Helen’s Temper and its Consequences is part of a collection of books, Lamplighter Collection, that have been reproduced by Lamplighter Publishers. These all too forgotten gems were originally written in the 17^th, 18^th, and 19^th centuries. This book is 123 pages in length. The purchase price is $18.00.

This book is suitable for most ages. The intended age is 6-11 years. With that said, older children as well as adults would find this book both engaging and insightful.

Helen’s Temper and its Consequences is about two sisters, Helen and Betty. Helen, the eldest sister, is very self-serving and too concerned with what others think of her. Often times she is downright cruel, not only to her sister, but to others. On the other hand, Betty is caring, compassionate, and thoughtful. After hearing the story of the Good Samaritan in Sunday school, Helen is applauded for her classroom achievement while Betty puts into action what she has learned. While walking home the sisters come upon a poor and quite crippled child. Helen wants nothing to do with this dirty, unseemly child. Betty, on the other hand, is filled with concern and compassion for the little girl and befriends Louisa. As the story unfolds, we witness Helen’s hardened heart and attitude while we see the many ways that Betty displays a heart of care and compassion. Helen “cared not that her Father in heaven had knowledge of every thought that passed through her heart.” Helen must come face her own worst enemy, herself.

I read this book aloud to my 3^rd grader. Not only did she enjoy the story but she also learned so much about the heart of man. After reading this story she definitely knew that she did not want to be like Helen. She took away from the story the importance of putting others before ourselves as well as the importance of not judging others. My daughter said, “God wants us to treat and love others just like He treats and loves us.” I would highly recommend this book to others. Some of the lessons learned from Helen’s Temper and its Consequences are; God’s unconditional love for all of His children, loving your neighbor as yourself, and showing compassion to others. God looks at the heart and so should we. We need to be wary of judging others by their outward appearance and manners, thus forming untrue opinions. These truths and many more will be learned while reading this book.

-Product reviewed by Jennifer Ladewig, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC, April, 2017