Media
Book Reviews
Praise for Busy Feet
"Berneger’s rhyming text makes for a fun, buoyant read-aloud. [...] a perfect fit for toddler and preschool readers. A bouncy, exuberant read as playful as its target audience."
―Kirkus
"...this would be a nice addition to collections for toddlers and young preschoolers.... I anticipate this being a popular storytime pick. Recommended."
―Jean Little Library Blog
"As a retired elementary school teacher and now a grandmother, Marcia's no stranger to the seemingly unending supply of energy that kids have, and her book Busy Feet captures the essence of that energy so perfectly.... Along with Marcia's rollicking rhyme and bold illustrations by Susanna Chapman that kids are sure to love, Busy Feet incorporates a surprise element -- opposites -- giving this super-fun story an extra layer of 'teaching without teaching.'"
―Lauri Fortino, Frog on a (B)log
"This book shouts read me loud and read me at story time so I can get up off the floor and mimic everything the characters in the story do."
―Ronna Mandel, GoodReads with Ronna
"We are definitely dancing for this new picture book… we are clapping our hands and tapping our BUSY FEET..."
―Children's author Vivian Kirkfield, Picture Books Help Kids Soar
"This book is sheer perfection to get kids moving and engaged in reading at the same time... Perfect for parents wanting to jazz up these cold winter days and perfect for teachers wanting to engage children mentally and physically! A 5 star children’s book!"
―Emily Lewis, Mrs. Mommy Booknerd's Book Reviews
"For this #MelAndNikkiReview, we give this book 5 stars out of 5! An engaging story that promotes motion and inspires getting your feet moving. Our feet are truly busy ones as they are always on the move. A great appreciation for feet and at the end of the day, it is great to put your feet up to relax. The best way to relax is to pick up this book for reading time with your little ones."
―Melanie Bragga, Momma Bragga
"Travel through a day in the life of a toddler, including lots of play, with this new picture book. With a rhyming scheme and bright illustrations of diverse feet, kids will be excited to get their own feet moving throughout the day."
―Stacie Gorkow, SincerelyStacie
“An interactive book that 2-4 year olds will love…. …will get repeated requests for read alouds. This picture book is a fun romp through a busy toddler’s day focusing just on the actions of those little feet. It’s a great concept that is delivered really well. Don’t miss it!”
―Simply Seven, Jena Benton, (blog)
Check out these interviews with Marcia about Busy Feet:
Book Q&As with Deborah Kalb
Simply Seven with Jena Benton
Praise for A Dreidel in Time: A New Spin on an Old Tale
“A Dreidel in Time lets readers live the Hanukkah story. Fast-paced with dialogue that educates and engages, A Dreidel in Time is perfect to give your Magic Tree House and I Survived readers."
―MomReadIt.com
“Fans of ‘Magic Tree House’ will love ‘A Dreidel in Time’….”
―L.A. Parent
“This exciting retelling of the Hanukkah story should appeal to both Jewish and non-Jewish children.”
―Kirkus
“VERDICT A fun introduction to the story of Hanukkah. Recommended for libraries seeking Jewish stories for their early chapter book sections.”
―School Library Journal
“A classic Hanukkah tale with a fantasy twist…. Marcia Berneger’s new picture book uses the basic elements of the story but adds another layer. In addition to learning about the holiday and a bit of Jewish history, the story presents a gentle moral lesson — that Hanukkah is not entirely about receiving presents. Taking a moral stand and putting oneself on the line when confronting issues of right and wrong is more important than ripping wrapping paper off gifts for eight nights in a row…. [An] enchanting book.”
—Jewish Book Council
“...a delightful adventure tale, filled with suspense, loyalty and love, revealing the true meaning of the Hanukkah story. Great fun, a pleasure to read and educational to boot.”
—Faye Kellerman, NYT best-selling author of Day of Atonement and Milk and Honey
A “page-turner chapter book….”
—Jewish Telegraphic Agency
“There are very few easy chapter books with Jewish content. This is one that will appeal to any reader, Jewish or not….”
