Category: children

children, science

Mind Muddlers: What you see is not what you get!

Bergers Book Reviews

Mind Muddlers
Publisher: Ticktock Books
Genre: Children / Science
ISBN: 978-1-78325-244-2
Pages: 48
Price: 9.99

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Certain patterns and designs can play havoc with our senses. When looking at these optical illusions, we think we see something, but it’s only our eyes playing tricks on us. In Mind Muddlers, kids are introduced to some of these interesting designs.

Impossible pictures, patterns that seem to be moving, and flat designs that appear to be in three dimensions are all featured in this unique book. Kids will enjoy seeing these mind-muddling pictures, and they are also encouraged to design their own optical illusions.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

Big Bill and His Little Mixer Truck

Bergers Book Reviews

Big Bill and His Little Mixer Truck
Author: Rose Ann Woolpert
Publisher: Graniterock
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-939341-02-0
Pages: 32
Price: $17.99

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Bill is home from the Navy and looking for work. But what kind of job can he do? His friends find work, but Bill doesn’t think those are the jobs he wants to do. One day he’s asked to drive a truck to deliver concrete, and he jumps at the chance.

Soon Bill is introduced to a little Ford mixer truck. The truck is anxious to begin its work, so Bill climbs inside and begins delivering materials to the job site. And when they are challenged by an extra big job, Bill and his little mixer truck get it done.

Big Bill and His Little Mixer Truck is based on the true story of Bill Van Sandt, who worked for Granite Rock Company. Bill’s original 1950 Ford chassis, Willard Concrete Mixer has been restored and is now part of a fleet of historic vehicles. Kids will enjoy reading Bill’s story, and will cheer for the little truck who could get a big job done.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, mystery

Museum Mysteries: The Case of the Missing Museum Archives

Bergers Book Reviews

The Case of the Missing Museum Archives
Author: Steve Brezenoff
Publisher: Stone Arch Books
Genre: Middle grade / Mystery
ISBN: 978-1-4342-9692-4
Pages: 128
Price: $6.95

Author’s website
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Amal Farah is visiting her father at the Air and Space Museum when the plans for a failed flying machine go missing. Since Dr. Farah is in charge of keeping them safe, he is blamed for their disappearance. When her dad’s job is threatened, Amal gathers her friends together find out what happened to the plans.

Along with Clementine, Raining, and Wilson, Amal investigates the theft, asking the museum staff lots of questions. Bit by bit, they piece together what they think happened, and then confront the perpetrator. Soon the missing plans are recovered, and Dr. Farah’s job is safe.

The Case of the Missing Museum Archives is part of the Museum Mysteries series. The story is reminiscent of Scooby Doo cartoons, when a band of kids gets together to thwart the bad guy. However, the cast of characters is more diversified, featuring other ethnic backgrounds. Children will enjoy solving this mystery along with Amal and her friends.

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

children

Viku Goes to School

Bergers Book Reviews

Viku Goes to School
Author: Debu Majumdar
Illustrator: Arijit Shil
Publisher: Bo-Tree House
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-9832227-6-7
Pages: 70
Price: $14.99

Author’s website
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Viku’s parents want to send him to school so he can have a better future. Viku is sad because he has to walk to school, and he won’t have time to spend with Haatee, his elephant friend. One day Haatee shows Viku a shortcut through the forest to the school, so Viku can ride there every day. But one of his classmates, Dooshtoo, doesn’t like Viku, and he wants to hurt Haatee. Viku will need to protect his friend, but how?

In the next scenario, villagers visit Viku with a serious problem. Elephants are destroying their crops and they don’t know how to stop them without killing them. Can Viku help the villagers and the elephants?

Viku is a great role model for kids as he demonstrates how to handle the bully, Dooshtoo, who is making his life difficult. And he shows good judgment and maturity in handling the elephant problem.  I highly recommend this series, which also includes Viku and the Elephant, Viku to the Rescue , and Viku and the Ivory Thieves.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Debu Majumdar shared his thoughts with us in an interview. Please be sure to read what he has to say!

