Roberts, Kelly D. Shaky Quaky Jake. Illustrated by Jveria Gauhar.  Louisville, KY: Global Bookshelves International, 2024.

Summary

What a bad day! Jake has a terrible day at school. He struggles to open his milk. He couldn’t get the computer mouse to work properly. He couldn’t hold the video controller still. Gramma helps him have a better end to his day. 

Sometimes his Essential Tremor overwhelms Jake. An afternoon with Gramma in “Shaky Quaky Jake” gives him a chance to regroup. The compassionate relationship between Jake and Gramma is heartwarming, and children learn a lot about how struggling with a disability can still lead to a better day…tomorrow.

TIMELESS TOPIC: Classic with the wisdom of a grandparent but with a fresh look at a little-known disability, this book touches on truly universal topics. Kindness, acceptance, inclusion, and imagination are front and center as the main character struggles to find his place in his classroom and, ultimately, life.

READ ALOUD: This picture book is perfect for read aloud occasions, bedtime, or any moment a kid needs cheering up and being reminded with perseverance and imagination, you can solve any problem and thinking outside of the box can be the answer if you are not afraid to step into the unknown and just do it!

SELF-RELIANCE: This book also emphasizes the value of remaining positive in facing life’s various difficulties. You can be upset and still be a regular person; you can have a bad day with all the entailing emotions.

REASSURANCE: Perfect for kids who are nervous about their struggles with a disability and any child who has less-than-ideal moments in life. The best we can do is keep trying!

EDUCATIONAL INFO INCLUDED: A note from the author tells a little about Essential Tremor. And a bonus list of how to RESPECT others is included in the back of the book.

Perfect for:

• A read-aloud option for parents, teachers, and librarians looking at books about overcoming adversity and persistence in everyday life
• Reassuring book for kids who experience anxiety or struggle to get through bad days
• Fans of books that celebrate big feelings and triumphs in everyday life

Preorder Shaky Quaky Jake on Amazon – https://amzn.to/3RRVIe3

My Kid Review

I’ve had 40 years in education and I don’t think I’ve ever heard of Essential Tremors. I appreciated being educated about the condition through the eyes of an elementary school student with the condition. Kelly D. Roberts shares her first-hand knowledge in this story about Shaky Quaky Jake. The story may help some children to understand that they are not alone with Essential Tremors. It may also help children understand the uncontrolled movements of a classmate with the condition. 

Jveria Gauhar’s illustrations complement the text well. They give readers/listeners a bit of a visual idea of what it might be like to live with Essential Tremors. I appreciated that there are a diversity of children (and adults) represented in the illustrations. 

Shaky Quaky Jake is appropriate for the picture book section of a K-12 Christian school library. It could be used in any of the elementary grades. 

I received a complimentary copy of Shaky Quaky Jake. This is my honest review. 

About the Author – Kelly D. Roberts

Kelly D. Roberts lives in S.E. Washington state with her Shorkie puppy, Freyja. You can find them making new friends in the park, hanging out with Kelly’s grandson, reading, or playing board games. Kelly homeschooled her children, then finished her degree in Early Childhood Education, spending time as a preschool teacher with the Early Childhood Education Assistance Program before retiring and pursuing a career in children’s literature. She feels strongly that every child deserves to be loved, included, and accepted just as they are. She has a precarious perch of books on her nightstand, desk, and kitchen counter! Read about her journey and find activities for this book on her website, The Shaky Quaky Reading and Writing Gramma, https://kellydroberts.com/.

About the Illustrator – Jveria Gauhar

Jveria Gauhar is aspiring to be a Jane of All Trades. Eager to learn any new skill, she often jumps into projects feet first, with her head joining soon after. “Shaky Quaky Jake” is her debut illustrated book, which she has been extremely humbled and excited to share with the world. In addition to doodling, she is a black belt in Taekwondo. She is a professionally trained optometrist and has an eye for all things EYES! Jveria’s most prized project, which has no end in sight, is being the mother to four creative kids and two uncreative cats! She is based in Louisville, Kentucky.

Read more Kid Review posts.

Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2024 (1/25/25)

MCBD is in its 11^th year! Valarie Budayr and Mia Wenjen founded this non-profit children’s literacy initiative; they are two diverse book-loving moms who saw a need to shine the spotlight on all of the multicultural diverse books and authors on the market while also working to get those books into the hands of young readers and educators.

Read Your World’s mission is to raise awareness of the need to include kids’ books celebrating diversity in homes and school bookshelves. Read about our Mission and history HERE.

Read Your World celebrates Multicultural Children’s Book Day and is honored to be Supported by these Medallion and Ruby Sponsors!

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MCBD 2024 is honored to be Supported by these Author Sponsors!

Authors: Gwen Jackson, Josh Funk, Eugenia Chu, Sivan Hong, Marta Magellan, Kathleen Burkinshaw, Angela H. Dale, Maritza M Mejia, Authors J.C. Kato and J.C.², Charnaie Gordon,  Alva Sachs, Amanda Hsiung-Blodgett, Lisa Chong, Diana Huang, Martha Seif Simpson, DARIA (WORLD MUSIC WITH DARIA) Daria Marmaluk-Hajioannou, Gea Meijering, Stephanie M. Wildman, Tracey Kyle, Afsaneh Moradian, Kim C. Lee, Rochelle Melander, Beth Ruffin, Shifa Saltagi Safadi, Alina Chau, Michael Genhart, Sally J. Pla, Ajuan Mance, Kimberly Marcus, Lindsey Rowe Parker

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Join us on Thursday, January 25, 2024, at 9 pm EST celebrating more than 10 years of  Multicultural Children’s Book Day Read Your World Virtual Party! Register here. 

This epically fun and fast-paced hour includes multicultural book discussions, addressing timely issues, diverse book recommendations, & reading ideas.

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Follow the hashtag #ReadYourWorld to join the conversation, and connect with like-minded parts, authors, publishers, educators, organizations, and librarians. We look forward to seeing you all on January 25, 2024, at our virtual party!

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