A Book Review for Kids & Moms from Books At a Glance
by Kristin Stiles
Are you raising a child who has a special interest in cars and trucks? Then you’ll want to expose them to gospel truths and practices through this series that is all about things that go. “The Wheelies” series currently has three titles: Coop Messes Up (previously reviewed at Books at a Glance), Coop Helps Out, and Coop Learns He Can.
In the two most recent additions to the series, Sarah Reju addresses the topics of servanthood and contentment. In Coop Helps Out, the young car who adores his father (a trash truck) is suddenly made aware that others see his father as undesirable because of the dirty work he does. This leads Coop to pull back from his father. He sincerely regrets that when his father “gets sick” and isn’t able to do his job. Others in the neighborhood point out what an important role the father fills and how he does his distasteful job with excellence and humility. Coop gains a completely different perspective on his father and decides that he should be serving others in this way. He is reminded of Jesus’ humble servant attitude. Reju provides this verse for children to learn: “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)
In Coop Learns He Can, little Coop is disappointed that he can’t keep up with his big sister, Joy, who is an off-roading Jeep. She seems so much better and cooler than he is as just a small sedan. He tries to follow her around the gravel pit, but he gets banged up and stuck on the big rocks. He bemoans the fact that he can’t do the cool things she can. During this excursion, Joy gets caught up on a boulder in the stream. Her tire goes flat, and she starts sinking. She’s unable to get her tow cable hooked onto a rock on the bank to pull herself out. In desperation, she calls on Coop for help. He doubts his ability, but because of his small size he’s able to quickly navigate the narrow path and to reach and attach the tow cable in time. Joy points out to Coop that no one else in their family would have been able to get to her that quickly. Coop remembers how he was taught about “being fearfully and wonderfully made.” He now better understands that this means he has his own unique qualities that God gave him, as well as a specific purpose for his life. The verse that fits so well with this story is: “I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are Your works; my soul knows it very well.” (Psalm 19:14)
I really appreciate these books that teach godly principles using topics and characters that are especially attractive to children. These stories are well written and beautifully illustrated. I believe your little “gearhead” will enjoy them and will also receive good and true instruction through them.
Kristin Stiles is a home-school mom, a Sunday School teacher, and helps lead the “Young, Reading, & Reformed” children’s ministry at Reformed Baptist Church of Franconia, PA.