children – Page 39 – Bergers Book Reviews

Camp ABC

July 23, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Zora and David Aiken
Illustrator: David Aiken
Publisher: Schiffer Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-7643-4423-7
Pages: 32
Price: $16.99

Schiffer Books
Buy it at Amazon

Camping is fun, and Camp ABC explores some of the ways to make it even more enjoyable. Using the letters of the alphabet as a guide, and told in poetic format, it shares some things you can do while camping.

Admire the animals, use your binoculars to find the birds, camp by canoe, and dive from a dock. These are just the first few ideas to make your camping experience memorable. Vibrant watercolor illustrations accompany the rhymes.

If you’re planning a camping trip, Camp ABC would be a nice book to read before you go, so you don’t miss any of the adventures.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

animals, children

Viku to the Rescue

July 22, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Debu Majumdar
Illustrator: Lynn Wolfe
Publisher: Bo-Tree House
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-9832227-2-9
Pages: 54
Price: $12.99

Author’s website
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In this sequel to Viku and the Elephant, Haatee is in trouble. Elephant hunters have captured him in a deep hole, and Viku needs to save his friend. After having no success in freeing him, Viku goes home with a heavy heart, trying to come up with a new plan.

But the following day, Haatee is no longer there, and now Viku needs to outsmart the elephant hunters. He tries to go to the local authorities, but no one wants to help him, so Viku is on his own. But one smart boy, desperate to save his friend, is more than capable of handling these treacherous men.

Viku to the Rescue is a heart-warming story about a boy and his dear friend. Viku exhibits loyalty, bravery, ingenuity, and cleverness in saving Haatee, and provides a wonderful role model for kids. Even in his frustrating encounter with the police, Viku remains calm and respectful. I highly recommend this series for the positive values demonstrated.

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

Reviewer: Alice Berger

animals, children

Little Chipmunk’s Wiggly, Wobbly Tooth

July 18, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Mary Packard
Illustrator: Lisa McCue
Publisher: Sterling Children’s Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-4027-7231-3
Pages: 24
Price: $7.95

Buy it at Amazon

Little Chipmunk is proud of his two front teeth, but one day he notices a tooth is very loose. Concerned that something is wrong, he avoids eating any foods that might make his problem worse. The dentist reassures him that this is perfectly normal, and soon he’ll have two grown-up teeth where his baby teeth used to be.

Losing a first tooth can be a bit scary for children who don’t realize what’s happening. But as Little Chipmunk experiences this himself, he guides kids through the process they will soon face. Lisa McCue’s darling animal illustrations add to the charm of this cute story.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

The Lollipop Monster Meets Clem the Klutz

July 17, 2013July 18, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author & Illustrator: Eric T. Krackow
Publisher: Schiffer Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-7643-4287-5
Pages: 64
Price: $16.99

Schiffer Books
Buy it at Amazon

Larry the Lollipop Monster has made a special lollipop for his friend, Sanford. He and Zabby head to Sanford’s house, when they find a monster hanging from a tree, upside-down. They free him and find out his name is Clem, and that he’s a klutz when he gets excited.

The three monsters arrive at Sanford’s house, and Larry gives Sanford his birthday gift. But Clem becomes too excited, with disastrous results. Sanford is angry that Clem has ruined his birthday, and says hurtful things. Clem leaves, feeling sad. But Larry and Zabby talk to Sanford, and he decides to make amends with Clem.

The Lollipop Monster Meets Clem the Klutz is beautifully illustrated in bright, cheerful colors. The message tries to encourage kids to be kind and learn to say they’re sorry, but the story itself lacks substance. Additional conflict or a surprising resolution would have made this a more exciting read for kids.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

animals, children

Hank Finds an Egg

July 15, 2013July 15, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Illustrator: Rebecca Dudley
Publisher: Peter Pauper Press
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-4413-1158-0
Pages: 40
Price: $16.99

Author’s website
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Hank is strolling through the forest one day, when he spots an egg on the ground. Looking up, he sees a nest, high in the tree. He tries a few methods of climbing the tree to return it, with no success. Finally, he lights a camp fire for the evening, and holds the egg while he sleeps.

The following day, mother bird arrives on the scene. Between the two of them, the egg is restored to the nest. And soon afterwards, the baby birds hatch, making Hank very happy.

Hank Finds an Egg is told with no words. Instead, the author/illustrator has taken photos of Hank’s actions, and pieced them together to tell the story. Hank is hand-made from fabric, and his environment is also hand-created to set the stage. This sweet tale is perfect for beginning readers and all those who enjoy artfully illustrated books.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, dogs

The Story of Boo

July 11, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Patricia Abrams
Publisher: The Peppertree Press
Genre: Children / Dogs
ISBN: 978-1-61493-104-1
Pages: 28
Price: $12.95

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Boo, a black lab beagle mix, has been treated cruelly by his former owner. He is taken to the shelter, where Tami spends time with this lonely, sweet dog who just wants to be loved. Finally, Tami takes Boo home to his forever home with her.

