays and events over the course of the year, Turkey keeps coming back to Mr. Bear, only to find out that, once again, he’s mistaken.

Mr. Bear only shakes his head each time saying, “Silly Turkey.” Finally, Turkey comes back and asks about what will really happen on Thanksgiving. Mr. Bear’s parting line is priceless, and I won’t spoil the fun by revealing it. But kids will roar with laughter when they hear what he has to say.

Thanksgiving is all about the turkey, and we know this story can’t end well. But since Turkey and Mr. Bear concludes with a humorous line, kids won’t dwell on what might happen to Turkey, and can simply enjoy the joke. This book is pure Thanksgiving fun.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

adventure, fantasy, teen

Demons and Thieves

November 17, 2014November 17, 2014 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Lynda Berger
Publisher: Fuluji’s Publishing Ltd
Genre: Adventure / Fantasy
ISBN: 9780957374300
Pages: 268
Price: £6.99

Author’s website
Buy it at Bookstore.co.uk

Tad Bailey can’t take much more. After another fight between his parents, he runs from his home, wondering if things can get any worse. When he discovers a mysterious gate leading to another world, he’s offered a chance at happiness. He doesn’t know it, but he’s been living in the Shadows, and now he has the opportunity to get out.

All he has to do is find three Keys in Shiladu before time expires. If he doesn’t succeed, he’ll be stuck there forever. While he’s there, demons prey on his vulnerabilities, another visitor tries to steal his Keys, and a permanent resident of Shiladu upsets the time continuum, making Tad the scapegoat. Seeking the Keys is his ultimate goal, but he’s even more concerned with making it out of Shiladu alive.

Demons and Thieves is an exciting fantasy and adventure novel that grabbed my interest from the very beginning. Tad faces dangerous situations that he needs to escape from, and he never knows what lurks behind the next corner. Evil comes at him from every direction, keeping the reader hooked to find out what happens next. I enjoyed this story very much, and I look forward to reading the next two books in this Seven Keys Trilogy.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, holiday

The Great Reindeer Rebellion

November 15, 2014 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Lisa Trumbauer
Illustrator: Jannie Ho
Publisher: Sterling Children’s Books
Genre: Children / Christmas
ISBN: 978-1-4549-1356-6
Pages: 32
Price: $6.95

Buy it at Amazon

It’s the week before Christmas, and Santa is frantic. The reindeer are on strike and decide they won’t be pulling his sleigh this year. So Santa decides to hire some new staff. Surely there are other animals who would be willing to help!

But poor Santa doesn’t anticipate the many problems he’ll run into as he attempts test runs with his new crews. Dogs, cats, elephants, and kangaroos all try hard, but just can’t handle the job. What can Santa do?

Using rhyming verse in the style of “Twas the night before Christmas…” this wacky book details Santa’s frustrations in attempting to replace his striking reindeer. Kids will giggle with delight over the silly predicaments the replacement animals find themselves in. But all ends well, as Santa and the reindeer finally come to an agreement.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

Planes, Trains, and Cars

November 13, 2014 Bergers Book Reviews

Author & Illustrator: Simon Abbott
Publisher: Ticktock Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-78325-053-0
Pages: 24
Price: $8.99

Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

Did you know that the tires on the biggest dump truck in the world each contain enough rubber to make 600 car tires? Or that Melbourne, Australia, has the world’s longest tram network, with 1763 stops? Or that car ferries have enough space to carry 180 trucks and 1,000 cars?

In Plains, Trains, and Cars kids will learn fun facts about many modes of transportation. Whimsical illustrations and quirky commentary fill the pages of this cute book. It’s sure to be a hit with kids.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

50 States of Fun – Hidden Treasures

November 12, 2014 Bergers Book Reviews

Author & Illustrator: Liz Ball
Publisher: Hidden Pictures
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-9843088-1-1
Pages: 56
Price: $6.95

Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

It’s always fun to look for hidden objects in a drawing. And it’s even more fun when kids can then color the rest of the picture and learn a bit about each of the fifty states. In this book, each state is featured on its own page, with color commentary and fifteen to twenty items to discover in the line drawing above.

50 States of Fun – Hidden Treasures is a great resource for improving eye coordination, spatial skills, memory retention and concentration. But kids will only see it as an enjoyable puzzle book that will keep them entertained for hours.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, holiday

A Pirate’s Night Before Christmas

November 11, 2014 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Philip Yates
Illustrator: Sebastia Serra
Publisher: Sterling Children’s Books
Genre: Children / Christmas
ISBN: 978-1-4549-1357-3
Pages: 32
Price: $6.95

Buy it at Amazon

“Twas the night before Christmas aboard the Black Sark…” These pirates aren’t waiting for Santa Claus – instead they are hoping for a visit from Sir Peg. Riding a sleigh pulled by eight giant sea horses, and sporting an eye patch, peg leg, and hook, Sir Peg is a sight to see. But he comes bringing joyous gifts to all the crew.

