Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Kenneth Grahame
Illustrator: Ernest H. Shepard
Publisher: Holiday House
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-8234-2820-5 (hardcover), 978-0-8234-2821-2 (paperback)
Price: $16.95 (hardcover), $6.95 (paperback)

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A Boy discovers a dragon is living in the cave when his father comes home upset by such a notion. Not being afraid (because he has read all about dragons), the Boy makes his acquaintance, and the two become fast friends. The Boy likes to read, and the dragon is a poet and story-teller. But the town folk are not happy to have a dragon – even a mild-tempered one – living in such close proximity, and they bring in St. George to slay him.

The Boy must step in and right the situation before it gets out of control. Acting as mediator and organizer, he brings the dragon and St. George together before the battle to draw up a plan. And in the end, everyone, including the dragon, is happy with the results.

The Reluctant Dragon was first published in 1938. This unusual story is part fantasy and part humor, in the unusual interactions between man and beast. Children will cheer at the Boy’s cleverness in saving a situation that could easily have gone horribly wrong. This 75th anniversary edition brings this timeless classic back into print for all ages to enjoy.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, education

I Love Reading Phonics: Tick Tock Books – Level 5

September 5, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

A series of educational books by Tick Tock Books featuring level five 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. Please also see posts on level one, level two, level three, and level four information.

Snapped by Sam!
Author: Melanie Hamm
Illustrator: Emmeline Pidgen
Publisher: Tick Tock Books
ISBN: 978-1-84898-775-3
Pages: 24
Price: $3.99

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Level 5-A: Sam likes to take pictures, but he learns that people don’t always appreciate his timing.
Focuses on the t sound made with the letters ed.

Max’s Trip
Author: Melanie Hamm
Illustrator: Kate Daubney
Publisher: Tick Tock Books
ISBN: 978-1-84898-776-0
Pages: 24
Price: $3.99

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Level 5-B: Max travels around the world, and even to the moon. He discovers aliens are friendly.
Focuses on the d sound made with the letters ed.

George the Genius Gerbil
Author: Louise Goodman
Illustrator: Suz Hughes
Publisher: Tick Tock Books
ISBN: 978-1-84898-777-7
Pages: 24
Price: $3.99

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Level 5-C: George the gerbil knows the answer to every question, and puts on a show to prove it.
Focuses on the j sound made with the letters ge, gi, and gy.

Budge Troll, Budge!
Author: Louise Goodman
Illustrator: Nicola Anderson
Publisher: Tick Tock Books
ISBN: 978-1-84898-778-4
Pages: 24
Price: $3.99

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Level 5-D: The troll on the bridge won’t let anyone pass by, until an even bigger troll finally forces him to budge.
Focuses on the j sound made with the letters ge and dge.

education

The Student Life Jacket

September 4, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Susan M. Sparks
Publisher: SMS Promotional Ventures
Genre: Education
ISBN: 978-1467506557
Pages: 80
Price: $32.95

Author’s website
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College students on their own for the first time may face hurdles they never anticipated. Managing time, money, health, roommates, cars, and school all at once can be a challenge for the under-prepared. The Student Life Jacket was designed to ease this transition from home to college.

There are five basic topics covered in this guide: Health & Wellness, Housing, Money, Getting Around, and Social Life. Although not exhaustive in the ideas presented, there are helpful tips and motherly wisdom on each topic. Fill-in forms for pertinent information and heavy-duty plastic folders for important papers are also included.

Since I’m an accountant, I would have liked to see a simple budget form to help guide the student in making financial decisions. A breakdown of monthly income and expenses can show how much really is available for those late night pizzas. I also would have liked to see all the forms together in one section, as an easy reference. Having to look inside the section marked “Getting Around” for the networking and reference contacts list makes it more difficult to find.

The Student Life Jacket was the IPPY Best Book of 2013 in the Parenting and Family, Organizers and Planners category. This student organizer would be a great gift for all teens heading to college.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

animals, children

A Squirrel’s Story

August 29, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Jana Bommersbach
Illustrator: Jeff Yesh
Publisher: Little Five Star
Genre: Children / Animals
ISBN: 978-1-58985-252-5
Pages: 40
Price: $11.95

Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

Mama Squirrel is worried about the big, black cat roaming the neighborhood. He is intent on doing harm to her and her babies, so she needs a safe place for a nest. Normally, squirrels don’t use birdhouses, but a wood duck house suits her purposes just fine. Soon she and her two little ones, Sally and Sammy, are safe inside.

Mama takes good care of her children, and they begin to ask what’s outside their nest. Sally is ready to explore, but Sammy is more timid, and Mama worries he may have trouble adjusting once he’s living on his own. Mama encourages him, and Sammy finally ventures out into the world.

Told from Mama Squirrel’s perspective, A Squirrel’s Story is a cute story based on an actual squirrel family. There is also a curriculum guide and activities provided for classroom use.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

animals, children

GQ, GQ, Where Are You?

August 28, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Sharon I. Ritt
Illustrator: Nadia Komorova
Genre: Children / Animals
ISBN: 978-1-85985-223-5
Pages: 40
Price: $14.95

Author’s website
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Georgy (also known as “GQ”) is a Gambel’s quail living in the Arizona desert. As he explores, he discovers many fascinating plants and animals, and they are mentioned as he visits them. The second section of this book explains in more detail about each plant and animal featured. Lastly, there are activities that can be used to learn more about the Sonoran Desert. An accompanying CD provides some information about the book, plus two versions of the story. One is in song, to the tune of Frère Jacques, and the other is read by the author.

