Category: children

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

children

And Still They Bloom

Bergers Book Reviews

And Still They Bloom
Author: Amy Rovere
Illustrator: Joel Spector
Publisher: American Cancer Society
Genre: Children / Cancer
ISBN: 978-160443-036-3
Pages: 48
Price: $14.95

Author’s website
American Cancer Society
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Emily and Ben have just lost their mother to cancer. As time passes, they go through the emotional stages associated with grief: anger, sadness, fear and hopelessness. Although And Still They Bloom doesn’t have an actual plot, these feelings are explored through the actions of the characters involved.

The children want to know why this happened to their mom, and not to others who have cancer. Although also grieving, their father reassures them that she had the best care possible, and nothing more could have been done. He tries to comfort them and help them see that their lives still have meaning.

Healing from the loss of a loved one is especially painful, and children often have no one to help them get through it. The American Cancer Society hopes that this book will show kids they’re not alone in their feelings, and that there is hope for them to find peace.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, holiday

The Great Christmas Crisis

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Kim Norman
Illustrator: Jannie Ho
Publisher: Sterling Children’s Books
Genre: Children / Christmas
ISBN: 978-1-4027-8632-7
Pages: 26
Price: $14.95

Author’s website
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Christmas will be here any day, and Santa suddenly realizes he has a crisis. The elves are bickering, toys aren’t being made, and he’s seriously behind schedule. The unusually frantic pace has everyone tired and frazzled, so Santa needs to come up with a solution.

After trying to spend some time in relaxing and sharing holiday cheer with his crew of elves, Santa realizes that what he really needs is more time. After mulling this over, he comes up with an ingenious plan that will ensure the stress-free manufacturing of Christmas gifts, right on schedule.

The Great Christmas Crisis is a funny look at the pitfalls of mass production, from a North Pole perspective. Unlike in business, Santa’s magic can cure any problem. Kids will enjoy this lighthearted story, told in rhyme, with cheerful illustrations.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, holiday

A Pirate’s Twelve Days of Christmas

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Philip Yates
Illustrator: Sebastià Serra
Publisher: Sterling Children’s Books
Genre: Children / Christmas
ISBN: 978-1-4027-9225-0
Pages: 32
Price: $14.95

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Ahoy there, buckos! It’s time to celebrate Christmas, pirate-style. As one of the pirate crew is left behind while the rest go ashore, he suddenly realizes, “On the first day of Christmas, a gift was sent to me – a parrot in a palm tree!” The following days include jolly rogers, black cats, dolphins swimming, and mermaids singing.

As the song gets more complicated, adding the next day it celebrates to a growing list, so too do these adorable illustrations. Each day’s gifts are added to the previous days’, for a collection of colorful characters aboard this pirate ship. And the lonely crewman finds out his shipmates haven’t really deserted him for Christmas after all.

Although this looks like a picture book for children, anyone with a love of pirate lore will enjoy A Pirate’s Twelve Days of Christmas. In fact, your family may even find themselves singing a new Christmas song.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

Mommy, Daddy, I Had a Bad Dream

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Martha Heineman Pieper, Ph.D.
Illustrator: Jo Gershman
Publisher: Smart Love Press
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-9838664-0-4
Pages: 32
Price: $18.99

Author’s website
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Joey, the bouncy, happy kangaroo has just had a bad dream. Running to his parents, he tells them all about it. His parents reassure him that bad dreams are normal, and help him figure out what might have happened during the day to trigger the dream.

This happens twice more, with Joey running to his parents for explanations. Finally, he decides to reason things out for himself. And once he determines the cause of his bad dream, he goes back to sleep.

In this unique story, children’s dreams are explained in a way that makes sense to them, rather than making light of them. Children are encouraged to do their own thinking, knowing that their dreams may have messages for them. A winner of the 2012 Independent Publisher Book Award (IPPY) and Mom’s Choice Award, this book provides powerful information for kids. I highly recommend Mommy, Daddy, I Had a Bad Dream.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

Terrance Texter

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Marie-Antoinette Burrell
Publisher: Parrhesia Enterprise
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-9850263-0-1
Price: $14.95

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We all know it’s not safe to text and drive. In fact, Miss Toadd, the Queen of Mobile Phone Land, has issued a decree against it. But one day Terrance Texter ignores the rules and runs right through the land, not noticing the obstacles in his path.

