Category: animals

animals, children, music

Billy Joins the Circus

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Anna Christina
Illustrator: Jenika Ioffreda
Publisher: Music Audio Stories
ISBN: 978-1-8383892-0-8
Pages: 34
Price: $18.99

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Billy the monkey has always wanted to join the circus, but his parents are less enthusiastic about the idea. One day a circus comes through the forest, and Billy jumps at the chance to join. But first he has to convince the Ringmaster and the flying dolly that he’s the right fit. Both ask him what he can do, and Billy sings to them about his skills.

Since this is a music audio story, the song is repeated three times with mounting enthusiasm. Billy shares his mobility skills, and kids will be able to join him as he stamps his feet, claps his hands, spins around, and jumps up and down. They will laugh with glee as they experience Billy’s joy in finally experiencing his dream of joining the circus.

Billy encourages kids to also follow their own dreams, because you never know when a circus will show up and offer you the opportunity you’ve always waited for. I highly recommend Billy Joins the Circus.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

animals, children, nature

Where the Heart Is

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Irma Gold
Illustrator: Susannah Crispe
Publisher: EK Books
Genre: Children, nature, animals
ISBN: 978-1-925820-87-4
Pages: 32
Price: $18.99

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Illustrator’s website
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A tiny penguin washed ashore in Brazil, covered in oil. Joao cleaned him up and fed him, and named the penguin Dindim. When Joao tried to set him free, Dindim didn’t want to leave. They spent many months together before Dindim finally waddled down to the shore and paddled away. Joao was sad to see him go, but knew it was for the best.

But Joao was surprised when one day Dindim came back to him. Dindim now spends eight months of the year on Joao’s tiny island, before heading to the Patagonia coasts of Argentina and Chile.

This wonderful true story will warm the hearts of parents and children alike. I highly recommend Where the Heart Is.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

animals, birds, children

The Kids’ Guide to Birds of Colorado

Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Stan Tekiela
Publisher: Adventure Publications
Genre: Children / Birds
ISBN: 978-1-64755-142-1
Pages: 240
Price: $13.95

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If you live in Colorado and like to watch birds, The Kids’ Guide to Birds of Colorado is the perfect book for your collection. This comprehensive guide to Colorado birds includes an introduction to birds, detailed information on each bird in the state, and some activities kids can do to learn more about the birds.

One of the best features of this book is that it’s organized by bird color. Kids only have to observe what the bird’s predominant color is, and can look it up in that color’s section. They don’t have to know if it’s a woodpecker or a raven – only that it’s mostly black. Then they can try to match the birds to the full color picture provided. Each two-page bird spread includes a photo with some up-close shots of things to look for, some interesting facts about the bird, and some cool commentary about the bird’s behavior.

I highly recommend The Kids’ Guide to Birds of Colorado for all Colorado bird watchers.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

animals, mystery, tween

Monkey Magic 3: The Ghostly Thieves of New York

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Grant S. Clark
Genre: Middle grade / adventure / animals
ISBN: 979-8701643480
Pages: 206
Price: $9.99

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Romy Alexander has just arrived in New York after her adventures in China. She plans to tour the hot spots the guide has chosen for them and catch up on some sleep. But she doesn’t anticipate finding out that there are ghost thieves visiting the museums at night, stealing artifacts from endangered species in order to bring attention to their plight.

Nocturnal monkey visitors to her hotel room explain what’s going on, and look for her assistance. She’ll need to use her monkey magic once again to communicate with them and help them out. But not everything is as it seems, and soon Romy finds herself in trouble. It’s a good thing she isn’t the only one who has the ability to use monkey magic!

Monkey Magic 3: The Ghostly Thieves of New York is a fun mystery-adventure with lots of action. Romy barely has time to settle in before being whisked away on her latest mission. Kids will enjoy her daring and concern for the monkeys she meets. I highly recommend this newest addition to the Monkey Magic series.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

animals, children

P Is For Puffin

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Timothy Young
Publisher: Schiffer Kids
Genre: Children / Board book
ISBN: 978-0-7643-6247-7
Pages: 26
Price: $8.99

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P Is For Puffin is a unique alphabet board book. Rather than using more traditional animals associated with each letter of the alphabet, the author has chosen to show us some unusual and unique animals instead. Kids will be introduced to echidnas, kinkajous, and vaquitas, as well as many others. Each animal is pictured along with a short description about it, along with a pronunciation guide.

