Too Tall Alice

Author: Barbara Worton
Illustrator: Don Rodi
Publisher: Great Little Books, LLC
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-9790661-1-5
Pages: 32
Price: $15.95

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Alice is FOUR inches taller than the other girls at Cherry Tree School. So tall she has to stand in the back row with the boys in their class photo. Everyone thinks being tall is okay and perfectly normal, but Alice wishes she was four inches shorter.

One night Alice has a dream that she meets a group of tall women. These women help her see how special she is, and how she doesn’t have to let her height hold her back from being the best person she can be.

In Too Tall Alice, the main character suffers from feeling different – in her case, being taller than everyone else. But kids can all relate to being different in some way and feeling like they don’t fit in. This book reassures kids that they may feel different now, but when they’re grown up, they can be anything they want to be.

Cute illustrations by Dom Rodi and clever “kid-language” make this book a fun read. But the positive message of self-acceptance and hope is what comes through in a TALL way.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

The Lexicon

Author: Steve Vander Ark
Publisher: RDR Books
Genre: Literary Reference / Criticism
ISBN: 978-1-57143-174-5
Pages: 368
Price: $24.95

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One of the frustrations of reading a long series is trying to keep track of what’s transpired along the way and who was involved. And when you mix in some magical spells along the way, things can get pretty confusing.

In an effort to consolidate some of the facts worth remembering, Steve Vander Ark has compiled The Lexicon for readers of the Harry Potter series. In encyclopedic format, he provides some of the names and events that happen throughout the narrative. He also includes brief commentary on some of the items, sharing additional information that’s not in the books.

Because of its format, the reader will need to know the word he wants to find. If you want a spell to make yourself appear to be someone else, you’ll have to look for Pollyjuice Potion. There isn’t a general listing of spells so you can find it. But if you’ve just come across this term and you can’t remember what it is, you can easily look it up.

I enjoyed this series immensely, but at times I found it frustrating that I couldn’t remember everything had happened in earlier books. Having The Lexicon at my side would have made it much easier to follow along. If you’re a Harry Potter fan, I highly recommend you pick up this companion work to enhance your reading pleasure.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Baron Thinks Dogs Are People Too!

Author: Laurie Dean
Illustrator: Kevin Collier
Publisher: Big Tent Books
Genre: Children / Dogs
ISBN: 978-1-60131-035-4
Pages: 24
Price: $14.00

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Baron lives with his human mom and dad. He loves to be around people, and especially loves squishy hugs. His parents let him play outside with some neighborhood kids, but what he wants most is a best friend. Finally his wish is granted.

Baron and his human companions come to life in Kevin Collier’s vivid illustrations, but this simple story seems to lack something. Dogs are a strong attraction for kids, but I felt Baron’s problem was too easy to solve. It would have been more interesting to me if he had to overcome some kind of obstacle, rather than simply showing up to accomplish his goal.

Romping, playful puppies are fun, and kids can relate to wanting a best friend. Younger children will probably enjoy reading Baron Thinks Dogs Are People Too!

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Size 2 For Life

Author: Ashley Marriott & Marc L. Paulsen, MD
Publisher: Stance Publications
Genre: Diet/Fitness
ISBN: 978-0-9821047-4-3
Pages: 211
Price: $21.99

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As a culture that’s become obsessed with weight management, we continue to seek out new and improved methods of shedding unwanted pounds. Size 2 For Life offers a diet and exercise plan which is designed to bring women back to their “frame-adjusted size 2″ figures.

At the introduction to this book, the authors address unhealthy weight loss methods and a dangerous increase in anorexic and bulimic behaviors. Yet this very title is one that leaves me feeling uncomfortable. Most women would probably be a very healthy size 6 or 8. Size 2 feels like an unattainable and dangerous goal to me.

The 21-day eating plan also disturbs me. It is made up of mostly steamed vegetables, egg whites, chicken and turkey. There is almost no fat and very few carbs. We may be a culture who eats too many of these foods, but healthy fats and carbs are a necessity in our diets. The program also assumes the reader can understand the authors’ lingo. One item on the plan is a “protein smoothie.” This item is not explained beforehand, so the reader would have no idea what would go into one.

The main focus of the exercise program is aerobic movement and muscle toning. Since there is considerable toning of the legs in dance or other aerobic activities, the authors recommend only upper body toning. Some exercises are provided, but they suggest following the circuit at your local gym. While this may be simple, it assumes that the circuit has been properly designed for a total upper body workout.

Once the size 2 figure has been achieved, a maintenance diet and exercise program is recommended. Several chain restaurant foods are analyzed for the best choices to make when dining out.