In a land where everyone has a cell phone, caution must be used when operating cars and machinery. And a warning is given to use texting, tweeting and facebook status updates wisely, since inappropriate messaging can have dire consequences.

Terrance Texter is a nicely illustrated rhyme, but I struggled with the intended age group for this book. While the story preaches to young children, I don’t know how effective the “don’t text and drive” message will be in reaching them. They will have long forgotten a childhood book by the time they receive their driver’s licenses.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, education, science

It’s Raining Fish and Spiders

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Bill Evans
Publisher: Tor Forge Books
Genre: Science
ISBN: 978-0-7653-21329
Pages: 240
Price: $18.99

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Yes, in some places of the world, it has actually rained fish and spiders! Wouldn’t you love to learn how that’s possible, or what other unusual stuff has fallen from the skies? You can read about those and other weather events in this informative and entertaining book by award-winning meteorologist, Bill Evans.

Weather is a major force in our lives, and we all know its effects can be both beautiful and potentially devastating. Evans’ book explains, in very down-to earth terminology, all types of weather conditions: hurricanes, thunderstorms, blizzards, and drought, to mention just a few. He supplies the reader with succinct explanations of how they form in the atmosphere along with comparisons, fun facts, and other data to help one get the entire picture of each phenomenon.

The book is not just a compilation of boring data; it’s written in such a fashion that holds the reader’s interest making them want to turn each page to learn more. Evans’ style is easy-going and suited for both young folks and adults alike.

Do you know a budding meteorologist? Or someone who is simply fascinated by all kinds of weather? This would be the perfect book to get them started or help stir their curiosity.

Reviewer: Gene Berger

cats, children, education

Fairminded Fran and the Three Small Black Community Cats

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Linda Elder
Illustrator: Kathy Abney
Publisher: Foundation For Critical Thinking
Genre: Children / Cats
ISBN: 978-0-94458-347-0
Pages: 48
Price: $9.95

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Fran discovers three small black cats outside her school, foraging at the dumpster. She tries to befriend them, but they’re too scared and run away. Concerned for their well-being, she brings this matter to her teacher. He advises her that they are feral cats, and will never be able to be pets. But with the help of the principal, she and others arrange for their care and neutering.

In this unique book, children are alerted to the plight of homeless feral cats in their neighborhood. They learn about the concept of trap-neuter-return, so the cats won’t continue to reproduce. (See Alley Cat Allies website for more information on this program.) Compassion and caring are encouraged to be sure these small strays will live healthy lives, while their population diminishes.

Along with Fairminded Fran, kids meet Selfish Sam, and Naive Nancy, who have differing opinions on these cats. Critical thinking is used to determine the right way to handle this situation. Fairminded Fran and the Three Small Black Community Cats would be a great classroom resource, not only to let kids know about feral cats, but also to encourage the process of critical thinking. I highly recommend it.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

Song For Papa Crow

Bergers Book Reviews


Author & Illustrator: Marit Menzin
Publisher: Schiffer Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-7643-4131-1
Pages: 32
Price: $16.99

Author’s website
Schiffer Books
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Little Crow wishes he sounded more like the other birds. Their chirps and songs are so pretty. No one will stay with Little Crow when he begins to caw, and only Papa Crow enjoys his child’s song.

One day Mockingbird visits, showing off his ability to mimic the other birds. Little Crow begs Mockingbird to let him in on the secret, and soon he chirps pretty tunes that the others enjoy hearing. But when a hawk threatens Little Crow, he must rely on his own voice to alert Papa Crow to his predicament.

Honoring unique differences can be difficult, especially when they are perceived by others in an unflattering way. But Little Crow learns he is special just as he is, and must embrace the song he despises so much. Paired with colorful collage illustrations, Song For Papa Crow is complemented by fun facts about North American birds and their sounds.

Reviewer: Alice Berger