children – Page 41 – Bergers Book Reviews

All Kinds of Beliefs

May 21, 2013May 21, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Sheri Safran
Illustrator: Emma Damon
Publisher: Insight Editions
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-60887-159-9
Pages: 12
Price: $12.99

Buy it at Amazon

There are many religions, such as Buddhist, Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Sikh, or Hindu. In this lift-the-flap book, children are introduced to some basic things that they may see in others of a different faith.

Focusing on clothing or head wear, types of buildings people worship in, things you might find inside those buildings, and holiday celebrations, it provides some idea about the religion. It doesn’t explain the actual beliefs, but instead shows kids that there are different faiths, and that kids who practice these faiths may look or act differently than they do.

In a multi-cultural world, kids will often see people of other faiths. All Kinds of Beliefs will give them the ability to recognize why people look different, and to treat them with respect.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

I Hate Picture Books!

May 17, 2013May 17, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author & Illustrator: Timothy Young
Publisher: Schiffer Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-7643-4387-2
Pages: 32
Price: $16.99

Schiffer Books
Buy it at Amazon

Picture books can be trouble! If you read about the boy with the purple crayon and draw on your own walls, your mom will be angry. If you eat green ham, you’ll barf. And wishing really hard won’t bring you to the jungle. So this boy has had enough! He’s getting rid of all his picture books.

But wait, he really does like this one. And this one. And this one. In fact, he really likes them all! He won’t ever toss these books in the trash. They’re each special, and he’s going to read them all right now.

I Hate Picture Books! incorporates scenes and concepts from many of the best picture books of the last few decades. This cute story is a fun reminder of the joy these books continue to give us.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, education

I Love Reading Phonics: Tick Tock Books – Level 2

May 15, 2013May 15, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

A series of educational books by Tick Tock Books featuring level two 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. See level one information here.

Wish Fish
Author: Sam Hay
Illustrator: Katie May
Publisher: Tick Tock Books
ISBN: 978-1-84898-755-5
Pages: 24
Price: $3.99

Buy it at Amazon

Level 2-A: Meg catches a wish fish. When she and Tim get their wishes, problems arise with a crafty fox.
Focuses on the sh sound.

Chuck and Duck
Author: Sam Hay
Illustrator: Ann Johns
Publisher: Tick Tock Books
ISBN: 978-1-84898-756-2
Pages: 24
Price: $3.99

Buy it at Amazon

Level 2-B: Chuck meets a duck, who follows him around, but his friend, Fred, thinks he’s a bad pet. Duck thinks otherwise. Focuses on the ch sound.

That Dog!
Author: Sam Hay
Illustrator: Vian Oelofsen
Publisher: Tick Tock Books
ISBN: 978-1-84898-757-9
Pages: 24
Price: $3.99

Buy it at Amazon

Level 2-C: Chip is a naughty dog. Good thing he’s at camp when Tim gets lost!
Focuses on the th sound.

Beth and the Bugs
Author: Sam Hay
Illustrator: Ann Johns
Publisher: Tick Tock Books
ISBN: 978-1-84898-758-6
Pages: 24
Price: $3.99

Buy it at Amazon

Level 2-D: Beth wants to find bugs with her class, but she has no luck. But then she looks in her snack bag and gets a surprise. Focuses on the th sound.

Let’s Go to the Swings
Author: Lucy George
Illustrator: Andrew Geeson
Publisher: Tick Tock Books
ISBN: 978-1-84898-759-3
Pages: 24
Price: $3.99

Buy it at Amazon

Level 2-E: Anna and Kit play on the swings, while the dog explores.
Focuses on the ng sound.

Pink Bunny
Author: Lucy George
Illustrator: Valentina Mendicino
Publisher: Tick Tock Books
ISBN: 978-1-84898-760-9
Pages: 24
Price: $3.99

Buy it at Amazon

Level 2-F: Bunny has a run-in with a can of pink paint and needs a bath. Then dog the dog runs into the same problem. Focuses on the nk sound.

The Busy Lunch
Author: Melanie Hamm
Illustrator: Stefania Maragna
Publisher: Tick Tock Books
ISBN: 978-1-84898-761-6
Pages: 24
Price: $3.99

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Level 2-G: Dog and Rat visit Rabbit for lunch, but Rabbit doesn’t have a table, chairs or food! His friends have to help him out. Focuses on the sounds in the previous level two books.

