Category: children

children, nature

Tracks Count: A Guide to Counting Animal Prints (The Little Naturalist Series)

Bergers Book Reviews

Tracks Count
Author: Steve Engel
Illustrator: Alexander Peterson
Publisher: Craigmore Creations
Genre: Children / Nature
ISBN: 978-1-940052-07-6
Pages: 32
Price: $17.99

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It’s time to learn how to count – animals tracks. Using tracks from various birds and animals, kids will learn their numbers from zero to ten.

First, mom and dad are given a short tour guide of the trail ahead. Claw marks, toe pads, heel pads, and dewclaws are explained, as well as how the number of each will be determined. Then, beginning with a wide open space with no tracks, kids will start to identify the marks left behind by various animals. One hoof print left by a horse. Two toe prints of a moose. Three toe prints of a rhinoceros. Each two-page spread shows the track(s) with the number associated with it on one side. The opposite side shows the animal in its natural habitat. The final pages show all the numbers and tracks together, along with descriptions of each of the animals featured.

Budding naturalists will eagerly bring the knowledge they’ve received from Tracks Count into the wilderness, as they search for tracks of their own to identify. I highly recommend this interesting and educational counting guide.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

animals, children, nature

Larry Saves the Prairie

Bergers Book Reviews

larry-saves-the-prairie
Author: Matt Bergles
Illustrator: Rob Peters
Publisher: Merry Dissonance Press
Genre: Children / Nature
ISBN: 978-1-939919-29-8
Pages: 68
Price: $12.95

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When Larry Haverfield received a notice that he had to poison the black-tailed prairie dogs on his land, he knew it wasn’t a good idea. These creatures are an important part of prairie life, and without them, the whole prairie would suffer. So Larry found a lawyer and began to defend the rights of the prairie dogs.

Endangered black-footed ferrets depend on the prairie dogs, as do many other species. The prairie dogs dig tunnels that other animals use, and predators need them for food. And instead of harming cattle and horses, prairie dogs keep their grazing grasses shorter and more nutritious. If they were no longer a part of the prairie, all the other animals would suffer.

Larry Saves the Prairie is an educational and inspiring tale of one man who took on an unjust law and helped preserve prairie life. Kids will enjoy cheering for Larry Haverfield in his efforts to save the black-tailed prairie dog and the prairie.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, mathematics

Circles

Bergers Book Reviews

circles
Author: David A. Adler
Illustrator: Edward Miller
Publisher: Holiday House
Genre: Children / Mathematics
ISBN: 978-0-8234-3642-2
Pages: 32
Price: $17.95

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Circles are everywhere. But when is a circle not a circle? When it’s a sphere, cylinder, or cone. In this geometry book for kids, author David A. Adler shows how circles have a diameter, radius, circumference, and area. And they have tangents, arcs, chords, major and minor sectors.

Using simple tools – ruler, paper plate, and tin can – Adler demonstrates each of these concepts. He shows how two diameters of a circle intersect in the center, and all of the circle’s radii are equal in length. Tangents, arcs, and chords are demonstrated, identifying the circle’s major and minor sectors. The circumference of a circle is determined by rolling a tin can and measuring the distance it rolls. Pi is calculated, using the radius and circumference of this circle, and kids then calculate the area of several circles, using pi.

Geometry is easy if explained in a method kids understand. This hands-on approach to circles and their characteristics should appeal to all kids, not just those naturally drawn to mathematics.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, writing

Writing With Rosie: You Can Write a Story Too

Bergers Book Reviews

Writing With Rosie
Author: Patricia Reilly Giff
Publisher: Holiday House
Genre: Writing / Children
ISBN: 978-0-8234-3656-9
Pages: 80
Price: $15.95

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After reading novels that captivate their attention and transport them to new worlds, kids may wonder what, exactly, is involved in writing – and if they might be able to do it, too. Patricia Reilly Giff addresses these budding novelists in Writing With Rosie: You Can Write a Story Too.

Beginning with the story’s main character, she takes kids through the process of putting him in a place and creating a problem for him. Since he’ll be talking to the other characters, she shows kids how to create dialogue while juggling action and description around the conversation. His problem needs to be huge, so he’s going to worry about it, and it needs to keep getting worse. Finally, the main character should solve the problem by himself, changing in the process.

