Jake the Ape Makes a Lot of Mistakes! Book 1 in the Mindset School Series, by Heather Lyn Davis, is a 34-page-long children’s picture book about Jake the Ape (a lively boy who is about 4-6 years old), a sweet, kind-hearted individual who starts his day with only the best intentions. This particular day was going to be a great one, he was sure, but from the very beginning, he didn't do things exactly right. This bothers him, and he acts quickly to make things right once again. As time goes by, he makes even more mistakes and finds himself fixing them repeatedly. Can he ever do everything right?

This is a heartwarming story, and it reflects kids who want to do everything perfectly the first time, only to find themselves frustrated when they fail. But after a while, all those setbacks can add up to becoming like Jake, who finally decides to quit. Every time he turns around, something goes wrong. So why should he even try? The artwork is fabulous, and the story maintains a light-hearted tone, but the message is crystal clear. We all make mistakes, but that’s part of life and is also how we learn. Even the best of us fail from time to time, but we can grow from the experience. If you have a youngster who struggles with perfection, this book is for you. Buy it, sit down with your child, and watch the wonderful lesson unfold. Jake the Ape Makes a Lot of Mistakes! by Heather Lyn Davis is highly recommended.

Book 1 in the Mindset School Series by Heather Lyn Davis presents Jake the Ape Makes a Lot of Mistakes! This is the story of young Jake, who wakes up one morning full of enthusiasm. He feels that it is going to be a good day. But his expectations fall short as he begins to commit simple errors in his daily routine. It starts with not properly buttoning his shirt, but he easily rebuttons it. He makes a mess at the kitchen table with the sticky jam that he spreads on his bread, but he cleans it up. At school, he makes further mistakes by playing catch, solving a math problem, spilling the drink of another student, and getting distracted. At home, he tells his mom that he needs to do homework, but he feels that it’s too hard. Yet despite all the mistakes that Jake has committed, he keeps trying and does his best to rectify them all.

Jake the Ape Makes a Lot of Mistakes! is a great start for a series that teaches children the right mindset essential in their formative years. Similarly, Heather Lyn Davis sends a strong positive message to all parents out there: as parents do their best to provide for and shelter their kids, letting them make mistakes is one aspect of their development that is often ignored. Jake the Ape’s one-day experience filled with blunders is a brilliant illustration that we need to provide children with opportunities for learning that comes from making mistakes. Jake the Ape is given such opportunities to struggle and fail, making him develop social and emotional skills in the process. Corryn Webb’s illustrations are top-notch and fulfill the visual requirements for young readers to fully grasp the essence of the story and the character. If you are looking for a great story for your child’s reading activity, consider going for this one.