children – Page 33 – Bergers Book Reviews

Cake

March 24, 2014 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Joyce Magnin
Publisher: Zonderkidz
Genre: Middle-grade / Christian
ISBN: 978-0310733331
Pages: 224
Price: $14.99
Author’s website
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Wilma Sue has been shuffled around the foster care system ever since she was born, spending time with various families and at the Daylily Home for Children. Now that her most recent home is no longer available, she finds herself staying with Ruth and Naomi, two missionaries who have recently returned from Africa.

If she expected a hum-drum life at Gray House, as she calls it, Wilma Sue is very mistaken. She’s expected to take care of the chickens, be nice to Penny Pigsworthy, and attend church with Ruth and Naomi. And she also helps Naomi bake cakes – those mysterious cakes that do unusual things to the recipients. Wilma Sue is determined to learn the secret ingredient. Will she ever find out?

In Cake, kids are gently reminded of how important it is to love and forgive others. This cute story will enchant middle-grade readers with love, chickens and a taste of peculiar.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, Christian

God’s Little Princess Bedtime Devotional

March 21, 2014 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Sheila Walsh
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Genre: Children / Christian
ISBN: 978-1-4003-2293-0
Pages: 224
Price: $14.99

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After a long day of school, friends, chores and play, a little girl needs to curl up in bed and be reminded of God’s love for her. Sharing God’s Little Princess Bedtime Devotional with mom or dad is the perfect ending to her busy day.

Topics like doing good for others, being obedient, being kind, and sharing God’s love, as well as many others are covered in each two-page devotional message. Bible verses in simple language introduce the topic, followed by a short message and a fun night-time activity, and then a closing prayer.

It’s hard growing up, and a girl needs a constant reminder that she is a child of God – our King’s little princess. This cute devotional book gives her a daily reminder that how she lives her life matters, and that she should always strive to act in a way that pleases God. I highly recommend God’s Little Princess Bedtime Devotional.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, Christian

The Donkey That No One Could Ride

March 19, 2014 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Anthony DeStefano
Illustrator: Richard Cowdrey
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
Genre: Children / Christian
ISBN: 978-0-7369-4851-7
Pages:32
Price: $14.99

Author’s website
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A young donkey is weak and small, and no one is able to ride him. His owner gets frustrated at his uselessness, and ties him up on the edge of town. Then two men arrive and untie him, bringing him with them away from town. Worried and scared, he follows reluctantly.

The donkey has no idea that he has been chosen for a mighty purpose, and that Jesus intends to heal him first. Filled with renewed energy from the miracle he has received, the donkey proudly carries Jesus into Jerusalem.

The Donkey That No One Could Ride is a dramatized fictional tale told in rhyming verse from the donkey’s perspective. Kids will recall the events of Palm Sunday as they cheer for this poor outcast donkey. This book would make a great addition to any child’s Easter book collection.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

Goodnight Songs

March 12, 2014March 12, 2014 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Margaret Wise Brown
Illustrators: Jonathan Bean, Carin Berger, Sophie Blackall, Linda Bleck, Renata Liwska, Christopher Silas Neal, Zachariah OHora, Eric Puybaret, Sean Qualls, Isabel Roxas, Melissa Sweet, Dan Yaccarino
Publisher: Sterling Children’s Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-4549-0446-5
Pages: 28
Price: $17.95

Author’s website
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Margaret Wise Brown wrote the much-loved children’s stories Goodnight Moon and Big Red Barn, among others. Goodnight Songs features a collection of her previously unpublished lullabies sung by Emily Gary and Tom Proutt and illustrated by twelve award-winning artists.

Each of these twelve songs on the accompanying CD is featured in a two-page spread, beautifully illustrated by one of these talented artists. Lyrics are also provided to read or sing along. The music is soft, simple and charming in a folk style with varying instrumentation. Mandolin, thumb piano, harmonica, and slide trombone are some of the sounds featured.

Goodnight Songs would be a wonderful book for little ones to enjoy while curled up in bed, just before sleep. It also would make a nice companion on a long road trip, as a soothing aide for cranky and tired travelers. I highly recommend this book for all parents of young children.

You can find exclusive interviews with the illustrators, book trailer, a letter from the editor, and much more at the Goodnight Songs special website.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

Howard B. Wigglebottom Learns About Sportsmanship

March 7, 2014March 7, 2014 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Howard Binkow
Illustrator: Susan F. Cornelison
Publisher: Thunderbolt Publishing
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-9826165-6-7
Pages: 32
Price: $15.00

Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

Howard wants to win. In fact, winning is the only thing that matters to him, and he would even cheat to win. He doesn’t know how to be a team player, and he won’t settle for second place.

But when his coach pulls him out of the game, Howard learns a few things. His teammates are kind to each other, and they enjoy playing without him. And an upset dad in the crowd makes him realize how bad his behavior has been. Maybe it is possible to play the game and not win – and still have fun.

Howard B. Wigglebottom Learns About Sportsmanship shows kids the importance of being a good sport, and not focusing so much on winning, in a non-preachy manner. Trophies are nice, but it’s the joy of playing the game that counts, in the end.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

cats, children

Is That My Cat?

