Category: education

children, education

I Love Reading Phonics: Tick Tock Books – Level 1

Bergers Book Reviews

A series of educational books by Tick Tock Books featuring level one reading. A brief summary of the books and their word focus are included below. This is a fun series kids will enjoy, while also learning how to read.

Bad Rat
Title: Bad Rat
Author: Karen Wallace
Illustrator: Rachael O’Neill
ISBN: 978-1-84898-747-0
Pages: 24
Price: $3.99

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Level I-A:  Bad Rat has stolen Pig’s bun.  Fat Cat helps him get it back.
Told in single-syllable words. Most are consonant-vowel-consonant.

Top Dog
Title: Top Dog
Author: Anne Marie Ryan
Illustrator: Vian Oelofsen
ISBN: 978-1-84898-748-7
Pages: 24
Price: $3.99

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Lebel I-B:  Dogs compete in the show.  The poodle shows off and wins top dog.
Focuses on certain consonants. Introduces two-syllable words and the silent e.

A Duck in Luck
Title: A Duck in Luck
Author: Anne Marie Ryan
Illustrator: Florencia Denis
ISBN: 978-1-84898-749-4
Pages: 24
Price: $3.99

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Level I-C: Nick the duck wants to play, but no one wants to join him. Maybe his friend, Jova, will play.
Focuses on qu, x, ff, ss, zz, and ck sounds.

The Best Gift
Title: The Best Gift
Author: Anne Marie Ryan
Illustrator: Florencia Denis
ISBN: 978-1-84898-750-0
Pages: 24
Price: $3.99

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Level I-D: Bess wants to marry the man who gives her the best gift. Jack wins with Sam’s help.
Focuses on consonant-vowell-consonant-consonant words

Bret and Grandma's Trip
Title: Bret and Grandma’s Trip
Author: Isabel Crawford
Illustrator: Sue King
ISBN: 978-1-84898-751-7
Pages: 24
Price: $3.99

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Level I-E: Bret and Grandma take a trip to the shore. They catch lots of crabs.
Focuses on consonant-consonant-vowel-consonant words.

Clint and Grant Play I-Spy
Title: Clint and Grant Play I Spy
Author: Isabel Crawford
Illustrator: Stefania Maragna
ISBN: 978-1-84898-752-4
Pages: 24
Price: $3.99

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Level I-F: What do Clint and Grant see? You’ll have to read to find out.
Focuses on consonant-consonant-vowel-consonant-consonant words.

Cowboy's Star
Title: Cowboy’s Star
Author: Louise Goodman
Illustrator: Alex Paterson
ISBN: 978-1-84898-753-1
Pages: 24
Price: $3.99

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Level I-G: Cowboy wants a star, but a man wants to steal it from him. Dog helps him stop the bandit.
Focuses on two-syllable words with consonant-vowel-consonant-consonant-vowel-consonant pattern.

A Dragon in the Sandbox
Title: A Dragon in the Sandbox
Author: Louise Goodman
Illustrator: Inna Chernyak
ISBN: 978-1-84898-754-8
Pages: 24
Price: $3.99

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Level I-H: Lots of characters join a boy in the magic sandbox including a dragon and his dad.
Focuses on more complicated two-syllable words following the patterns learned in previous lessons.

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

Trailer
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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

education, history, mathematics

Mathematics: An Illustrated History of Numbers (Ponderables)

Bergers Book Reviews


Edited by:  Tom Jackson
Publisher: Shelter Harbor Press
Genre: Mathematics / History
ISBN: 978-0-9853230-4-2
Page: 168
Price: $24.95

Website
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Do you remember with fondness the thrill of mathematical discovery? Your first geometry proof, using pi to calculate areas of circles, the imaginary number i, Pascal’s Triangle, and the Fibonacci Sequence may be distant memories, but the concepts still intrigue you. If you’re a math geek like I am, reading the Ponderables Illustrated History of Numbers is the perfect way to capture the joy you once felt.

Mathematical principles have not always been known. They developed throughout the ages by some of the masterminds of the sciences. In this illustrated history, we learn who was responsible for significant discoveries, and how they came about. One hundred “Ponderables” are presented for our enjoyment and enlightenment.

I have to admit, I am very biased in reviewing this book. I have always loved mathematics. Its perfect logic, symmetry, and order have been constant companions for me. And if you also love this exact science, you’ll love this book. I felt like I had taken a trip back to my favorite high school math classes. This is the perfect gift for any serious math student or your favorite math teacher. And if math isn’t your favorite subject, look for Ponderables in Chemistry, Space, Physics, Philosophy, and Computing.