With the same rhyming cadence as the original, A Pirate’s Night Before Christmas is an alternative and fun Christmas Eve read. Kids of all ages will enjoy it.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

Howard B. Wigglebottom on Yes or No

November 7, 2014 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Howard Binkow
Illustrator: Taillefer Long
Publisher: Thunderbolt Publishing
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-9826165-8-1
Pages: 32
Price: $15.00

Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

Howard B. Wigglebottom knows his friend, Buzz, is not happy, but he doesn’t know why. So he watches as Buzz is trusting friends he shouldn’t trust, having his things taken away from him, and getting into trouble for stealing. But when he starts to get into a stranger’s car, Howard steps in and yells, “NO!” Buzz doesn’t know how to say no to anyone, and Howard wants to help him.

Over time, Buzz learns how to determine if someone is trustworthy, and how to say no if they’re not. And he learns to never talk to strangers unless a trusted adult says it’s okay. Buzz is a lot happier now.

Kids (and even adults) have trouble saying no when they think people won’t like them. But this is an important skill best developed when children are young. Howard B. Wigglebottom on Yes or No is a great learning tool, giving kids an opportunity to observe the proper use of the word “No” and to discuss it in a classroom setting.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, holiday

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (Pop-up book)

November 5, 2014 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Lisa Marsoli
Illustrator: Keith Andrew Finch
Publisher: Silver Dolphin Books
Genre: Children / Christmas
ISBN: 978-1-62686-197-8
Pages: 12
Price: $19.95

Buy it at Amazon

“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” first appeared on television in 1964. In celebration of its 50 year anniversary, the original story has been reproduced in this pop-up book. These beloved characters – Rudolph, Yukon Cornelius, Hermey the elf, and the Abominable Snow Monster, as well as many others – are all recreated with actual images from the TV special.

Journey with Rudolph, listening to the other reindeer laugh at his nose, meeting Yukon Cornelius, visiting the Island of Misfit Toys, and finally guiding Santa’s sleigh in the blizzard. This book has been recommended for children ages three and up, but adults may want to handle this somewhat fragile pop-up book for young children. All fans of classic Christmas TV programs will love this book.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

Junket is Nice

October 31, 2014 Bergers Book Reviews

Author & Illustrator: Dorothy Kunhardt
Publisher: New York Review Children’s Collection
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-59017-628-3
Pages: 72
Price: $16.95

Buy it at Amazon

Junket is a milk-based dessert, made with sweetened milk and rennet, the digestive enzyme which curdles milk. It might best be described as a custard or a very soft, sweetened cheese. And in Junket is Nice, an old man with a red beard and red slippers is eating it from a very large, red bowl.

When all the people of the world assemble around him, he asks them to tell him what he’s thinking. The first one to guess correctly will get something nice. But first he tells them three things he’s not thinking of. As they all make their guesses, a young boy on a tricycle watches and thinks.

Junket is Nice is pure absurdity and nonsense in a whimsical package. It’s filled with repetition, silly pictures and concepts, and too much food at one time. Originally published in 1933, this classic has been out of print and only recently reintroduced by the New York Review. If this was one of the best-loved books on your childhood bookcase, it’s time to share it with your own kids.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Christian, history

A.D. 30

October 29, 2014October 19, 2015 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Ted Dekker
Publisher: Center Street
Genre: Historical Fiction / Christian
ISBN: 978-1-59995-418-9
Pages: 432
Price: $25.00

Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

Maviah was born of an illicit encounter by her father, Sheikh Rami bin Malik. Sold into slavery in Egypt, she lived there until the birth of her son, and was sent back to her Bedu people. Now her city has been taken by the Thamud, and her father has sent her on a mission to save them. With Saba, her father’s servant, and Judah, a Jew, she travels to see Herod, hoping for his help.

Saba and Judah are able-bodied and trustworthy men, and she soon comes to rely on them for her own well-being. But their mission runs into a snag. A side trip to Capernaum allows them to visit with Yeshua – a Jewish rabbi with a new and radical teaching. Maviah soon becomes convinced that this Yeshua speaks truth, and vows to follow his words.

Maviah is a broken woman who believes herself to be nothing more than a slave. But in speaking to Yeshua, she begins to believe she has value in her Father’s eyes. Can she trust him enough to overcome her fear and rescue her people?

A.D. 30 paints a wonderful picture of desert life at the start of the Christian era. We meet Jesus near the start of his ministry and share in the joy of those who have just found him. And we see, through Maviah’s eyes, exactly why he is so well-loved by his followers. Jesus loves her just as she is – even though she sees herself as unworthy.

I highly recommend this engaging and enjoyable book.

Reviewer: Alice Berger