Author: Bergers Book Reviews

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children

The Boxcar Children Beginning

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Patricia MacLachlan
Publisher: Albert Whitman & Co.
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-8075-6616-9
Pages: 144
Price: $16.99

Boxcar Children website
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When the first Boxcar Children book begins, we learn that Henry, Jessie, Violet and Benny are orphans. But what happened to their parents? How did these children find themselves starting out on this new adventure in their lives? To celebrate the 70th anniversary of this series, a prequel was written to set the stage.

As Patricia MacLachlin discovered in writing this book, these four children are kind, smart, resourceful, and they care a lot about each other. These were the characteristics she wanted the reader to see modeled by the parents who raised them. Although this book is not written by Gertrude Chandler Warner, as the original series was, MacLachlin captures the essence of the story well.

The Boxcar Children books have been continuously in print since their original publication, and will most likely be around for another 70 years. It’s wonderful to finally have a true beginning for this unique series. I highly recommend The Boxcar Beginning for all faithful fans and new ones to come.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

mystery

Fever Dream

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Dennis Palumbo
Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press
Genre: Mystery
ISBN: 978-1-59058-959-5
Pages: 250
Price: $14.95

Author’s website
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Psychologist and trauma expert, Daniel Rinaldi, has already gotten mixed up in a police investigation once before, so it’s only natural that officer Eleanor Lowrey turns to him during a botched bank robbery. The only survivor, Treva Williams, could be the link the police need to catch the perpetrators. But Treva is suffering from post traumatic shock, and Rinaldi will need to gently coax the information out of her.

As the investigation develops, he also finds himself caught up in the gubernatorial race, with one candidate heavily seeking his favor. Incriminating evidence is revealed, leading Rinaldi to question the ethics of this popular man. Is he really as corrupt as he seems, or is someone else pulling the strings? And how far is someone willing to go to be sure the new governor will give in to his demands?

In this sequel to Mirror Image, Rinaldi must use his wits to save himself from those who want him dead. Working in close proximity with the police, he relies heavily on his psychological skills in reading people’s motives. What appears to be real is only an illusion, and plot twists abound. I highly recommend this thrilling mystery.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, health

Is Your Hair Made of Donuts?

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Joy Feldman
Illustrators: Beth Slocum & Amanda Mueller
Publisher: JHF Nutritional Consulting
ISBN: 978-0-615-55515-7
Pages: 40
Price: $8.95

Author’s website
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Matt and Maddie have always eaten healthy food. Even though their friends have sugary snacks, their mom insists they eat food that will help their bodies grow strong. But one day she relents and lets them eat all the junk food they want.

After scarfing down piles of sugary treats, and especially lots of ooey-gooey donuts, they don’t feel well. And their dreams that evening hauntingly remind them of the many donuts they consumed. But was it really a dream, or have they contributed to their bodies using donuts as building blocks?

Kids hate to feel different, and parents who want them to eat healthy often feel pressured to conform to the norms of society. But snacks can be delicious and nutritious, and recipes for healthy treats are included at the back of this book. Is Your Hair Made of Donuts? is a funny tale reminding kids that junk food really is bad for them, and may encourage them to eat healthier.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

cooking

Kohl’s Cares For Kids – Cookbooks for Adults

Bergers Book Reviews

Kohl’s Cares For Kids: Children who eat good meals are happier, healthier, and do better in school, so Kohl’s has also included these books for adults in their program. Each book is only $5.00, and all proceeds go towards kids’ health and education.

Eat This Not That For Kids
Author: David Zinczenko with Matt Goulding
Publisher: Rodale
Genre: Food
ISbn: 978-1605299433
Pages: 320
Price: $5.00 at Kohl’s

Sometimes deciding to eat healthier is as simple as choosing one food over another. In this book, food selections are analyzed for total calorie and fat content, and alternative, healthier options are offered. Items covered include restaurant fare, beverages, snacks and meals made at home.

