Books for School Libraries: Bestselling Nature Book With Fun Fantasy Stories, Big Ears Jack And Friends, Brings The Magic Of The Sonoran Desert To Life

'Big Ears Jack and Friends' is a collection of tall tales featuring extraordinary animals and plants from the Sonoran Desert of Baja California that can bring young people's love for nature to life, generate interest in wildlife and foster respect for environmental issues.

Books that present stories about animals hold significant value in education. These types of books engage children in myriad ways and can foster deep emotional connections. When kids read about a brave dog or a loyal feline, they can engage with themes of bravery, loyalty, and friendship without the emotional complexities that come with human characters. This emotional detachment makes it easier for them to explore and understand challenging topics like friendship, loss, and identity.

Animal books stimulate creativity and imaginative thinking and have always been important in the lives of kids and favorite books for children of any age, from newborns to teens (even adults!). 'Big Ears Jack and Friends', by award-winning author Earl Vincent de Berge is a best-selling collection of charming tales featuring animals and plants from the Sonoran desert of Baja California. Coyotes, foxes, boojum trees and bobcats are among the main characters in these enchanting fables, creating a rare book that is both entertaining and educational, and would make a valuable addition to school libraries.

This new young reader fantasy book is an enchanting collection of 15 imaginative short stories celebrating the wild animals and plants that live in the hottest desert in the Americas, on the narrowest peninsula in the world, Baja California, Mexico.

The main character in these delightful stories is Big Ears Jack: a very big jackrabbit with huge ears -- and magical powers to use for good! Jack is the king of desert kindness, a good friend to all desert critters.

Among Jack’s friends readers will meet Nosey and Wag, mischievous coyote brothers; Blue Dasher, a racing dragonfly; the Kangaroo Rat Chorus; tree-lizard Boris; Giro the dust devil; Hawk Conchita and the red ants; Lady Treble Clef, a watchful cactus; Paulina, the puma poet; Diana the musical tarantula; Lady Chrona, a sea lion who dreams of flying; a scheming sea gull named Swindler; the beautiful bobcat Miss Mucha Purrs; Mr. Shellie, the chatterbox tortoise; and Young Red Fox and his sweet love, the lovely rabbit Adorna -- along with many others.

In a review of 'Big Ears Jack,' an AWA reviewer said, "One of the book’s greatest strengths is its world-building. De Berge weaves the flora and fauna of Baja California into the narrative, making the setting feel like a character itself. Talking cacti, dust devils playing tag, and wise desert tortoises enrich the stories, placing readers in an enchanting ecosystem where the line between reality and fantasy blurs.

"The themes of community, creativity, and environmental respect run throughout the collection. Young readers will enjoy the magical adventures and witty dialogue, while adults will appreciate the underlying messages about cooperation, individuality, and harmony with nature."

In his review on Amazon Mark Winheld stated, "If you're up for more fantasy fun, you'll be tempted by chapter titles like 'Sheriff Diamondback and the Egg-Thieving Coyotes,' or 'Dianna the Musical Tarantula,' or 'Swindler (a thieving seagull) and Big Umpo the Sea Lion,' or 'Lady Treble Clef and Dust Devils Rescue a Javelina Family,' and many more."

Reviewer Essien Asian said, "The author presents educational information in detail while using the dialogue between the characters to stimulate young readers' imaginations. The mix of strategically placed pictures, an engaging narrative style, and thought-provoking subplots regarding these animals ensures that young readers will learn vital lessons in diplomacy and survival from 'Big Ears Jack and Friends' while enjoying a captivating adventure.

‘Big Ears Jack and Friends' is available in print and ebook form on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/stores/Earl-Vincent-de-Berge/author/B09R6M1G4Y?.

De Berge is also the author of a dramatic and exciting travel memoir, 'A Finger Of Land On An Old Man's Hand'. In this book, readers are immersed with four explorers in a transformative journey through Baja California in 1962 and 1964, inspired by 'The Forgotten Peninsula' by Joseph Wood Krutch. The book received a 5-star review from ReaderViews, and another reviewer called the book, ". . . a beautifully written, fabulous tale of an incredibly brave and daring journey."

Earl has published three collections of his poems, “Allegro to Life,” “Swans to Carry Me,” and “Wind in the Elephant Tree,” which touch on nature, human nature, love, desert silence, and life in Guatemala.

All of de Berge's books are available at Amazon and other online book retailers. More information, including an excerpt from the “Baja book” and a pdf of selected photos with insider details revealing Baja in the 1960s, is available at https://www.earldeberge.com.

