Bergers Book Reviews

Walking Through a World of Aromas

October 16, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Ariel Andrés Almada
Illustrator: Sonja Wimmer
Publisher: Cuento de Luz
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-8415619482
Pages: 24
Price: $16.95

Author’s website
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Annie is born blind, but soon discovers that she can navigate around the house using her sense of smell. Furniture shines with lemony wax, sweet-smelling roses sit on a tabletop, and the aroma of baking cookies leads her to the kitchen. As she grows older, she discovers she has a special way with cooking, always creating the most pleasant sensations in her meals.

Utilizing her unique talent, Annie is known throughout the village as the wise-woman who can use food to cure. But one man keeps coming back, hoping that Annie can soothe the loneliness in his heart. Will Annie see the same feelings lurking in her own heart?

Walking Through a World of Aromas is reminiscent of Like Water For Chocolate, in using food to evoke strong emotions. But in this sweet story, food is a cure, not a torment. Beautiful imagery in words and pictures fill this unique book. I highly recommend it.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

teen

Running Lean

October 15, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Diana L. Sharples
Publisher: Blink
Genre: Young Adult
ISBN: 978-0-310-73497-0
Pages: 400
Price: $12.99

Author’s website
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Calvin lost his soldier brother, and Stacey has been his source of support in his grief. But Stacey is fighting demons of her own that Calvin is only beginning to see. Her constant dieting has gone to an extreme, and now Calvin is worried for her health. His research has led him to believe she is suffering from anorexia.

As Calvin tries to reach Stacey and offer to find her some assistance, Stacey pulls away, determined to stay in control, no matter what the cost. Calvin doesn’t want to lose her, too, but nothing he says or does makes any difference. Should he continue to stick by her, or should he walk away and let her kill herself?

Stacey is a sweet girl who is scared to truly be herself, convinced that her self-worth is based on how skinny she is. Calvin is a model boyfriend, caring and compassionate in his quest to help Stacey. Both have faith in God that is wavering a bit in the midst of their turmoil.

Anorexia and bulimia are serious illnesses that claim many lives each year. In an effort to lose weight, girls starve themselves to the point they are literally skin and bones. Running Lean highlights these eating disorders as Stacey and Calvin struggle with the effects. Intervention is essential, and Stacey’s life can only change for the better if she gets help. This sweet romance is a thought-provoking and enjoyable read for teens.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

Hookitty-Tookitty-Tah

October 11, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Authors: Antonio Mugica & Hermann Mejía
Publisher: Multiple Personality Entertainment
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-9962-5524-1-3
Pages: 36
Price: $19.95

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The yellow dragon has agreed to a truce with the King and his townspeople, as long as he’s fed mountains of sweets. When a baking disaster turns his skin purple, the dragon demands that they either turn his skin back to yellow, or he will take his revenge.

Everyone turns to Hookitty-Tookitty-Tah to solve the problem, but the mischievous wizard has some tricks up his sleeves. First he plans to turn the dragon a few other colors, before finally returning him to his yellow hue. And in the process, the dragon learns some facts about food.

Hookitty-Tookitty-Tah is a cute rhyming story with wonderful illustrations. There is a subtle attempt to convince kids of the joys of healthy eating, as opposed to consuming lots of junk food, but it doesn’t come across too preachy. This is a fun and humorous read.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

cooking

Kitchenability 101

October 10, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Nisa Burns
Publisher: Kitchenability Press
Genre: Cooking
ISBN: 978-0-9856430-0-3
Pages: 176
Price: $17.95

Author’s website
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It’s so easy for college students to be seduced by pizza and burgers when making meal choices. But are they only choosing these fast food options because they don’t have anything better on-hand? In Kitchenability 101, Nisa Burns shows college students that there is a better way to eat, and it’s much easier than they think.

Kitchenability, as defined by Burns, is the ability to make one’s way around the kitchen. In this book, she provides recipes that can be crafted in dorm rooms or small apartment kitchens. Access to a few tools – stove, blender, good knife, etc. – is required, and some recipes are simpler than others.

Why choose a cheeseburger, when you can have a mint and cucumber sandwich? [bread, cream cheese, cucumber slices, and mint leaves] Maybe a chili burrito is more your style? [tortilla, canned chili, salsa, shredded cheese, and sour cream] Or try your hand at one of the recipes that call for some simple cooking, and treat your friends to a nice meal after mid-terms.

Although some of these recipes are a little more complicated than I expected, they look yummy, and are much healthier than anything you might find on campus. If you’re looking to get creative with food and enjoy some home-cooked meals, Kitchenability 101 would be a great “textbook” to keep in your dorm room.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

cats, children

Do You Know a Cat Like That?

