Jake Helps Out: Biblical Values, Level 2

by Crystal Bowman, Karen Maizel (Illustrator)

Jake is excited about going to the beach with Mother, Father, and his little sister, Kelly. He wants to help out so they can be on their way. After spilling the milk, breaking a plate, and sloshing pickle juice in the picnic basket, he finally goes to his room feeling like he’s just in the way. While waiting for Mother and Father to finish the chores, he reads books to Kelly. When they get to the beach, Jake helps Kelly build a sand castle and teaches her how to swim. At the end of the day, Mother and Father explain to Jake that he was a big helper even though he didn’t realize it.

Genres: Childrens

32 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2007

About the author

Crystal Bowman is an author, speaker, and former preschool teacher. She graduated from Calvin College with a degree in elementary education and studied early childhood development at the University of Michigan. Her writing career began in 1990 as a lyricist for children's piano music. She began writing children's books in 1993 and has since written more than 100 books for children and 3 for women. She has written books for many popular children's series, such as Little Blessings, BOZ the Bear, MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers), Berenstain Bears, and I Can Read! She has also written two books of humorous poetry for children, numerous magazine articles, Bible study materials, and educational resource books. As a speaker, Crystal enjoys sharing her stories and poetry with students in the classroom and also with adults at teachers' conventions, writers' conferences, and women's seminars. "Writing and speaking can be intimidating because in order to connect with your audience you need to be personal and transparent, exposing what's in your heart and soul. But when readers or conference attendees respond positively to something I've said or written, it is humbling and rewarding all at the same time!" Crystal and her husband, Bob, have enjoyed 44 years of marriage and are the parents of 3 grown children and 5 grandchildren. They spend summers in Michigan and winters in Florida.

Reviews

[Chelsea McMillon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a sucker for stories about siblings. I enjoyed reading this one. This is a good lesson for children who try to help and think they have failed. It teaches them that they have to find the right things to help with and sometimes those are things only a big brother(or sister) can do.

[Mandy J. Hoffman · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute story of Jake and his desire to help out that ends up only causing problems. He learns how to help in ways that are just right for him.