March 4, 2014March 4, 2014 Bergers Book Reviews

Author & Illustrator: Jonathan Allen
Publisher: Boxer Books
Genre: Children / Cats
ISBN: 978-1-907967-74-0
Pages: 32
Price: $16.95

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Someone’s cat looks quite different these days. She’s suddenly so large she barely fits through the cat flap. She can no longer be picked up with one hand. And this fussy eater now gobbles up every last bite of food. Who is this fat cat, who is no longer a slim, sleek pussycat?

This cute black kitty has a surprise, and it’s a very happy one. Is That My Cat? is a darling book that will please all cat lovers.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

animals, children, nature, science

Swamper: Letters from a Louisiana Swamp Rabbit

March 3, 2014 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Amy Griffin Ouchley
Publisher: Louisiana State University Press
Genre: Science / Nature
ISBN: 978-0-8071-5074-0
Pages: 72
Price: $22.50

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Swamper is a swamp rabbit living in a bottomland hardwood forest in Louisiana. In twelve fictitious letters, he explains what life is like for himself and the other dwellers in his neighborhood.

In each of these letters, Swamper covers a particular element of life in the swamp. Who lives there? What kinds of foods do they eat? How do the different animals handle flooding? And what is the life cycle of the plants and animals there? These and many other questions are answered through the letters and accompanying photos. Questions for further discussion and research are also provided.

Swamp rabbits look similar to the eastern cottontail, but there are physical as well as behavioral differences between them. Children will find Swamper fascinating as they not only learn about this interesting species of rabbit, but also about the swamp itself. This book would be a wonderful addition to a library or classroom science collection.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

Not the Quitting Kind

February 25, 2014 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Sarra J. Roth
Illustrator: Tracy Bishop
Publisher: Peter Pauper Press
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-4413-1415-4
Pages: 32
Price: $16.99

Buy it at Amazon

A young girl decides she wants to try some new things. She attempts to pop a wheelie on her bike, and ends up with a flat tire. She can’t balance on her toes in ballet class. And karate is noisy and makes no sense. Frustrated, she quits them all. But her mother sits her down and asks why she gave up so quickly on her new hobbies.

With a better attitude, she approaches her botched flower painting, and decides to just keep trying. The end result makes her happy enough to even give some of her past flops another attempt. After all, she doesn’t want to be the quitting kind.

Trying something new seldom leads to instant success. Not the Quitting Kind, told in rhyme, reminds kids that it’s normal to feel frustrated and upset when they do poorly at something they’ve never tried before. But when they push through their feelings, they may find they enjoy what they’re doing, and even become good at it.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

cats, children

The Great Cat Caper (S.A.V.E. Squad: Book 2)

February 21, 2014February 21, 2014 Bergers Book Reviews

Authors: Lauraine Snelling & Kathleen Damp Wright
Publisher: Barbour Publishing
Genre: Children / Cats
ISBN: 978-1-61626-566-3
Pages: 160
Price: $5.99

Author’s website
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Vee is beginning sixth grade in the Accelerated Learning Center. Always driven to excel, she anticipates a great year ahead of her. But a problem with her math score may send her back to regular sixth grade, much to her dismay.

After asking her dad to set up math tutoring for her retest, she tackles an assigned community service project along with her S.A.V.E. Squad friends. This time they will be arranging the Great Cat Caper at the senior center, in an attempt to find homes for the cats at Paws ‘N’ Claws rescue. The project takes on new significance when the TV show Everything Animal decides to film their efforts. But who is “mouthwash lady,” and is she trying to sabotage everything?

In this sequel to Dog Daze, we meet Vee, the second member of the squad. Vee is troubled over her parents’ divorce and remarriages, and trying to get used to her new family dynamics. Finding treasure in God, she finally realizes she has the “spot” she’s been looking for. The Great Cat Caper is an enjoyable faith-filled read.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

Howard B. Wigglebottom Learns About Bullies

February 15, 2014 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Howard Binkow
Illustrator: Susan F. Cornelison
Publisher: Thunderbolt Publishing
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-9715390-3-7
Pages: 32
Price: $15.00

Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

Howard B. Wigglebottom dreads going to school because of the horrible Snorton twins. They are mean to him and steal his lunch. So every day, he thinks about the best way to try to avoid their bullying, but nothing seems to work. All week, Howard hears a voice in his head telling him, “Be brave, be bold, a teacher must be told.” He doesn’t want to do this, because he’s afraid he’ll be called a tattletale and get in even more trouble. But one day Howard sees the Snortons being mean to each other, and finally realizes he needs to speak up.

When kids are being bullied, they often feel like there is nothing they can do. They believe the bullies who warn them not to tell anyone, and that they deserve to be treated poorly because of some weakness in themselves. Howard’s actions in simply trying to avoid the Snortons are very believable and real. But these attempts seldom work, and it’s only by speaking up that Howard can finally have peace in his life.

Howard B. Wiggletom Learns About Bullies is a great story for kids to learn how best to deal with bullies, and why trying to cope on their own simply won’t work. In addition to the story itself, there is a special section with guidelines for kids to refer back to if they’re dealing with a bully in their own lives. There are also some helpful suggestions for teachers to encourage kids to let them know about bullying.

Reviewer: Alice Berger