October 9, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Art Garmissie
Illustrator: Carol Newsom
Publisher: FastPencil
Genre: Children / Cats
Pages: 40
Price: $16.95

Buy it now

One day, a man rescues a kitten he names Moochee. In Do You Know a Cat Like That?, we see some of Moochee’s antics from her own perspective, after she moves into the household. Rolling around inside cardboard mail tubes, jumping from kitchen cabinets, and taking a bath, Moochee lets us know how she feels about her actions.

The illustrations of this adorable feline will make the reader smile, and her thoughts are comical and sweet. Moochee definitely has her own personality, as do most cats! This cute book would be a great addition to any cat lover’s library.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

tween

Confessions of a So-Called Middle Child

October 8, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Maria T. Lennon
Publisher: Harper Collins
Genre: Young adult
ISBN: 978-0-06-212690-0
Pages: 288
Price: $16.99

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Charlie Cooper is trying to start over in her new school. After a horrible incident she admits complete guilt for, she’s forced to go to counseling and reform her ways. But her shrink has given an impossible command. In order to stop seeing him, she must become friends with the most bullied girl in the school – Marta the Farta.

Charlie would much prefer hanging out with Trixie, the cool girl who shares some of her interests. But Trixie wants to join gymnastics, and would do anything to make the team – even sabotage Marta, who has the same goal. Trixie knows about Charlie’s past, and is not above using blackmail to achieve her ends.

In Confessions of a So-Called Middle Child, the reader comes face to face with twelve year-old mean girls. But Charlie isn’t really a bully at heart – she has a soft spot, and comes to really like Marta and want to help her out. Cruel actions come to light, and the good girls win in the end. I highly recommend this engaging and fun read.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

Burton’s Friendship Garden

October 7, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: V.A. Boeholt
Illustrator: Nathaniel P. Jensen
Publisher: Little Five Star
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-58985-210-5
Pages: 36
Price: $11.95

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Farmer Green has cultivated his land in anticipation of planting seeds the following day. But instead, he suffers a broken leg and won’t be able to finish the job. Burton, the kind scarecrow, is worried that Farmer Green won’t be able to pay his bills and feed his family without the harvest.

Gathering the animals together, Burton lays out a plan. He and his friends will plant and care for the garden until Farmer Green is ready to return to work. When Farmer Green finally visits the garden, he is surprised and pleased that everyone has pitched in to help him.

Burton’s Friendship Garden includes a teacher’s guide to be used along with the book. Story concepts, glossary, information on gardens, reader and listener tips, activities, and internet links are all provided. This would be a great fall read for classrooms.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

All Kinds of Feelings

October 3, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Sheri Safran
Illustrator: Emma Brownjohn
Publisher: Insight Editions
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-60887-158-2
Pages: 12
Price: $12.99

Buy it at Amazon

Sometimes we feel happy. Sometimes we feel sad. Sometimes we feel friendly. Other times we feel lonely. Using contracts, this pop-up book expresses the many different kinds of feelings children may feel. The author reminds kids that feelings are normal, and it’s okay to show their feelings.

The last pages of the book include a “feelings game” where kids can spin the wheel and draw the feeling selected. Then someone else guesses what it is.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

audio book, children

Chris the Caterpillar

October 2, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Anna-Christina
Produced by: Busy Bees Publishing

Music Audio Stories

Chris, the caterpillar, has always wanted to be a butterfly. One day a fairy visits him, and he tells her his wish. The fairy calls on her friends, the flowers, to offer their color, and with a wave of her wand, Chris becomes a butterfly.

The musical accompaniment to Chris the Caterpillar becomes a part of the story, as the dramatic melody surrounds the narrative. Like Chris, children will come to believe in magic when he is transformed.

As Music Audio Stories says on their website: “These special audio books can be enjoyed by children of all ages but are tailored for the blind as well. They can also be a useful learning tool for children with impaired vision or vision disabilities.” Chris the Caterpillar is a sweet story that kids will enjoy hearing over and over again.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

They’re Coming!

October 1, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author & Illustrator: Timothy Young
Publisher: Schiffer Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-7643-4225-7
Pages: 32
Price: $16.99

Author’s website
Schiffer Books
Buy it at Amazon

“Creepy fiends that emerge at twilight are coming. Slimy things from the deep, dark waters are coming.” But where are they, and lots of others, coming to? My party!

This spooky Halloween book features dark shadows, glowing eyes, evil grins, scary tree branches, and an eerie full moon in its imaginative scenes. Kids will be held in suspense, wondering where these creatures are all going, and if they’re coming after them.

Dark and delightfully done, They’re Coming! is designed to put you in the mood for Halloween. It would make a great read-aloud book with the lights turned down and some spooky music playing.

Reviewer: Alice Berger