Kyle in Trouble
Author: Melanie Hamm
Illustrator: Sue King
Publisher: Tick Tock Books
ISBN: 978-1-84898-762-3
Pages: 24
Price: $3.99

Buy it at Amazon

Level 2-H: Kyle’s boat is attacked by a shark. He’s glad his friend, Rich, is around to help.
Focuses on the le sound as in trouble.

animals, children

Animal Helpers: Sanctuaries

May 8, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Jennifer Keats Curtis
Publisher: Sylvan Dell Publishing
Genre: Children / Animals
ISBN: 978-1-60718-6236
Pages: 32
Price: $9.95

Author’s website
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What happens to wild animals when they are no longer wild? Sometimes people keep exotic pets until they get too big, and then they need to find a new home for them. Other animals become injured and no longer able to fend for themselves. These animals can be cared for in animal sanctuaries.

Animal Helpers: Sanctuaries is a photographic journey to some of the sanctuaries providing homes for wild animals in the United States. Sharing some of the animals’ stories, it explains how they came to be living there and what kind of care they are receiving. Animals need food, shelter, veterinary care, and even mental stimulation and enrichment, and all of these are offered to them in the sanctuaries.

In a perfect world, all wild animals would roam freely, with no need of sanctuaries. But these safe havens give some animals a second chance at life, even though they won’t be living in their natural habitat. This interesting and informative book explains the importance of sanctuaries in caring for wild animals who can no longer return to the wild.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, fitness

Don’t Be a Schwoe: Fitness

May 6, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Barbara E. Mauzy
Illustrator: Bob Stuhmer
Publisher: Schiffer Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-7643-4295-0
Pages:64
Price: $16.99

Schiffer Books
Buy it at Amazon

In the land of Par-zee-no live the Schwoes. One of these, a boy named Franklin, is overweight. His many chins sag and his tummy shakes like a bowl of Jell-o. Franklin likes to eat… and eat… and eat.

One day his parents take Franklin to the doctor, who suggests Franklin exercise more and eat less. Then he whispers something in Franklin’s ear that makes him smile. Franklin decides to follow the doctor’s suggestions, and makes significant changes in his life. Motivated by the prize the doctor promised him, he returns to normal size, fit and healthy.

Don’t Be a Schwoe: Fitness is a story about an overweight Schwoe who makes healthy changes in his life to become fit. But these changes wouldn’t happen as quickly and easily as they’re presented in this book. An overweight child would face many obstacles to losing weight that aren’t addressed. I would rather see Franklin overcome these obstacles in his weight-loss journey, instead of jumping into this new lifestyle willingly and effortlessly.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, education

I Love Reading Phonics: Tick Tock Books – Level 1

April 25, 2013May 21, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

A series of educational books by Tick Tock Books featuring level one 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.

Title: Bad Rat
Author: Karen Wallace
Illustrator: Rachael O’Neill
ISBN: 978-1-84898-747-0
Pages: 24
Price: $3.99

Buy it at Amazon

Level I-A: Bad Rat has stolen Pig’s bun. Fat Cat helps him get it back.
Told in single-syllable words. Most are consonant-vowel-consonant.

Title: Top Dog
Author: Anne Marie Ryan
Illustrator: Vian Oelofsen
ISBN: 978-1-84898-748-7
Pages: 24
Price: $3.99

Buy it at Amazon

Lebel I-B: Dogs compete in the show. The poodle shows off and wins top dog.
Focuses on certain consonants. Introduces two-syllable words and the silent e.

Title: A Duck in Luck
Author: Anne Marie Ryan
Illustrator: Florencia Denis
ISBN: 978-1-84898-749-4
Pages: 24
Price: $3.99

Buy it at Amazon

Level I-C: Nick the duck wants to play, but no one wants to join him. Maybe his friend, Jova, will play.
Focuses on qu, x, ff, ss, zz, and ck sounds.

Title: The Best Gift
Author: Anne Marie Ryan
Illustrator: Florencia Denis
ISBN: 978-1-84898-750-0
Pages: 24
Price: $3.99

Buy it at Amazon

Level I-D: Bess wants to marry the man who gives her the best gift. Jack wins with Sam’s help.
Focuses on consonant-vowell-consonant-consonant words

Title: Bret and Grandma’s Trip
Author: Isabel Crawford
Illustrator: Sue King
ISBN: 978-1-84898-751-7
Pages: 24
Price: $3.99

Buy it at Amazon

Level I-E: Bret and Grandma take a trip to the shore. They catch lots of crabs.
Focuses on consonant-consonant-vowel-consonant words.

Title: Clint and Grant Play I Spy
Author: Isabel Crawford
Illustrator: Stefania Maragna
ISBN: 978-1-84898-752-4
Pages: 24
Price: $3.99

Buy it at Amazon

Level I-F: What do Clint and Grant see? You’ll have to read to find out.
Focuses on consonant-consonant-vowel-consonant-consonant words.

