A class project has turned into a first-time publishing of a children’s book for Webber Elementary School teacher Roslyn Helberg.
Helberg, who teaches the gifted education program for grades 1-5 at Webber, wrote a story about an adventurous penny named “Jake” for a class project four years ago. When she showed the story to a friend, they suggested she have it published.
“I laughed,” she said. “But we polished it up and edited it and I had a professional artist redo the illustrations.”
Helberg provided the rough drafts for the illustrations for “The Adventures of Jake the Penny.” Rochester artist David Anderson did the rest.
“The main character (Jake) is a penny who comes to life and goes exploring,” Helberg explained. “He’s on these mini-adventures from one place to the next.”
Helberg said she came up with the idea after talking with a friend about writing a story for a class.
“She said ‘Why don’t you follow a penny from person to person,’ and I thought that was kind of boring,” she said. “So I decided to make him come to life.”
The book was published by Bang Printing in Minnesota in November 2002. Helberg said she found the company after a long search.
“The company I went with liked the idea…it was a new experience (finding a publisher). I didn’t know quite what to do. I made a lot of phone calls,” Helberg said.
Helberg said she has been interested in drawing and writing stories since she was a child. Currently living in Lake Orion with her three children, she said she will consider penning another children’s book if this one sells well.
“I had so much fun doing it,” she said. “My students tell me they like it. I’ve done a few author visits to schools in the area, and the response has been positive.”
Anyone interested in purchasing a copy of “The Adventures of Jake the Penny” can e-mail Helberg at hwalnutgrove@aol.com. The book sells for $16.95, which includes shipping and handling.

A class project has turned into a first-time publishing of a children’s book for Webber Elementary School teacher Roslyn Helberg.
Helberg, who teaches the gifted education program for grades 1-5 at Webber, wrote a story about an adventurous penny named “Jake” for a class project four years ago. When she showed the story to a friend, they suggested she have it published.
“I laughed,” she said. “But we polished it up and edited it and I had a professional artist redo the illustrations.”
Helberg provided the rough drafts for the illustrations for “The Adventures of Jake the Penny.” Rochester artist David Anderson did the rest.
“The main character (Jake) is a penny who comes to life and goes exploring,” Helberg explained. “He’s on these mini-adventures from one place to the next.”
Helberg said she came up with the idea after talking with a friend about writing a story for a class.
“She said ‘Why don’t you follow a penny from person to person,’ and I thought that was kind of boring,” she said. “So I decided to make him come to life.”
The book was published by Bang Printing in Minnesota in November 2002. Helberg said she found the company after a long search.
“The company I went with liked the idea…it was a new experience (finding a publisher). I didn’t know quite what to do. I made a lot of phone calls,” Helberg said.
Helberg said she has been interested in drawing and writing stories since she was a child. Currently living in Lake Orion with her three children, she said she will consider penning another children’s book if this one sells well.
“I had so much fun doing it,” she said. “My students tell me they like it. I’ve done a few author visits to schools in the area, and the response has been positive.”
Anyone interested in purchasing a copy of “The Adventures of Jake the Penny” can e-mail Helberg at hwalnutgrove@aol.com. The book sells for $16.95, which includes shipping and handling.