About Earl Vincent de Berge:

Author Earl Vincent de Berge is an Arizona native, writer, photographer, and poet. With a master’s degree in political science from the University of Arizona, he founded Behavior Research Center, Inc., and created the respected and widely published Rocky Mountain Poll (RMP), of which he was Editor for 35 years. Earl’s photographs, logbooks, and essays reflecting on life experiences serve as foundations for his prose and poetry. He has recently published three collections of his poems, “Allegro to Life,” “Swans to Carry Me,” and “Wind in the Elephant Tree,” which touch on nature, human nature, love, desert silence, and life in Guatemala. He is currently assembling “The Man Who Ate His Dreams,” a biography of a rags-to-riches businessman, artist, and poet.

Earl and his wife Suzanne split their time between Arizona and Guatemala where they founded the nonprofit Seeds for a Future to help impoverished rural women improve their families’ access to adequate food and nutrition (www.seedsforafuture.org).

Contact:

Earl Vincent de Berge
https://www.earldeberge.com/
edb1326@hotmail.com 

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Coming Of Age In Baja In The 1960s - Earl Vincent de Berge's Bestselling Biography, A Finger Of Land On An Old Man's Hand, Is Both Compelling And Profound

 'A Finger of Land' by Earl Vincent de Berge is not just a memoir; it is instead a masterful retelling of a journey that unravels the depths of self-discovery and the intricate tapestry of human connection with nature and God.

Coming-of-age stories provide a unique perspective on growth and self-discovery. During that time in our lives, many of us are seeking an identity or our life's purpose—an emotional connection, the meaning of life perhaps. Readers enjoy these types of stories immensely, as they offer a safe space to explore their own fears, dreams, and aspirations. They can provide a roadmap or perhaps give us an insider's view regarding how others have approached those all-important life issues. The enduring appeal of coming-of-age stories offers inspiration to readers of all ages.

While every coming-of-age story is necessarily unique, some stand head and shoulders above the ever-growing crowd. One such book is Earl Vincent de Berge's memoir of exploring Baja during the 1960s. It is a story that is as enlightening as it is engaging.

'A Finger of Land on An Old Man's Hand' immerses readers in four explorers' transformative journey through Baja California in 1962 and 1964, inspired by 'The Forgotten Peninsula' by Joseph Wood Krutch. This riveting narrative transports readers into the untamed landscapes of 1960s Baja, where rugged mountains, lush oases, and harsh deserts collide with the vast ocean. It's a tale that resonates deeply, evoking the longing for youthful adventures many of us harbor.

Through evocative prose and striking, previously unreleased photographs, the book chronicles the explorers' encounters with Baja wildlife, the warmth of frontier families, and the relentless Pacific storms. Against this dramatic backdrop unfolds a saga of profound discovery, resilience, and personal evolution. From encounters with gold prospectors to meetings with reclusive hermits, each character's narrative weaves together thrilling challenges, adventurous escapades, and spiritual growth, offering a compelling testament to the human spirit's capacity for transformation.

“I wrote my “Finger of Land” narrative to record a life-changing adventure and to inspire young and not so young readers interested in learning what exploration of a wilderness desert can teach; about the challenges and rewards in store for those who would pit their brains, skills and physical stamina against an unforgiving wilderness. But more important,” notes de Berge, “the book relates how adventurers, each in their own way, learned to calmly overcome nature’s trials that seemed to await us around every bend in the trail -- if there was a trail. Every experience strengthened our self-confidence, polished our individual survivals skills and deepened our respect for people of a culture new to us. I found myself pausing every day to examine my worldviews relative to everything -- from the environment to the ways in which dirt-poor settlers opened their hearts to the ethic that they are their brother’s keeper."

One reviewer called the book, ". . . a beautifully written, fabulous tale of an incredibly brave and daring journey." ReaderViews, in their 5-star review said, "A Finger of Land on an Old Man’s Hand by Earl Vincent de Berge is the stark, witty, and profound memoir of four college students testing their limits on the Baja Peninsula in the summer of 1962. One could think of this as the classic literary assignment, 'How I Spent My Summer Vacation.' Only to do so would be to grossly underestimate this narrative."

Earl’s adventures in Baja deepened his youthful fascination with the Sonoran Desert and its plants and animals, and inspired him to write collection of charming stories for young readers. The main characters are Big Ears Jack – a huge magician jackrabbit – and other animals, birds and plants of the Sonoran Desert and its coastal regions. “Big Ears Jack and Friends,” will be published this summer.

Earl also published three collections of his poems, “Allegro to Life,” “Swans to Carry Me,” and “Wind in the Elephant Tree,” which touch on nature, human nature, love, desert silence, and life in Guatemala.

