Category: children

children

Princesses of the World

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Katell Goyer
Illustrator: Misstigri
Publisher: Hammond World Atlas
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0843-714456
Pages: 30
Price: $17.99

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Little girls will always be fascinated with tales of princesses and “happily ever after” marriages. In this collection, Katell Goyer tells of princesses from around the world, and how they find and marry their princes.

These exotic tales include the legendary Persian princess, Scheherazade, along with Natasha, the Russian princess, Sanyogita, the Indian princess, and many others. Misstigri’s rich illustrations in the vibrant colors of these distant lands bring these beautiful stories to life, as they enchant and entertain the reader.

Clever, resourceful, and determined to get what they want, these princesses are not just pretty faces. And when they do marry their princes, they’re wise enough to realize they’ve finally earned their happy ending. Little girls grow up so quickly, and one day they’ll have to face the fact that life isn’t as simple as these charming tales suggest. But for now, they can still dream of their own “happily ever after” with Princesses of the World.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, poetry

Galaxy Pizza and Meteor Pie

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Darren Sardelli
Illustrator: Pam Catapano
Publisher: Laugh-a-Lot Books
Genre: Children / Poetry
ISBN: 978-0-615-28469-9
Pages: 30
Price: $12.95

Author’s website

Could your school day be brightened with a hearty laugh? Maybe you’d like to be served Nebula Nachos and Asteroid Chips by the lunch ladies from Mars. Or listen to your teacher punish the tires on a bus. If that doesn’t help, you can always dream about endless recess.

In Galaxy Pizza and Meteor Pie, Darren Sardelli has put together one of the funniest collections of poetry I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading — all about our days in school. Illustrated in bright, comic pastels by Pat Catapano, these silly poems could make even the meanest teacher grin.

This collection is schoolroom humor at its best. When it seems as if the homework will never end, and you’re sure you’ve just flunked your most important test, these cheery poems will be sure to pick you up. This book is a fun addition to any classroom, library or personal collection.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, fantasy

Imagia and the Magic Pearls

Bergers Book Reviews


Author & Illustrator: Monroe S. Tarver
Publisher: Wizarding World Press
Genre: Children / Fantasy
ISBN: 978-0-9723936-5-2
Pages: 112
Price: $6.99

Author’s website
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Imagia, the elf princess, has no friends. While others play in the forest, she is being groomed to be queen of the kingdom, and spends all her time studying with different teachers. One day an unexpected opportunity allows her to slip outside the palace walls. She meets a fluttery, Flutterwalk, and they play for hours with Imagia’s magic pearls. But the evil queen, Baddora, is watching in her scrying bowl, and sends one of her spies out to bring Imagia to the Green Towers.

Baddora has read a prophesy of three magic pearls, which when brought together will grant ultimate power. She holds one, and she believes Imagia has one, also. The third belongs to Treewind, the wizard. Imagia has no idea of the powers she possesses, but she finds out as she attempts to free herself from Baddora’s evil clutches. With the help of Treewind and Flutterwalk, she manages to escape.

Imagia and the Magic Pearls is the first in a series of the Tales from the Mapmaker, and features an all black cast of characters. This is a fun fantasy, with interesting creatures and a scary mission. The illustrations are beautifully done, with bright and unusual colors. But there were a couple of story points that didn’t quite work for me. Imagia ran off without giving any thought to where she was going, when she ended up at Baddora’s castle, which seemed odd. I was also disappointed that Treewind rescued her, rather than Imagia using her own wits and imagination to escape. Overall, though, this is a nice story with a happy ending.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, music

The Book About Tony Chestnut

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Laurie Monopoli
Illustrator: Wendy Sefcik
Publisher: Hug-a-Chug Books
Genre: Children / Music
ISBN: 978-0-615-31139-5
Pages: 48
Price: $19.95

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Tony Chestnut and his little sister Eileen are the new kids in town. When they arrive at the playground, they find that everyone is already playing. No one notices Tony and Eileen, so they sit on a yellow bench and watch.

When Eileen begins to cry, Tony Chestnut needs to do something quickly. His silly antics don’t stop Eileen’s tears, so he decides to sing his special song.

Tony Chestnut (Toe-Knee-Chest-Nut), the song, was released in 1997, and is a fun dance tune where kids point to various body parts while singing along. The Book About Tony Chestnut is the story of how this award-winning song originated.

A CD accompanies this book, with three read-along versions of the story, discussion questions for the classroom, and the original Tony Chestnut song. The discussion questions center on what it’s like to be the new kid, how to make other kids feel welcome, and being compassionate and kind.

The Book About Tony Chestnut has a great, positive message, while also being upbeat and fun. I highly recommend this delightful interactive teaching tool.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

The Red Scarf

Bergers Book Reviews


Author & Illustrator: Anne Villeneuve
Publisher: Tundra Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-88776-989-4
Pages: 40
Price: $17.95


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On a very ordinary gray day, Turpin the taxi driver picks up a mysterious passenger. Upon his departure, the man in a black cape and top hat leaves behind a red scarf. Turpin immediately goes after him, trying to return it.

His determination to return the red scarf brings him to the circus, where he runs into all sorts of unusual people, animals, and circumstances. The friendly circus folk lead him to the magician, and suddenly Turpin ends up in the middle of the act.

