Category: children

children, education

I Love Reading Phonics: Tick Tock Books – Level 5

Bergers Book Reviews

A series of educational books by Tick Tock Books featuring level five reading. A brief summary of the books and their word focus are included below. This is a fun series kids will enjoy, while also learning how to read. Please also see posts on level one, level two, level three, and level four information.

Snapped by Sam!
Snapped by Sam!
Author: Melanie Hamm
Illustrator: Emmeline Pidgen
Publisher: Tick Tock Books
ISBN: 978-1-84898-775-3
Pages: 24
Price: $3.99

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Level 5-A: Sam likes to take pictures, but he learns that people don’t always appreciate his timing.
Focuses on the t sound made with the letters ed.

Max's Trip
Max’s Trip
Author: Melanie Hamm
Illustrator: Kate Daubney
Publisher: Tick Tock Books
ISBN: 978-1-84898-776-0
Pages: 24
Price: $3.99

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Level 5-B: Max travels around the world, and even to the moon. He discovers aliens are friendly.
Focuses on the d sound made with the letters ed.

George the Genius Gerbil
George the Genius Gerbil
Author: Louise Goodman
Illustrator: Suz Hughes
Publisher: Tick Tock Books
ISBN: 978-1-84898-777-7
Pages: 24
Price: $3.99

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Level 5-C: George the gerbil knows the answer to every question, and puts on a show to prove it.
Focuses on the j sound made with the letters ge, gi, and gy.

Budge Troll, Budge!
Budge Troll, Budge!
Author: Louise Goodman
Illustrator: Nicola Anderson
Publisher: Tick Tock Books
ISBN: 978-1-84898-778-4
Pages: 24
Price: $3.99

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Level 5-D: The troll on the bridge won’t let anyone pass by, until an even bigger troll finally forces him to budge.
Focuses on the j sound made with the letters ge and dge.

animals, children

A Squirrel’s Story

Bergers Book Reviews

A Squirrel's Story
Author: Jana Bommersbach
Illustrator: Jeff Yesh
Publisher: Little Five Star
Genre: Children / Animals
ISBN: 978-1-58985-252-5
Pages: 40
Price: $11.95

Author’s website
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Mama Squirrel is worried about the big, black cat roaming the neighborhood. He is intent on doing harm to her and her babies, so she needs a safe place for a nest. Normally, squirrels don’t use birdhouses, but a wood duck house suits her purposes just fine. Soon she and her two little ones, Sally and Sammy, are safe inside.

Mama takes good care of her children, and they begin to ask what’s outside their nest. Sally is ready to explore, but Sammy is more timid, and Mama worries he may have trouble adjusting once he’s living on his own. Mama encourages him, and Sammy finally ventures out into the world.

Told from Mama Squirrel’s perspective, A Squirrel’s Story is a cute story based on an actual squirrel family. There is also a curriculum guide and activities provided for classroom use.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

animals, children

GQ, GQ, Where Are You?

Bergers Book Reviews

GQ, GQ, Where Are You?
Author: Sharon I. Ritt
Illustrator: Nadia Komorova
Genre: Children / Animals
ISBN: 978-1-85985-223-5
Pages: 40
Price: $14.95

Author’s website
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Georgy (also known as “GQ”) is a Gambel’s quail living in the Arizona desert. As he explores, he discovers many fascinating plants and animals, and they are mentioned as he visits them. The second section of this book explains in more detail about each plant and animal featured. Lastly, there are activities that can be used to learn more about the Sonoran Desert. An accompanying CD provides some information about the book, plus two versions of the story. One is in song, to the tune of Frère Jacques, and the other is read by the author.

The illustrations in GQ, GQ, Where Are You? are lovely, and Georgy is soft and cute with an inquisitive look. The text is written with the intent of singing, and the rhythm is not quite true, so it doesn’t read easily aloud. There is a lot of good information in the detailed plants and animals section, and children will discover interesting facts about desert life.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

Inside My Imagination

Bergers Book Reviews

Inside My Imagination
Author: Marta Arteaga
Illustrator: Zuzanna Celej
Publisher: Cuento de Luz
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-84-15503-59-0
Pages: 24
Price: $15.95

Author’s website
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One day a young girl breathes in the words of her story and finds herself entering the world of her imagination. This wonderful paradise is full of unusual creatures like unicorns, elves and fairies. Clouds take shape, and letters jumble to form words that create more stories. This magical world of imagination is full of new ideas just waiting to be born.

Inside My Imagination is a fanciful journey through a girl’s thoughts, as she explores the many possibilities and opportunities that await her. Unique and interesting illustrations accompany the lyric text. This beautiful book is sure to stimulate a child’s own creativity, and help her to believe that she can be whoever she wants to be.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, sports

Sports Illustrated Kids Big Book of Who: Football

Bergers Book Reviews

Big Book of Who - Football
Publisher: Sports Illustrated Kids
Genre: Sports / Football
ISBN: 978-1-61893-040-8
Pages: 128
Price: $17.95

Sports Illustrated Kids Magazine
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Who has rushed for the most career touchdowns in Super Bowl history? Who was the running back known as “Sweetness”? Who has the most career sacks? Don’t know the answers? Well, Sports Illustrated Kids does! In Big Book of Who: Football you’ll find out who these players are, as well as a whole lot more fun football facts.