All of de Berge's books are available at Amazon and other online book retailers. More information, including an excerpt from the book and a pdf of selected photos with insider details revealing Baja in the 1960s is available at his website at https://www.earldeberge.com/.

About Earl Vincent de Berge:

Author Earl Vincent de Berge is an Arizona native, writer, photographer, and poet. With a master’s degree in political science from the University of Arizona, he founded Behavior Research Center, Inc., and created the respected and widely published Rocky Mountain Poll (RMP), of which he was Editor for 35 years. Earl’s photographs, logbooks, and essays reflecting on life experiences serve as foundations for his prose and poetry. He has recently published three collections of his poems, “Allegro to Life,” “Swans to Carry Me,” and “Wind in the Elephant Tree,” which touch on nature, human nature, love, desert silence, and life in Guatemala.

He is currently assembling “The Man Who Ate His Dreams,” a biography of a rags-to-riches businessman, artist, and poet, and a book of young reader stories in which the main characters are animals and birds of the Sonoran Desert and coastal regions of Baja.

Earl and his wife Suzanne split their time between Arizona and Guatemala where they founded the nonprofit Seeds for a Future to help impoverished rural women improve their families’ access to adequate food and nutrition.

Contact:

Earl Vincent de Berge
https://www.earldeberge.com/
edb1326@hotmail.com

 

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Bestselling Biography, A Finger of Land on An Old Man’s Hand, Unveils A Life-Changing Journey of Exploration and Discovery in Baja California, 1962-1964

'A Finger of Land' by Earl Vincent de Berge is not just a memoir; it is instead a profound exploration that unravels the depths of self-discovery and the intricate tapestry of human connection with nature and God.

Earl Vincent de Berge's bestselling memoir, 'A Finger of Land on An Old Man's Hand,' offers a riveting account of his 1962-64 odyssey through Baja California, inspired by Joseph Wood Krutch's 'The Forgotten Peninsula.' This vivid narrative transports readers into the wild terrains of 1960s Baja, where rugged mountains, verdant oases, and stark deserts meet the expansive ocean and a group of youthful explorers. It is a remarkable tale that describes the trip we all wish we had taken in our youth.

Captured through eloquent prose and stunning, previously unseen photographs, the book recounts the four explorers’ encounters with diverse wildlife, the warmth of frontier families, and the fury of Pacific storms. This backdrop sets the stage for a compelling saga of survival and personal transformation, featuring characters like gold prospectors and reclusive hermits, whose stories of resilience and discovery are interwoven with thrilling challenges, adventure and spiritual transformation.

“I was born in a cactus patch called Arizona,” notes Earl. “At every turn, this desert, in its unforgiving and unhurried way, instructs me on the importance of patience and balance in all things we do that affect the natural world, and especially the delicate, balanced ecology in deserts. So for me,” de Berge added, “the principal message I draw from 80 years of exploring desert ecologies is the imperative for mankind to learn to see nature as a partner to be protected and nourished, not merely as an asset to be exploited.”

One reviewer called the book, ". . . a beautifully written, fabulous tale of an incredibly brave and daring journey." ReaderViews, in their 5-star review said, "A Finger of Land on an Old Man’s Hand by Earl Vincent de Berge is the stark, witty, and profound memoir of four college students testing their limits on the Baja Peninsula in the summer of 1962. One could think of this as the classic literary assignment, 'How I Spent My Summer Vacation.' Only to do so would be to grossly underestimate this narrative."

Earl’s adventures in Baja deepened his youthful fascination with the Sonoran Desert and its plants and animals, and inspired him to write a collection of charming stories for young readers. The main characters are Big Ears Jack – a huge magician jackrabbit – and other animals, birds and plants of the Sonoran Desert and its coastal regions. “Big Ears Jack and Friends,” will be published this summer.

Earl also published three collections of his poems, “Allegro to Life,” “Swans to Carry Me,” and “Wind in the Elephant Tree,” which touch on nature, human nature, love, desert silence, and life in Guatemala.

All of de Berge's books are available at Amazon and other online book retailers. More information, including an excerpt from the book and a pdf of selected photos with insider details revealing Baja in the 1960s is available at his website at https://www.earldeberge.com/.

About Earl Vincent de Berge:

Author Earl Vincent de Berge is an Arizona native, writer, photographer, and poet. With a master’s degree in political science from the University of Arizona, he founded Behavior Research Center, Inc., and created the respected and widely published Rocky Mountain Poll (RMP), of which he was Editor for 35 years. Earl’s photographs, logbooks, and essays reflecting on life experiences serve as foundations for his prose and poetry. He has recently published three collections of his poems, “Allegro to Life,” “Swans to Carry Me,” and “Wind in the Elephant Tree,” which touch on nature, human nature, love, desert silence, and life in Guatemala.