―Association of Jewish Libraries
“Readers will enjoy learning details about the historic events through the eyes of the resourceful siblings.”
—Barbara Bietz, JewishBooksforKids.com (Hanukkah Book Roundup 2021)
“A Dreidel in Time is a fun retelling of the Hanukkah story. […] Berneger has included all the important parts of the Hanukkah story including how the Jews brought gifts to the rededication of the Temple, which is how the tradition of gift giving began. It is a well-written book…that should appeal to young chapter book readers.”
—Alex Baugh, RandomlyReadingBlogspot.com (Top 100 Children’s Book Blogs)
A Dreidel in Time was included in several 2020 & 2021 holiday book lists including:
MomReadIt.com (Rosemary Kiladitis) — Nov. 10, 2021
JewishBooksforKids.com (Barbara Bietz) — Nov. 7, 2021
RandomlyReading.blogspot.com (Alex Baugh) — Dec. 5, 2020
GoodReadsWithRonna.com (Ronna Mandel, L.A. Times) — Dec. 4, 2020
PictureBooksHelpKidsSoar.com (Vivian Kirkfield)
WhatWeDoAllDay.com
Praise for Buster: The Little Garbage Truck
“[Buster] should make for pleasant reading for emerging independent readers. It should also make a wonderful text for discussions about personal fears and phobias.”
―Picture Book Depot
“Big rig fans will love ‘Buster the Little Garbage Truck.”
―The Las Vegas Review Journal
“[Buster] is one of those books that big-truck lovers can’t afford to be without. Certainly, it’s one that won’t sit on the shelf much. You know you need ‘Buster the Little Garbage Truck’ in your house, so pick it up.”
―The Cape Cod Times
"Berneger’s rhyming text makes for a fun, buoyant read-aloud. [...] a perfect fit for toddler and preschool readers. A bouncy, exuberant read as playful as its target audience."
―Kirkus
"...this would be a nice addition to collections for toddlers and young preschoolers.... I anticipate this being a popular storytime pick. Recommended."
―Jean Little Library Blog
"As a retired elementary school teacher and now a grandmother, Marcia's no stranger to the seemingly unending supply of energy that kids have, and her book Busy Feet captures the essence of that energy so perfectly.... Along with Marcia's rollicking rhyme and bold illustrations by Susanna Chapman that kids are sure to love, Busy Feet incorporates a surprise element -- opposites -- giving this super-fun story an extra layer of 'teaching without teaching.'"
―Lauri Fortino, Frog on a (B)log
"This book shouts read me loud and read me at story time so I can get up off the floor and mimic everything the characters in the story do."
―Ronna Mandel, GoodReads with Ronna
"We are definitely dancing for this new picture book… we are clapping our hands and tapping our BUSY FEET..."
―Children's author Vivian Kirkfield, Picture Books Help Kids Soar
"This book is sheer perfection to get kids moving and engaged in reading at the same time... Perfect for parents wanting to jazz up these cold winter days and perfect for teachers wanting to engage children mentally and physically! A 5 star children’s book!"
―Emily Lewis, Mrs. Mommy Booknerd's Book Reviews
"For this #MelAndNikkiReview, we give this book 5 stars out of 5! An engaging story that promotes motion and inspires getting your feet moving. Our feet are truly busy ones as they are always on the move. A great appreciation for feet and at the end of the day, it is great to put your feet up to relax. The best way to relax is to pick up this book for reading time with your little ones."
―Melanie Bragga, Momma Bragga
"Travel through a day in the life of a toddler, including lots of play, with this new picture book. With a rhyming scheme and bright illustrations of diverse feet, kids will be excited to get their own feet moving throughout the day."
―Stacie Gorkow, SincerelyStacie
“An interactive book that 2-4 year olds will love…. …will get repeated requests for read alouds. This picture book is a fun romp through a busy toddler’s day focusing just on the actions of those little feet. It’s a great concept that is delivered really well. Don’t miss it!”
