Category: children

children

The Boxcar Children Beginning

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Patricia MacLachlan
Publisher: Albert Whitman & Co.
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-8075-6616-9
Pages: 144
Price: $16.99

Boxcar Children website
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When the first Boxcar Children book begins, we learn that Henry, Jessie, Violet and Benny are orphans. But what happened to their parents? How did these children find themselves starting out on this new adventure in their lives? To celebrate the 70th anniversary of this series, a prequel was written to set the stage.

As Patricia MacLachlin discovered in writing this book, these four children are kind, smart, resourceful, and they care a lot about each other. These were the characteristics she wanted the reader to see modeled by the parents who raised them. Although this book is not written by Gertrude Chandler Warner, as the original series was, MacLachlin captures the essence of the story well.

The Boxcar Children books have been continuously in print since their original publication, and will most likely be around for another 70 years. It’s wonderful to finally have a true beginning for this unique series. I highly recommend The Boxcar Beginning for all faithful fans and new ones to come.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, health

Is Your Hair Made of Donuts?

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Joy Feldman
Illustrators: Beth Slocum & Amanda Mueller
Publisher: JHF Nutritional Consulting
ISBN: 978-0-615-55515-7
Pages: 40
Price: $8.95

Author’s website
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Matt and Maddie have always eaten healthy food. Even though their friends have sugary snacks, their mom insists they eat food that will help their bodies grow strong. But one day she relents and lets them eat all the junk food they want.

After scarfing down piles of sugary treats, and especially lots of ooey-gooey donuts, they don’t feel well. And their dreams that evening hauntingly remind them of the many donuts they consumed. But was it really a dream, or have they contributed to their bodies using donuts as building blocks?

Kids hate to feel different, and parents who want them to eat healthy often feel pressured to conform to the norms of society. But snacks can be delicious and nutritious, and recipes for healthy treats are included at the back of this book. Is Your Hair Made of Donuts? is a funny tale reminding kids that junk food really is bad for them, and may encourage them to eat healthier.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

ABCs of Boating Terms

Bergers Book Reviews


Author & Illustrator: Dee Cache
Publisher: Schiffer Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-7643-3982-0
Pages: 32
Price: $6.99

Schiffer Books
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Do you know your fore from your aft? How about the galley and the head? If you’re scratching your own head right about now, there is help. ABCs of Boating Terms is a kids’ educational coloring book designed to not leave you lost at sea.

These simple drawings include one boating term for each letter of the alphabet. Nautical flags show how some letters would appear, so boats can communicate with each other. And important survival words like SOS and Mayday provide a way of reaching help when needed.

Any boating family should have a copy of this coloring book for kids to learn proper boating terminology.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

cats, children

Skippyjon Jones

Bergers Book Reviews

Kohl’s Cares for Kids: The books and merchandise featured in this program are only $5.00 each, and all proceeds go towards kids’ health and education. Skippyjon Jones books feature Spanish words for a bilingual feel. Each book has a matching stuffed animal, and there is also a Skippyjon Jones backpack available. These fun, frolicking feline antics will amuse kids of all ages. I love this series!

Author’s website

Author:  Judy Schachner
Publisher: Dutton Children’s Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-525-42571-7
Pages: 32
Price: $5.00 at Kohl’s

Skippyjon Jones is a Siamese cat, but he thinks he’s a chihuahua. When he steps into his magic closet, he finds a group of chihuahuas in need of help. As the superhero, El Skippito Friskito, Skippyjon will have to face the menacing Bumblebeeto to help the Chimichangos recover their beans.

Author: Judy Schachner
Publisher: Dutton Children’s Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-8037-3885-0
Pages: 32
Price: $5.00 at Kohl’s

Skippyjon Jones wants to go to obedience school with the other dogs, but Mama won’t let him. After all, he’s a Siamese cat, not a chihuahua. So off to his magic closet he goes, where he meets up again with his chihuahua friends. This time superhero Skippito will face a woolly bully who has the whole school terrified.

Author: Judy Schachner
Publisher: Dutton Children’s Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-525-42568-7
Pages: 32
Price: $5.00 at Kohl’s

Skippyjon Jones is collecting the neighbor dog’s bones to build a dinosaur skeleton. But when Mama tells him he needs to return them, he heads instead to his magic closet. This time he and the Chimichangos are back in prehistoric days, with dinosaurs roaming the earth. Acting fast, he saves his friends from extinction when he realizes the dinosaurs will squash them.

Author: Judy Schachner
Publisher: Dutton Children’s Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-525-42569-4
Pages: 32
Price: $5.00 at Kohl’s

Skippyjon loves Mars, because it’s his favorite color, red. So after borrowing a bottle of red spice from Mama, he heads to his closet where he rockets off to space. Arriving on Mars, he finds the Chimichangos are already there, and Mars is a planet made of red spice. But there are Martians there, and they would love to steal his sock monkey unless he is able to stop them.

