Category: children

Author: Irene Aparici Martín
Illustrator: Monica Carretero
Publisher: Cuento de Luz
Genre: Children
ISBN: 9788415503200
Pages: 24
Price: $15.95

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The Queen is about to go to war and the two princes listen intently as she explains her predicament. She is battling breast cancer, and there will be allies fighting with her and villains to conquer. But she hopes to be successful and feel much better when she is healed.

Facing something as difficult as cancer is scary for kids, and Mom Goes to War attempts to present this battle in a somewhat less heavy manner. Using the images of a battlefield, it shows kids that there is good reason to hope and they should never give up. Beautiful illustrations lighten the feel of this story, and a wealth of information is provided. This would be a wonderful book for any family dealing with cancer.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Publisher: Ticktock Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-78325-045-5
Pages: 24
Price: $9.99

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The Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods of earth’s history saw numerous dinosaurs roaming the forests and waters. My Big Dinosaur Book showcases some of these fascinating creatures.

Two-page spreads of each period show the various dinosaurs that lived in those prehistoric times. More information on individual dinosaurs is then presented in additional two-page spreads. Fun facts and detailed illustrations fill this over-sized book, making it an ideal addition to any classroom, library, or dinosaur lover’s bookcase.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Author: Rose Ann Woolpert
Publisher: Graniterock
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-939341-01-3
Pages: 32
Price: $17.99

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As folks moved westward in the late 1800’s, rock was needed to build houses and roads. Men and mules began the work, but they soon realized more powerful equipment was needed to move all the rock. Steam engines took over, until they also were not enough. Finally the diesel engine was used.

But one steam engine was called on for a last heroic effort, when the diesel engine got stuck in a landslide. After pulling it out, Engine Number Ten was retired and left to rust. But a man who was witness to the event determined to restore the old steam engine and use her in a train museum to give rides to kids.

Engine Number Ten shares some of the history behind the rock quarrying efforts in California, along with this sweet story about a special train. It promotes positive messages of the beauty in historical objects and the joy of helping others. But kids will especially love it because it’s a book about trains.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Author: Howard Binkow
Illustrator: Susan F. Cornelison
Publisher: Thunderbolt Publishing
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-9826165-2-9
Pages: 32
Price: $15.00

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Howard B. Wigglebottom is in trouble. He told a lie to cover his friend’s mistake. Then he lied when his baseball hit an angry man’s car. And he lied to hide the fact he didn’t want to play soccer. But when he lied to his dad, he knew Papa was very disappointed in him.

Howard doesn’t like to lie, but every time he lies, it seems to get easier. And the monkey on his back gets heavier and heavier. Howard realizes his lies are weighing him down, and vows to only tell the truth. As soon as he does, he feels so much better. Being honest is the right choice.

Howard B. Wigglebottom and the Monkey on His Back presents some very realistic scenarios kids might find themselves in, where it seems easier to lie than to tell the truth. The discussion guide offers opportunities for parents or teachers to go over these situations and ask kids what they would do. This is a great book to teach kids the importance of always being honest.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Authors: Lauraine Snelling & Kathleen Damp Wright
Publisher: Barbour Publishing
Genre: Children / Horses
ISBN: 978-1-61626-569-4
Pages: 160
Price: $5.99

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This sequel to Dog Daze and The Great Cat Caper features Sunny, who has an annoying problem of starting Great Ideas but never finishing. When she is sent to her Uncle Dave’s ranch, she is expected to help him clean it up while also making sure to keep up on her school work.

Luckily for Sunny, she has the S.A.V.E. squad to help her, especially when she finds herself the new owner of a small traveling zoo. But there’s something strange about this zoo, and she suspects that an intruder is lurking around the ranch, snooping in the barn. It will take a team effort to figure out what’s going on and put a stop to it.

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 also a fun read for young girls.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Publisher: Ticktock Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-78325-085-1
Pages: 128
Price: $12.99

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What young girl doesn’t dream of being a princess? But this dream involves more than living in a castle. They must look and act the part.

Make Me a Princess is every girl’s guide to being a first class princess. It provides beauty tips on fashion, hair, nails, and jewelry. But beauty on the outside is nothing unless a girl knows princess manners and poise. Of course a beautifully decorated room and a handsome prince will make her royal life even nicer.

I was pleased to see that beauty isn’t defined by having a perfect body. And it was great to also see girls encouraged to behave in a polite, princess-like manner. A girl who follows this guide will look pretty and well-groomed, and always behave appropriately. This would be a great gift for the young princess in your life.

Reviewer: Alice Berger