Earthquake Reviews:

The Kids Book Connection 

Epicenter and faults, aftershocks and the Richter Scale are all explained, along with less known terms such as “Ring of Fire” and seiches.  Also included are easy experiments for children to try at home and a craft, in addition to information on how to prepare for an earthquake and what to include in your home backpack to prepare for emergencies.

Earthquake by Susan Berger is a great way for children to learn the facts about earthquakes, and the illustrations by Eugene Ruble help to make that learning fun!

Rating:  

Mayra Calvani in Suite101

Donna M. McDine 6/17/09

Marketing Manager. Stories for Children magazine

How many of us from our childhood actual thought you could dig to China? I know I did. And from the onset children’s author, Susan Berger pulls the reader into Earthquake with the line “I hate to tell you this, but you can’t dig to China.” Berger presents the causes, predictions, measuring, and facts of earthquakes in an easy to understand vibrant presentation. The intertwining of earthquake facts with everyday examples to conduct your own experiments will bring a deeper understanding to the reader. “Some earthquakes feel like the earth is moving side to side like the rocking of a train. (Stand in the middle of a see saw. Try to keep your balance.)”

The cartoon fact charts and illustrations add a delightful way of explaining earthquakes to young readers and adults alike. And along with emergency preparedness tips, Earthquake is a sure bet in being prepared for an earthquake emergency.

Susan J. Berger is an accomplished children’s writer and actress. Earthquake is her second picture book for Guardian Angel Publishing. Visit Susan at: http://www.susanjberger.com

Illustrator, Eugene Ruble is an accomplished freelance illustrator and graphic artist with over 40 years and worked with a wide range of publishers, corporations and individual clients on many challenging assignments. Visit Eugene at: http://www.jacketflap.com/persondetail.asp?person=199546

Lisa A Wald

Geophysicist Web Team Leader USGS Earthquake Hazards Program Golden, CO

Overall, I like the book, the contents, illustrations, and tone.

I agree that the level of the book is more for grades 2-4.

There are a few statements in the book that are not scientifically accurate.

(I will cover these on the earthquake Website)

Steve Bessemer

State of Missouri Emergency Management Agency

Excellent reading and viewing!  I have forwarded your e-mail on to some of my state contacts to try to get you some sufficient feedback.  I do know there is a historical museum in New Madrid, MO that sells books – maybe you could do a reading there for local students?

Greg Durocher

USGS Alaska Science Center

Brendan had me look at your book.  I think that it's pretty good, except that instead of grades 1-3, I could see it as 2-4.
Here's a list of some booksellers in Alaska who might be interested, as we're definitely in earthquake country!

4/11/09 Earthquake review by Janet Ann Collins

With the current news about the earthquake in Italy, now is a good time for kids to read "Earthquake" by Susan J. Berger. Actually it's a great book for kids interested in science to read at any time. Berger manages to give plenty of interesting and practical facts while still keeping a light feel. She breaks the information up into manageable bytes so kids won't get bored with it. I can't wait to share the book with my grandson. Posted by Janet Ann Collins

 4/22/09 Jessica Aday Kennedy,  Childrens Book Author

"Earthquake" provides an explicit description of earthquakes. It answers the questions that would arise in a person’s mind about cause and effect. From a dissection and explanation of the earth to a clear and concise description of the physical events that cause an   earthquake to preparation and actions to take before, after and during a seismic episode “Earthquake” succeeds in painting an accurate and easily understandable picture.

The vocabulary makes the book easily understood by children. Although the book was written with children in mind it would be as useful to adults. As a native Texan transplanted in the San Francisco Bay area in California during the “Great Quake of ‘89”, this book would have been a valuable resource to demystify the tragic quake.  

The book can easily be incorporated into a classroom discussion of seismic activity. It would compliment and enhance a science class of any and all ages. The lessons on preparing for the possibility of an earthquake would prove invaluable if a major quake is experienced.

In 1989, if a plan had been set forth prior to the event, fears and anxieties could have been allayed. Telephone, utilities, transportation and information disseminators were interrupted. People were in the dark literally and figuratively. If the simple steps were followed in the book these problems could have less of an impact or be avoided.  