Campbell’s Best-Loved Recipes
Publisher: Publications International
Genre: Cooking
ISBN: 978-1605534671
Pages: 256
Price: $5.00 at Kohl’s

Cooking with Campbell’s soups is a long-standing tradition. This cookbook compiles some of the best recipes using these soups and other related products. But this isn’t just a soup and casserole cookbook. Recipes include breakfast, sandwiches, meats, seafood, pasta, and even desserts.

Crock-pot Busy Family Recipes
Publisher: Publications International
Genre: Cooking
ISBN: 1605531847
Pages: 192
Price: $5.00 at Kohl’s

A cook’s greatest time saver in the kitchen is the crock-pot. Just set it up in the morning and come home to a nice home-cooked meal. These recipes are a cook’s treasure chest of tasty and easy meals.

children

ABCs of Boating Terms

Bergers Book Reviews


Author & Illustrator: Dee Cache
Publisher: Schiffer Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-7643-3982-0
Pages: 32
Price: $6.99

Schiffer Books
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Do you know your fore from your aft? How about the galley and the head? If you’re scratching your own head right about now, there is help. ABCs of Boating Terms is a kids’ educational coloring book designed to not leave you lost at sea.

These simple drawings include one boating term for each letter of the alphabet. Nautical flags show how some letters would appear, so boats can communicate with each other. And important survival words like SOS and Mayday provide a way of reaching help when needed.

Any boating family should have a copy of this coloring book for kids to learn proper boating terminology.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

mystery

Blotto, Twinks and the Dead Dowager Duchess

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Simon Brett
Publisher: Felony & Mayhem Press
Genre: Mystery
ISBN: 978-1-934609-92-7
Pages: 224
Price: $14.95

Author’s website
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In this second volume in the Blotto and Twinks mystery series, one of their mother’s acquaintances – a member of the aristocracy – is murdered. Although the brother and sister don’t miss the woman much, they are greatly disturbed by the fact their chauffeur is accused of the murder and will hang for a crime he didn’t commit. It’s the 1920’s in Britain, and the lower classes have few rights. So, determined to clear his name, they set off to catch the real murderer, whom the brilliant Twinks has already determined.

This search takes them into the dark recesses of London, where they have to come in close contact with the “oikish” folks they normally avoid associating with. They determine their suspect is a member of the League of the Crimson Hand, and each new clue leads them closer to the Crimson Thumb – the ringleader of this evil group.

A good British murder mystery is made even better by the comedy of a pair of aristocrats running around London in evening dress, while dealing with a difficult stowaway passenger, a stolen car, and endless suitors willing to die for the beautiful Twinks. And the authentic British dialogue is pure “creamy éclair.” Fans of British mysteries will love Blotto, Twinks and the Dead Dowager Duchess.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

cats, children

Skippyjon Jones

Bergers Book Reviews

Kohl’s Cares for Kids: The books and merchandise featured in this program are only $5.00 each, and all proceeds go towards kids’ health and education. Skippyjon Jones books feature Spanish words for a bilingual feel. Each book has a matching stuffed animal, and there is also a Skippyjon Jones backpack available. These fun, frolicking feline antics will amuse kids of all ages. I love this series!

Author’s website

Author:  Judy Schachner
Publisher: Dutton Children’s Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-525-42571-7
Pages: 32
Price: $5.00 at Kohl’s

Skippyjon Jones is a Siamese cat, but he thinks he’s a chihuahua. When he steps into his magic closet, he finds a group of chihuahuas in need of help. As the superhero, El Skippito Friskito, Skippyjon will have to face the menacing Bumblebeeto to help the Chimichangos recover their beans.

Author: Judy Schachner
Publisher: Dutton Children’s Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-8037-3885-0
Pages: 32
Price: $5.00 at Kohl’s

Skippyjon Jones wants to go to obedience school with the other dogs, but Mama won’t let him. After all, he’s a Siamese cat, not a chihuahua. So off to his magic closet he goes, where he meets up again with his chihuahua friends. This time superhero Skippito will face a woolly bully who has the whole school terrified.

Author: Judy Schachner
Publisher: Dutton Children’s Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-525-42568-7
Pages: 32
Price: $5.00 at Kohl’s

Skippyjon Jones is collecting the neighbor dog’s bones to build a dinosaur skeleton. But when Mama tells him he needs to return them, he heads instead to his magic closet. This time he and the Chimichangos are back in prehistoric days, with dinosaurs roaming the earth. Acting fast, he saves his friends from extinction when he realizes the dinosaurs will squash them.