The illustrations in GQ, GQ, Where Are You? are lovely, and Georgy is soft and cute with an inquisitive look. The text is written with the intent of singing, and the rhythm is not quite true, so it doesn’t read easily aloud. There is a lot of good information in the detailed plants and animals section, and children will discover interesting facts about desert life.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

fantasy, teen

The Time Fetch

August 27, 2013August 27, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Amy Herrick
Publisher: Algonquin Young Readers
Genre: Fantasy
ISBN: 978-1-61620-220-0
Pages: 320
Price: $16.95

Author’s website
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Mistaking the Time Fetch as an ordinary rock, Edward picks it up to bring to science class and wakes it from its slumber. Its purpose is to send out foragers to gather those moments that won’t be missed, to be redistributed to others in the Great Web. But now that the Fetch has been roused prematurely, it creates chaos in the foragers’ indiscriminate theft of time.

Only four classmates have touched the Fetch, and now they have knowledge and understanding of what’s going on around them that no one else seems to have. Danton, Edward, Brigit and Feenix have to work together to save the universe from the out-of-control foragers. But first they will need to outwit some witches, the Unraveler, and beasts intent on stopping them.

The Time Fetch is one of the most enjoyable young adult books I’ve read. The story is fast-paced and absorbing, and I had a hard time putting this book down. The magic and fantasy, as well as the unlikely partnership of these four very different classmates, is on par with the Harry Potter series. It was great watching them make the decision to work together, putting aside their differences, and becoming friends in the process. I highly recommend this book for all ages.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Christian, music

Sunny Days

August 26, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Artist: Tammy Trent
Label: September Day Records
Genre: Christian Music
Amazon Price: $12.10 (CD) $8.99 (MP3)

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Christian music doesn’t always have to sound serious – in fact, sometimes it can make you jump up and dance. Sunny Days is a lively compilation of feel-good songs with a great beat and strong Christian lyrics.

“Welcome Home” (my personal favorite track on this CD) has a wonderful message of forgiveness, as it reminds us we’ll always be welcomed back to our Father’s home. “Fall At Your Feet” brings us to our knees in worshiping our creator and offering our broken lives for His mercy. “I’m Running” sends us straight to the arms of the only God who can save us. Other songs are also reminders of our dependence on God for our whole lives, as we worship Him.

If there’s a storm cloud on your horizon, Sunny Days will be sure to chase it away. This uplifting music will brighten your outlook and bring you closer to God.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

Inside My Imagination

August 21, 2013August 21, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Marta Arteaga
Illustrator: Zuzanna Celej
Publisher: Cuento de Luz
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-84-15503-59-0
Pages: 24
Price: $15.95

Author’s website
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One day a young girl breathes in the words of her story and finds herself entering the world of her imagination. This wonderful paradise is full of unusual creatures like unicorns, elves and fairies. Clouds take shape, and letters jumble to form words that create more stories. This magical world of imagination is full of new ideas just waiting to be born.

Inside My Imagination is a fanciful journey through a girl’s thoughts, as she explores the many possibilities and opportunities that await her. Unique and interesting illustrations accompany the lyric text. This beautiful book is sure to stimulate a child’s own creativity, and help her to believe that she can be whoever she wants to be.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Christian

God in Slow Motion

August 19, 2013September 5, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Mike Nappa
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Genre: Christian
ISBN: 978-1400204625
Pages: 256
Price: $15.99

Author’s website
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Do you ever try to slow down when studying the Bible and really absorb what you’re reading? Maybe even place yourself there in the picture and think about how you might feel? In God in Slow Motion, Mike Nappa does just that, using examples from ten well-known Biblical stories about Jesus and his ministry.

Focusing on the Samaritan woman at the well, the woman with the issue of blood, and the death and raising of Lazarus, among others, Nappa shows us some of the hidden gems we may have missed in a casual reading. Why was that Samaritan woman so willing to stop and talk to Jesus, knowing he was a Jew, and should have no interest in speaking with her? Why was the miraculous healing of the woman with non-stop bleeding not enough, and what else did she really need? And what were Mary and Martha thinking and feeling when Jesus took so long to get there when they wanted Him to save Lazarus? And how do we, personally, relate to these stories? These questions and many more are explored, with commentary and guidance to find our own answers.

With daily Bible reading plans designed to maximize the number of pages read, it’s easy to skim over some of these wonderful and personal stories of the ministry of Jesus. It’s a good idea to slow down and savor them, absorbing the deeper meanings hidden under the surface. God in Slow Motion guides us through ten of these, but encourages us to do the same in our own study, reminding us to always keep our focus on Jesus. I highly recommend this book.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

fitness

Paleo Fitness

August 16, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Darryl Edwards with Brett Stewart & Jason Warner
Publisher: Ulysses Press
Genre: Fitness
ISBN: 978-1-61243-165-9
Pages: 176
Price: $16.95

Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

Many people say they have been successful in converting to a Paleo diet. But what does that mean, exactly? And how does a fitness routine fit with this new eating style? Paleo Fitness answers these questions and more.

First, this book explains why the Paleo diet is superior to the traditional diet. Then it lists allowed and non-allowed foods, along with explanations. A sample menu and several tempting recipes are also provided. A three level workout routine is then given in the form of charts showing each exercise and its corresponding page number. The largest section is the descriptions and pictures of these unique exercises.

Unlike traditional workouts, Paleo fitness is designed to work out the total body, not just isolated muscle groups. You won’t find these exercises in the gym, and they don’t use traditional weights or machines. Instead you’ll find yourself crawling on the floor in crab walk or crocodile walk, jumping like a rabbit, hanging from a bar, or going through the motions of tossing an object. These exercises are created from nature, and work the body the way a caveman might have exercised through daily living.

If you’re bored with your traditional workout and you’re ready to try something more natural, Paleo Fitness might be just what you’re looking for. I highly recommend it.

Reviewer: Alice Berger