Category: children

children

Body

Bergers Book Reviews

body
Author: Susan Ring
Illustrator: Michele Graham
Publisher: Piggy Toes Press
Genre: Children / Science
ISBN: 978-158117801-2
Pages: 20
Price: $19.95

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The body is an amazing thing. Made up of different systems that handle many functions, it runs like a machine. But what are these systems, and how do they operate?

Body introduces children to the anatomy and physiology of the human body. The circulatory system, the respiratory system, the digestive system, the skeletal system, the muscular system, and the immune system are all explained in kid-friendly terminology, showing how each works and cooperates with the other systems. Important organs like the brain, the eye, the ear, and the heart are also discussed in detail. Many illustrations are done in pop-up format to show the layers of the organs or the body structure.

Anatomy and physiology are very complicated subjects, but this book gives enough information on how things work without going into details kids wouldn’t be able to comprehend. A good basis in body functions, Body is a solid reference book, and would make a great addition to any school classroom or library.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, fantasy

The Book of Nonsense (Sacred Books, Vol. 1)

Bergers Book Reviews

nonsense
Author: David Michael Slater
Publisher: Blooming Tree Press/CBAY
Genre: Fantasy
ISBN: 978-1-933767-00-0
Pages: 256
Price: $16.95

Author’s website
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Daphna loves books, and can’t wait to show her father the wonderful old bookstore she’s discovered while he’s away. But when her father comes home, he isn’t himself, and he’s brought a strange old book with him.

Her twin brother, Dexter, dislikes the idea of reading as much as Daphna loves it. He resents Daphna’s intelligence, and he’s often the butt of schoolmates pranks and jokes.

But when their dad sells this book to the mysterious stranger who owns the shop, in exchange for Daphna’s assistance, they need to band together to find out what’s going on. And what does their mother’s disappearance all those years ago have to do with this unusual book?

Full of mystery and adventure, The Book of Nonsense pulls the reader in, wondering about this tattered old book full of nonsensical writings. What do the words mean, and how can they be used for power? And how can Daphna and Dexter stop its owner from using it for evil purposes? These questions are only partially answered in volume one of this exciting new series.

A great read!

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

Storybook ABCs

Bergers Book Reviews

abc2
Author: Meg McLaughlin
Publisher: Dalmatian Press
Genre: Children
ISBN: 1-40375-018-1
Pages: 24
Price: $3.50

Author’s website
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A is for Apple, B is for Bear.  But if you think this Sesame Street book is nothing more than a letter and picture association game, you may be in for a surprise!

Taking its cue from nursery rhymes, this delightful little book uses the alphabet in new and amusing ways.  Blending Sesame Street characters and modified rhymes, it will not only teach kids the alphabet, but also entertain them.

Kids may not get all the jokes, but the adults reading it to them will definitely smile.  I found myself chuckling over some of the hilarious scenarios and comments made by the characters in sharing their version of the alphabet.

I highly recommend Storybook ABCs as a fun way for your little ones to learn their ABCs.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

Homer’s Home

Bergers Book Reviews

book_cover-1
Author: Bliss E. Wilkie
Illustrator: William R. Bruce
Publisher: Homer’s Home Press
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-9815994-2-7
Pages: 32
Price: $16.95

Author’s website
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Homer the goldfish lives in a pet store aquarium. While he’s there, he sees other goldfish go home in plastic bags, and he wonders what it would be like to have a home of his own.

Soon he finds out, when Fingers adopts him. Life is very good in his new home – until he realizes he’s lonely and he’d like to have a friend. Luckily for Homer, Fingers knows what he needs and wants to help him.

Homer’s Home is a whimsical look at the life of a goldfish told from his perspective. William R. Bruce’s colorful illustrations bring Homer’s home to life, as we learn of his problem and hope for a solution. Kids growing up in a multi-child household will relate to wanting to have space of their own, and then suddenly finding themselves with no one to play with.

A read-along version of the story on CD is included, with the text read by the author’s grandchild. Although this is a novel idea, having a child read the story, the pronunciation of the words isn’t always clear and a child learning to read might have trouble following along.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

cats, children

Dear Deer Friend

Bergers Book Reviews

clay
Author & Illustrator: Jodi L. Schirmer
Publisher: Outskirts Press
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-4327-2540-2
Pages: 24
Price: $11.95

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Clay is a typical house cat. He enjoys the things cats love – sleeping, eating, and going outside. But one day he discovers a new friend waiting for him there. Based on the author’s true-life experience of her own cat’s adventures, Dear Deer Friend tells of Clay’s surprising encounter with a deer.

As an animal lover, I was looking forward to the author’s exploration of this unusual meeting, but I felt disappointed that it was glossed over a little too quickly. For the most part, this book touches on ordinary feline behavior, sharing no new viewpoints on their quirks. I would have preferred if the author had written this story in simple prose, rather than limerick style, and shared more of how Clay and the deer reacted to each other when they met.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, dogs

Tasha Finds Her Forever Friend

Bergers Book Reviews

bookcover_tasha1
Author: Deborah J. Hall
Publisher: BunnyBud Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0981812199
Pages: 28
Price: $9.50

Author’s website

Tasha is a German Shepherd with a special purpose. As a graduate of the Summit Assistance Dogs school, she has the skills to help those who are physically challenged do some of the things they find difficult.  But she still doesn’t have a special person to live with.