Overall, I was not impressed with this book. I felt the diet could have been explained in terms of allowable foods that one could pick and choose from, rather than a specific plan one had to follow each day. The diet is bland, and shows no imagination in creating tasty and healthy meals that won’t feel like deprivation eating. Weighing in twice every day as recommended would create unnecessary emotional stress when body fluctuations show weight shifts. The strongest feature of this book is the recommended exercise, which is a basic strength training and aerobic program.

If you’re looking for a sensible weight-loss and exercise program, I’d suggest Body For Life, which I feel is still probably the best book on the market.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Tears of Fears Behind Closed Doors

Author: Lyn-Dee Eldridge
Publisher: MasterMind Publishing, LLC
Genre: Self-improvement
ISBN: 978-0-9720941-0-8
Pages: 128
Price: $14.95

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Many women exist in silent desperation in an abusive household. As a survivor of an abusive childhood and marriage, Lyn-Dee Eldridge (or Woobie, as she calls herself) wants to show other women that it’s not only possible to escape from the abuse, but also to go on to live a happy and joyous life.

In Tears of Fears Behind Closed Doors, Woobie tells her story, beginning in childhood when the abuse began. Focusing on the universal aspects of abuse, she doesn’t reveal every aspect of her own experience. Instead she shares the parts that many readers would identify with, including some of the things she did to handle her own situation.

Positive self-talk and personal development are key, according to Woobie. Only by learning to love and respect herself can a woman get up the courage to end the cycle of abuse.

Included along with her inspirational story and helpful advice are numerous resources for women who still find themselves in abusive situations. Legal help, daily exercises, hot-line numbers, and addresses for women’s advocates are provided in the appendix. And the author is available as a speaker to share her story with women’s groups.

Woobie’s message is written in a conversational style, which lends itself to the occasional typo and a bit of rambling. But overall, she shares positive information and a spirit of hope. Tears of Fears Behind Closed Doors would be a great inspiration for a woman who finds herself in an abusive situation.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

The Moose With Loose Poops

Author: Charlotte Cowan, M.D.
Illustrator: Penelope Neal
Publisher: The Hippocratic Press
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-9753516-5-9
Pages: 32
Price: $17.95

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Miles Moose is excited about his upcoming camping trip with his dad. But then his tummy starts to act funny, with some very unpleasant results. Looks like he’ll be waiting a few days to take his trip so his tummy can get better.

Although the title of this book may cause a few heads to turn, The Moose With Loose Poops was written to help explain gastroenteritis to kids. The first time they experience vomiting or diarrhea, they may become worried. Dr. Cowan wanted to reassure them that this is perfectly normal but uncomfortable tummy behavior when they’re sick. Penelope Neal has created cute illustrations showing us how Miles handles his illness.

The author also includes a guide to gastroenteritis for parents, who may be even more concerned than their kids. It explains home treatment and when to call a doctor if symptoms seem to be getting worse. I highly recommend this cute and informative story for all families with young children.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Weeping Under This Same Moon

Author: Jana Laiz
Publisher: Crow Flies Press
Genre: Young Adult
ISBN: 978-0-9814910-0-4
Pages: 271
Price: $14.00

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In 1976, Mei, a Chinese girl living in war-torn Vietnam is forced to flee her country. Sent away on a tiny boat, she and her teenage brother and young sister leave their family behind, hoping to arrive on safe shores. With no guarantee of survival, they embark bravely on their journey.

In the United States, Hannah, a teenage girl, finds herself struggling to fit into a culture focused on drugs and parties. A non-conformist, she is drawn to important causes, and finds herself alone most of the time. When she hears of the plight of the “Boat People” escaping Vietnam, she knows she needs to help.

Weeping Under This Same Moon tells these two girls’ stories, which begin to intersect as Hannah befriends Mei and her family, and helps them acclimate to life in the US. Told with amazing perception and attention to detail, the author brings their stories to life. Great character development helps us to understand each girl and her unique situation.

This book is a fictionalized account of two real women who forged a lifetime friendship during a time of adversity. I highly recommend Weeping Under This Same Moon – a story of friendship, hope, and the spirit of helping others.

Reviewed by: Alice Berger

SOIL: More Than Just Dirt

Author: Jerry Wermund
Publisher: Rockon Publishing
Genre: Children / Science
ISBN: 978-09726255-3-1
Pages: 48
Price: $18.95

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Most of us give very little thought to the ground we walk on. When we plant our garden, the soil is just something we dig. But do you know how soil is formed? Or how many different kinds of soil there are?

Jerry Wermund explains soil formations in this interesting and informative book, written in a poetic style. He also includes many color photos of the various kinds of soil, with explanations of what makes them unique.

Although the author intends this book for elementary and middle school children, some of the vocabulary is too difficult for a younger child to understand. Many of the terms are defined, but adult explanations may also be necessary.

SOIL: More Than Just Dirt is an excellent resource for the budding environmentalist.

Reviewer: Alice Berger