Title: Cowboy’s Star
Author: Louise Goodman
Illustrator: Alex Paterson
ISBN: 978-1-84898-753-1
Pages: 24
Price: $3.99

Buy it at Amazon

Level I-G: Cowboy wants a star, but a man wants to steal it from him. Dog helps him stop the bandit.
Focuses on two-syllable words with consonant-vowel-consonant-consonant-vowel-consonant pattern.

Title: A Dragon in the Sandbox
Author: Louise Goodman
Illustrator: Inna Chernyak
ISBN: 978-1-84898-754-8
Pages: 24
Price: $3.99

Buy it at Amazon

Level I-H: Lots of characters join a boy in the magic sandbox including a dragon and his dad.
Focuses on more complicated two-syllable words following the patterns learned in previous lessons.

children

Princess April Morning-Glory

April 23, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author & Illustrator: Letitia Fairbanks
Publisher: Sandramantos Publishing
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0988784802
Pages: 66
Price: $24.00

Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

What kind of a world would you create if you had to do three good deeds to make it home again? Princess April Morning-Glory has ventured out of the safety of Fairlyland, and desperately wants to go home. But the wizard has told her that she must first perform three good deeds. As she wanders around the Great World, the Fairy Misery attempts to thwart her efforts.

Princess April is a kind fairy girl, and soon finds those along her way who need her help. But once she has finished her good deeds, Fairy Misery finds her and whisks her away to her castle. Then it will take someone else’s good deed to rescue her.

Princess April Morning-Glory is a sweet story with an unusual history. Created in 1939 by Letitia Fairbanks, daughter of Douglas Fairbanks Sr. and Mary Pickford, it uses Hollywood characters as inspiration for the illustrations. The text is printed in artful calligraphy with stunning drawings throughout. The message of this tale and the beauty of the illustrations make this book a great addition to any girl’s library.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

Shadows On My Wall

April 22, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author & Illustrator: Timothy Young
Publisher: Schiffer Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-7643-4224-0
Pages: 40
Price: $16.99

Schiffer Books
Buy it at Amazon

Street lights outside make shadows on a boy’s wall. Some of the shadows seem threatening, and he gets scared. Pirates, dinosaurs, and aliens appear, and his first reaction is to hide under the bed. But when he realizes he can play with the shadows, he loses his fear and starts to enjoy seeing them.

Shadows On My Wall is a great book on conquering fears. Rather than letting his fears control him, this boy makes up his mind to first face them head-on, and then turn them into something fun. In addition to the story, a guide is provided on how to make shadow images with your hands.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, Christian

Nora’s Ark

April 12, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Eileen Spinelli
Illustrator: Nora Hilb
Publisher: Zonderkidz
Genre: Children / Christian
ISBN: 978-0310720065
Pages: 32
Price: $14.99

Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

The weatherman predicted rain. So Nora built an ark. Just like Noah. Well… not just like Noah. Nora wants to follow Noah’s actions, but she’s limited by what she has on-hand. She goes ahead anyway, doing everything to the best of her ability.

Nora’s ark is made from items she finds in storage. She can only round up pairs of a few animals, and the people she invites on the ark have to leave. Even Nora sneaks off for a little while. The rain only lasts a short while, unlike in Noah’s day. But a magnificent rainbow appears after the rain, just like Noah’s.

The Bible story of Noah and the flood is one children are usually very familiar with at a young age. So it’s endearing to see a girl act out the story on her own. And God is still abiding by his covenant with his people, which we can be sure of when we see the rainbow. Nora’s Ark is a delightful story with lovely illustrations. I highly recommend it.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, Christian

Lily’s Easter Party

April 4, 2013April 4, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Crystal Bowman
Illustrator: Richard Johnson
Publisher: Zonderkidz
Genre: Children / Easter
ISBN: 978-0-310-72595-4
Pages: 40
Price: $7.99

Buy it at Amazon

Lily’s parents are planning to hide eggs for Lily and her brother to find. Lily can hardly wait, so she invites her friends to join them. But when the day arrives, they find a big surprise. These aren’t ordinary eggs – they’re Resurrection eggs.

No toys are placed inside these eggs – instead they find symbols of the Easter story. A guide for what each symbol represents, plus the appropriate Bible verses, is provided. As each egg is opened, Lily’s parents explain the item’s significance.

For me, personally, this was a nice story until the egg with the chalice was opened. At this point, Lily’s mom tells her that it represents the Last Supper. But her mother uses the word “like” in this explanation, which is not in the Bible: “…the wine was like his blood” and “… the bread was like his body.” This wording is not biblically accurate.

For those who don’t take these words of Jesus literally and don’t mind an interpretation, this is a cute Easter book. But for those who expect the literal words and not a paraphrase of what Jesus said, this book is not a good choice.

Reviewer: Alice Berger