Author: Judy Schachner
Publisher: Dutton Children’s Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-525-42570-0
Pages: 32
Price: $5.00 at Kohl’s

Skippyjon Jones has created a master work of art on the freshly painted walls. When Mama sends him to his room, he heads straight for his magic closet. He meets up with the Chimichangos, who are now threatened by El Bobble-ito and need superhero Skippito to defeat this menace.

animals, children

Satchi and Little Star

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Donna Marie Seim
Illustrator: Susan Spellman
Publisher: Jetty House
ISBN: 978-0-9828236-7-5
Pages: 31
Price: $19.95

Author’s website
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Satchi lives on an island where horses run wild. Every day, as she watches a herd go by her front gate, she admires one she names Little Star. She’s determined to convince Little Star to come and live with her.

She slowly gains his trust by feeding him jelly bread, but catching a wild horse isn’t as easy as Satchi thinks. As she tries to tame him, she wonders if it’s really possible for wild horses to be anything but wild.

Satchi’s dilemma is one many kids can relate to, as they attempt to befriend a wild animal near their own homes. In this delightful book, Satchi shows remarkable maturity once she’s managed to capture Little Star. Satchi and Little Star won a Mom’s Choice Gold Award for picture books in 2012. [Category: Values and Life Lessons]

Reviewer: Alice Berger

animals, children

The Tale of Strawberry Snow

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: P.L. Caudle
Illustrator: Frank H. Simmonds, IV
Publisher: Schiffer Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-7643-4076-5
Pages: 48
Price: $16.99

Schiffer Books
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Strawberry Snow is a newborn pony on Chincoteague Island. One day she ventures outside her barn to see the sights, and walks into a winter wonderland. As she approaches the wood bin, she discovers a surprise – a spider hides inside, and wants to be her friend.

Told in rhyme with digital illustrations, The Tale of Strawberry Snow explores new friendship and adventure. Although a little light on plot, it’s a nice animal story for young children.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, Christian

Be Patient, Petunia

Bergers Book Reviews


Author:  Erin Butler
Publisher: Tate Publishing
Genre: Children / Christian
ISBN: 978-1-61346-477-9
Pages: 28
Price: $9.99

Author’s website
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Petunia wants what she wants, and she wants it RIGHT NOW! She can’t wait for anything, especially the good things. So Petunia needs to learn a lesson in how to be more patient.

Petunia struggles with her impatience, with dire consequences. A cake is ruined because it doesn’t bake long enough. The park is no fun because she couldn’t wait until the other children arrived. And she doesn’t catch any fish because she runs into the water to find them. She almost missed the sunset when she wanted to run off and explore. But this time she did wait, and was rewarded by experiencing this beautiful sight.

As a fruit of the spirit (Gal. 5:22-23), patience is important for a Christian. Petunia’s impatience mirrors our own, as we wait on God’s guidance in our lives. Told in rhyme, this lesson in patience is a good one for any child to learn.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Note: All royalties received by the author for Be Patient, Petunia will be given to Project Rescue, whose mission is to rescue and redeem victims of overseas sexual slavery.

children, dogs

Boomer Explores Annapolis

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Angelique Clarke
Illustrator: Jim Hunt
Publisher: Schiffer Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-7643-4008-6
Pages: 32
Price: $12.99

Schiffer Books
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Boomer the dog loves to explore. One day the front gate is left open, and he decides to explore his hometown, Annapolis. As his owner, Bridget, tries to track him down, Boomer dashes off to see the many interesting sights.

Boomer Explores Annapolis shows the reader this historic city in whimsical illustrations, as Boomer darts from place to place. Fun facts about the various locations Boomer visits are also included as side notes. If your family plans to visit Annapolis soon, kids will find this book helpful in locating landmarks during your vacation.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, education

Sing Into School

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Jack O’Leary
Illustrator: Steve Simpson
Publisher:Sing Into Life
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-9871510-0-1
Pages: 12 (includes CD)
Price: $9.99

Sing Into Life Website
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How may kids get excited about going off to school? For those with special needs, it may be even harder to face the day. The Sing Into Life series was developed to reach these children in a new way.

Sing Into School is a simple book detailing the steps involved in getting ready for school. An accompanying CD introduces the main character, a sock puppet named Bo Jingles. Then the text is sung and also read aloud. The concluding tracks summarize the steps to get ready and say goodbye to the listener.

This series of musical social stories was designed in consultation with children, parents, therapists and teachers to respond to specific needs. Music makes everything more fun, and a reluctant child may find himself singing along to the music while happily following the eight steps to get ready for school. Responding to ordinary challenges can be difficult, so having the right social skills is important for a child’s self-esteem and self-confidence. I highly recommend this unique series.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

The Blue Lobster

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Robin Taylor-Chiarello
Illustrator: Lisa Bohart
Publisher: The Peppertree Press
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-936343-84-3
Pages: 36
Price: $15.95

Author’s website
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They say one in a million lobsters is blue, and Mr. Homarus Americanus is a rare one indeed. But because he’s blue, none of the other sea creatures will speak to him. Lonely and sad, he wanders into a lobster trap, where his life will change unexpectedly for the better.

The Blue Lobster is written in fun rhyming verse, with bright and simple illustrations. Kids will learn an important lesson in not judging others by their appearance. This cute picture book is nicely done and not preachy.

Reviewer: Alice Berger