There is so much to learn from P Is For Puffin and children will love reading about these animals. I highly recommend it.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

animals, children, nature

Whose House Is That?

Bergers Book Reviews


Author & Illustrator: Stan Tekiela
Publisher: Adventure Publications
Genre: Children, Animals, Nature
ISBN: 978-1-64755-074-5
Pages: 48
Price: $14.95

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Animals create unique and interesting places to live, and Stan Tekiela invites us into their homes for a virtual photographic visit.

Each home is pictured on the first spread, with an opportunity for children to guess who built it. The following spread shows the animal and provides facts about it. Animals featured are the: bald eagle, American robin, bald-faced hornet, Monarch butterfly, American beaver, black bear, garden spider, prairie dog, sunfish, cottontail rabbit, and common ant. The final page invites kids to look for animal homes near them.

Whose House Is That? is a fun exploration of animals and their living quarters. I highly recommend it.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

animals, children, fitness

Yoga Animals

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Paige Towler
Publisher: National Geographic Kids
Genre: Children / Animals / Yoga
ISBN: 978-1-4263-3752-9
Pages: 32
Price: $16.99

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Animals stretch, and so should we. In Yoga Animals, kids see animals demonstrating their stretches, and they’re encouraged to mimic their movements.

Fun photos of the animals in their poses show how they stretch their bodies. These poses are: Giraffe (Upward Salute), Flamingo (Tree Pose), Gorilla (Standing Forward Fold), Cat, Puppy (Downward Dog), Lion, Bunny (Rabbit), Cobra, and Crocodile. Additional details regarding each pose are provided in the appendix.

Kids will love learning about yoga from the animals in Yoga Animals.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

animals, children, history

Maisie Mammoth’s Memoirs

Bergers Book Reviews


Author & Illustrator: Rob Hodgson
Contributor: Prof. Michael J. Benton
Publisher: Thames & Hudson
Genre: Children / History / Animals
ISBN: 978-0-500-65206-0
Pages: 48
Price: $19.95

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Maisie Mammoth lived during the Ice Age, and she considers herself a popular socialite. In Maisie Mammoth’s Memoirs, she introduces us to some of the animals she knew in her day.

After a brief description of the Ice Age, Maisie introduces us to her personal assistant, Buttercup, who unfortunately fell in a bog and remained preserved in ice. Then she provides a tour around the world, sharing fun facts about each of her friends. As she introduces them by name, she explains a little about their diet, habits, body characteristics, and the dangers they faced.

When a woolly mammoth narrates, Ice Age information goes from hum-drum to fascinating. I highly recommend Maisie Mammoth’s Memoirs for anyone interested in Ice Age animals (and Neanderthals).

Reviewer: Alice Berger

animals, children

If I Had a Sleepy Sloth

Bergers Book Reviews


Author & Illustrator: Alex Barrow and Gabby Dawnay
Publisher: Thames & Hudson
Genre: Children / Animals
ISBN: 978-0-500-65194-0
Pages: 32
Price: 14.95

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What would be the perfect pet for this little girl? A sleepy sloth, who will help her slow down and relax. Sloths are the perfect companions for hammocks, meditation, and simply hanging around.

If I Had a Sleepy Sloth is a cute rhyming book sharing all the benefits to having a sloth as pet. Kids will love this adorable, lovable creature, and probably ask Mom and Dad for a sloth of their own. (Parents, consider yourselves fore-warned!) I highly recommend it.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

animals, children, nature

Bats

Bergers Book Reviews


Author & Illustrator: Gail Gibbons
Publisher: Holiday House
Genre: Nature / Children
ISBN: 978-0-8234-4354-3
Pages: 32
Price: $18.99

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Bats are amazing creatures, but many people are afraid of them. They are harmless animals that care for their young, help control the insect population, and pollinate plants. And right now they are in danger.

Since people don’t understand much about these mammals, they destroy their habitats. Pollution and pesticides also threaten bats. And now, they face a terrible disease called white-nose syndrome that has killed many bats.

Bats may be associated with Count Dracula but they’re not scary at all. In fact, they will probably never come near you. Bats provides a wealth of information so kids can learn all about these nocturnal animals and develop a healthy respect for them. I highly recommend it.

Reviewer: Alice Berger