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

children, Christian

Owlegories: The Sun, The Seed, The Water

Bergers Book Reviews

Owlegories
Created by: Thomas and Julie Boto
Producers: Chad Gunderson and Keith Alcorn
Actor: Jaden Roberts
Format: DVD and app
Total running time: 45 minutes

Website
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Class is in session with Professor Owlester. Student owls Violet, Gus, Joey, Nora, and Twitch will be learning about the sun, the seed, and the water, and how all three show us more about God. As they head out through the magic door, they drop to a scene far below where they will begin their adventures. But Fink and Devlin are waiting for them, to try to thwart their efforts.

Professor Owlester is onto the demonic pair, and he arrives to help guide his students and protect them. Humor and songs fill these short and fun episodes, and kids will enjoy the interactions of the various owl characters as they attempt to locate the clues they need.

My only criticism of this adorable new series is the fact that there are sermons tacked on to the animated cartoons. Each cartoon is about 10 minutes long. Then each one abruptly shifts to a speaking adult giving a 5 minute sermon. I felt the sermons were way over the heads of the age group this video series is targeted toward, and kids wouldn’t have the attention span to actually listen to them. But, since this is at the end of each video, they can simply skip over them if they want.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

animals, children, nature

Smithsonian Sticker Creations: Wildlife

Bergers Book Reviews

Wildlife
Author: Kaitlyn DiPerna
Publisher: Silver Dolphin Books
Genre: Children / Animals / Nature
ISBN: 978-1-62686-307-1
Pages: 64
Price: $15.95

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Animals are amazing creatures, and kids love to learn about their unique characteristics. Which animals live in the ocean, the rain forest, the prairie, desert, or the woods? Which animals carry their young in a pouch? How do animals camouflage themselves from predators?

In Smithsonian Sticker Creations: Wildlife, these and many other questions are answered, as kids match the reusable stickers to the various worksheets. Kids love stickers, and they’ll have fun with them as they learn about the featured animals. And once they’ve placed them all in the correct spots, this workbook will be a valuable resource that they can turn to again and again.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

animals, children

The Zoo is Closed Today!

Bergers Book Reviews

The Zoo is Closed Today!
Author: Evelyn Beilenson
Illustrator: Anne Kennedy
Publisher: Peter Pauper Press
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-4413-1526-7
Pages: 32
Price: $16.99

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Sue and John decide to visit the Kalama Zoo on a warm sunny day. But when they arrive, they find a sign letting them know the zoo is closed today. Puzzled, they ask the zookeeper, Pete, what’s wrong. Pete explains that the animals are all sick, and then he details their illnesses to the kids.

As Pete explains each of their problems, cute illustrations demonstrate the animals in sad but humorous condition. The elephant has a cold in his nose, the floppy-eared bunny has an earache, and the monkey’s tail is broken. These and other ailments have put the animals out of commission, forcing the zoo to close. Finally, Sue and John return home, vowing to visit the animals when they’re feeling better. But maybe the animals have another idea in mind!

Told in rhyming verse, The Zoo is Closed Today! is a really fun and cute read. Kids will love it.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

animals, children

I’m Not Cute!

Bergers Book Reviews

I'm Not Cute!
Author & Illustrator: Jonathan Allen
Publisher: Boxer Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-907967-97-9
Pages: 32
Price: $16.95

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Baby Owl doesn’t want everyone to think he’s cute. Instead, he believes he’s a “huge, scary, sleek, sharp-eyed hunting machine.” But as he makes his way through the woods, Rabbit, Fox and Squirrel all tell him he’s cute and give him a hug. By the time he reaches his mother, he’s angry and frustrated.

His mom reassures him that he’s absolutely right, and also gives him a big hug. But Baby Owl is still not satisfied. Finally, his mother tucks him into bed, saying the right words that will make him smile.

I’m Not Cute! is charmingly illustrated with soft images of a fluffy baby owl and sweet forest animals. Kids will relate to the frustration of feeling that adults only see them as “cute” when they have so much more potential. I highly recommend this adorable book.

Reviewer: Alice Berger