He is currently assembling “The Man Who Ate His Dreams,” a biography of a rags-to-riches businessman, artist, and poet, and a book of young reader stories in which the main characters are animals and birds of the Sonoran Desert and coastal regions of Baja.

Earl and his wife Suzanne split their time between Arizona and Guatemala where they founded the nonprofit Seeds for a Future to help impoverished rural women improve their families’ access to adequate food and nutrition.

Contact:

Earl Vincent de Berge

https://www.earldeberge.com/

edb1326@hotmail.com

Leia Mais…

Revealing The Soul Of Baja: A Riveting Memoir Of A Life-Changing Journey Of Exploration And Discovery in Baja California, 1962-1964: A Finger Of Land On An Old Man's Hand

 

'A Finger Of Land' by Earl Vincent de Berge is not just a memoir; it is instead a profound exploration that unravels the depths of self-discovery and the intricate tapestry of human connection with nature and God.

Earl Vincent de Berge's memoir, 'A Finger Of Land On An Old Man's Hand,' is a masterful work that intimately details a 1962-64 adventure inspired by Joseph Wood Krutch's enduring masterpiece, 'The Forgotten Peninsula.' The book escorts us through the untamed wilderness of 1960s Baja California, a challenging terrain for even seasoned explorers - more so for a band of youthful adventurers.

This memoir, eloquently captured through words and never before seen photographs, immerses readers in the diverse landscapes of Baja—its mountainous terrains, lush oases, and barren deserts framed by the vast ocean. Encounters with wildlife, the embrace of frontier families, and the raw intensity of Pacific storms create an utterly unique tale. This is the canvas upon which is written a story that seamlessly blends discovery, spiritual transformation, adventure, wilderness survival, soul searching, and coming of age.

The narrative's intriguing characters—courageous settlers, gold prospectors, hermits—add a touch of mystery. Amidst life-threatening events and the discovery of gold nuggets, the explorers' resilience and self-reliance shine through, artfully portrayed through stunning photography (despite the challenges of wind-blown sand).

"I wrote this book to share the many surprising and sometimes profound realizations so strongly experienced during our trip,” said de Berge. “I remember reflecting one evening that ‘Everything away from the primitive road was as it had been for millennia. We hiked for days without seeing a human footprint or signs of a domesticated animal. Any scratch in the sand was made by something indigenous to the area.’ The silence and sense of isolation were astounding,” he added, “making us all the more aware of the camaraderie we shared.”

One reviewer called the book, ". . . a beautifully written, fabulous tale of an incredibly brave and daring journey." ReadersViews, in their 5-star review said, "A Finger of Land on an Old Man’s Hand by Earl Vincent de Berge is the stark, witty, and profound memoir of four college students testing their limits on the Baja Peninsula in the summer of 1962. One could think of this as the classic literary assignment, 'How I Spent My Summer Vacation.' Only to do so would be to grossly underestimate this narrative."

Earl also published three collections of his poems, “Alegro to Life,” “Swans to Carry Me,” and “Wind in the Elephant Tree,” which touch on nature, human nature, love, desert silence, and life in Guatemala.

All of de Berge's books are available at Amazon and other online book retailers. More information, including an excerpt from the book and a pdf of selected photos with insider details revealing Baja in the 1960s is available at his website at https://www.earldeberge.com/.

About Earl Vincent de Berge:

Author Earl Vincent de Berge is an Arizona native, writer, photographer, and poet. With a master’s degree in political science from the University of Arizona, he founded Behavior Research Center, Inc., and created the respected and widely published Rocky Mountain Poll (RMP), of which he was Editor for 35 years. Earl’s photographs, logbooks, and essays reflecting on life experiences serve as foundations for his prose and poetry. He has recently published three collections of his poems, “Alegro to Life,” “Swans to Carry Me,” and “Wind in the Elephant Tree,” which touch on nature, human nature, love, desert silence, and life in Guatemala.

He is currently assembling “The Man Who Ate His Dreams,” a biography of a rags-to-riches businessman, artist, and poet, and a book of young reader stories in which the main characters are animals and birds of the Sonoran Desert and coastal regions of Baja.

Earl and his wife Suzanne split their time between Arizona and Guatemala where they founded the nonprofit Seeds for a Future to help impoverished rural women improve their families’ access to adequate food and nutrition.

Contact:

Earl Vincent de Berge

https://www.earldeberge.com/

edb1326@hotmail.com

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