Tasha has learned a lot from her teacher, Baker, a golden retriever. She can open doors, get the telephone, and carry things, as well as pick up things her person has dropped and help her person stand up.  When she meets Cecily, a girl who has difficulty walking due to Cerebral Palsy, it’s love at first sight.

Tasha and her friends love to help people, and now they want to teach others about special dogs like them. BunnyBud Books are designed to show kids how dogs can help people with disabilities.

By using the dogs’ perspectives, these stories come alive in a more personal manner than simple instruction.  The photos are of actual dogs in action, as they demonstrate how they can help people.  Fun to read, informative, and enjoyable, BunnyBud Books are a great resource in sharing the work of these wonderful dogs who do so much good for the people they live with.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

Flippy Goes on a Road Trippy

Bergers Book Reviews

flippy
Author: John Mese & Dawn Kelsey
Illustrator: Chanler Holden
Publisher: Moss Covered Gumbo Barn
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-9725853-4-7
Pages: 36
Price: $13.95

Author’s website
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Flippy, the free-spirited tadpole, is taking a road trip with his friends, Toadpole, Crawdaddy, Duke, Halimagator, and Eartha. So it’s time to pack up the car and join him to see the sights!

Fun rhymes and colorful pictures show us the wonderful adventures Flippy and his buddies find, as they road trip across the USA. The beach, Dixieland, Flippywood, Manhattan, and other places come alive through the sights, sounds, and smells Flippy encounters.

An enjoyable read that kids will love, Flippy Goes on a Road Trippy is entertaining as well as educational, opening horizons to places as yet unseen. You’re sure to enjoy the ride!

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, sports

The Deal Is On Strike Three

Bergers Book Reviews

dealis-on-strike-3Author: Peter Fertig & Rudy Saviano
Illustrator: Penny Musso Weber
Publisher: RSI Publishing
Genre: Children / Baseball
ISBN: 978-0615228648
Pages: 45
Price: $15.95

Author’s website
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The Mighty Casey became a legend when he struck out to end the game. But although there was no joy in Mudville that day, was there perhaps a deeper reason for such an ignominious fate?

The Deal Is On Strike Three tells a tale most folks have never heard – how an evil man had bargained for Casey’s soul, and how his son is given the opportunity to save him. In the same poetic style of the original, the authors share Casey’s son’s secret bargain.

Professional sports offer the promise of fame and fortune, but at what price? This book gives kids another view of the choices players make as they attempt to make a name for themselves. But how much are they willing to give up for fame? The deals they make may be with the devil himself.

“When the final out is made, and the outcome has been sealed, everyone’s a winner, who has played upon the field.” The Deal Is On Strike Three is a great baseball story with a positive message. I highly recommend it.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, dogs

Hello, My Name Is Baker

Bergers Book Reviews

bakerAuthor: Deborah J. Hall
Publisher: BunnyBud Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0981812144
Pages: 32
Price: $11.95

Author’s website
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Baker is a golden retriever with a special purpose. As a graduate of the Summit Assistance Dogs school, he has the skills to help those who are physically challenged do some of the things they find difficult.

Along with some of his friends, Baker shows us the skills that he’s learned. He can open doors, get the telephone, and carry things, as well as pick up things his person has dropped and help his person stand up.

Baker and his friends love to help people, and now they want to teach others about special dogs like them. BunnyBud Books are designed to show kids how dogs can help people with disabilities.

By using the dogs’ perspectives, these stories come alive in a more personal manner than simple instruction.  The photos are of actual dogs in action, as they demonstrate how they can help people.  Fun to read, informative, and enjoyable, BunnyBud Books are a great resource in sharing the work of these wonderful dogs who do so much good for the people they live with.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, holiday

The Night Before the Gingerbread Man’s Christmas

Bergers Book Reviews

gingerbreadAuthor: Larry Carney
Publisher: PC Treasures, Inc.
Genre: Children / Christmas
ISBN: 978-1600721090
Pages: 24
Price: $6.95

Author’s website
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It’s tough to be a snack at Christmas!  The Gingerbread Man is curious about Santa’s visit to his house, but soon becomes worried as Santa prepares to eat his pastry friends.  How can he convince Santa to spare them, and turn his attention to healthier veggies instead?

This cute and clever Christmas story of a kindhearted gingerbread man is written in rhyme, and is accompanied by a CD-ROM. This includes a read-along version of the story so kids can follow the story as they’re learning to read. It also has several novelty Christmas songs with easy to learn lyrics kids can sing along to. And it includes computer activities like coloring pages and an on-screen performance of one of the songs.

Since this package comes with a book, music and activities, The Night Before the Gingerbread Man’s Christmas is a superb value for the price, and would be ideal for any family looking for fun new holiday stories to enjoy.

Reviewer: Alice Berger