Under the headings Champions, Personalities, Record Breakers, Super Scorers and Yardage Kings, a wealth of statistics and player information is provided. Colorful and full of photos of these greats in NFL history, this book is a must-have item for the serious football fan – even adults. I highly recommend it.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

animals, children

Ferdinand Fox’s First Summer

Bergers Book Reviews

Ferdinand Fox's First Summer
Author: Mary Holland
Publisher: Sylvan Dell
Genre: Children / Animals
ISBN: 978-1-60718-6267
Pages: 32
Price: $9.95

Author’s website
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Ferdinand is the runt of a litter of foxes. Born in an underground den, he only emerges for the first time a few weeks later. Now he’s ready to start exploring, playing with his siblings, and hunting.

Through beautiful accompanying photographs, we see how Ferdinand is cared for by his parents and learns to fend for himself. A fox’s diet and daily habits are also explained, as well as the importance of his senses of smell and hearing. A classroom guide is provided for further discussion.

Foxes are magnificent creatures, and these wonderful photos capture their antics close-up. Kids will not only learn about how foxes survive in the wild, but will also come to appreciate their beauty and grace. I highly recommend Ferdinand Fox’s First Summer for all children and nature lovers.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

The Story of the Blue Planet

Bergers Book Reviews

The Story of the Blue Planet
Author: Andri Snær Magnason
Illustrator: Áslaug Jónsdóttir
Publisher: Seven Stories Press
Genre: Children / Fables
ISBN: 978-1-60980-428-2
Pages: 96
Price: $12.99

Author’s website
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Many children live on the blue planet. None of them age, and there are no grown-ups. There is so much to see and do there, and the children are very happy. But one day a space-ship lands on the blue planet, and the children realize there is so much more that could make them happy – if they’re willing to pay for it.

As the children are offered more excitement and fun, they become more selfish and greedy. Consumed with their own needs, they think little of the effects of their actions on themselves and others. And when those consequences are brought to their attention, they don’t even care. Finally, the good will of others breaks through their selfishness, and they begin to realize all they gave up for what they have gained. And in their remorse, they discover a unique way to solve everyone’s problems all at once.

This modern-day fairy tale is a wake-up call for both children and adults to examine the far-reaching consequences of our actions. Told as a fable, The Story of the Blue Planet is a fun read with many layers of meaning. Kids will enjoy the story while also absorbing the deeper message. I highly recommend this eye-opening book.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

Curious George (Kohl’s Cares for Kids)

Bergers Book Reviews

Curious George's First Day of School
Title: Curious George’s First Day of School
Author: Margaret Rey
Illustrator: H.A. Rey
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-544-14855-0
Pages: 24
Price: $5.00 at Kohl’s

Buy it at Kohl’s

Curious George visits Mr. Apple’s classroom on the first day of school. But George is curious, and mixes the paints to see what interesting colors he can create. Unfortunately, he makes a big mess. How will George solve the problem?

Curious George and the Puppies
Title: Curious George and the Puppies
Author: Margaret Rey
Illustrator: H.A. Rey
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-544-14858-1
Pages: 24
Price: $5.00 at Kohl’s

Buy it at Kohl’s

George and the man in the yellow hat visit the animal shelter. George is asked not to open any of the cages, since one puppy is on the loose and no one can find him. But he’s curious about the puppies, and sets them all free. Maybe they’ll find the missing pup while they’re rounding up the others.

Curious George

Kohl’s Cares for Kids: Kohl’s sells kid-friendly cause merchandise, with 100 percent of the net profit donated to support kids’ health and education initiatives in communities nationwide. Since 2000, more than $208 million has been raised nationwide.

Shop online or visit a Kohl’s near you to purchase these great Kohl’s Cares® cause merchandise items and help kids in your community.

Reviewer:  Alice Berger

children

Don’t Let the Bedbugs Bite!

Bergers Book Reviews

Don't Let the Bedbugs Bite
Author: Niki Masse Schoenfeldt
Illustrator: John Wes Thomas
Publisher: Shenanigan Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-934860-13-7
Pages: 32
Price: $15.95

Author’s website
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When a little girl is tucked into bed and warned not to let the bedbugs bite, she suddenly becomes wary of any bug crawling near her. So when a robed and slippered ladybug gets her attention, out comes the bug spray. She soon realizes her mistake and allows the harmless and friendly aphid eater to sleep in her bed.

Told in rhyme, Don’t Let the Bedbugs Bite! is a cute tale of girl meets bug. The illustrations perfectly accompany this poem, and the little ladybug is adorable. This sweet story would make a perfect read at bedtime, as parents remind their children not to let the bedbugs bite. I highly recommend it.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, classics

Little Witch

Bergers Book Reviews

Little Witch
Author: Anna Elizabeth Bennett
Illustrator: Helen Stone
Publisher: Sky Pony Press
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-61608-964-1
Pages: 128
Price: $12.95

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Minikin Snickasnee (Minx) is the nine year-old daughter of the town witch. Her mother is evil, and won’t let her go to school or play with the other children. In fact, she dislikes children so much she turns them into flowerpots. Minx hates being a little witch, and desperately wants to be a normal girl.

Not one to sit around hopelessly, waiting for things to change, Minx decides to go to school, in spite of her mother’s wrath. She casts spells, hoping for the right one to bring what she longs for. And she makes friends, even though she’s putting them in danger of becoming flowerpots. One day, everything does change, as her efforts are finally successful, and she is able to live the life of her dreams.

Little Witch was first introduced in 1953, and this 60th anniversary edition brings this classic back into print. It was named #7 in a School Library Journal poll of top 100 children’s novels, and tops the “most in demand” list of out of print books. In this reprint, nothing is lost of the original, with all illustrations and font intact. If you read Little Witch in your youth, and want to share this timeless treasure with your own kids, this is a must-have edition for your collection.

Reviewer: Alice Berger