Category: animals

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

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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

animals, children

The Tale of Strawberry Snow

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: P.L. Caudle
Illustrator: Frank H. Simmonds, IV
Publisher: Schiffer Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-7643-4076-5
Pages: 48
Price: $16.99

Schiffer Books
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Strawberry Snow is a newborn pony on Chincoteague Island. One day she ventures outside her barn to see the sights, and walks into a winter wonderland. As she approaches the wood bin, she discovers a surprise – a spider hides inside, and wants to be her friend.

Told in rhyme with digital illustrations, The Tale of Strawberry Snow explores new friendship and adventure. Although a little light on plot, it’s a nice animal story for young children.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

animals, children

Wild Colt

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Lois Szymanski
Illustrator: Linda Kantjas
Publisher: Schiffer Books
Genre: Children / Horses
ISBN: 978-0-7643-3975-2
Pages: 40
Price: $16.99

Author’s website
Schiffer Books
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Assateague Island is well-known for its wild horses. In Wild Colt, the reader is treated to a delightful glimpse of how these horses live until they are ultimately rounded up for sale each year.

Gentle, rhyming verse tells the story of a newborn colt. As he and his mother wander around the island, other birds and animals cross their paths. Occasional storms brew overhead, and they enjoy lazy summer days with moonlit evenings. But summer comes to an end, and the wild colt is sold in the annual auction. Although he’ll miss his mother, the girl he’s going home with gives him a hug, and he knows he’ll be happy.

Illustrations by Linda Kantjas are beautifully done in oil painting, setting the scene for warm summer afternoons at the beach. A wildlife identification list shows some of the animals in this book, so children can try to find them in the story. Discussion topics and questions are also provided for classroom use. This charming book will please all who love horses or summer days at the beach.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

adventure, animals, children, mystery, nature, tween

Monkey Magic: The Great Wall Mystery

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Grant S. Clark
Publisher: Monsoon Books
Genre: Children / Animals
ISBN: 978-981-08-6132-2
Pages: 160
Price: $9.95

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The mysterious appearance of a group of monkeys at the Great Wall of China has scientists baffled. These monkeys are not native to China, so where did they come from? And why are they there?

Monkey Magic worked before for 11-year old Romy, allowing her to communicate with orangutans in The Curse of Mukada. Now she uses it to discover the monkeys’ story, but what they tell her isn’t pleasant. She will need all her wits to help them, while also keeping herself out of danger. Her new friend, Pei, shares part of her adventure, as well as some intercultural humor. And when she learns of the possibility of using Monkey Magic whenever she wants, Romy is determined to know more.

Monkey Magic: The Great Wall Mystery shows us how human greed hurts wild animals, and why we need to take immediate action to try to protect them. I highly recommend this delightful, magical tale with a great environmental message.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

animals

Who Will Care When You’re Not There?

Bergers Book Reviews


Authors: Robert E. Kass, JD, LLM & Elizabeth A. Carrie, JD, LLM
Illustrator: Jill Flinn
Publisher: Carob Tree Press
Genre: Estate Planning / Pet care
ISBN: 978-0-615-44340-9
Pages: 130
Price: $24.95

Publisher’s website
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Planning for death and disability isn’t the most appealing activity most of us face. While we may eventually get around to making a will, we often overlook the family our states won’t recognize. Our treasured pets will only be treated as property if we don’t take action to protect them.

But estate planning for pet owners doesn’t have to be difficult, with this legal guide. It covers important matters like: who should care for your pets? how much will it cost to care for them and where will these funds come from? will the caretaker have full responsibility for end-of-life decisions, when your pet becomes terminally ill? and who will manage the funds you’ve made available for your caretaker? Pet owner information sheets, forms, and other checklists are provided for your planning needs.

Well-meaning friends and family may offer to care for your pet someday, but don’t leave this important decision to chance. Set up a pet trust, determine your care-giver in writing, and you can feel better knowing your treasured companion will be cared for and protected. Who Will Care When You’re Not There? provides the assistance, so you can have peace of mind, knowing that someone WILL care.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

animals, children

Cows Can’t Jump

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Dave Reisman
Illustrator: Jason A. Maas
Publisher: Jumping Cow Press
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-9801433-0-0
Pages: 44
Price: $7.99

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“Cows can’t jump… but they can swim. Gorillas can’t swim… but they can swing.” Not every animal is designed for certain activities. Can you imaging a flying elephant or a tunneling giraffe? The thought that all animals could excel at everything is absurd. But many educators look at children and hold them to standards they could never meet.

Just as the animals are designed for certain purposes, children are also gifted at some things more than others. Cows Can’t Jump is a fun read with great illustrations that kids will want to read over and over again, but it also provides a wonderful message. Reading about the specific talents animals have, and how they also have limitations, frees kids to stop worrying so much about the things they’re not good at, and gives them permission to excel with their natural abilities.

I found myself reading this book aloud just for the sheer joy, and I’m sure kids will love it too. Cows Can’t Jump is already on my list of all-time favorite picture books, and I highly recommend this adorable book with a great message.

Reviewer: Alice Berger