Author: Judy Schachner
Publisher: Dutton Children’s Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-525-42569-4
Pages: 32
Price: $5.00 at Kohl’s

Skippyjon loves Mars, because it’s his favorite color, red. So after borrowing a bottle of red spice from Mama, he heads to his closet where he rockets off to space. Arriving on Mars, he finds the Chimichangos are already there, and Mars is a planet made of red spice. But there are Martians there, and they would love to steal his sock monkey unless he is able to stop them.

Author: Judy Schachner
Publisher: Dutton Children’s Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-525-42570-0
Pages: 32
Price: $5.00 at Kohl’s

Skippyjon Jones has created a master work of art on the freshly painted walls. When Mama sends him to his room, he heads straight for his magic closet. He meets up with the Chimichangos, who are now threatened by El Bobble-ito and need superhero Skippito to defeat this menace.

animals, children

Satchi and Little Star

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Donna Marie Seim
Illustrator: Susan Spellman
Publisher: Jetty House
ISBN: 978-0-9828236-7-5
Pages: 31
Price: $19.95

Author’s website
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Satchi lives on an island where horses run wild. Every day, as she watches a herd go by her front gate, she admires one she names Little Star. She’s determined to convince Little Star to come and live with her.

She slowly gains his trust by feeding him jelly bread, but catching a wild horse isn’t as easy as Satchi thinks. As she tries to tame him, she wonders if it’s really possible for wild horses to be anything but wild.

Satchi’s dilemma is one many kids can relate to, as they attempt to befriend a wild animal near their own homes. In this delightful book, Satchi shows remarkable maturity once she’s managed to capture Little Star. Satchi and Little Star won a Mom’s Choice Gold Award for picture books in 2012. [Category: Values and Life Lessons]

Reviewer: Alice Berger

cooking, health

TurboCharged Recipes

Bergers Book Reviews


Authors: Dian Griesel, Ph. D & Tom Griesel
Publisher: Business School of Happiness
Genre: Cooking / Health
ISBN: 978-1936705078
Pages: 268
Price: $24.95

Author’s website
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In TurboCharged: Accelerate Your Fat Burning Metabolism, Get Lean Fast and Leave Diet and Exercise Rules in the Dust, a new way of eating was introduced. This diet program encourages the reader to eat proteins, fats, vegetables and fruits in new proportions. Foods with hidden sugars and processed carbohydrates should be avoided. The easiest way to follow a new plan of eating is with lots of recipes designed to fit the plan, and TurboCharged Recipes delivers just that.

This cookbook provides a basic introduction to the program, but assumes the reader has already read TurboCharged. Section headings include Beverages, Dips & Dressings, Appetizers, Soups & Stews, Salads, Vegetarian, Eggs, Fish, Meats, Poultry, and Desserts. These yummy recipes can be used by a TurboCharged dieter or anyone who follows a low carbohydrate diet.

Some of these recipes combine more than a dozen ingredients, so a well-stocked kitchen is advised. Time may also be a factor in creating some of these dishes. But if you’re serious about following the TurboCharged plan, this cookbook would be a great investment.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

music

Solace

Bergers Book Reviews


Composer: Michael Brant DeMaria
Label: Sounds True
Format: Audio CD
Running Time: 1 hour
Price: $14.99

Composer’s website
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Solace is music for emotional healing. Made up of tracks from Stonehenge, Bindu, and Gaia, it is meant to guide the listener on a journey to “loosen the stuck places” within our psyche and spirit.

This gentle piano, keyboard, flute and percussion music sets the stage by sending the listener into an introspective state. Once the mood has been created, the journey continues within to begin the healing process. The final track is lighter and more upbeat, as the journey is finished and this healing complete.

DeMaria is not only a composer, but also a psychologist, and his purpose is creating sounds to heal our minds and souls. As we listen to this delightful and soothing music, we may find we can face life’s challenges with more wisdom and compassion.

Reviewer: Alice Berger