―Simply Seven, Jena Benton, (blog)
Check out these interviews with Marcia about Busy Feet:
Book Q&As with Deborah Kalb
Simply Seven with Jena Benton
Praise for A Dreidel in Time: A New Spin on an Old Tale
“A Dreidel in Time lets readers live the Hanukkah story. Fast-paced with dialogue that educates and engages, A Dreidel in Time is perfect to give your Magic Tree House and I Survived readers."
―MomReadIt.com
“Fans of ‘Magic Tree House’ will love ‘A Dreidel in Time’….”
―L.A. Parent
“This exciting retelling of the Hanukkah story should appeal to both Jewish and non-Jewish children.”
―Kirkus
“VERDICT A fun introduction to the story of Hanukkah. Recommended for libraries seeking Jewish stories for their early chapter book sections.”
―School Library Journal
“A classic Hanukkah tale with a fantasy twist…. Marcia Berneger’s new picture book uses the basic elements of the story but adds another layer. In addition to learning about the holiday and a bit of Jewish history, the story presents a gentle moral lesson — that Hanukkah is not entirely about receiving presents. Taking a moral stand and putting oneself on the line when confronting issues of right and wrong is more important than ripping wrapping paper off gifts for eight nights in a row…. [An] enchanting book.”
—Jewish Book Council
“...a delightful adventure tale, filled with suspense, loyalty and love, revealing the true meaning of the Hanukkah story. Great fun, a pleasure to read and educational to boot.”
—Faye Kellerman, NYT best-selling author of Day of Atonement and Milk and Honey
A “page-turner chapter book….”
—Jewish Telegraphic Agency
“There are very few easy chapter books with Jewish content. This is one that will appeal to any reader, Jewish or not….”
―Association of Jewish Libraries
“Readers will enjoy learning details about the historic events through the eyes of the resourceful siblings.”
—Barbara Bietz, JewishBooksforKids.com (Hanukkah Book Roundup 2021)
“A Dreidel in Time is a fun retelling of the Hanukkah story. […] Berneger has included all the important parts of the Hanukkah story including how the Jews brought gifts to the rededication of the Temple, which is how the tradition of gift giving began. It is a well-written book…that should appeal to young chapter book readers.”
—Alex Baugh, RandomlyReadingBlogspot.com (Top 100 Children’s Book Blogs)
A Dreidel in Time was included in several 2020 & 2021 holiday book lists including:
MomReadIt.com (Rosemary Kiladitis) — Nov. 10, 2021
JewishBooksforKids.com (Barbara Bietz) — Nov. 7, 2021
RandomlyReading.blogspot.com (Alex Baugh) — Dec. 5, 2020
GoodReadsWithRonna.com (Ronna Mandel, L.A. Times) — Dec. 4, 2020
PictureBooksHelpKidsSoar.com (Vivian Kirkfield)
WhatWeDoAllDay.com
Praise for Buster: The Little Garbage Truck
“[Buster] should make for pleasant reading for emerging independent readers. It should also make a wonderful text for discussions about personal fears and phobias.”
―Picture Book Depot
“Big rig fans will love ‘Buster the Little Garbage Truck.”
―The Las Vegas Review Journal
“[Buster] is one of those books that big-truck lovers can’t afford to be without. Certainly, it’s one that won’t sit on the shelf much. You know you need ‘Buster the Little Garbage Truck’ in your house, so pick it up.”
―The Cape Cod Times
Interviews & Articles
Article, GilaGreenWrites.com: "Diversity in Children's Books" - October 17, 2021
Interview, KathyTeamanWordpress.com, “Book Journey”, December 11, 2020
Interview, KidLit411.com (Sylvia Liu), Author Spotlight: Marcia Berneger, December 4, 2020
Article, Boy's Life Magazine: "Soccer and Me" - November 2007
Interview, KathyTeamanWordpress.com, “Book Journey”, December 11, 2020
Interview, KidLit411.com (Sylvia Liu), Author Spotlight: Marcia Berneger, December 4, 2020
Article, Boy's Life Magazine: "Soccer and Me" - November 2007