Category: children

children, cooking

My First Baking Book / My First Juices & Smoothies

Bergers Book Reviews

My First Baking Book
Author: Becky Johnson
Publisher: Hamlyn
Genre: Children / Cooking
ISBN: 978-0-600-62966-5
Pages: 128
Price: $9.99

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Baking is so enjoyable, especially when putting silly faces and sprinkles on cupcakes and cookies. Created to be a hands-on experience, these recipes allow kids to have fun in the kitchen. Parental guidance and assistance is essential, since recipes may contain many ingredients or have hard preparation steps.

My First Juices and Smoothies
Author: Amanda Cross
Publisher: Hamlyn
Genre: Children / Cooking
ISBN: 978-0-600-62967-2
Pages: 128
Price: $9.99

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Yummy recipes for juices consisting of: all fruits; fruits & vegetables; and fruits, veggies and dairy/non-dairy milk or yogurt to make smoothies. This book is designed to get kids to eat more fruits and veggies in a way that tastes great and is easy to consume.

Snapshots of the drinks and snacks, as well as the kids enjoying them, accompany the recipes in these vibrant and colorful books.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

animals, children

That Night

Bergers Book Reviews

That Night
Author & Illustrator: S.E. Flynn
Publisher: AuthorHouse
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-43896-699-1
Pages: 24
Price: $11.95

Buy it at AuthorHouse
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That night, up on the roof, one old calico cat spotted three furry heads poking out of the chimney, and three wet noses sniffing the sweet midnight air. As they creep through the neighborhood, intent on mischief and fun, only the calico cat sees their antics.

That Night shares the adventures of three nocturnal animals as they play hide and seek, romp in the playground, and chase grasshoppers. Adorable watercolor illustrations show them in partial silhouette, adding to the enjoyment of the story, as children can try to guess what they are. They are are finally revealed to be raccoons at the end.

Any child who has wondered what goes on at night will smile at the antics of these cute critters. And maybe they will even dream of a nighttime adventure of their own. That Night would be a wonderful addition to any child’s book collection.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

Howard B. Wigglebottom and Manners Matters

Bergers Book Reviews

Howard B. Wigglebottom and Manners Matters
Author: Howard Binkow
Illustrator: Taillefer Long
Publisher: Thunderbolt Publishing
Genre: Children
ISBN: 9780982616598
Pages: 32
Price: $15.00

Author’s website
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Howard B. Wigglebottom and his friends are competing in the Pup Scouts Good Manners Competition in five days. Their skills need a lot of improvement, so Howard hires Ms. Owlee as the team’s coach. She reminds them that they need to think, “I care,” and good manners will come naturally. After practicing their new skills, the team does well in the competition. But more importantly, they have learned how to be polite to others.

Howard B. Wigglebottom and Manners Matters is suitable for classroom use, with discussion topics presented at the conclusion. Although this is more of a lesson than an actual story, kids will giggle over the animals’ bad manners in the beginning, and learn from their new and better behavior.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

The Hawaiian Hiatus of Herkimer Street

Bergers Book Reviews

The Hawaiian Hiatus of Herkimer Street
Author & Illustrator: Desirae Foston
Publisher: Bliss Group Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-9885359-0-9
Pages: 20
Price: $7.50

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A child loves living on Herkimer Street and thinks it’s the greatest place in the world. So when his family is taking a trip to Hawaii, he wants to bring the whole street with him. Everyone cooperates to make the trip happen, facing obstacles with ingenuity and determination. Soon they’re all having a wonderful time in Hawaii.

The Hawaiian Hiatus of Herkimer Street is a simple tale for young children, highlighting the importance of community and cooperation. Working as a team, the residents of Herkimer Street are able to realize their dreams of a fun Hawaiian vacation together.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

animals, children

Animals All Around

Bergers Book Reviews

Animals All Around
Publisher: Zonderkidz
Genre: Children / Animals
ISBN: 978-0-310-73125-2
Pages: 128
Price: $9.99

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God created everything and made it all good. In Animals All Around, kids get four books in one: forest creatures; feathered friends; cats, dogs, hamsters, and horses; and barnyard critters. Each animal is presented in photos along with several interesting facts. Kids are reminded throughout the book that God made all these unique animals.

This simple book presents basic facts about the featured animals but does not go into any depth. Kids will find it a good introduction at reading level 2, but I would have liked to see some more unusual facts about these animals.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

Calvin, Look Out!

