'101 Wacky Camping Jokes' By Melvin A. Berger Book Review

 

'101 Wacky Camping Jokes' By Melvin A. Berger is a book full of corny summer camp jokes that are best appreciated by those who went to summer camp.

As for me, I never went to camp, at least not the kind they joke about, and these jokes have nothing to do with my experience. When I was a kid I went camping with the Cub Scouts and rafting with my family. In all those cases I was with my mother who would have kicked the living crap out of anyone who would have asked me to sleep in a leaking tent. 

For me, the jokes about bad food and wild animals don't mean much, and I didn't really laugh. However, this is a scholastic book meant to get kids to read and I guess it does that well.

Who should read this book? Lovers of corny jokes. 

Books read: 240 of 5000

'Barkus, Sly and the Golden Egg' by Angela McAllister Book Review

 

'Barkus, Sly and the Golden Egg' by Angela McAllister is one of those morality tales all too common in the world of children's books.

Barkus and Sly are both anthropomorphic foxes who are the local thieves who horde there loot in a shed. However, they steal a group of chickens who plan to get free and teach the foxes a lesson.

Given that the chickens will be eaten by the farmer who owns them sooner or later escaping the pot isn't all that great of a feet. Still, the moral lessons of those who steal with you will steal from you ring true.

Who should read this book? Anyone.

Books read: 239 of 5,000

"The little baby Snoogle-Fleejer" by Jimmy Carter Book Review

 

"The little baby Snoogle-Fleejer" by Jimmy Carter, yes president Jimmy Carter, is the story of the friendship between a boy and a sea monster called the Snoogle-Fleejer.

Carter told this story to his own family before writing it down for the rest of us to share. I find this a shade ironic given that the larger conflict of the story rises from poverty and a need for universal healthcare. 

In truth, this is a story about not taking things at face value but rather looking deeper into the character of people, or monsters, that you come across. 

Who should read this book? Everyone. 

Books read: 238 of 5,000

"The Library of Planets: Jupiter" by Abby Young Book Review

 

"The Library of Planets: Jupiter" by Abby Young is a look at the largest planet in the solar system and many of the missions to investigate this interesting giant.

The book is a little dated now as it was written before Pluto was named a dwarf planet. In addition there is a good amount of talk about the definition of a moon.

I would have been happier to see the probes themselves that visited this great planet. The evolution of technology is fascinating to me, but then this was not the topic of the book.

Overall this was a great little science book that had so much to say about our largest solar companion that is not a star. I found it informative and entertaining. 

Who should read this book? Space Lovers like me. 

Books read: 237 of 5,000

"Down a River" by Carole Telford and Rod Theodorou Book Review

 

"Down a River" by Carole Telford and Rod Theodorou is a look at the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. It details the life and landscape along the way from the head of the rivers to their termination. 

This is a wonderful fact filled book that will get children interested in the great out doors, biology, and the environment. This book sports both illustration and photographs of the flora and fauna of the rivers, and it is voiced as if the reader is taking a trip down river. 

The book does what it can with thirty two pages and can only be improved by being longer and more detailed. 

Who should read this book? Everyone.

Books read 236 of 5,000

"The Wonderful Way Babies Are Made" by Larry Christenson Book Review

 

"The Wonderful Way Babies Are Made" by Larry Christenson

is a Christian centered look at reproduction. It carries an abstinence only look at making more humans. 

By far the best part of this book is that it caters to two reading levels indicated by large and small print on each page. This gives the parent child reading more interaction and a greater level of detail.   

This is a book that should only be read by parents looking to build a strong religious construct in their child's mind. Only a parent can decide if that is right for their child.

Who should read this book? Christians 

Books read: 235 of 5,000

"The Bad Seed" by Jory John Book Review

 

"The Bad Seed" by Jory John is a book about a literal seed that is rude to other seeds and refuses to wash his hands.

Why is he a bad seed? Because instead of getting eaten he got spit out and left under a bleacher. This made him keep to himself and be bad. Then one day for no reason at all he has a change of heart and things are better. 

This is a fun book but I don't know if spontaneous change is a good lesson to teach children. I mean, it can happen. However, when people are suddenly nice to you in real life it's for a reason. This shouldn't hurt your reading of this book, but it could have been better if the seed had a reason for his change. 

Who should read this book? People looking for a fun read.

Books read: 234 of 5,000