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

education

Off to Class

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Susan Hughes
Publisher: Owlkids Books
Genre: Education
ISBN: 978-1-926818-86-3
Pages: 64
Price: $12.95

Author’s website
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Where is your school? Is it a traditional building with classrooms and teachers? Not everyone goes to school the way we do. Off to Class shows us some of the more unique schools around the world.

In India, one school meets on a train platform. Children in Canada can go to school online, while living in other countries. In China, some students go to school in a cave. And many places offer mobile schools to reach out to kids who couldn’t attend school otherwise.

According to the United Nations, every child has the right to an education. Without it, there is little hope for him to ever escape the poverty he’s living in. Kids will find reading Off to Class enlightening, and will hopefully have a new appreciation of how lucky they are to be going to school when so many others can’t. I highly recommend this interesting and eye-opening book.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, education

Bertie Bumble Bee: Troubled by the Letter “b”

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: K.I. Al-Ghani
Illustrator: Haitham Al-Ghani
Publisher: Schiffer Books
Genre: Children / Dyslexia
ISBN: 978-0-7643-3993-6
Pages: 44
Price: $16.99

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Schiffer Books

Bertie Bumble Bee is excited to be going to school. But once he’s there, he discovers he has a problem. He can’t tell his b’s from his d’s. When his classmates start making fun of him, Bertie doesn’t want to return to class.

Luckily for Bertie, his mom has a simple solution to his problem. Once she shares it with him, he never has trouble with b’s and d’s again.

In Bertie Bumble Bee, kids learn about dyslexia. They find out how it affects the ability to see letters, and what they can do to compensate. Parents are also provided with a guide to help their children master the alphabet and phonics.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

atlas, education

Hammond Scholastic New Headline World Atlas

Bergers Book Reviews


Publisher: Hammond
Genre: Atlas
ISBN: 978-0841-669420
Pages: 52
Price: $6.99

Publisher’s website
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Any serious social studies student needs a reliable map of the world. Hammond has updated their classroom world atlas as of 2010, to reflect the current global landscape.

This atlas includes pictures of the flags of the nations as well as an index of the major cities. Maps are shown in varying magnitudes and sizes to reflect different degrees of detail. Information on topography, population distribution, land use and mineral resources are provided by continent. But due to size constraints, these informational maps are general in nature, and can’t show the exact locations for some of these features.

The size and price of this atlas makes it an attractive addition to a classroom, since many hands may touch it over the course of the year. But unlike in the Hammond Student Notebook Atlas, the countries are outlined in color, not filled in, which makes it a little harder to distinguish them in more congested areas. Overall, this atlas is a good value and I recommend it for all students and classrooms.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

atlas, education

Hammond Student Notebook Atlas

Bergers Book Reviews


Publisher: Hammond
Genre: Atlas
ISBN: 978-0843-714838
Pages: 32
Price: $3.99

Publisher’s website
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Any serious social studies student needs a reliable map of the world. Hammond has updated their student notebook atlas as of 2010, to reflect the current global landscape.

This handy reference atlas is bound and hole-punched to fit a 3-ring binder, making it easy and light-weight for students to carry with them to class. It includes pictures of the flags of the nations as well as an index of the major cities. Maps are drawn in varying magnitudes and sizes to reflect different degrees of detail.  The United States is shown by itself on a two-page spread.

Once again, Hammond has demonstrated why they’re the leader in maps and atlases.   The convenience, quality and price can’t be beat, and I highly recommend this notebook atlas for all students.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, education

Dan’s Lost Hat

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Joy Cowley
Illustrator: Annie Hayward
Publisher: Hameray Publishing
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-60559-219-0
Pages: 16
Price: $4.95

Author’s website
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Dan has lost his flying hat. Where could it possibly be? The answer will surprise Dan, and also the man who has lost his cat! But how will they get the cat and the hat back? Dan is clever, and he outsmarts the cat. Now everyone is happy.

Rhyming verse is used to tell this amusing tale, and bright and cheerful illustrations by Annie Hayward bring it to life.

Since this book was written especially for teachers, a guide for classroom use is located in the back. Features include vocabulary, the use of rhyme, questions about the story itself, and ideas to spark the imagination. Dan’s Lost Hat is a sure hit in the classroom, and I highly recommend it.

Reviewer: Alice Berger