YORKTON — A local region author has new works hitting the market.
Jacqui Campbell, who was born at Neudorf, but now lives on a farm near Melville said her first effort was, Fix It, Potter!, “a playful yet meaningful story about a potter who gently repairs broken pieces—teaching children about kindness, second chances, and love.”
Now she has three books [Jesus Keeps Me Brave, Jesus Keeps Me Kind, Jesus Keeps Me Calm], in her Jesus Keeps Me 12 book series which she says “are heartwarming, rhyming stories for ages three-to-eight, each one is designed to be fun and engaging for kids, while also giving families a way to talk about big feelings like bravery, kindness, and calmness.”
Campbell told Yorkton This Week, “readers can expect lively illustrations, catchy rhymes that are easy for little ones to repeat, and stories that wrap up with a short reflection, a Bible verse, and a simple prayer. They’re books that invite laughter, learning, gentle faith and morals all at once.”
But why the books at this time?
“The Jesus Keeps Me series came out of my heart for children learning to handle big emotions,” she offered. “In a world where kids are often overwhelmed by worry, pressure, or comparison, I wanted to create playful, rhyming stories that help them feel safe, brave, kind, and calm. These books were worth writing now because families are looking for tools that combine fun storytelling with values and faith—something kids will enjoy and parents will appreciate.
“The Jesus Keeps Me series was inspired by noticing how few children’s books are available that combine playful rhymes, emotional learning, and gentle faith.
“So many families are looking for ways to help kids understand big feelings like bravery, kindness, or calmness—but there aren’t many stories that connect those values with Jesus in a way that feels natural, lighthearted, and fun. “I wanted to give parents and grandparents a resource that helps little ones both laugh and learn while planting seeds of faith.”
Campbell said the books have come together of time, “a few months to bring to life.
“Writing the rhymes usually flows quickly, but the real time is spent refining the language so it’s easy for children to repeat, working with illustrations, and making sure the rhythm and message feel just right. It’s been a joyful process of patience and persistence.”
The process has not always been easy.
“For the Jesus Keeps Me series, the hardest part has been capturing ‘big feelings’ in a way that young children can easily understand,” said Campbell. “Emotions like bravery, kindness, and calmness can feel abstract, so I had to find simple rhymes, everyday situations, and playful repetition that made those ideas come alive for little readers—without ever feeling heavy or complicated.”
In terms of self-reflection Campbell said “the best element is its mix of playfulness and purpose. The rhymes are easy for children to repeat, the illustrations are engaging, and at the end of every book there’s a space for reflection, a short Bible verse, and a simple prayer. That combination means families aren’t just reading a story—they’re building connections, values, and faith together.”
All together the author thinks there are readers looking for books like she has written.
“The Jesus Keeps Me series offers a rare blend of fun, faith, and emotional learning,” said Campbell. “Each book helps children recognize and manage big feelings like bravery, kindness, and calmness, all through catchy rhymes and colourful illustrations. Parents and grandparents love that it’s enjoyable for kids while also planting seeds of values and faith in a natural, joyful way.”
And, as an author she is pleased too.
“I’m deeply satisfied with the Jesus Keeps Me series because it captures exactly what I hoped for—playful rhymes that children love, paired with meaningful lessons that parents appreciate,” said Campbell. “Each new book feels like another step in creating resources that help little hearts grow in values and faith, and that’s work I’m proud of.
To go along with the storybooks, Campbell has also created Jesus Keeps Me Brave & Kind: A Coloring Adventure. She explained, “it’s a companion colouring book that lets children colour scenes and characters from the stories while reflecting on the values of bravery and kindness. It’s fun, calming, and a way for kids to engage with the lessons through creativity. Parents love it because it reinforces the stories in a hands-on, screen-free way.”
Now a new release is also out; Divot’s Delight: A Hacker’s Handbook to Hilarity.”
Tell readers a bit about the book and what they can expect?
“Alongside my children’s stories, I’ve also written a lighthearted golf humour book called Divot’s Delight: A Hacker’s Handbook to Hilarity. It’s packed with playful sketches, witty one-liners, and tongue-in-cheek chapters about the joys and frustrations of the game. It’s meant for golfers of all levels who know that sometimes laughter is the best mulligan,” said Campbell.
She said, “Divot’s Delight was worth writing because golf is more than a game—it’s a comedy show in progress! With so much stress in the world, laughter is timely and necessary. I wanted to give golfers (and even non-golfers) a humorous escape, full of puns, sketches, and lighthearted takes on the sport we love to hate. It’s a reminder that sometimes the best thing we can do is laugh at ourselves.”
“Divot’s Delight was inspired by the game of golf itself—more specifically, by the way it can make us laugh at ourselves. After years of seeing (and living!) the funny side of golf—the mulligans, the missed shots, the quirky golf culture—I realized there was a book waiting to be written. Humour and golf go hand in hand, and I wanted to capture that joy on the page.”
Campbell added “the best element of Divot’s Delight is its ability to turn golfing frustrations into laughter. Whether it’s naming the impossible shots, poking fun at golf gadgets, or exaggerating the quirks of the game, the book helps readers see themselves and smile. It captures the truth that golf is humbling—but humour makes it a joy.”
All books are available on Amazon; in Melville at the Gift Shop located in Melville Community Works and directly from the author.
