Category: children

children

Time For a Hug

Bergers Book Reviews

Time For a Hug
Author: Phillis Gershator & Mim Green
Illustrator: David Walker
Publisher: Sterling Children’s Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-4549-0856-2
Pages: 24
Price: $9.95

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What time is it? Is it eight or nine or ten? Whatever time it is, it’s Time For a Hug! In this adorable board book, a mother rabbit and her son spend the day together. Playing, baking, eating, and getting ready for bed, they notice as the clock ticks off every hour. And any time is just right for hugs.

Counting, learning time, and fun are all featured, as is the strong bond between mother and child. Time For a Hug will be a favorite for all loving families. I highly recommend it.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

animals, children

Monkey of the Month

Bergers Book Reviews

Monkey of the Month
Author: Adam Kramer
Illustrator: David Kramer
Publisher: Schiffer Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-7643-41564
Pages: 40
Price: $16.99

Schiffer Books
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Ho, hum. Birthday presents have become so boring and mundane. Until a boy receives a mysterious membership in the monkey of the month club. Then the house is turned upside down. But the club assumes no responsibility for any of the damages these primates may cause.

A chimpanzee arrives immediately that loves to clean. Thirty days later, an ape comes to redecorate. As each month passes, a new monkey shows up with its own talents and desires. And soon his mother can’t take any more of the chaos.

I won’t spoil the surprise, but the last scene is laugh out loud funny. Monkey of the Month is a sure-fire hit with all kids. Amusing and well illustrated, this book will be read over and over again with glee.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, holiday

Into the Pumpkin

Bergers Book Reviews

Into the Pumpkin
Author & Illustrator: Linda Franklin
Publisher: Schiffer Books
Genre: Children / Halloween
ISBN: 978-0-7643-4183-0
Pages: 48
Price: $16.99

Schiffer Books
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Whoever you are, no matter what age, don’t be afraid to turn the next page… For when you do, you’ll encounter ghosts, skeletons, witches and jack-o-lanterns having a wonderful party.

In this delightful rhyming book, Linda Franklin shows us the usual Halloween characters, busy getting ready for their evening plans. And when darkness rolls in, the merriment begins. Charming watercolor illustrations shrouded in mist display these eerie Halloween scenes.

Halloween lovers of all ages will enjoy Into the Pumpkin as they make their own ghoulish plans for the holiday.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, holiday

Emma’s American Chinese New Year

Bergers Book Reviews

Emma's American Chinese New Year
Author: Amy Meadows
Illustrator: Soon Kwong Teo
Publisher: Outskirts Press
Genre: Children
ISBN:978-1-427-8694-6
Pages: 32
Price: $12.95

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Emma is Chinese, adopted by an American couple. But although she lives in the USA, she still wants to celebrate a holiday important to her native country. Visiting the cultural center with her parents, she enjoys Chinese New Year with other Chinese and American people.

Told in rhyme, Emma’s American Chinese New Year describes the sights, sounds and tastes of the Chinese New Year, told from the perspective of a young girl. Delighting in watching the dragon and the lion, feasting on dumplings, spring rolls and fish, and watching the dancers, Emma enjoys her festive new year celebration.

Chinese New Year is a fun holiday tradition for families to enjoy. Kids like to read about other cultures, and this book provides great information on how the new year is celebrated in China.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, dogs

The Great Puppy Rescue

Bergers Book Reviews

The Great Puppy Rescue
Author: Jason Holder
Illustrator: Mike Sofka
Publisher: Kid America LLC
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-9856980-2-7
Pages: 32
Price: $12.95

Author’s website
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Agent Adams has just given Kid America an important mission. He and his friends, TJ and Lexi, must find Casper’s puppy mill and rescue the dogs. When a loud whimper alerts them to Casper’s hideout, they move into action.

Even the best superheros need super-tools, and Kid’s younger sister, Kat, has just what they need. Planning a bold, nighttime maneuver, they know Casper won’t stand a chance of stopping them. But will they be able to complete their mission?

The Great Puppy Rescue is the first volume of the new Kid America adventure series. When Casper is up to no good and Agent Adams needs help, Kid America is there to answer the call.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

All About Boats: A to Z

Bergers Book Reviews

All About Boats A to Z
Author: David & Zora Aiken
Illustrator: David Aiken
Publisher: Schiffer Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-7643-4184-7
Pages: 32
Price: $14.99

Schiffer Books
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A is for anchor, B is for bell. In this rhyming book, the various parts of the boat are pictured, with vivid descriptions of each. Using the letters of the alphabet, it provides kids with a great understanding of boating and its terminology.