Tami asks Boo if he would like to be a search and rescue dog, and Boo is happy to do this. So Tami brings Boo to school so he can be trained in his important work. They even get to travel by plane for their training.

Many shelter dogs come from abusive homes and require extensive socialization before they can fully trust again. The Story of Boo reminds us that these special dogs can make great pets and even make a contribution to society.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, education

I Love Reading Phonics: Tick Tock Books – Level 4

July 1, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

A series of educational books by Tick Tock Books featuring level four 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 and level three information.

The Maze
Author: Deborah Chancellor
Illustrator: Monica Armino
Publisher: Tick Tock Books
ISBN: 978-1-84898-771-5
Pages: 24
Price: $3.99

Buy it at Amazon

Level 4-A: Jake challenges Jane to enter the maze, with the promise of cake. When they get lost, they have a picnic.
Focuses on the ā sound, as in game.

Fairy Fay’s Bad Day
Author: Deborah Chancellor
Illustrator: Kimberley Scott
Publisher: Tick Tock Books
ISBN: 978-1-84898-772-2
Pages: 24
Price: $3.99

Buy it at Amazon

Level 4-B: Fay is a naughty fairy and casts bad spells. But when no one will talk to her, she learns to play nice.
Focuses on the ā sound, as in play and they.

Eve the Knight
Author: Melanie Hamm
Illustrator: Bill Bolton
Publisher: Tick Tock Books
ISBN: 978-1-84898-773-9
Pages: 24
Price: $3.99

Buy it at Amazon

Level 4-C: Eve wants to be a knight, but the King and Queen are not sure she can handle it. They test her and she succeeds.
Focuses on the ē sound, as in leaf and these.

Pirate School
Author: Melanie Hamm
Illustrator: Stefano Tamberlini
Publisher: Tick Tock Books
ISBN: 978-1-84898-774-6
Pages: 24
Price: $3.99

Buy it at Amazon

Level 4-D: Captain Ego is retired from the seas and decides to run a pirate school. His class does not cooperate.
Focuses on the ē sound, as in he and bee.

animals, children, dogs

Mosey’s Field

June 30, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Barbara Lockhart
Illustrator: Heather Crow
Publisher: Schiffer Books
Genre: Children / Dogs
ISBN: 978-0-7643-4388-9
Pages: 32
Price: $16.99

Schiffer Books
Buy it at Amazon

Mosey the dog has his special napping place in the field. But in the spring, plowing and planting machinery come along and disturb his rest. Soon tall stalks of corn are growing where he used to sleep.

Rabbits dart between the stalks. Following them, Mosey chases down tunnels between the rows of corn, becoming lost in the process. But when he figures out how to get home, he returns to his old napping place, now nicely shaded by corn plants. The corn turns from green to golden, as it dries in the late summer sun. And when it’s harvested, Mosey must once again leave his napping place.

Mosey’s Field shows us a dog on a mission to take his naps. But as part of this tale, the harvest cycle of field corn is explored. Kids not only enjoy reading of Mosey’s antics, but they also get a glimpse of farm life. Beautiful watercolor illustrations accompany this cute story.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

animals, children

Daylight Moonlight

June 25, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author & Illustrator: Matt Patterson
Publisher: Schiffer Books
Genre: Children / Nature
ISBN: 978-0-7643-4282-0
Pages: 32
Price: $16.99

Schiffer Books
Buy it at Amazon

Some animals come out in the daylight, and some only at night. Different animals live in nature’s various habitats. In Daylight Moonlight, author and illustrator Matt Patterson, shows us these animals in their natural environments. The accompanying text describes some of the sights and sounds.

In a pond, you might see red-winged blackbirds by day, and hear spring peepers by night. But on the prairie, buffalo graze by day, while a wolf howls by night. The final pages of this book show black and white renditions of the color drawings, with each animal identified, as a reference section for a child who wants to have fun figuring out which animals he sees.

The illustrations are nicely done, and kids will have fun identifying the animals. But the text could have been enhanced by focusing more on the sounds of the environment, to go along with the pictures. Overall, though, this is a nice nature book.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, dogs

Daniel the Miracle Beagle

June 20, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Authors: Joe Dwyer & Douglas Levison
Publisher: Dog Ear Publishing
Genre: Children / Dogs
ISBN: 978-1-4575-1381-7
Pages: 34
Price: $14.95

Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

Daniel survived the gas chamber, and soon became known as the miracle beagle. Adopted into the Dwyer’s loving home, he has been living the good life. But not all dogs are so fortunate, and many find themselves in shelters, eventually succumbing to the fate Daniel miraculously lived through.

Daniel the Miracle Beagle brings a message of hope and peace to everyone. Encouraging us to live each day to the fullest, love each other unconditionally, and believe in ourselves, he hopes to spread joy to the world. And his deepest wish is for no dogs anywhere to have to suffer the horrors of the gas chamber ever again.

Reviewer: Alice Berger