Category: animals

animals, children, dogs

Pug

Bergers Book Reviews

Pug
Author & Illustrator: Ethan Long
Publisher: Holiday House
Genre: Children / Dogs
ISBN: 978-0-8234-3688-0
Pages: 24
Price: $6.99

Author’s website
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Pug sees Peg, and he wants to go out NOW! But no one is paying any attention. Finally he threatens Tad by lifting his leg, and Tad quickly responds to Pug’s wishes. Now Pug is glad, since Pug once again sees Peg.

Pug is a darling I Like to Read book that both parents and children can enjoy. Young children may not notice the subtle humor behind the leg lifting, who Peg really is, and the way both pug owners (and their dogs) secretly glance at each other at the end. But they will love Pug and fully understand that Pug needs to go out. Ethan Long is a talented author and illustrator with a great sense of humor, and he’s crafted another winner. Kids will love Pug.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

animals, children, nature

Smithsonian Magnetic Adventures: Jungle

Bergers Book Reviews

Smithsonian Magnetic Adventures - Jungle
Author: Emily Rose Oachs
Publisher: Silver Dolphin Books
Genre: Children / Nature
ISBN: 978-1-62686-305-7
Pages: 64
Price: $22.95

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The rain forest is a fascinating place with an unusual climate and several layers. Each of these is specially suited to certain plants and animals. These layers include the floor, understory, canopy, and emergent, plus rivers and flooded forests. The Jungle guidebook is organized by layer, highlighting some of the birds and animals that live there.

Deforestation is an ongoing problem in the world, as the rain forests shrink every year. This impact and how kids can help try to stop it is also presented. A metal case with rain forest scenes allows kids to place magnetic animals in the right layers or in a jungle panorama.

Kids who love nature and animals will enjoy learning about the jungle with this kit. Smithsonian Magnetic Adventures: Jungle would also make a great addition to classroom libraries.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

animals, children, nature, science

Smithsonian Readers: Seriously Amazing Level 2

Bergers Book Reviews

Seriously Amazing
Authors: Brenda Scott-Royce, Emily Rose Oachs, Stephen Binns, Ruth Strother
Publisher: Silver Dolphin Books
Genre: Children / Education
ISBN: 978-1-62686-452-8
Pages: 192
Price: 14.95

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Science and nature are interesting for kids, and Smithsonian Readers capitalizes on this desire to learn more about these topics. Seriously Amazing covers nighttime animals, sea life, baby animals, dinosaurs, solar system, and the human body. Beautiful photos fill each page, bringing the text alive and making it more engaging. Each section closes with a multiple choice quiz to determine reading comprehension.

The Smithsonian Readers series is designed for early, developing, engaged and fluent readers. In this level 2 book, kids will read mostly familiar vocabulary balanced with new phonic structures, longer words, and compound sentences.

Smithsonian Readers: Seriously Amazing Level 2 is sure to generate some curiosity and enthusiasm in the home and classroom. I highly recommend it.

animals, birds, children, nature

Esther the Eaglet

Bergers Book Reviews

Esther the Eaglet
Author: Christie Gove-Berg
Publisher: Adventure Publications
Genre: Children / Nature / Birds
ISBN: 978-1-59193-542-1
Pages: 32
Price: $12.95

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Esther the Eaglet longs to test out her wings and fly, but the wind is strong and she lands with a crash. Esther is lucky that people are there who know how to care for her. Her injured wing is x-rayed and she’s kept safe in a cage until it heals. Esther’s injury is not serious, so it only takes a few days before she’s ready to be released into the wild. Soon she’s reunited with her parents and back in the nest.

Esther’s story has a happy ending, and children will enjoy seeing her in the many photographs that fill this book, as they learn about animal rehabilitation. Kids who love animals will enjoy reading Esther the Eaglet.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

animals, birds, children, nature

Maggie the One-Eyed Peregrine Falcon

Bergers Book Reviews

Maggie the One-Eyed Peregrine Falcon
Author: Christie Gove-Berg
Publisher: Adventure Publications
Genre: Children / Nature
ISBN: 978-1-59193-516-2
Pages: 32
Price: $12.95

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Maggie was still young and learning to fly when she crashed into the side of a building. For most peregrine falcons, this would have led to her eventual death as she struggled to see and eat. But Maggie was lucky. Someone found her and brought her to a wildlife hospital for treatment.

Although her beak was damaged in the crash, it would eventually heal so she would be able to eat normally. But her eye was hopelessly damaged and would need to be removed. Falcons need both eyes to hunt, so Maggie couldn’t be released back into the wild. Instead, she visits with children as part of an educational program.