The Red Scarf contains only eight words, and the rest of the story is told completely in pictures. Bright and colorful illustrations remind us that this is anything but an ordinary gray day. As children follow the cab driver through his extraordinary adventure, they will happily find themselves in the center of the circus performance, along with Turpin.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, health

Delilah Washes Her Hands

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Cindy Rice Andrea
Illustrator: Stan Jaskiel
Publisher: Dining in the Light Publications
Genre: Children / Health
ISBN: 978-0-9842717-0-2
Pages: 24
Price: $8.99

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Delilah Duck and her friends play all morning at the playground. She swings high on the swingset, slides down the slide, and whirls around on the merry-go-round, taking occasional breaks to sip at the water fountain. They all even build sand castles in the sandbox and make mud pies.

So when a picnic lunch is ready, Delilah has very dirty hands, and she must wash them before she eats. Mrs. Duck explains there are germs on her hands, and she needs to be sure they’re all gone, so she doesn’t get sick.

Delilah Washes Her Hands is one of the Green Apple Tales — books designed to teach children good health and hygiene habits through fun stories. Kids will enjoy singing the alphabet song along with Delilah as they wash their own hands. Recipes for the picnic lunch are included, as well as a one-page summary of why it’s important to wash your hands.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

The Weber Street Wonder Work Crew

Bergers Book Reviews


Author & Illustrator: Maxwell Newhouse
Publisher: Tundra Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-88776-913-9
Pages: 24
Price: $17.95

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Weber Street is a clean and safe place to live. Kids there have learned to pitch in and help their neighbors while earning a little spending cash.

From gardening to walking dogs, helping someone keep track of friends online, and taking out the recycling, there’s always an expert around who can assist. And everyone is grateful that the Weber Street kids are willing to serve the community.

Maxwell Newhouse reminds us that there’s more to life than TV and video games. In charming folk art, he shows kids making a difference and putting other people’s needs ahead of their own. The Weber Street Wonder Work Crew provides a great example of how kids can get involved and help others.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, history

The Astonishing Journey of Teddy Bodain

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Melissa Forney
Illustrator: Dave Olson
Publisher: Buttery Moon Multimedia
Genre: Children / History
ISBN: 978-0-9790094-5-7
Pages: 214
Price: $17.95

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Theodosia (Teddy) Bodain and her family are moving from Mississippi to Florida. They’ve joined a wagon train, and their 1,000 mile journey will take about four months, if all goes well. The year is 1892, and Florida is a vast wilderness, just waiting to be developed.

Teddy decides to share her adventures with her best friend, Martha, through a series of letters. She tells of the people she meets, the sights she sees, and her experiences in traveling such a vast distance. But along the way, her family runs into trouble when illness strikes the wagon train and everyone is separated in the confusion.

Once Teddy finds herself alone, she must rely on her wits and the kindness of others to survive and ensure she makes it to her destination safely. But will evil strike Teddy along the way?

Melissa Forney has nicely captured the lure and excitement of this dramatic family move across the country. Although the Bodains seek their fortune and a happy future, nothing is certain when crossing such dangerous and unfamiliar territory. History, family and friendship are seamlessly woven together in this well-written and interesting tale. I highly recommend it.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, dogs

Planet of the Dogs

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Robert J. McCarty
Illustrator: Stella Mustanoja McCarty
Publisher: Barking Planet Productions
Genre: Children / Dogs
ISBN: 9780978692803
Pages: 104
Price: $14.95

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The people of Green Valley live a peaceful life. They farm the land, raise animals, and enjoy their homes and families. But the Stone City warriors live very close by, and they’re now threatening the security of Green Valley.

When the Planet of the Dogs receives news of the troubles brewing on Earth, three of the dogs are sent as ambassadors. With the help of two Green Valley children, Daisy and Bean, these dogs will try to stop the Stone City warriors from destruction.

The Planet of the Dogs knows only love and cooperation, so these visiting dogs plan to stop the warriors in a peaceful manner. Rather than go to war, they use their creativity and love to end this threat.

There are so many stories about battles between good and evil, and at times it’s hard to know who’s on which side, when so many lives are lost. So it’s a breath of fresh air to see a book presenting a peaceful resolution. Planet of the Dogs may be a fairy tale, but it gives us hope that peace may someday be restored on earth through kinder and gentler means. Dog lovers and those who love a nice story will really enjoy this book.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

Nana’s Getting Married

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Heather Hartt-Sussman
Illustrator: Georgia Graham
Publisher: Tundra Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-88776-911-5
Pages: 32
Price: $17.95

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Nana used to be the best grandma in the world. She baked cookies, knitted mittens, socks, and turtlenecks, and she told lots of bedtime stories. But everything has changed since she met Bob.

Now Nana spends lots of time getting ready for dates, taking long bubble baths, and having her hair and nails done. Everyone is thrilled that Nana has found someone she enjoys being with. But Bob is the focus of Nana’s life — not her grandson — and her grandson does NOT approve!

In Nana’s Getting Married, Heather Hartt-Sussman has presented a dilemma many children can relate to. As grandparents maintain youth and vitality well into their senior years, late-in-life marriages are common. In this amusing tale, she expresses the very real emotions grandkids may feel when their formerly doting grandparent suddenly take an interest in another person.

Georgia Graham provides fun illustrations, showing this little boy in all his sulking poses, as he announces his feelings to anyone who will listen. And she portrays Nana and Bob as vibrant seniors — not as “old fogeys.” I particularly liked Bob’s white ponytail.

Nana’s Getting Married is a delightful read, sure to have kids chuckling as they announce that they DO approve of this fun story.

Reviewer: Alice Berger