One suggestion in the book is to designate a phone number out of the state for your family to call to act as a hub of   information about you and your family’s well-being. Phone lines in the affected areas are often interrupted. It’s easier to contact a person out of the area in another state. You can let your family know you are okay and get information about them by calling the designated phone number as soon as you can get to a phone. Instead of spending hours and days pacing the floor forced to wonder, your worries can be laid to rest.

With the combination of eye-opening factoids on earthquake preparedness; clear descriptions of the how, what, when, where and why of earthquakes; and past earthquakes and their consequences, the reader is fully armed with an understanding of seismic activity. The illustrations by Eugene Ruble compliment the text and lend humor to a frightening and serious subject. “Earthquake” will earn its place on any bookshelf and is destined to be dog eared and worn from children using it as a reference on this subject."

2/18/09 sharilyle-soffe.blogspot.com Review By Shari Lyle Soff,. Childrens’Book Author

This nonfiction book will fascinate children young and old. It offers something to every reader. Susan Berger’s facts and descriptions are informative and easy to understand. Eugene Ruble’s illustrations are clever and humorous.

This book is filled with fun factoids. It has charts and graphs, plus illustrations of the inside of the earth. What is an earthquake? Can scientists predict when an earthquake will occur? What do the terms used to describe earthquakes mean? That and more will be found in this book. This book would be a terrific resource for homeschooled children or the school library.
Experiments are included for children to try that will help them understand what happens in an earthquake. Tsunamis are explained. Some famous past earthquakes and tsunamis are described in detail.

This book offers an earthquake craft for kids to make to help with earthquake preparedness. Children and parents learn to put together a plan and a survival kit. There is extensive information on what to have on hand and how to keep supplies fresh.

Susan Berger takes what could be a frightening subject and uses it to inform and empower children. The book is full of useful tips for preparing for the possibility of an earthquake. She tells the reader what to do during and after a quake. Earthquake is a book that gives the reader tips on ways to help others instead of curling up in fear, ending the book on a positive note. I highly recommend this book for children everywhere.

Jamie's Dream Reviews

Review, Jamie’s Dream

The Kids book Connection

Jamie had a wonderful dream, and now he wants to buy it for his mom.  But his mom, the crossing guard and Jamie’s teacher aren’t sure you can buy a dream.  Since Jamie is having a great day, though, he isn’t easily detered.  When he meets up with Chester the Unicorn, they go on an adventure in search of his dream and something wonderful happens.

What a charming and imaginative story!  Susan’s son Christopher helped her write Jamie’s Dream when he was only nine years old.  Now an actor who likes to write comedy, you catch a glimpse into the inspiration and creativity flowing through Chris with Jaime’s Dream.  

The real world may be limiting, but as the reader soon discovers, the world of imagination knows no bounds.  Your young reader will be totally captivated by Jamie’s journey to where he uncovers Dreams R Us, and an old man with a long silver beard helps Jamie find his dream.

The illustrations by Kim Sponaugle are beautiful and warm.  This is the first time I’ve seen her work, and I’ll definitely be looking for more of it.

Susan and Chris make a great writing team.  I hope to see more from them in the future.

Rating:  

Monday, 6 October 2008
By Susan Stephenson

What a wonderful idea, to write a book with your child! Susan Berger and her son Christopher Corbin went one step further. They sought, and achieved publication for the subsequent picture book, Jamie's Dream (Guardian Angel Publishing, 2007).

 Where would you go to buy a dream? Jamie's determined to find out, so he can buy one for his mother. Lucky purple socks, unicorns, . and belief in magic lead him to Dreams R Us where more adventure awaits.

 Kim Sponaugle's colourful, almost naive illustrations contribute to the dreamy atmosphere. The story itself reads much like a real dream, with simple narrative text detailing one event after another. This makes it an excellent model for a child to follow, to tell or write his own story of a dream. It also means this book will do double duty as a read-aloud picture book, and as an easy reader when the child is older
There's a nice twist to the "seeing is believing" mantra in Jamie's Dream, which is dedicated to "...the dream sharers". I'm glad one mother and her nine-year-old son decided to share their dream with the rest of us