Maggie’s story has a happy ending, and children will enjoy seeing her in the many photographs that fill this book. They’ll also learn about animal rehabilitation and the importance of caring for and maintaining peregrine falcon populations. Kids who love animals will enjoy reading Maggie’s story.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

animals, children, nature

Tooth & Claw: The Wild World of Big Predators

Bergers Book Reviews

Tooth & Claw
Author: Jim Arnosky
Publisher: Sterling Children’s Books
Genre: Children / Nature
ISBN: 978-1-4027-8624-2
Pages: 32
Price: $14.95

Author’s website
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Big predators are more likely to be seen in a zoo than our own backyards. These incredible beings inspire awe and fear, as we appreciate how quickly they can corner and kill their prey. But even though they are dangerous, they are also incredibly magnificent.

Author and artist, Jim Arnosky, captures their beauty in Tooth & Claw. Sharing a bit about lions, leopards, cheetahs, bears, and wolves, he also paints detailed portraits of each. The images are so lifelike, one can almost reach out and touch these animals.

It’s easy to lose sight of the wildness of caged lions and tigers, but underneath their docile exterior lies the heart of a powerful beast. Arnosky clearly admires these creatures and inspires the reader to do the same.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

animals, children

Pet Shop Heroes

Bergers Book Reviews

Pet Shop Heroes
Author: Stanford Crow
Illustrator: Christian Paniagua
Publisher: Bliss Group Books
Genre: Children / Animals
ISBN: 978-1-940021-11-9
Pages: 60
Price: $4.99

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Sly, the snake, has been working on a magic potion. When a mosquito flies through the smoke, he begins to transfer super powers to all those he bites. After being bitten, Sly realizes he has the power to take over the city and heads straight for mayor’s office.

Meanwhile, the mosquito also bites four animals living at the pet shop. Kitty the cat, Grace the guinea pig, Petruchio the puppy, and Carmine the chameleon all race to the mayor’s office to try to save the city. Each has a unique new super power that will help them defeat Sly.

Pet Shop Heroes blends action, science, and humor into a fun story kids will enjoy. Move over Superman – the Pet Shop Heroes are ready to save the world!

Reviewer: Alice Berger

animals, nature

Critter Litter: See What Critters Leave Behind!

Bergers Book Reviews

Critter Litter
Author: Stan Tekiela
Publisher: Adventure Publications
Genre: Nature
ISBN: 978-1-59193-590-2
Pages: 26
Price: $12.95

Author’s website
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If you were walking through the woods and came across a pile of scat (poop), would you know which animal had been there? Wildlife photographer, Stan Tekiela, has compiled this handy guide to assist in identification.

Twelve animals are featured: coyote, gray squirrel, northern raccoon, Virginia opossum, woodchuck, cougar, badger, moose, gray wolf, striped skunk, black bear, and porcupine. Each two-page spread shows photos of the animal featured, some of the animal’s food source, and a short explanation of how one would know the animal is living nearby. A photo of the animal’s scat is hidden under a flap to be lifted.

While it’s not always easy to identify scat when found, Critter Litter will help the young nature lover attempt to figure it out. This would be a great reference book to add to his collection.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

animals, children, science

Zoology for Kids: Understanding and Working with Animals

Bergers Book Reviews

Zoology for Kids
Authors: Josh and Bethanie Hestermann
Publisher: Chicago Review Press
Genre: Science / Children / Animals
ISBN: 978-1-61374-961-6
Pages: 144
Price: $18.95

Author’s website
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Kids have always been fascinated with animals, and many kids would love to have a job spending time with them every day. But what kind of education will they need, and what kind of jobs might be available? Zoology for Kids addresses these and many other questions.

In part one, zoology for beginners, animal form and function is covered, as well as behaviors and environments. Part two addresses the various jobs a zoologist might have, such as zookeepers, aquarists, veterinarians, wildlife researchers, and conservation warriors. Throughout the book, kids are encouraged to participate in activities designed to simulate the discussion topic.

Kids who want to work with animals might feel limited to being a domestic animal veterinarian, shelter volunteer, or pet store employee, but there are lots of opportunities for kids who want to work with wild animals. Exotic zoo animals also need to see the veterinarian to maintain good health. And if kids want to travel to foreign locations, they might have a calling for field research. Zoology for Kids presents a very detailed and comprehensive guide for kids to discover a career in zoology.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

animals, children, nature

A Friend for Lakota

Bergers Book Reviews

A Friend for Lakota
Authors: Jim and Jamie Dutcher
Publisher: National Geographic Children’s Books
Genre: Children / Nature
ISBN: 978-1-4263-2082-8
Pages: 32
Price: $16.99

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Lakota lives with a pack of wolves, and most of the time they all get along. But one day, everything changes, as they suddenly turn against Lakota. Another wolf, Matsi, sees what’s happening and jumps in to stop the fighting. Soon Lakota and Matsi are best friends. As long as Matsi is with Lakota, no one bothers him. Finally, more wolf pups join the pack, and everyone leaves Lakota alone. But Lakota remembers how he was treated and never bullies the youngsters.

A Friend for Lakota is filled with stunning, up-close photos of these beautiful wolves in action. Kids will love seeing the close relationship Lakota shares with Matsi, and enjoy learning more about wolves by reading the fun facts provided in the closing pages.

Reviewer: Alice Berger