Bergers Book Reviews

Calvin, Look Out!
Author: Jennifer Berne
Illustrator: Keigh Bendis
Publisher: Sterling Children’s Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-4549-0910-1
Pages: 32
Price: $14.95

Author’s website
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Calvin the starling is having trouble reading, and when he trips over a chair in the library, he asks Mrs. Readalot what’s going on. She suggests he might need glasses. A quick visit to the eye doctor confirms her diagnosis, and Calvin has a new pair of spectacles.

Calvin is surprised that the other starlings make fun of him for wearing them. He brushes off their comments and heads into the woods, now able to see all the interesting things he’s been missing. After finding himself in unexpected trouble, Calvin comes up with a brilliant solution that has all his friends and family wishing they had a pair of glasses just like his!

Calvin, Look Out! features Calvin the bookworm birdie who first appeared in Calvin Can’t Fly. This adorable starling will have kids wishing they all had such nifty spectacles – or at least a pair of cool sunglasses.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

art, children

Arlo’s ARTrageous Adventure!

Bergers Book Reviews

Arlo's Artrageous Adventure
Author & Illustrator: David LaRochelle
Publisher: Sterling Children’s Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-4027-9226-7
Pages: 28
Price: $14.95

Author’s website
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Arlo’s grandmother wants him to join her for a visit to the art museum, and he is not a bit happy about it. But he’s in for a fun treat when he actually gets there. Far from being the stuffy pictures he expected, this artwork holds a secret behind its serious facade.

As Arlo wanders through the museum, he sees the art as it’s supposed to look, but a flap can then be lifted to reveal the surprise inside. As grandmother comments on the seriousness of the art, Arlo smiles and laughs at what hides behind.

Art doesn’t have to be boring, as Arlo finds out in Arlo’s ARTrageous Adventure! And kids will laugh along with him as they enjoy the fun.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

Monster Party!

Bergers Book Reviews

Monster Party!
Author & Illustrator: Annie Bach
Publisher: Sterling Children’s Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-4549-1051-0
Pages: 24
Price: $9.95

Author’s website
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Monster is invited to a party, and is he ever excited! In Monster Party! we see Monster join his friends for a birthday blast. These young monsters enjoy dancing, eating buggy food, and playing party games – and even indulge in a sticky food fight!

But all good times must come to an end, and Monster is sad when the party is over. That is, until he receives an invitation for another party. Monster is so excited once again!

Monster and his friends are colorfully and charmingly illustrated, without even a hint of scariness. Children will enjoy their party antics and join in Monster’s excitement over fun times spent with his friends. Monster Party! is sure to be a hit with kids.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

Howard B. Wigglebottom Learns Too Much of a Good Thing is Bad

Bergers Book Reviews

Howard B. Wigglebottom Learns Too Much of a Good Thing is Bad
Author: Howard Binkow
Illustrator: Susan F. Cornelison
Publisher: Thunderbolt Publishing
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-9826165-3-6
Pages: 32
Price: $15.00

Author’s website
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It’s Howard B. Wigglebottom’s birthday, and he plans to have everything he wants. But a huge brownie sundae for breakfast makes his tummy hurt, the large bag of bubblegum in his mouth prevents him from talking, and the whole bunch of balloons sends him flying across the sky. Why are all the things that normally make him happy making him so miserable instead? Is it because he’s got too much of a good thing?

Howard is a quick learner, and soon realizes that he needs to keep good things in moderation. A discussion guide at the end of the story also provides insights for kids in knowing when enough is enough. Discipline and moderation are skills kids need to be successful in life, and Howard B. Wigglebottom Learns Too Much of a Good Thing is Bad reminds them in a fun and non-preachy manner.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, Christian

Stella Strawberry: The Fruit of Love

Bergers Book Reviews

Stella Strawberry
Author: Yira Bernard Jones
Illustrator: David C. Rhoades
Publisher: Lightning House
Genre: Children / Christian
ISBN: 978-0615632391
Pages: 32
Price: $12.00

Author’s website – buy it here

The fruits of the spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. In Stella Strawberry: The Fruit of Love, children are introduced to love.

This is not a fictional work, but instead it offers children various ways to look at love. Each concept is presented along with the corresponding Bible verse as reinforcement of God’s word to us on this subject. The final page is a prayer of thanks for God’s love and a request for help in loving others.

Stella Strawberry is beautifully written and illustrated, with a powerful message of God’s never-ending love for us and His demands that we show others that same love. This book would be a wonderful addition to any Christian home or Sunday School classroom.

Reviewer: Alice Berger