Using examples from her own novels, along with amusing anecdotes involving Rosie, her golden retriever, Giff provides an entertaining and informative guide to writing a story. The step by step structure with breaks for kids to try out the techniques makes it perfect for classroom use. Kids with a desire to begin writing their own stories will enjoy Giff’s laid-back style and encouragement.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

animals, children

No Ordinary Owl (S.A.V.E. Squad: Book 4)

Bergers Book Reviews

no-ordinary-owl
Authors: Lauraine Snelling and Kathleen Damp Wright
Publisher: Barbour Publishing
Genre: Children / Wildlife
ISBN: 978-1-61626-570-0
Pages: 160
Price: $5.99

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This sequel to Dog Daze , The Great Cat Cape, and Secondhand Horses features Esther, who has just found out her family is moving. When the S.A.V.E. Squad finds two injured owls, they jump right in to help. And since this is the last rescue Esther expects to have with the Squad, she wants it to be the best.

Wildlife rescue is meant to help the injured owls return to the wild, and this means the girls aren’t allowed to get close to them. So instead, they turn their focus to finding out who tried to hurt them. As Esther grows increasingly frustrated by her impending move and their lack of success in their efforts, she and the Squad start to bicker. Will the S.A.V.E. Squad break up, just in time to add a new member – someone Esther doesn’t even trust?

The S.A.V.E. Squad series features four girls from different backgrounds who have become best friends and work together for good causes. Although they have their squabbles, they stick with each other, no matter what. Modeling faith, friendship, and service, this series is a fun read for young girls.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, mystery

Sherlock Sam and the Missing Heirloom in Katong

Bergers Book Reviews

sherlock-sam-and-the-missing-heirloom-in-katong
Author: A.J. Low
Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing
Genre: Children / Mystery
ISBN: 978-1-4494-7789-9
Pages: 112
Price: $7.99

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Samuel Tan Cher Lock (aka Sherlock Sam) is hungry, and Auntie Kim Lian’s heirloom cookbook is missing. If Sherlock Sam is going to enjoy ayam buah keluak for dinner, she needs to find it – and quickly! Since Auntie has no idea where she last had it, Sherlock Sam is determined to retrace her steps.

Checking all the cabinets in the kitchen fails to turn up the cookbook, so the group heads out to various places, attempting to figure out where the missing heirloom might be hiding. With the help of his sarcastic and very humorous computer and some of his friends, Sherlock Sam uses deductive reasoning and finally locates the missing cookbook.

Sherlock Sam and the Missing Heirloom in Katong is a fun mystery with a taste of Singapore. Featuring a great kid detective and his gang of helpers, this story is logical from beginning to end. Children will enjoy solving this mystery along with Sherlock Sam. But, unfortunately, they will only be able to imagine the yummy food Sam is enjoying.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

Surprise in the Meadow

Bergers Book Reviews

Surprise in the Meadow
Author & Illustrator: Anna Vojtech
Publisher: Holiday House
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-8234-3556-2
Pages: 32
Price: $16.95

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Little Chipmunk remembers the wonderful seeds he buried last fall and eagerly searches for them in the spring. But instead of seeds, he finds a mysterious plant. As spring turns to summer, the plant grows taller and taller. One day, a brilliant yellow head forms – a sunflower! And when the plant dies, Little Chipmunk harvests an abundance of yummy seeds.

Beautiful watercolor drawings accompany this adorable text. Kids will smile as they visit with Little Chipmunk and his friends, and discover the life cycle of plants. I highly recommend Surprise in the Meadow.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

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

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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

children

Howard B. Wigglebottom Listens to a Friend

Bergers Book Reviews

Howard B Wigglebottom Listens to a Friend
Author: Howard Binkow
Illustrator: David Cutting
Publisher: Thunderbolt Publishing
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-9910777-4-8
Pages: 32
Price: $15.00

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Kiki is in a very bad mood and it shows. She’s acting out toward all her friends. Howard wonders why, and finds out her puppy has died. As he and his friends brainstorm ideas to help Kiki feel better, Howard suggests they ask Kiki herself. Good thing they do, because Kiki wants someone no one has suggested.

When something breaks, stop working, or dies, children can get very sad or mad. They are troubled by this pent-up negative energy and may begin to act out. Other children don’t always understand the grieving process and may get unnecessarily angry at the child who is suffering. Howard B. Wigglebottom Listens to a Friend explores some of the emotions involved in grieving and gives good advice on how to be a kind and understanding friend. I highly recommend it.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

What’s a Banana?

Bergers Book Reviews

What's a Banana
Author: Marilyn Singer
Illustrator: Greg Pizzoli
Publisher: Abrams Appleseed
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-4197-2139-7
Pages: 24
Price: $12.95

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Bananas may be ordinary to adults, but to children, they can be an object of wonder. In rhyming verse, this cute book describes all the many ways one can use a banana. You can unzip it, share it with a friend, and mash it with a spoon. But you can also use it as a hat, or a boat, and even dress like one for Halloween.

Preschoolers are curious about everything, and introducing bananas in such a fun and imaginative way will allow them to enjoy these fruits even more. What’s a Banana? is a delightful and delicious read.