Illustrations are colorful, showing happy families in their various crafts. The authors, David and Nora Aiken, live on a sailboat, and are experts on boating. All About Boats: A to Z is designed to inspire young boaters as they gain experience on the water.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, holiday

Christmas Magic

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Kirsten Hall
Illustrator: Simon Mendez
Publisher: Sterling Children’s Books
Genre: Children / Christmas
ISBN: 978-1-4027-7075-3
Pages: 20
Price: $14.95

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As Christmas approaches, the family is busy getting ready. The outside is decorated with lights and wreath, the children are eagerly baking goodies, a snowman adorns the lawn, and the Nutcracker is performed. And off in the North Pole, Santa and his elves are busy building toys and loading the sleigh for delivery.

In Christmas Magic, the hustle and bustle of holiday preparations is presented in rhyming verse. Each beautiful illustration is a changing picture – with the pull of the tab, it transforms from “before” to “after.” Excited children will experience their own joys of the anticipation of Christmas as they read this book.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

animals, children

The Peaceable Forest: India’s Tale of Kindness to Animals

Bergers Book Reviews

The Peaceable Forest
Author: Kosa Ely
Illustrator: Anna Johansson
Publisher: Insight Kids / Mandala Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-60887-115-5
Pages: 32
Price: $16.99

Author’s website
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A hunter once stalked the forests of India. This man not only hunted for food, but also for the joy of killing. One day, the kind Sage discovered an injured fawn. After hearing its sad story, he journeyed on to find other injured animals, all shot with the hunter’s bow. Finally, he tracked down the hunter for an explanation of his actions.

A deep and meaningful conversation ensues, and the hunter repents of his evil deeds. Peace is restored to the forest, and the animals can roam safely once again.

The Peaceable Forest is a beautifully illustrated fairy tale that teaches the value of all creation. Written for children, it inspires them to be kind to animals. And in learning kindness to our animal companions, they may also learn kindness to each other and the whole human race.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, holiday

Stable In Bethlehem

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Joy N. Hulme
Illustrator: Dan Andreasen
Publisher: Sterling Children’s Books
Genre: Children / Christmas
ISBN: 978-14027-9764-4
Pages: 22
Price: $6.95

Author’s website
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A stable in Bethlehem is the location of the very first Christmas, as the holy family receives the baby, Jesus, into the world. Children can experience this gift through Stable in Bethlehem. In this board book, the author counts down those present at the birth, from twelve doves down to two parents and one baby. All of these animals, people and angels come to worship Jesus, born to Mary and Joseph.

Christmas is a magical time of year for children, but they often forget the meaning of the season behind the glitter and gift-giving. This sweet and simple story reminds them of the real reason we celebrate Christmas.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

animals, children

The Silly Looking Thing

Bergers Book Reviews

The Silly Looking Thing
Author & Illustrator: Eva M. Sakmar-Sullivan
Publisher: Schiffer Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-7643-4144-1
Pages: 40
Price: $16.99

Author’s website
Schiffer Books
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Itsy-Bitsy Boy Frog wants to find a friend. He goes to the lake, but he doesn’t find any frogs. Instead, a strange looking creature offers to be his friend. Itsy-Bitsy Boy Frog decides he won’t be friends with any “silly looking things” and walks away. Each day this same thing happens – Itsy-Bitsy Boy Frog goes to the lake, and the silly looking thing offers to play with him.

Finally Itsy-Bitsy Bog Frog stops going to the lake, and his parents ask why. When he shares the reason, they explain that he is not being kind. When he realizes how hurtful his actions have been, he goes to the lake to apologize, but he can’t find the silly looking thing. Instead, he finds a young frog.

Itsy-Bitsy Boy Frog has just discovered the life cycle of frogs, from tadpole to adult, as will children reading this story. Along with a science lesson, it also provides a reminder to treat everyone with respect, no matter how different they look. Told in a non-preaching manner with great illustrations, The Silly Looking Thing will appeal to young readers. I highly recommend it.

Reviewer: Alice Berger